Anyang 5-Day Tour: Shaolin Temple & Millennium City Park

Gather in the morning and depart for Shaolin Temple, follow the guide to visit core attractions, and allow plenty of time for photos and rest; Enjoy local specialties 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 Shaolin Temple. Shaolin Temple is located at the foot of Wuru Peak on Shaoshi Mountain in Dengfeng. It was first built in the nineteenth year of Taihe of the Northern Wei Dynasty (495 AD). It is both the ancestral home of Chan Buddhism and the birthplace of Shaolin martial arts, with a history of over 1,500 years. The core highlights are concentrated in three places: the main hall is lined with the central axis as the mountain gate, Hall of Heavenly Kings, Mahavira Hall, Sutra Pavilion, and Snow Pavilion, with halls and ancient steles lined up all the way; The Pagoda Forest is the largest existing ancient pagoda complex in China, with over 200 brick and stone tomb pagodas from the Tang and Song to Qing dynasties, each with its own eminent monk; The Bodhidharma Cave on Wuru Peak is said to be where Bodhidharma faced the wall for nine years. The martial arts hall hosts Shaolin martial arts performances at scheduled times every day, showcasing the true skills of boxing, weapons, and hard qigong. My understanding is that before entering the temple, you should first follow the guide along the central axis before freely exploring the area; Please keep quiet and tour the pagoda forest area; Enter the martial arts show fifteen minutes early to secure a good spot.

Friendly reminder: Please keep quiet and dress neatly when entering the temple. Generally, no photography or touching ritual objects inside the hall is allowed. Blessings are welcome. Visitors generally report that martial arts performances are most popular with families with children, while the Pagoda Forest and First Patriarch's Hermitage are often overlooked along the way. Reminder: The scenic area is highly commercialized, so ask about prices for vegetarian and surrounding dining. Depending on the situation, shoot early or late—the morning is quiet and soft, the dusk golden glow is best for photos, and the noon ceiling is cramped and flat, so it's more cost-effective to rest.

Gather in the morning and depart for Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden, follow the guide to visit core attractions, allowing enough time for photos and rest; Enjoy local specialties 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 Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden, located at Kaifeng. It is a Song Culture Theme Park based on Zhang Zeduan's "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" from the Northern Song Dynasty. It faithfully recreates the Hongqiao, Bian River, streets, and restaurants from the painting, bringing the bustling bustling streets of Bianliang, Tokyo. The park hosts live performances and folk parades all day long. The most famous is the nighttime water live show "The Great Song · Dreams of Dongjing," which uses light and shadow to recreate the grandeur of the Northern Song capital; During the day, you can watch immersive folk performances such as the opening ceremony, Judge Bao's welcoming guests, and Mr. Wang's marriage proposal. This is also a paradise for Hanfu lovers. Dressed in Song-style Hanfu and walking between the Hongqiao and Bian Rivers, every snapshot is a classical-style masterpiece. My understanding is that you should get a performance schedule before entering, schedule must-see shows and night shows, and then enjoy food and stroll as you like; Exploring the city during the day is the most immersive experience, while night shows are a visual feast, worth seeing if your budget allows.

Friendly reminder: Food prices inside the park tend to be high, so bring your own water and snacks, and take care of your personal belongings. Visitors generally report that daytime shopping is the most immersive experience, and the night show "Song Dynasty: Dreams of Tokyo" has received mixed reviews; Reminder: Performance tickets are relatively expensive and should be chosen according to budget. Based on actual conditions, dehydration is the worst thing on long trips; carry a water bottle and drink water in small amounts frequently; On the first night in plateau or mountainous areas, don't wash your hair or shower too long, giving your body some room to adjust.

Gather in the morning and depart for Only Henan, follow the guide to visit core attractions, and allow plenty of time for photos and rest; Enjoy local specialties at noon, check into the hotel in the evening, and recharge for the next day's itinerary.

Attraction introduction: This stop is Only Henan. "Only Henan·Drama Fantasy City" is located in Zhengzhou Zhongmu. It is a massive theater cluster built from rammed earth, featuring more than twenty theaters and nearly a hundred performances, presenting the hardships, harvests, and resilience of Central Plains civilization. The main theater "Fantasy City," "Train Station," and "Lijia Village" is highly acclaimed, while the small theaters are ingeniously designed. The wheat waves run throughout, making it a phenomenon-level calling card of Henan cultural tourism. This is not a traditional attraction but an immersive cultural experience. My understanding is to reserve a whole day to schedule the main play first, then watch the small theaters; Book tickets in advance through official channels and check the performance schedule; popular shows are often fully booked.

Friendly reminder: Signal inside the canyon may be poor. Agree on a meeting point with the guide in advance and don't go alone. Visitors generally say that the immersive experience in Drama Fantasy City is popular among young people, but tickets are expensive and time-consuming; Reminder: Choose the core theater and reserve at least half a day. Based on actual circumstances, be punctual. Gather five to ten minutes early. Better to wait for the bus than for the car—don't make everyone wait for you.