Top 10 Things to Do in Dancheng 2026

2026 Asia 100 - Best Things to Do

Longmen Grottoes

8.9

4.7/5

62.4k reviews

Longmen Grottoes are located in the southern suburbs of Luoyang, Henan Province, on the cliffs along both banks of the Yi River. As one of China's three major grotto art treasures, they were inscribed on the World Cultural Heritage list in 2000. The grottoes were first carved when Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei moved the capital to Luoyang, and construction continued through the Eastern Wei, Western Wei, Northern Qi, Sui, and Tang dynasties, with the vast majority of niches and statues left from the Northern Wei and Tang periods. Today, more than 2,000 niches and over 100,000 statues remain, along with a large number of inscriptions and steles, making the site an important representative of Chinese stone carving art. The attraction is divided by the Yi River into two parts: West Hill and East Hill. The West Hill Grottoes are the essence of the site, carved from the Northern Dynasties through the Sui and Tang periods. Famous caves include Guyang Cave, Binyang Cave, Lotus Cave, Wanfo Cave, and Fengxian Temple. The Lushena Buddha at Fengxian Temple stands about 17 m tall, making it one of the larger Buddha statues at Longmen Grottoes. Its face is dignified and serene, with a faint smile, and legend holds that it was modeled on the appearance of Wu Zetian, earning it the name "Oriental Mona Lisa." The inner walls of Wanfo Cave are densely covered with about 15,000 small Buddha statues, each only a few cm tall, neatly arranged and finely crafted. Guyang Cave is the earliest cave carved at Longmen, and its inscription calligraphy is exquisite; the selected "Twenty Masterpieces of Longmen" are representative works of Wei stele calligraphy. Binyang Cave consists of the South, Middle, and North caves and took more than twenty years to complete. Its original reliefs depicting emperors and empresses worshipping the Buddha were looted and lost overseas in the 1930s. In Binyang North Cave, a Buddha statue has a distinctive hand gesture, with the right index and middle fingers raised in a shape resembling the modern "scissors hand," though it is actually a Buddhist mudra, and it once sparked heated discussion online. The East Hill Grottoes are mostly Tang dynasty works and are smaller in scale than those on West Hill, but from the opposite bank visitors can enjoy panoramic views of West Hill from different angles, especially distant views of the Lushena Buddha. The attraction also includes Xiangshan Temple and Bai Juyi Memorial Park (Bai Garden). The Tang dynasty poet Bai Juyi lived in Luoyang in his later years and once praised it, saying, "Of the scenic splendors of Luoyang's surrounding mountains and waters, Longmen ranks first." When visiting, simply follow the route West Hill—East Hill—Xiangshan Temple—Bai Garden, proceeding in one direction without backtracking. The West Hill Grottoes are densely packed with content, so it is advisable to set aside ample time for a closer look; East Hill is quieter and more secluded, suitable for a brief visit and gazing across the river when energy is limited.

