Jiaozuo 4-Day Tour: Millennium City Park & Henan Only Show

Today's time-travel journey: Follow the guide to understand 'Dreams of Splendor in Tokyo' with a focus on the live water performances and folk parades; return in the evening.

Attractions Introduction: A highlight arranged in the itinerary is Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden. Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden is located in Kaifeng and is a Song Dynasty culture theme park built based on Zhang Zeduan's 'Along the River During the Qingming Festival'. It faithfully recreates the Hong Bridge, Bian River, streets, and taverns from the painting, restoring the bustling city life of Tokyo Bianliang. The park features live performances and folk parades throughout the day, with the most famous being the nighttime water show 'The Great Song: Dreams of Splendor in Tokyo', which uses light and shadow to reproduce the grandeur of the Northern Song capital. During the day, visitors can watch immersive folk performances such as the park opening ceremony, Judge Bao welcoming guests, and Mr. Wang’s matchmaking event. This is also a paradise for Hanfu enthusiasts; putting on a Song-style Hanfu and walking between Hong Bridge and Bian River allows for effortless ancient-style photography. My understanding is that upon entering the park, you should first get the performance schedule, plan must-see performances and the night show, then casually stroll and eat. Wandering through the market during the day provides the most immersive experience, while the night show is a visual and auditory feast that is worth watching if budget allows.

Tips: Popular attractions in the park have long queues, so get a map and performance schedule upon entry and prioritize must-try activities. Visitors generally feel that wandering the market during the day is the most immersive, while opinions on the night show 'The Great Song: Dreams of Splendor in Tokyo' are mixed; note that performance tickets are relatively expensive, so choose according to your budget. In practice, the worst part of group tours is rushing through; listening to the explanations is key. The cultural stories behind each attraction are often more memorable than photos, and if you don't understand something, ask the guide on the spot.

Immerse yourself all day in "Only Henan·Drama Fantasy City," watching multiple performances according to the schedule. Read the imagery of wheat fields to understand the suffering and harvest of the Central Plains; have lunch in the park at noon, and return after watching the main performance in the evening.

Attraction Introduction: A highlight arranged in the itinerary is Only Henan. "Only Henan·Drama Fantasy City" is located in Zhongmu, Zhengzhou, and is a giant drama community built with rammed earth. Through more than twenty theaters and nearly a hundred performances, it presents the suffering, harvest, and resilience of Central Plains civilization. The main theaters, such as "Fantasy City," "Train Station," and "Li Family Village," have excellent reputations, while the small theaters are each uniquely creative, with the wheat imagery running throughout. It is a phenomenal cultural and tourism landmark of Henan. This is not a traditional attraction but an immersive cultural experience. My understanding is that you should definitely reserve a full day, schedule the main performances first, and then intersperse with small theaters; book tickets in advance through official channels and check the show schedule, as popular performances often sell out.

Tips: The canyon trails are next to water and cliffs; do not climb over railings or play in dangerous areas, and keep an eye on accompanying children. Visitors generally report that the immersive experience in Drama Fantasy City is loved by young people, but tickets are expensive and it is time-consuming. It is recommended to choose the main theaters and reserve at least half a day. Depending on the circumstances, if you want authentic food, go deeper into the alleys; queues at the main entrance are long and the taste is average. For local specialties, ask for prices and compare; local supermarkets are often more reliable.

Set off early from the hotel directly to Mount Song. First, listen to the guide explain the background and key points, then explore at your own pace and take extra photos according to your interests. After lunch, take a short rest, and return to the hotel in the evening to conserve energy for the next day.

Attraction Introduction: A major highlight arranged in the itinerary is Mount Song. Mount Song is the central mountain among the Five Great Mountains, mainly located in Dengfeng City, divided into Mount Taishi and Mount Shaoshi, with the main peak Junji Peak reaching an elevation of about 1,492 meters. Its most unique aspect is that Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism have coexisted adjacent to each other on the same mountain for a thousand years: Songyang Academy was a significant 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; the Zhongyue Temple is one of the largest and best-preserved temple complexes among the Five Great Mountains; the Guoxing Platform in Gaocheng Town, built under the supervision of Guo Shoujing during the Yuan dynasty, is one of the oldest existing astronomical observation structures. In 2010, the historical building complex of "Center of Heaven and Earth," represented by Songyang Academy, Zhongyue Temple, Songyue Temple Pagoda, Shaolin Temple Permanent Residence, Pagoda Forest, Chuzu Temple, and Guoxing Platform, was included in the World Heritage List. My understanding is that on the first day, there is no need to rush through too much—first visit the academy and Zhongyue Temple to understand the ritual system of "Center of Heaven and Earth," saving your energy for the mountain climb later. If there is extra time, going to the plank road at Sanhuang Fort on Mount Shaoshi in the evening to watch the sunset is the most photogenic part of the trip.

Friendly Tips: Many mountain paths are slippery. Pay special attention to shifting your center of gravity backward and slowing down your steps on downhill sections; a pair of knee pads is recommended. Visitors generally feedback that most think Mount Song is worth a dedicated trip. It is recommended to slow down, listen to the guide, and leave time for the details that move you the most and the best photo spots. Based on actual conditions, allocate your physical strength with some reserve: tackle the highlights in the morning when you have energy, slow down in the afternoon, and avoid exhausting yourself on the first day, so you won’t be fatigued in the following days.

Transfer to the departure terminal per your booked train or flight; keep travel documents and tickets in your carry-on.