Anyang 5-Day Tour: Millennium City Park & Henan Only Show

Gather in the morning and depart for Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden. Follow the tour guide to visit the main attractions, leaving ample time for photos and rest; enjoy local specialty dishes for lunch, and check into the hotel in the evening to recharge for the next day’s itinerary.

Attraction Introduction: One of the highlights arranged in the itinerary is Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden. Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden is located in Kaifeng and is a Song Dynasty-themed cultural park based on Zhang Zeduan’s 'Along the River During the Qingming Festival' from the Northern Song Dynasty. The Rainbow Bridge, Bian River, streets, and taverns from the painting are all recreated, showcasing the bustling city life of Bianliang, the capital of the Song Dynasty. The park features live performances and folk parades throughout the day. The most famous is the nighttime water live show 'Da Song·Dream of Bianjing,' which uses light and shadow to recreate the prosperity of the Northern Song capital. During the day, visitors can watch immersive folk performances such as the opening ceremony, Bao Gong welcoming guests, and Wang Yuanwai’s marriage proposal. It is also a paradise for hanfu enthusiasts—wearing Song-style hanfu while walking between Rainbow Bridge and Bian River makes for perfect ancient-style photos. My understanding is that upon entering the park, first pick up the performance schedule to plan must-see shows and the evening show, then explore and dine casually. Visiting the markets during the day is the most immersive experience, and the evening show is a visual and auditory feast worth seeing if the budget allows.

Tips: Food prices inside the park are relatively high, so it is advisable to bring some water and snacks. Keep personal belongings safe. Visitors generally feel that exploring the markets during the day is the most immersive, while opinions on the nighttime show 'Da Song·Dream of Bianjing' are mixed. Tickets can be expensive, so budget accordingly. Depending on the situation, keep ID and wallet separately, and take photos of important documents for a backup on your phone, so you can quickly replace them if lost without affecting your trip.

Gather in the morning and depart for Only Henan, follow the tour guide to visit the key attractions, leaving plenty of time for photos and rest; enjoy local specialty cuisine at noon, and check in to the hotel in the evening to recharge for the next day's itinerary.

Attraction introduction: This stop is Only Henan. 'Only Henan · Theatrical Fantasy City' is located in Zhongmu, Zhengzhou. It is a giant theatrical settlement built with loess, presenting the hardships, harvests, and resilience of Central Plains civilization through more than twenty theaters and nearly a hundred performances. The main theaters, including 'Fantasy City,' 'Train Station,' and 'Li Family Village,' have excellent reputations, while the smaller theaters each offer unique creativity with the imagery of wheat waves running throughout, making it a phenomenon-level cultural tourism highlight of Henan. This is not a traditional tourist spot, but an immersive cultural experience. My understanding is that it is essential to reserve a whole day, schedule the main shows first, and then fit in the smaller theaters; book tickets in advance through official channels and check the performance schedule, as popular shows often sell out quickly.

Tips: Signal may be weak inside the canyon, so arrange a meeting point with the tour guide in advance and do not act alone. Visitors generally report that the theatrical fantasy city offers an immersive experience appealing to young people, but tickets are expensive and time-consuming; it is recommended to choose the core theaters and reserve at least half a day. Depending on the actual situation, bring some cash and small-packaged snacks with you; these may come in handy when the signal is poor or for temporary supply, so don’t wait until you are hungry to look for something.

Gather in the morning and depart for Mount Song, follow the guide to tour the main attractions, leaving ample time for taking photos and resting; enjoy local specialty cuisine at noon, and check into the hotel in the evening to recharge for the next day’s itinerary.

Attraction Introduction: Today’s itinerary includes the Mount Song attraction. Mount Song is the Central Mountain among the Five Great Mountains, mainly located in Dengfeng City, and consists of the Taishi and Shaoshi Mountains, with the main peak, Junji Peak, reaching an elevation of about 1,492 meters. Its special feature is that Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism have coexisted side by side on the same mountain for a thousand years: Songyang Academy was an important center of Neo-Confucianism during the Song Dynasty, and the famous story of “Standing in the Snow at Cheng’s Gate” is said to have happened here; Zhongyue Temple is one of the largest and best-preserved temple complexes among the Five Great Mountains; the Astronomical Observation Platform in Gaocheng Town, built under the supervision of Guo Shoujing during the Yuan Dynasty, is one of the oldest surviving astronomical observatories. In 2010, the historical building complex represented by Songyang Academy, Zhongyue Temple, Songyue Temple Pagoda, Shaolin Temple Permanent Residence, Pagoda Forest, Chuzu Temple, and the Astronomical Observation Platform, known as the “Center of Heaven and Earth,” was listed as a World Heritage Site. My understanding is that on the first day, there is no need to rush—first visit the academy and Zhongyue Temple to understand the ritual system of the “Center of Heaven and Earth,” and save energy for climbing the mountain later; if time permits, go to the Shaoshi Mountain Sanhuang Fortress plank road at sunset, which offers the most picturesque segment of the whole trip.

Tips: The mountain trails have many steps and steep slopes, so be sure to wear non-slip sports shoes. Those with mobility issues are advised to take the cable car. Tourists generally report that most visitors think Mount Song is worth a special trip, so it is recommended to slow down, follow the guide’s explanation, and leave time for the details that move you the most and the most photogenic spots. Considering the actual situation, the weather in the mountains can change suddenly, so a windproof jacket is more practical than anything else; shoes must be non-slip and comfortable—taking a few fewer photos is better than twisting your ankle.