China · Luoyang

2026 Asia 100 - Night Attractions

Millennium City Park

8.8

29.1k reviews

Millennium City Park is located by the shores of Longting Lake in Kaifeng. It is a large-scale historical and cultural theme park of the Song Dynasty, recreated one-to-one based on the famous painting Along the River During the Qingming Festival by Song Dynasty painter Zhang Zeduan. The park is divided into two sections by the Shuangting Bridge: the South Garden recreates the bustling street life of the Bianjing city, with taverns, eateries, teahouses, and pharmacies lined up along the streets; the North Garden is an imperial garden, with waterside halls, the Sifang Courtyard, and other palace buildings standing by the lake. Performers and street vendors in the park mostly wear Song Dynasty costumes, with ancient music lingering and bells and drums sounding, so that after a few steps visitors can easily fall under the illusion of "stepping into a painting in one morning, dreaming back a thousand years in one day." Architecture is the intuitive and tangible highlight here: the Rainbow Bridge spanning the Bian River is a replica of the famous bridge in the painting, shaped like a long rainbow, and standing on the bridge watching the grain boats pass by feels much like being inside the painting; the Fuyun Pavilion towers above all the other pavilions in the garden, with its tiered red towers and golden tiles on all four eaves, inviting one to climb from afar; the Shangshan Gate is rebuilt after the Northern Song dynasty Dongjing city gate, tall and majestic with brilliant painted decorations, making it the most imposing gate tower in the garden; and the Shuixin Xie, Shuangting Bridge, Jiulong Bridge, and other pavilions and waterside structures are scattered among the blue waves. The main attraction of the day is the immersive performances staged throughout the park: "Bao Zheng Inspects the Bian River Grain Transport" unfolds on the water on both sides of the Rainbow Bridge; "Squire Wang Seeks a Son-in-Law" features a decorated tower erected in front of Squire Wang's house where a silk ball is tossed to choose a groom; "Yue Fei Challenges Prince Xiao Liang" raises dust on the Song dynasty parade ground as horses gallop; and folk performances such as cockfighting, stilt walking, and pan drumming are interspersed throughout. To step into the action yourself, head to the Four Directions Courtyard to don traditional costumes and enter the examination cells for a hands-on Song dynasty imperial exam experience; families with children can enjoy carousel rides, roller coasters, and other amusement facilities wrapped in Song dynasty storytelling at the Song Dynasty·Royal Pleasure Ground; and in the entertainment quarters, face-changing, qigong fire-breathing, ancient magic, and other Song dynasty variety acts take turns on stage, with intangible cultural heritage feats ready to break out at any moment right beside you. After nightfall, the park takes on a different face: red lanterns light up one after another, the market streets are brightly illuminated, and it feels like a completely different park from the daytime. The large-scale water-based live performance "The Great Song Dynasty's Eastern Capital: A Dream of Splendor" is staged on the surface of Jinglong Lake. The entire show is woven together from eight classic Song ci poems and the painting Along the River During the Qingming Festival, drawing the audience back to the Northern Song dynasty's Eastern Capital a thousand years ago. The performance runs about 70 minutes, and many visitors deliberately plan their itinerary to stay until the evening to catch this show. Dining in the park is also convenient: the snack street at Dongjing Food Court brings together Kaifeng snacks such as fried liangfen, tongzi chicken, and almond tea, perfect for eating while strolling; if you want to sit down for a proper meal, you can visit the reconstructed Sun Yang Zheng Dian in the park, which was originally one of the seventy-two official restaurants of Bianjing in the Northern Song Dynasty, where you can taste traditional Henan dishes such as soup dumplings and carp with baked noodles.

Song Du Huangcheng Cultural Tourism Resort

8.6

178 reviews

Song Du Huangcheng Cultural Tourism Resort is located in the northern part of the old city of Kaifeng, precisely on the site of the imperial palace of the Northern Song Dynasty's Dongjing city. The millennium-old central axis of Kaifeng runs through this area, making it the core zone of the royal culture of the Song Dynasty. Here, you can find the Song-style imperial architecture of the Longting attraction, the tales of the Yang Family Generals at Tianbo Yang's residence, and the calligraphic steles of Han Yuan Stele Forest. The Shuanglong Lane historical and cultural block, 960 Cultural and Creative Park, and Qisheng Corner have transformed old streets and courtyards into Song-style blocks perfect for leisurely exploration. The resort also connects a series of Song culture attractions: Wansui Mountain Great Song Martial Arts City stages year-round martial arts live shows and intangible cultural heritage iron fireworks, while historic sites like the Iron Pagoda, Kaifeng city wall, Zhouqiao and Bian River ruins, Shanshangan Guild Hall, Yanqing Taoist Temple, and Fan Pagoda are scattered across the old city, along with niche spots like the underground wartime grain storage. These places are hard to cover in one day, so we recommend focusing on two or three key sites. After dark, a different experience awaits as the attractions light up in unison. Boarding a painted pleasure boat on the Great Song Imperial River to watch the illuminated pavilions and towers sway with the rippling water is a popular nightlife option here.

