Jiaozuo 4-Day Tour: Millennium City Park & Shaolin Temple

Early in the morning, start by watching the opening performance, then check in along Hongqiao and Bian River to experience Song-style street life; in the afternoon, enjoy free activities and you can visit nearby night markets.

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 theme park built based on Zhang Zeduan's 'Along the River During the Qingming Festival' from the Northern Song dynasty. The park restores the Hongqiao, Bian River, streets, and restaurants from the painting, recreating the bustling urban life of then-capital Bianliang. Throughout the day, the park offers live performances and folk parades. The most famous is the nighttime water live show 'The Great Song: Dreams 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 like the opening ceremony, Bao Gong welcoming guests, and Mr. Wang’s matchmaking. It is also a paradise for Hanfu enthusiasts; wearing Song-style Hanfu while strolling between Hongqiao and Bian River makes every photo an ancient-style masterpiece. My understanding is, upon entering the park, first get the performance schedule, plan must-see performances and night show times, then casually explore and eat; daytime visits to the market streets feel most immersive, while the night show is an audiovisual feast and worth seeing if the budget allows.

Tips: Popular attractions have long queues, so get a map and performance schedule upon entering the park and prioritize must-play attractions. Visitors generally feel that exploring the market streets during the day is the most immersive, while the night show 'The Great Song: Dreams of Tokyo' receives mixed reviews; 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, as the cultural stories behind each attraction are often more memorable than photos. If you don't understand something, ask the tour guide on the spot.

Today's trip, from the mountain gate to the Sutra Library, will be explored in detail, focusing on the solemnity of the Pagoda Forest and the impact of the martial arts performance; in the afternoon, we will visit the surrounding areas, and in the evening, check into the hotel.

Attraction Introduction: Today's itinerary includes 0 attractions. 0 is located at the foot of Wuru Peak on Shaoshi Mountain in Dengfeng, and was first established in the 19th year of the Northern Wei Taihe period (495 AD). 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 areas: the permanent residence follows the central axis in order with the mountain gate, the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Mahavira Hall, the Sutra Library, and Lixue Pavilion, along which halls and ancient steles are arranged; 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 the wall for nine years. The martial arts hall performs Shaolin martial arts daily at set times, with punches, weapons, and hard Qigong demonstrating genuine skill. My understanding is to first follow the central axis with the guide before exploring freely; please remain quiet and walk around the pagodas in the Pagoda Forest; arrive 15 minutes early for the martial arts show to secure a good seat.

Tips: The temple has many stone steps and thresholds, avoid stepping on the thresholds, and follow the order when worshipping Buddha without pushing. Visitors generally find the martial arts performance most popular among families with children, and the Pagoda Forest and First Patriarch Nunnery are often overlooked. Note that the attraction is relatively commercialized; ask prices in advance for vegetarian meals and surrounding consumption. In practice, for authentic food, head deeper into the alleys, as queues at the main gate are long and the taste is average; check prices and compare for local specialties, as local supermarkets often offer more authentic products.

Assemble in the morning and depart for Wanxian Mountain. Follow the guide along the main route, visit all the key highlights, and allow plenty of time for photos and rest. Enjoy a local specialty lunch at noon, continue exploring in the afternoon, and check into the hotel in the evening to recharge for the next day's itinerary.

Attraction Introduction: One of the highlights arranged in the itinerary is Wanxian Mountain. The Wanxian Mountain Scenic Area is located deep in the Taihang Mountains of Huixian. Within it are the Guoliang Hanging Road and Nanping Danfeng Gorge, with red cliffs and clear waterfalls intertwined, making it one of the most representative landscape galleries of the Taihang Mountains. This area is well-known for being featured in several films and TV shows. Attractions such as Guoliang Village, Tianchi, and the watchtowers form an impressive Taihang hiking route. The temperature in summer is pleasant, and it is a place where you can get close to the Taihang landscape, not far from Zhengzhou and Luoyang. My understanding is that the hike involves a lot of walking and many steps, so wearing non-slip shoes is essential; be careful of traffic on the hanging road section, and the red cliffs look best in photos during early morning or evening light.

Warm Tips: Many mountain paths are slippery, especially downhill, so shift your center of gravity back and slow your pace. Knee pads are recommended. Visitors generally report that the Guoliang Cave Hanging Road is the most breathtaking and photogenic, while mountain paths can easily cause motion sickness; it’s advisable to bring motion sickness medicine and take your time at viewing platforms. Considering actual conditions, conserve energy: tackle the highlights in the morning when your energy is high and slow down in the afternoon. Don’t exhaust yourself on the first day, or you’ll have no energy for the following days.

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