Henan
The largely rebuilt Shaolin Temple is a commercialised victim of its own incredible success. A frequent target of war, the ancestral home of wǔshù was…
Must-see attractions in Henan
Henan
The ravaged grottoes at Longmen constitute one of China’s handful of surviving masterpieces of Buddhist rock carving. A sutra in stone, the epic…
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Henan
First founded in AD 555, this frequently rebuilt temple vanished along with Kaifeng in the early 1640s, when rebels breached the Yellow River’s dykes…
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Henan
This superb but little-visited museum has three main exhibits: 20 reconstructed tombs (spanning five main dynasties, or over 1000 years), re-created using…
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Henan
This tunnel on the cusp of Guoliang village offers a closer perspective on the plunging cliffs, with dramatic views carved through the rock. The tunnel…
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Henan
Although its original structures have all been replaced and older Buddhist shrines may have vanished, this vast, active monastery outside Luoyang is…
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Henan
Arguably the best hike in the area, Taishi Shan serves as a much quieter counterpoint to Shaolin Temple. It's not for slackers, however; like all Chinese…
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Henan
Kaifeng's most iconic landmark is a magnificent 11th-century Iron Pagoda (55m tall) at the centre of a pleasant park. The gorgeous, glazed-brick edifice,…
Henan
The largely rebuilt Shaolin Temple is a commercialised victim of its own incredible success. A frequent target of war, the ancestral home of wǔshù was…
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Henan
A few kilometres east of Dengfeng, the ancient and hoary Zhongyue Temple is a colossal active Taoist monastery complex that originally dates back to the…
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Henan
This stumpy pagoda from 974 is the oldest Buddhist structure in Kaifeng and was originally a nine-storey hexagonal building, typical of the Northern Song…
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Henan
This tiny, elaborately styled guild hall was built as a lodging and meeting place during the Qing dynasty by an association of merchants from Shanxi (山西),…
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Henan
This huge museum, situated out of the action south of the river, has fascinating displays across two huge floors and is one of the few places where you…
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Henan
This reconstructed site of the government offices of the Northern Song has daily theatricals commencing outside the gates – the doors are thrown open and…
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Henan
Housed in a colossal fortress 10km west of town, the Kaifeng Museum contains a modest collection of archaeological finds, woodblock prints and historical…
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Henan
Any Chinese city worth its rice has an Old Town. Within Luoyang’s is this scenic area comprising a plethora of water-banquet restaurants, costume shops…
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Henan
This square is the cacophonous meeting place for locals who come to play chess and cards, practise calligraphy, stroll with grandchildren, play…
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Henan
In this square, guards maintain a 24-hour vigil at the foot of a statue of Chairman Mao, and portraits of Marx, Engels, Stalin and Lenin (the original …
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Henan
Originally founded in the Northern Song dynasty, this mosque is housed in a traditional Chinese temple compound with a pretty rose garden. Examine the…
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Eastern Zhou Royal Horse & Chariot Pits
Henan
A huge statue of six rearing horses marks this two-hall underground museum, where the principal draw is the in-situ remains of a Zhou emperor’s royal…
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Henan
The 600-year-old City God temple bustles with worshippers who leave its trees festooned with red ribbons and its entrances swirling with incense smoke.
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Henan
Closed for renovations (at the time of writing, estimated to last until mid-2020), only the highlights are currently on display in a side building. Take…
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Henan
A beautiful 40m waterfall with a pool beneath that is at least 28m deep (the shape of the pool has thus far made it impossible to measure any deeper).
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Henan
Four stone compounds that date back to the Ming dynasty. Just opposite, a platform atop a pillar of rock offers astonishing views into a canyon.
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Henan
Dedicated to the Southern Song military hero Yue Fei, this temple was first founded in 1478. The weatherbeaten temple hasn't seen much restoration, and…
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Henan
Built in 1379, Kaifeng's drum tower was originally located west of here and this site belonged to the bell tower. In the late Ming dynasty, a sickly…
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Nanjiecun Instant Food Company
Henan
You don't have to join a tour to visit this noodle factory, which employs more than 500 people in the collective. Enter at the east end and go upstairs to…
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Henan
Dedicated to Guandi, the god of war and protection (among other things), this temple was originally built during the Ming dynasty (then dedicated to the…
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Henan
Site of the former imperial palace, this park is mostly gardens and a lake, into which hardy swimmers plunge in winter. Reached by a bridge, you can climb…
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Henan
At the foot of Mt Taishi sits one of China’s oldest academies, the lush and well-tended Songyang Academy, a building complex that dates from AD 484 and…
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Henan
Originally built in the Sui dynasty, this gate separated the palace area from the city's residential quarters. It was reconstructed in 2002 and renovated…
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Henan
Previously the only way into the village was via these steep Ming dynasty steps hewn from the local stone. The stairs have no guard rails and have fallen…
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Henan
According to local lore, the flow of this spring responds to the loudness of your whoops. (It doesn’t, but that doesn't stop people from trying). Expect a…
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Henan
Not far from East is Red Square, this square is known primarily for the rebuilt, traditional architecture of Chaoyang Gate (朝阳门, Cháoyáng Mén).
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Henan
Kaifeng is ringed by a relatively intact, much-restored Qing dynasty wall, which you can climb up at various points. There's precious little to see from…
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Henan
It's difficult to miss this enormous pagoda and hall, recreated on the original site of the Ming and Tang palace complex. The most impressive element of…
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Henan
One of Luoyang’s indispensable green lungs, this park is the site of the annual Peony Festival. Unfortunately, the park is also home to a decrepit zoo…
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Henan
There's not much to see inside this narrow, muddy cave. Unless you're really into clambering over slimy rocks, you can safely skip this one.
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Henan
Although replete with colourfully painted eaves, there is little to see at this restored temple. Take bus 60 or 85 from the train station.
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Henan
Zhengzhou's eastern outskirts are marked by long, high mounds of earth, the remains of the old city walls. You can climb up to explore.
