Xinxiang 5-Day Tour: Millennium City Park & Henan Only Show

Today's time-travel journey follows the guide to understand 'Dreams of Splendor in Tokyo,' focusing on the live water performances and folk parades; return in the evening.

Attraction Introduction: A highlight of 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' from the Northern Song. The park recreates the Rainbow Bridge, Bian River, streets, and inns as depicted in the painting, bringing the bustling city life of Bianliang, Tokyo, to life. The park offers 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 recreate the grandeur of the Northern Song capital. During the day, visitors can watch immersive folk performances such as the opening ceremony, Bao Zheng receiving guests, and Mr. Wang proposing. It is also a paradise for Hanfu enthusiasts; wearing a Song-style Hanfu while walking between the Rainbow Bridge and Bian River makes every photo look like a classical scene. My understanding is that upon entering, first get the performance schedule, plan the must-see shows and nighttime performance times, and then wander and eat freely; exploring the streets during the day is highly immersive, while the nighttime performance is an audio-visual feast—worth watching if the budget allows.

Tips: Popular attractions in the park may have long queues, so get a map and performance schedule upon entry, and prioritize must-play activities. Visitors generally feel that exploring the streets during the day is most immersive, and opinions on the nighttime 'The Great Song: Dreams of Splendor in Tokyo' are polarized; note that show tickets are relatively expensive, so choose according to your budget. Depending on the circumstances, be punctual, arrive five to ten minutes early for gatherings; it’s better for people to wait for the bus than the bus for people, and don’t make everyone wait for you.

Full-day immersion in 'Only Henan·Theatrical Fantasy City', watching multiple performances consecutively according to the show schedule, understanding the suffering and harvest of the Central Plains through the imagery of wheat waves; 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·Theatrical Fantasy City' is located in Zhengzhou Zhongmu, a giant theatrical settlement built from 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 theater performances such as 'Fantasy City', 'Train Station', 'Li Family Village', and other major shows have high acclaim, while the small theaters each have their own creative touches, with the wheat wave imagery running throughout, making it a phenomenal landmark of Henan cultural tourism. This is not a traditional attraction, but an immersive cultural experience. My understanding is that it is essential to reserve a whole day, first schedule the time for the main performances, then intersperse smaller theaters; book tickets in advance through official channels and check the performance schedule, as popular shows often sell out.

Tips: The canyon trail runs along water and cliffs, do not climb over railings or play in dangerous areas, and watch children carefully. Visitors generally feedback that the immersive theatrical experience is loved by young people but tickets are expensive and time-consuming; it is recommended to select the core theaters and reserve at least half a day. In practical situations, when taking photos, don’t just focus on the shot—pay attention to your feet and the surrounding environment. Be sure to stand firmly on observation decks and trail edges.

Early in the morning, head to Red Flag Canal. First, visit the memorial hall to understand the history of the canal construction, then hike along the canal to Youth Cave to experience the Linzhou spirit of self-improvement. In the afternoon, enjoy free activities, and return in the evening.

Attraction introduction: One of the highlights arranged in the itinerary is Red Flag Canal. Red Flag Canal is an "artificial heavenly river" carved by the people of Linzhou on the cliffs of the Taihang Mountains in the 1960s. It is over 1,500 kilometers long, leveling 1,250 mountain peaks, constructing more than 150 aqueducts, and tunneling through more than 200 caves. It took nearly ten years to complete and stands as a monument to the Chinese nation's spirit of perseverance. Youth Cave is the most dangerous section of the entire canal, carved by 300 youth team members on the cliffside. The Water Division Garden and Red Flag Canal Memorial Hall fully recount the difficult process of building the canal. This site combines red education with the magnificent scenery of the Taihang Mountains and is now a striking cultural attraction. In my understanding, first visiting the memorial hall to learn about the canal's background, then walking through Youth Cave, allows one to truly grasp the significance of this canal; hike along the canal according to your capability, wear non-slip shoes, and watch your step.

Tips: There are many slippery mountain paths. Pay special attention to shifting your center of gravity backward and slowing down when going downhill, and knee pads are recommended. Tourists generally feel that the "artificial heavenly river" has a strong spiritual landmark quality, which resonates more with middle-aged visitors. It is worth listening to the explanations in the exhibition hall to understand the history. Based on actual conditions, take photos early in the morning or late in the evening—fewer people and soft light in the morning, golden glow at sunset is best for photos; noon light is harsh and crowded, so it's more worthwhile to rest then.