Jiaozuo 8-Day Tour: Erlitou Site & Laojun Mountain

In the morning, gather and depart for Erlitou. Follow the tour guide along the main route, visiting all the key spots, allowing ample time for taking photos and resting. At noon, enjoy a local specialty meal, and continue exploring in the afternoon. In the evening, check into the hotel to rest and recharge for the next day's itinerary.

Attraction Introduction: Today's itinerary includes Erlitou attractions. The Erlitou site is located in Luoyang Yanshi and is regarded by scholars as 'the earliest China.' It is a large city site from the middle and late Xia Dynasty, where turquoise dragon-shaped artifacts, bronze jue, bronze ding, and other major items have been unearthed, revealing the appearance of the first royal capital of Huaxia. The turquoise dragon-shaped artifact is inlaid with more than two thousand pieces of turquoise and is known as 'the first dragon of Huaxia,' serving as significant evidence of dragon worship in China. The Erlitou Site Museum presents an archaeological site experience and is an indispensable stop for studying the origins of Chinese civilization. My understanding is that visiting after gaining knowledge of the academic disputes regarding the 'Xia capital' will give a deeper understanding of the exhibits. The museum’s exhibitions are meticulously arranged and worth taking time to appreciate.

Tips: The mountain trail has many steps and steep slopes, so be sure to wear non-slip sports shoes. Those with mobility issues are recommended to use the cable car. Visitor feedback generally indicates that most tourists consider Erlitou worth a special trip. It is advisable to slow down, follow the guide’s explanations, and leave time for the details that move you most and the best photo spots. Considering the actual situation, be mindful of time — arrive five to ten minutes early for gatherings. It is better for people to wait for the vehicle than for the vehicle to wait for one person; do not make everyone wait for you.

Early in the morning, take the two-stage cable car to reach the Golden Summit, check in at the group of Taoist temples and enjoy the sea of clouds and sunrise; in the afternoon, slowly descend along the Ten-Mile Painted Screen, changing scenery at every step, and return by evening.

Attraction Introduction: A highlight arranged in the itinerary is the Golden Summit. It is located in Luanchuan County, the main peak of the Funiu Mountains, and a famous Taoist mountain, traditionally believed to be the place where the Taoist ancestor Laozi retired to practice. The group of Taoist temples on the Golden Summit stands over 2,000 meters above sea level, with golden-tiled roofs and red walls, and rolling seas of clouds, earning the reputation of "A magnificent feast in the human world, a glimpse of the peak beauty on earth." The Ten-Mile Painted Screen is the essence of the whole trip, a high-altitude walkway suspended on a cliff that changes views with each step, offering breathtaking views of peaks, clouds, and sunrise. You can take the two-stage cable car up the mountain; on clear days, you can watch the sunrise over the sea of clouds, and in winter, it is a very popular spot in the Central Plains for snow viewing. My understanding is that it is essential to take the cable car early in the morning to secure the best light at the Golden Summit and Ten-Mile Painted Screen; it is windy and cold at the top, so a windbreaker and thermos are essential, and those who are afraid of heights should not force themselves on the glass observation platform.

Warm Tips: The temperature difference between day and night in mountainous areas is large, and it is windy at the summit, so a windproof jacket and warm layers are necessary. Tourists generally report that the sea of clouds and the sunrise at the Golden Summit are considered the main highlights, with many people staying overnight on the summit to watch the dawn. Keep in mind the large temperature difference at the summit and long queues for the cable car, and make sure to go early during peak season. In practice, when taking photos, do not just focus on capturing images; pay attention to your feet and surrounding environment, and always stand firmly when on observation platforms or walkway edges.

Today's trip: From the mountain gate to the Sutra Pavilion, take a detailed look along the way, focusing on the solemnity of the Pagoda Forest and the shock of the martial arts performance; in the afternoon, stroll around the surrounding area, and in the evening, check into the hotel.

Attraction Introduction: There are several attractions in today's itinerary. They are located at the foot of Wuru Peak on Mount Shaoshi in Dengfeng, originally built in the 19th year of the Taihe era of the Northern Wei Dynasty (AD 495). It is both the ancestral home of Zen Buddhism and the birthplace of Shaolin martial arts, with a history of more than 1,500 years. The main highlights are concentrated in three places: Along the central axis of the Ever-Living Hall area are, in order, the Mountain Gate, the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Great Hero Hall, the Sutra Pavilion, and the Lixue Pavilion, with halls and ancient steles laid out along 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, Song to Qing dynasties, each corresponding to a high-ranking monk. The Dharma Cave on Wuru Peak is said to be where Bodhidharma meditated facing a wall for nine years. The martial arts hall performs Shaolin martial arts daily at set times, with punches, weapons, and hard Qigong showcasing genuine skill. My understanding is to first walk the central axis with the guide before exploring in detail on your own; maintain quiet and walk around the pagodas when at the Pagoda Forest; arrive a quarter of an hour early to secure a good seat for the martial arts performance.

Tips: There are many incense vendors around the temple, so buy incense as needed and spend rationally. Visitors generally report that the martial arts performance is most popular with families, while the Pagoda Forest and the First Patriarch Temple are often neglected along the way; note that the scenic area is quite commercialized, so inquire about prices for vegetarian meals and surrounding consumption first. Based on the actual situation, for photo opportunities, go early or late—early morning has fewer people and soft light, dusk has golden glow, while noon has harsh light and is crowded and flat, so it's better to rest during that time.