Jiaozuo 5-Day Tour: Chongdu Valley & Erlitou Site

Assemble in the morning and depart for Chongdugou, follow the tour guide to visit the main attractions, leaving ample 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: This stop brings us to Chongdugou, located in Luanchuan. Chongdugou is known for its vast bamboo forests, cascading waterfalls, and the agricultural scenery of western Henan, making it one of the rare 'Jiangnan water town' style summer resorts in Henan. The scenic area is divided into two parts: Jinji River and Dicui River. Jinji River is famous for its waterfalls, with splashing water and a refreshing atmosphere; Dicui River features continuous bamboo forests, offering an expanse of greenery when strolling through. Here, visitors can stay in farmhouse accommodations, taste wild vegetables, and experience authentic western Henan village life. The pace is relaxed, especially suitable for family trips and summer vacations. In my view, the key is to slow down and not rush through the sights—walking in the bamboo forest and sitting by the stream is the proper way to enjoy Chongdugou; visiting in summer is the most comfortable, pleasantly cool, and hard to leave.

Tips: Signal may be weak inside the canyon, so make sure to coordinate a meeting point with the guide and avoid going alone. Visitors generally report that most believe Chongdugou is worth a special trip. It is recommended to slow down, follow the guide’s explanations, and reserve time for the details that move you most and the best spots for photos. According to the actual situation, respect local customs—dress appropriately when entering religious sites, do not point casually, and a simple greeting can be met with kindness.

Gather in the morning and depart for Erlitou, 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 Erlitou attractions. The Erlitou site, located in Luoyang Yanshi, is praised by scholars as the 'earliest China.' It is a large city site from the middle to late Xia Dynasty, where turquoise dragon-shaped artifacts, bronze jue, bronze ding, and other significant relics were unearthed, revealing the appearance of the first capital of the Huaxia civilization. The turquoise dragon-shaped artifact is inlaid with more than two thousand turquoise pieces and is hailed as the 'First Dragon of Huaxia,' serving as important evidence of the Chinese dragon worship. The Erlitou Site Museum presents the archaeology with a sense of being on-site and is an indispensable stop for researching the origins of Chinese civilization. My understanding is that visiting with prior knowledge of the academic debate surrounding the 'Capital of Xia' and then viewing the exhibits will provide a deeper understanding; the museum's exhibition is carefully arranged and worth taking time to appreciate slowly.

Tips: The mountain trail has many steps and steep slopes; be sure to wear non-slip sports shoes. Those with mobility issues are advised to take the cable car up and down. Visitors generally feel that most would consider Erlitou worth a special visit. It is recommended to slow down, listen to the guide, and leave time for the details that touch you the most and the best photo spots. Considering practical conditions, the biggest risk when joining a tour is a rushed visit; listening to the explanations is the essence. The human stories behind each attraction are often more memorable than photos; ask the guide immediately if you don’t understand something.

Assemble in the morning and depart for Wangcheng Park, follow the tour guide to visit the main attractions, allowing ample time for taking photos and resting; enjoy a local specialty lunch at noon, and check in to the hotel in the evening to rest and recharge for the next day's itinerary.

Attraction Introduction: One of the highlights arranged in the itinerary is Wangcheng Park. Wangcheng Park is located in Luoyang, named because it is situated on the ruins of the Eastern Zhou Royal City. It has been one of the main venues for the Chinese Luoyang Peony Culture Festival over the years and is also the most well-known city park for the citizens of Luoyang. Every April, famous peony varieties like Yao Huang, Wei Zi, and Zhao Fen bloom in competition, creating a spectacular display of colorful flowers; the park also preserves the Zhou Royal City ruins and has a zoo, combining historical significance with recreational functions, making it a classic spot for visitors to check out the “Peony Flower City.” In my opinion, if you visit during peony season (April), you must include this place as a must-see. Early morning sees fewer people, and the peonies are most delicate with the dew; outside the blooming season, it is more suitable for a leisurely walk.

Kind Reminder: Food and drinks inside the park are relatively expensive, so it is advisable to bring water and snacks, and keep personal belongings safe. Visitors generally report that most of them think Wangcheng Park is worth visiting specifically; it is recommended to slow down, follow the guide's explanations, and leave time for the details and photo spots that impress you most. Considering the actual situation, for the most authentic food, head into the deeper alleys, as the queues at the main entrance are long and the taste is average; for local specialties, ask the price first and compare, as local supermarkets are often more reliable.