Henan Self-Drive 7 Days 6 Nights Grand Loop: Zheng-Bian-Luo + Yuntai All in One

Seven days loop Henan's essence: enter Zhengzhou, Shaolin, Luoyang, Laojun, Yuntai, exit Kaifeng, intercity smooth no backtrack.

Zhengzhou 2, Luoyang 2, Luanchuan / Yuntai 1 each, Kaifeng 1.

Before You Go

• Trip length: 7 days and 6 nights
• Main cities: Zhengzhou, Luoyang, Luanchuan, Jiaozuo, Kaifeng
• Best for: Time-rich drivers wanting all Henan at once
• Pace: Moderate, 1-2 days per city

Day-by-Day Itinerary

• Day1: arrive Zhengzhou -> Museum + Erqi -> stay Zhengzhou
• Day2: Zhengzhou -> Dengfeng Shaolin -> back to Zhengzhou -> stay
• Day3: Zhengzhou -> Luoyang (about 1.5h) -> Longmen + Luoyi -> stay Luoyang
• Day4: Luoyang -> Luanchuan Laojun (about 2.5-3h) -> stay Luanchuan
• Day5: Laojun -> Luoyang -> to Yuntai (about 2-2.5h) -> stay shoreline
• Day6: Yuntai Red Stone + Zhuyu -> to Kaifeng (about 2.5-3h) -> night -> stay Kaifeng
• Day7: Kaifeng Prefecture / Baogong Lake -> return

Where to Stay

• Erqi / Railway Station business district: Metro Lines 1 and 3 intersect here, making it the most convenient for getting around and shopping (Budget about RMB 160-300 per night, mid-range about RMB 320-550 per night)
• Zhengdong New District (CBD / Convention Center area): New environment, wide roads, easy parking and close to Zhengzhou East Railway Station (Mid-range about RMB 350-600 per night)
• Jinshui District (Huayuan Road / Nongye Road area): An established business district with plenty of dining options and good metro coverage (Budget about RMB 180-320 per night, mid-range about RMB 350-600 per night)
• Xigong District (Zhongzhou Road / Wangfujing area): Interchange of Metro Lines 1 and 2, close to Luoyang Railway Station and the shopping district, with direct buses to both Longmen and Luoyi (Budget about RMB 150-280 per night, mid-range about RMB 300-500 per night)
• Luolong District (City Hall / Quanshun / Longmen High-Speed Railway Station area): New roads and easy parking, close to the Longmen Grottoes and Longmen HSR station (Mid-range about RMB 300-550 per night)
• Old Town (Lijing Gate / Luoyi Ancient City area): The ancient-city night scene and Hanfu costume shops are right outside your door, so night walks need no taxi (Character guesthouses and hotels about RMB 250-500 per night)
• Luanchuan county town: Mature facilities, a wide choice of lodging, and good value (Budget about RMB 150-280 per night)
• Foot of Laojun Mountain / Zhuimeng Valley area: Convenient for the first cable car up to catch sunrise and the sea of clouds (Guesthouses and hotels about RMB 250-500 per night)
• Yuntai Mountain shoreline service area / Baijia Rock: Right by the park gate for an early start, with clustered guesthouses and hotels (Budget about RMB 160-320 per night, mid-range about RMB 350-600 per night)
• Jiaozuo city proper: Full facilities and dining, about 30-40 minutes by car from Yuntai Mountain (Budget about RMB 150-280 per night, mid-range about RMB 300-500 per night)
• Gulou / Madao Street area: The city center, within walking distance of Gulou Night Market and Gulou Square (Budget about RMB 150-280 per night, mid-range about RMB 300-500 per night)
• Millennium City Park (Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden) / Longting area: Right next to the core scenic areas, convenient for entering early or late to dodge the crowds (Mid-range about RMB 300-550 per night)
• Kaifeng North Railway Station / New District area: Close to the high-speed station, with newer hotels and easier parking (Budget about RMB 160-300 per night, mid-range about RMB 300-500 per night)

