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

Today's Only Henan in-depth experience: reserve a whole day to follow the story route, focusing on the main shows and highly-rated small shows; have meals and rest inside the park, ending in the evening.

Attraction Introduction: A highlight in the itinerary is Only Henan. 'Only Henan·Theatrical Fantasy City' is located in Zhongmu, Zhengzhou. It is a giant theatrical settlement built with loess, presenting the hardships, harvests, and resilience of Central Plains civilization through more than twenty theaters and nearly a hundred performances. Main theaters, such as 'Fantasy City,' 'Train Station,' and 'Li Family Village,' receive high praise, while the small theaters each have their own creative ideas, with the imagery of wheat waves running throughout. It is a phenomenal cultural tourism landmark 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 shows first, then intersperse with small theaters; book tickets in advance through official channels and check the performance schedule, as popular shows often sell out.

Friendly Tips: The canyon trail is next to water and cliffs; do not climb over railings or play in dangerous areas, and watch children carefully. Visitors generally respond that the immersive experience of Theatrical Fantasy City is loved by young people, but ticket prices are high and it is time-consuming; it is recommended to choose the core theaters and reserve at least half a day. Depending on the actual situation, be punctual, arrive five to ten minutes early for gatherings, better to have people wait for the vehicle than to have the vehicle wait for people—don’t make everyone wait for you.

Arrive in the morning at Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden, walk through the streets restored according to 'Along the River During the Qingming Festival', watch folk performances and scenographic shows; have Bianliang snacks at noon, and continue exploring the gardens in the afternoon or take a night tour of the Imperial River of the Song Capital to experience the prosperity of Northern Song Bianjing.

Attraction Introduction: A highlight arranged in the itinerary is Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden, Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden is located at Kaifeng, a Song culture theme park built based on Zhang Zeduan's 'Along the River During the Qingming Festival' of the Northern Song. The Rainbow Bridge, Bian River, streets, and taverns depicted in the painting are recreated, reproducing the bustling scenes of Tokyo Bianliang. The park offers live performances and folk parades all day; the most famous is the night-time water performance 'The Great Song: Dreams of Tokyo', which uses light and shadow to recreate the grandeur of the Northern Song capital. During the day, visitors can see immersive folk performances such as the opening ceremony, Judge Bao welcoming guests, and Mr. Wang seeking a marriage match. This is also a paradise for Hanfu enthusiasts; wearing a Song-style Hanfu and walking between Rainbow Bridge and the Bian River makes for perfect ancient-style photos. My understanding is that visitors should first get the performance schedule upon entering, plan must-see shows and the night show, and then explore and eat at leisure; exploring the streets during the day feels most immersive, while the night show is an audio-visual feast, worth watching if the budget allows.

Tips: When visiting the park with children, be mindful of the risk of getting separated, set a meeting point in advance, and prepare a contact card for the child. Tourists generally feedback that exploring the streets during the day feels most immersive, while reviews for the night show 'The Great Song: Dreams of Tokyo' are mixed; note that performance tickets are relatively expensive, so plan according to your budget. Depending on the situation, when taking photos, don’t just focus on getting good shots—pay attention to your footing and surroundings, and make sure to stand securely on viewing platforms and along the edges of walkways.

Early in the morning, enter Yin Ruins, first visit the palace area and the chariot and horse pits, then visit the royal tomb area, and follow the guide to understand the beginning of recorded history; in the afternoon, visit the new museum, and return in the evening.

Attraction Introduction: Today's itinerary includes Yin Ruins attractions. Yin Ruins is the Late Shang Dynasty capital site, located in Anyang, known as the birthplace of oracle bone inscriptions, and also the place where the Houmuwu Ding (originally called Simuwu Ding) was unearthed. In 2006, it was listed as a World Cultural Heritage site. This was once the capital of the Shang Dynasty after King Pan Geng moved the capital to Yin, lasting more than 270 years. The ruins of palaces and ancestral temples, royal tomb areas, and chariot and horse pits are clearly visible. Oracle bones were first discovered here, extending China's recorded history back to the Shang Dynasty. The new Yin Ruins Museum systematically displays bronzes, jades, oracle bones, and other cultural relics, providing the most direct way to understand Shang civilization. My understanding is that first seeing the palace and ancestral temple ruins and the chariot and horse pits helps establish a spatial concept, then going into the museum to carefully appreciate the artifacts — connecting the two experiences completes the picture. Oracle bones and large bronzes are the essence, and following the guided tour is far more enriching than just a superficial visit.

Tips: The mountain trail has many steps and a steep incline, so be sure to wear non-slip sports shoes. Those with mobility difficulties are advised to take the cable car up and down. Visitors generally feel that the oracle bones and the Simuwu Ding make history “come alive,” and some say the new museum is more worthwhile than the open-air ruins; it is recommended to view them along with the guide to fully understand. Based on actual conditions, for photography, go early in the morning or late in the evening — early morning has fewer people and soft light, at dusk the golden light is best for photos, while noon has harsh overhead light and crowds, so it’s better to rest at that time.

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