Zhengzhou 5-Day Tour: Chongdu Valley & White Horse Temple

Assemble in the morning and set off for Chongdugou, follow the tour guide to visit the main attractions, allowing plenty of time for taking photos and resting; enjoy local specialty dishes at noon, check in at the hotel in the evening, and recharge for the next day's itinerary.

Attraction Introduction: Today's itinerary includes Chongdugou attractions. Chongdugou is located in Luanchuan and is known for its thousands of acres of bamboo forests, waterfalls and streams, and the farming scenery of western Henan. It is a rare 'Jiangnan water town'-style summer resort in Henan. The scenic area is divided into two sections, Jinji River and Dicu River. Jinji River is famous for its group of waterfalls, with splashing water and refreshing coolness; Dicu River is a continuous bamboo forest, and walking through it offers endless greenery. Here, one can stay in farmhouses, try wild vegetables, and experience the authentic life of western Henan villages; the pace is relaxed, making it especially suitable for slow-paced family trips and summer vacations. My understanding is to slow down the pace and not rush through the sights — walking in the bamboo forest and sitting by the stream is the correct way to enjoy Chongdugou; summer is the most comfortable time to visit, so cool that you won’t want to leave.

Kind Reminder: The canyon trails are next to the water and cliffs. Do not climb over railings or play in dangerous areas, and watch your children carefully. Visitors generally feedback that most people consider Chongdugou worth visiting specifically, and it is recommended to slow down, follow the guide’s explanations, and leave time for the details that touch you most and the best photo spots. According to the actual situation, keep documents and wallets separately, take photos of important documents and store backups on your phone; in case of loss, you can quickly replace them without affecting your itinerary.

Gather in the morning and depart for White Horse Temple, following the guide to visit the main attractions, leaving enough time for taking photos and resting; enjoy a local specialty lunch at noon, check into the hotel in the evening, and recharge for the next day's itinerary.

Attraction Introduction: A highlight of the itinerary is White Horse Temple, located in the eastern part of Luoyang City. It was originally built during the Yongping period of the Eastern Han Dynasty to commemorate the White Horse carrying scriptures and the initial spread of Buddhism in central China, and is honored as 'China's First Ancient Temple,' being the first government-built temple constructed after Buddhism was introduced to China. Within the temple, the Qiyun Tower Courtyard, Great Buddha Hall, and Hall of Heavenly Kings are arranged along the central axis, with incense burning continuously for over two thousand years amid red walls and green cypresses. Notably, the temple also contains exotic-style halls donated by countries such as Myanmar, Thailand, and India, presenting a unique landscape of Buddhism's eastward transmission and return. My understanding is to first visit the main halls along the central axis, then walk around the Qiyun Tower Courtyard, and finally explore the exotic halls on both sides to experience cultural fusion; visiting early in the morning when there are fewer people, with sunlight shining on the red walls and ancient cypresses, is the most atmospheric and also helps to avoid peak tourist groups.

Tips: There are many incense-selling stalls around the temple, so buy incense as needed and spend rationally. Visitors generally report that the foreign-style halls (Thai/Myanmar/IndianCourtyards) are highly photogenic and feel more spacious than expected; note that walking to the international temple area can be long, so conserve your energy. Considering practical needs, carry some small change and snack-sized food packages, which can be useful in areas with poor signal or for emergency supplies—don’t wait until you’re hungry to look for food.

Gather in the morning and depart for Laojun Mountain, follow the tour guide to visit the main attractions, allowing plenty of time for photos and rest; have a local specialty meal at noon, check into the hotel in the evening, and rest up for the next day's itinerary.

Attraction Introduction: Today's itinerary includes Laojun Mountain attractions. Laojun Mountain is located in Luoyang Luanchuan County, the main peak of Funiu Mountain, and a famous Taoist mountain. It is said to be the place where the Taoist founder Laozi retired to cultivate himself. The Golden Summit Daoist temple complex stands atop a peak over 2,000 meters above sea level. With its golden tiles and red walls amidst surging clouds, it is renowned as "a breathtaking feast on Earth, a glimpse of the world's grandeur." The Ten-Mile Painted Screen is the highlight of the trip, a high-altitude plank road on the cliff offering ever-changing views, capturing forests of peaks, sea of clouds, and sunrises. Visitors can ascend by a two-level cable car. On clear days, the summit provides a view of the sunrise over the sea of clouds; in winter, it is a highly popular spot for snow viewing in Central China. My advice is to get an early cable car to the summit to secure the best light for the Golden Summit and Ten-Mile Painted Screen; the summit is windy and cold, so a windproof jacket and thermos are essential. Those who are afraid of heights should not force themselves on the glass observation deck.

Tips: The climbing paths have many steps and steep slopes, so wearing non-slip sports shoes is essential. People with mobility issues are recommended to use the cable car. Visitors generally agree that the Golden Summit, sea of clouds, and sunrise are the main highlights, and many even stay overnight at the summit to catch dawn. Remember that there are big temperature differences at the summit, and there may be long queues for the cable car, so go early in peak season. Weather in mountainous areas can change suddenly; a windproof jacket is more practical than anything else. Choose comfortable, non-slip shoes; it's better to miss a few photos than to twist an ankle.