Getting Around

• The metro network covers the main urban area, with Line 1 running east-west and Line 2 north-south
• Zhengzhou East Railway Station is the high-speed hub: about 30-40 minutes to Luoyang and 20-30 minutes to Kaifeng
• Dengfeng (Shaolin) is about 1-1.5 hours away and Zhongmu (Only Henan / Movie Town) about 40-60 minutes
• Metro Lines 1 and 2 cover the main urban area; for the Longmen Grottoes take the metro plus the scenic-area shuttle
• Most cross-town taxi rides are under 20 minutes and the starting fare is low
• Luanchuan (Laojun Mountain) is about 2.5-3 hours away and Dengfeng (Shaolin) about 1.5 hours; a chartered car or self-drive is recommended
• Luoyang to Luanchuan takes about 2.5-3 hours over winding mountain roads; avoid driving at night
• The Laojun Mountain cable car has two sections and queues are long on holidays; take the first ride up
• Zhengzhou to Yuntai Mountain is about 1.5-2 hours via the Zheng-Yun Expressway; Luoyang about 2-2.5 hours
• Inside the park, shuttles link Red Stone Gorge, Zhuyu Peak and the Waterfall Stream
• The roads outside the park jam on holidays, so leave early
• Kaifeng North Railway Station is the high-speed station; the Zhengzhou-Kaifeng intercity train takes about 20-30 minutes
• The old town's sights are clustered, so the riverside garden, Longting and Gulou can be linked on foot or by pedicab
• Zhuxian Town is about 40-60 minutes away; take a taxi or chartered car
• Zhengzhou to Luoyang: about 30-40 minutes by high-speed train, about 1.5 hours by car
• Luoyang to Luanchuan (Laojun Mountain): about 2.5-3 hours by car or chartered vehicle
• Jiaozuo (Yuntai Mountain) to Kaifeng: usually routed via Zhengzhou, about 2.5-3 hours in total
• Zheng to Dengfeng 1-1.5h; Zheng to Luo 1.5h; Luo to Luanchuan 2.5-3h; Luo to Jiaozuo 2-2.5h; Jiaozuo to Kai 2.5-3h

What to Eat

• Braised noodles (huimian) at established names such as Xiaoji and Heji, and pepper soup (hulatang) with pan-fried buns
• Geji braised pancake strips, carp with crispy noodles, and Zhengzhou roast duck
• About RMB 50-90 per person for a proper meal
• Luoyang Water Banquet: order a half banquet to sample it (established names include Zhenbutong and Guanji)
• Beef soup / mutton soup / donkey soup: the local breakfast habit, served with shredded flatbread
• Bufan soup, fermented noodle soup (jiangmian tiao), potstickers, and the peony-shaped Yancai dish
• About RMB 50-90 per person for a proper meal
• Luanchuan tofu, wild mountain vegetables, and free-range chicken
• About RMB 50-90 per person for a proper meal
• Huaiqing donkey meat, Wuzhi oily tea, Bo'ai fermented noodle soup, and yam with pork ribs
• About RMB 50-90 per person for a proper meal
• Soup-filled steamed buns (at established names such as Diyilou and Huangjia), bucket chicken, and peanut brittle
• Gulou Night Market / Xisi Night Market: fried mung-bean jelly, mutton-stuffed flatbread, and almond tea
• About RMB 40-80 per person for a proper meal

Budget per Person

• About RMB 2800-4000 per person for 7 days and 6 nights (tickets, 6 nights' lodging, intercity and local transport, and meals; excludes long-haul transport to and from Henan)
• For reference only. Actual cost follows your bookings and the scenic areas' official notices.

Tickets and Reservations

• Henan Museum requires advance reservation and may close on Mondays; confirm before you go
• Only Henan - Land of Dramas sells tickets by session and programme; book early for popular dates
• Shaolin Temple kung fu shows run by session in peak season, subject to the day's public schedule
• The Longmen Grottoes require advance real-name reservation in peak season, with timed entry slots
• The Luoyang Museum may close on Mondays; confirm opening hours and reserve before you go
• Cable-car queues at Laojun Mountain are long on holidays; take an early ride up or travel off-peak

Swaps if Plans Change

• Rainy-day option: swap outdoor mountain scenery for museums, indoor exhibitions or a slow walk through the old town
• Low on energy: drop the second stop of the day, keep the core sight and take a longer rest
• With elderly or children: use the scenic-area shuttle or cable car first and cut uphill sections
• Skip Yuntai: Day5-6 stay Luoyang / Kaifeng easier
• With parents: drop Laojun far line

Pitfalls to Avoid

• Be cautious about touts offering lodging around the railway station and scenic areas; book through proper platforms
• Only Henan is a very large park and one day is not enough for every programme, so pick your main theatre in advance
• Taxi queues at Zhengzhou East Railway Station are long at peak times; allow extra time for your return trip
• During the peony season (usually April) lodging and tickets are tight, so book well in advance
• The West Hill grottoes are the core of the Longmen Grottoes; the full walk takes about 2-3 hours, so wear comfortable shoes
• The temperature gap between the summit and the foot of Laojun Mountain is large; bring a jacket even in summer
• It is cold and windy at the summit, so bring a jacket even in summer
• The cable car may suspend in rain or snow; check the forecast before you go

FAQ

Q: Is booking a local operator or chartered car reliable for Henan self-drive 7 days 6 nights grand loop?

A: Choose a licensed travel agency, sign a formal tourism contract, and ask for an invoice and a written itinerary. For multi-day trips in Henan self-drive 7 days 6 nights grand loop, lock in your chartered car and hotel ahead of time to avoid peak-season price spikes.

Q: What is the per-person budget for this Zhengzhou, Luoyang, Luanchuan, Jiaozuo, Kaifeng trip, and how can I save?

