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

Arrive in the morning, stroll through the streets reconstructed based on The Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival, watch folk performances and situational shows; have Bianliang snacks for lunch, and in the afternoon continue to explore the gardens or take a night tour of the Song Capital Imperial River to experience the prosperity of Northern Song Bianjing.

Attraction Introduction: One of the highlights arranged in the itinerary is Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden. Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden is located in Kaifeng and is a Song culture-themed park built based on Zhang Zeduan's Northern Song masterpiece, The Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival. The park reproduces the Rainbow Bridge, Bian River, street markets, and eateries from the painting, recreating the bustling urban life of Tokyo Bianliang. There are live performances and folk parades throughout the day, with the most famous being the night water performance 'Great Song · Dream of Tokyo,' 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 welcoming guests, and Mr. Wang seeking a match. This is also a paradise for hanfu enthusiasts; changing into Song-style hanfu and walking between Rainbow Bridge and Bian River makes every photo look like a historical scene. My understanding is to first pick up the performance schedule upon entering the park, plan the must-see shows and night performances, and then casually explore and eat; walking through the market during the day gives the most immersive experience, while the night show is a visual and auditory feast worth seeing if the budget allows.

Friendly Tips: When visiting the park with children, pay attention to the risk of getting separated, pre-arrange a meeting point, and give the child a contact card. Visitors generally report that exploring the market during the day feels most immersive, while reviews of the night show 'Great Song · Dream of Tokyo' are mixed; performance tickets are relatively expensive, so plan according to your budget. Depending on your situation, carry some loose change and small snacks, as poor signal or sudden need for supplies in the park may make them useful—don’t wait until you’re hungry to look for them.

Arrive early at the Drama Fantasy City, first watch the main theater shows, then visit the smaller theaters; in the afternoon, freely choose the performances to immerse yourself in the civilization of the Central Plains, then return in the evening.

Attraction introduction: A highlight arranged in the itinerary is Only Henan. 'Only Henan · Drama Fantasy City' is located in Zhongmu, Zhengzhou. It is a giant drama settlement built with rammed earth, presenting the suffering, harvest, and perseverance of the Central Plains civilization through more than twenty theaters and nearly a hundred performances. The main theater productions, such as 'Fantasy City', 'Train Station', and 'Li Family Village', are highly acclaimed, while the smaller theaters each have their own creative ideas, with wheat wave imagery running throughout. It is a phenomenal cultural tourism highlight of Henan. This is not a traditional attraction, but an immersive cultural experience. My understanding is that you must reserve a whole day, schedule the main theater performances first, and then intersperse visits to the smaller theaters; book tickets in advance through official channels and check the performance schedule, as popular shows often sell out.

Tips: The waterside sections in the canyon are slippery, so be sure to wear non-slip creek shoes or sports shoes, and waterproof your phone and other valuables. Visitors generally report that young people enjoy the immersive experience at the Drama Fantasy City, but the tickets are expensive and time-consuming; it is recommended to choose the core theaters and reserve at least half a day. Depending on the actual situation, mountain weather can change suddenly, so a windproof jacket is more practical than anything else; shoes must be non-slip and comfortable. It’s better to take fewer photos than to risk twisting your ankle.

Today's Taihang trip focuses on the cliffside road and the film and television village, with distant views of the canyon villages; in the afternoon, we will take supplemental photos, and in the evening, rest.

Attraction Introduction: A highlight arranged in the itinerary is Guoliang Village, Guoliang Village is hidden on the sheer cliffs deep in the Taihang Mountains and is famous for the 'cliffside road'—in the 1970s, villagers, in order to open a path to the outside world, spent more than five years chiseling a tunnel approximately 1,300 meters long on the cliff without any large machinery. It is considered a 'modern Yu Gong' miracle. Today, this cliffside road is the most hardcore check-in place in the Taihang Mountains, where walking along it provides a bird's-eye view of the abyss and canyon villages. Guoliang Village is also called the 'Chinese Film and Television Village' because multiple films and TV series have been shot here. My understanding is that when walking the cliffside road, allow plenty of time, watch and take photos, pay attention to your feet and passing vehicles; early morning or late afternoon has the best lighting, noon light is rather flat; wear non-slip shoes and do not get too close to the cliff edge.

Friendly Tips: The streets and alleys of the ancient town are crisscrossed and easy to get lost in, so remember the meeting time and obvious landmarks. Tourists generally feedback that the stone village on the cliff is connected to the cliffside road, and the film location has an inherent storytelling charm; note that accommodations in the village are simple, lower expectations for a more enjoyable experience. Based on the actual situation, avoid impulsive shopping, and if you see 'limited-time discounts,' first calm down for three minutes; if you really want to buy souvenirs, choose official shops and keep receipts for peace of mind.

Transfer to the station/airport per your departure, ending a pleasant journey.

Friendly tips: Pack the night before and keep ID, power bank and souvenirs together; allow extra time for the station/airport; bring your ID and stay with your guide, noting the meeting time and place. Traveler feedback — Return-day travelers remind: pack ID and souvenirs the night before; allow extra time. Practical note — Return-day tip: pack ID, power bank and souvenirs the night before; allow extra time—mountain roads are unpredictable.