Jiaozuo 5-Day Tour: Millennium City Park & Scenic Area

Enter Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden in the morning, walk through the recreated streets of "Along the River During the Qingming Festival," watch folk and situational performances; Try Bianliang snacks at noon, then continue to tour the park or night tour of the Song Dynasty's Imperial River in the afternoon, experiencing the prosperity of Northern Song Dynasty Bianjing.

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: Popular attractions have long queues. Get a map and performance schedule before entering to prioritize must-see attractions. Visitors generally say daytime strolling is the most immersive, and the night show "Song Dynasty: Dreams of Tokyo" has mixed reviews; Reminder: Show tickets are relatively expensive, so choose according to your budget. Based on actual conditions, don't just focus on taking photos—pay attention to your steps and surroundings, and be sure to stand firmly at the edge of the viewing platform and boardwalk.

Set off from the hotel early in the morning and head straight to Mount Song. First, listen to the guide's explanation of the background and highlights, then enjoy a leisurely tour and take photos at your preferred camera location. After lunch, take a short rest, then return to the hotel in the evening to recharge for the next day.

Attraction introduction: One highlight of the itinerary is Mount Song. Mount Song is the Central Mountain among the Five Great Mountains, mainly located in Dengfeng City, divided into Taishi and Shaoshi Mountains. The main peak, Junji Peak, rises to about 1492 meters. Its most special feature is that Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism have been adjacent to each other for thousands of years on the same mountain: Songyang Academy was a major center for Neo-Confucianism in the Song Dynasty, and the famous story 'Standing in Snow at Chengmen' is said to have happened here; Zhongyue Temple is one of the largest and best-preserved temple complexes among the Five Great Mountains; The Star Observatory in Gaocheng Town was built under the supervision of Guo Shoujing during the Yuan Dynasty and is one of the oldest existing astronomical observation buildings. In 2010, the "Center of Heaven and Earth" historical architectural complex, represented by Songyang Academy, Zhongyue Temple, Songyue Temple Pagoda, Shaolin Temple Regular Residence, Pagoda Forest, First Patriarch's Hermitage, and Star Observation Platform, was inscribed on the World Heritage List. My understanding is that on the first day, there's no need to overindulge—first visit the academy and Zhongyue Temple to understand the ritual system of "Heaven and Earth in the Center," saving the energy for hiking later; If you have extra time, going to the Sanhuangzhai plank road on Shaoshi Mountain in the evening to watch the sunset is the most photogenic part of the entire trip.

Friendly reminder: The mountain area has large temperature differences between morning and evening, and the wind at the summit is strong. A windproof jacket and warm inner layer are very necessary. Visitors generally report that most think Mount Song is worth a special trip. It's recommended to slow down and follow the guide to listen to the explanations, saving time for the most impressive details and the best camera angles. Depending on the situation, shoot early or late—the morning is quiet and the dusk is the most photogenic, while the noon peak is crowded and flat, so it's more cost-effective to rest.

Today's Yuntai Mountain water trip connects Hongshi Gorge, Tanpu Gorge, and Quanpu Gorge along the trails, with a gentle pace suitable for the whole family; Afternoon reshoots are free, evening rest is available.

Attraction introduction: Today's itinerary includes Yuntai Mountain Scenic Spot, located in Xiuwu at Jiaozuo, one of the first World Geoparks. It is famous for the red cliffs and clear waters of Hongshi Gorge, the flying waterfalls of Tanpu Gorge, the Yuntai Sky Waterfall known as Asia's highest waterfall in Quanpu Gorge, and the sea of clouds and sunrises at Zhuyu Peak. It is the most representative landscape of southern Taihang foothills. Hongshi Gorge is the essence of highlights, a red quartz sandstone canyon about two kilometers long, with winding green water at the valley floor and cliffs red like rosy clouds; Zhuyu Peak is famous for the Tang Dynasty poet Wang Wei's poem "Planting cornelian cherry everywhere, one person misses." Taking the cable car to the top offers a panoramic view of the Taihang peaks. Shuttle buses connect various points within the scenic area, and the trails are gentle, suitable for family outings. My understanding is that if you can't finish the trip in one day, first secure the two core areas: Hongshi Gorge and Monkey Valley. If the line for scenic bus delivery is long, allow plenty of time; In summer, enjoy the water and cool scenery; in autumn, the forests are colorful—each has its own charm.

Friendly reminder: The mountain roads are slippery, so be sure to shift your center of gravity and slow down when going downhill. Prepare a pair of knee pads. Visitors generally say that Hongshi Gorge is recognized as the most photogenic section, and Zhuyu Peak and the sea of clouds are also worth it. Remind the scenic delivery bus queue to be long: if you can't walk it all in one day, prioritize Hongshi Gorge + Monkey Valley. Based on actual conditions, dehydration is the biggest concern on long trips; carry a water bottle and drink small amounts frequently; On the first night in the plateau or mountains, don't wash your hair or shower too long, giving your body some room to adjust.