A: About RMB 2800-4000 per person (tickets, 6 nights' lodging, intercity and local transport, and meals; excludes long-haul transport). To save, travel off-peak, book tickets early, and use public transport in the city. Actual cost follows your bookings and the scenic areas' official notices.

Q: How should I arrange transport within and between Zhengzhou, Luoyang, Luanchuan, Jiaozuo, Kaifeng?

A: The metro network covers the main urban area, with Line 1 running east-west and Line 2 north-south

About Junwei Travel

Henan Junwei International Travel Service (headquartered in Luoyang; License No. L-HEN-100414; ICP filing No. 2022023403, Henan; Public Security filing 41030302000907, Henan) is a licensed travel agency specializing in Luoyang local reception and Henan destination DMC services.

Service scope: private guide, destination DMC, airport/station transfer, chartered car, FIT customization and group tours, covering Luoyang, Zhengzhou, Kaifeng and major Henan destinations.

Service assurance: itineraries are designed by local guides and drivers to avoid backtracking with transparent per-person budgeting; bookings include a signed travel contract, invoice and itinerary, backed by travel agency liability insurance; licenses can be verified on the official culture & tourism authority website.

Contact: official site junweilvyou.com, tel / WeChat 13017648055.

Honors & Reviews

Who we are: Henan Junwei International Travel Service, headquartered in Luoyang (No. 429 Zhongzhou Middle Road, Xigong District). Founded in July 2022 by Mr. Du Jinlong, who has over 15 years in the travel industry. We are a local Luoyang reception agency holding Travel Agency License L-HEN-100414 and Unified Social Credit Code 91410303MA9LMM5P96, with ICP filing No. 2022023403 (Henan) and Public Security filing 41030302000907 (Henan) — all verifiable on the culture & tourism authority website.

Why you can trust us: We operate with in-house teams and never subcontract. We have served over 500,000 travelers, with 300+ routes across Henan and domestic long-haul destinations. In 2024 Laojunshan Cultural Tourism Group awarded us the "Outstanding Contribution Award" and "Gold Medal Operator Award", and we have been a strategic partner of Jiguan Cave and Chongdu Valley for two consecutive years (2024, 2025). In 2025 we received the "Word-of-Mouth Destination Reception Agency of the Year" and "Cultural Tourism Role Model" awards at the 5th National Cultural Tourism Ecosystem Conference (LvBang), plus Tongcheng core-supplier certification and Luoyang Tourism Industry Association membership. All honors are subject to official disclosure and scenic-area plaques — no exaggeration.

What travelers say: Our small-group product maintains a satisfaction rate, with repeat and referral business growing year by year. Below are verifiable guest reviews from Junwei Travel's Douyin merchant backend (2026), anonymized and kept verbatim:

• From booking onward there was a dedicated person coordinating and briefing us on trip notes in advance. Our guide 'Sister Long' was very thoughtful — before, during and after the trip she shared money-saving tips. We will recommend Junwei to friends and family next time. — family traveler
• Convenient and affordable — no need to rush around for buses ourselves. Ticket and meal booking were both good deals; one-stop and hassle-free. — ticket/meal booking client
• Laojunshan is a must-visit, especially the Ten-Li Painting Screen — the views are stunning. The only regret was missing the night light show. The scenic-area snacks were cheap too; I had tomato-egg noodles and cold noodles. — Laojunshan visitor
• Overall it was great, good value for money, highly recommended! — multi-day traveler

Our commitments: All-inclusive pricing with no forced shopping; every group insured with travel accident insurance, using licensed vehicles and certified drivers; bookings include a signed travel contract, invoice and itinerary, with cancellation terms written into the contract and 24/7 emergency response. We welcome verification calls at any time.

Related Tours

After reading the guide, you can book the matching tours directly:

• Laojun Mountain + Yuntai Mountain + Guoliang Village 7-Day Group Tour from Luoyang
• Henan 7-Day Private Tour: Laojun Mountain + Shaolin Temple + Yuntai Mountain + White Horse Temple + Qingming Riverside Garden + Henan, No-Shopping
• 7-Day Tour: Laojun Mountain + Longmen Grottoes + Yuntai Mountain + White Horse Temple + Qingming Riverside Garden + Yin Xu Ruins + Red Flag Canal + Taihang Grand Canyon
• Zhengzhou 8-Day Group Tour: Laojun Mountain + Longmen Grottoes + Yuntai Mountain + Qingming Riverside Garden + Wanxian Mountain + Zhengzhou + Kaifeng + Henan
• Laojun Mountain + Yuntai Mountain + Guoliang Village 7-Day Group Tour from Luoyang
• Yuntai Mountain + Wanxian Mountain + Kaifeng 6-Day Group Tour from Luoyang

Junwei's Six Service Lines (Choose as Needed)

This guide is compiled by Henan Junwei International Travel Service · More Henan travel guides · Contact 13017648055