No. 1 of Family-friendly Attractions in Henan

Wansuishan Martial Arts City

8.6

16.6k reviews

Wansuishan Martial Arts City is located in the northwest of Kaifeng's urban areaWansuishan Martial Arts City, it is a large-scale attraction built with Song Dynasty culture and wuxia culture as its backdrop. Within the attraction, there are quaint and charming Song Dynasty garden streets and alleys, year-round exciting wuxia and period costume performances, as well as a wealth of entertainment facilities, making it a great place for relaxation and entertainment in Kaifeng, Zhengzhou, and surrounding areas. When visiting Wansuishan Martial Arts City, the first thing you will notice is the beautiful scenery of the attraction. Wansuishan Martial Arts City as a whole creates an atmosphere of the Song Dynasty, among which many views are very eye-catching, such as Wansui Temple, which recreates the splendor of a thousand-year-old ancient temple from the Song Dynasty, the Dragon Altar, which embodies the spirit of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism, the relatively well-preserved ancient city wall of Kaifeng in China, and the "Nine Dragons Waterfall," one of the large man-made stream and waterfall groups in China. What is rare is that the attraction also has a very large area of forest and green space, with a quiet environment, and flowers bloom in season, making it very suitable for photography. Afterward, visitors will notice the unique wuxia features within the attraction. Year-round, multiple wuxia-themed performances are staged here, with several themed shows such as "Cross Slope," "Wu Song Drunkenly Beats Jiang the Gatekeeper," and "Wild Boar Forest" being quite spectacular—definitely not to be missed when visiting. Interactive performances like the "Wuxia Film and Television Experience Hall," "Martial Arts Champion," and "Li Kui Judges a Case" also allow visitors to participate in wuxia stories, offering plenty of fun. In the architectural design of the attraction, there are also many wuxia elements: the Wuxia Road built with large-scale weapons such as the "Heaven-Reliant Sword" and "Overlord Blade," the "Gallant Heroes Portrait" at the Great Song Martial Arts Hall, the "Sword Altar" at Cross Slope, Juxian Manor, and the Martial Arts Arena—all are uniquely distinctive. Additionally, every year during the Spring Festival periodWansuishanLarge-scale temple fairs are held, featuring grand performances, a rich variety of specialty snacks, a dazzling array of handicrafts, and highly distinctive entertainment activities, creating a lively atmosphere. It has now become one of the most popular temple fairs in the Central Plains region.

No. 2 of Family-friendly Attractions in Henan

Henan Museum

8.1

4.8/5

10k reviews

[Henan MuseumIntroduction Founded in 1927, it is one of the earlier-established museums in China. The museum covers an area of 126 mu, with a building area of 55,000 square m. The museum currently has a collection of approximately 250,000 artifacts (sets), with particular strengths in prehistoric artifacts, Shang and Zhou bronzes, ceramics from successive dynasties, jade objects, and stone carvings. The fine artifacts are numerous in quantity, comprehensive in variety, high in quality, and great in value, making this a cultural and artistic treasury that bears witness to the trajectory of Chinese civilization and showcases the course of China's historical development. Currently open are the permanent exhibition "Great China: Building the Capital at the Center" and the thematic exhibitions "Henan in the Ming and Qing Dynasties," "Ancient Stone Carving Art of the Central Plains," "Auspicious Bronzes from Dan and Xi: Chu Bronze Art of the Central Plains," "Treasures of Craftsmanship: Ming and Qing Treasures from the Museum Collection," and "Special Exhibition of National Treasures," among others. The "Social Education Experience Hall" and the "Hall of Ancient Chinese Music," which complement the exhibitions, are also open for use. With the mission of "carrying forward inherent culture, promoting academic research, enhancing public knowledge, and advancing social civilization," it meticulously builds a public welfare cultural service brand, serving as an important window to appreciate Central Plains culture, Yellow River culture, and the Chinese cultural lineage, an important front for promoting core values, and an important platform for enhancing cultural exchange and cooperation. [Existing exhibition guide] Permanent exhibition "The Great Chinese Civilization: Choosing the Center to Build the Capital" The permanent exhibition "The Great Chinese Civilization: Choosing the Center to Build the Capital" takes the history of capital establishment in the Central Plains as its main thread, the development history of Central Plains civilization as its outline, and the backdrop of world civilizations as its reference. It integrates the cultural relic advantages of the Henan region, captures the highlights of ancient development in the Central Plains, showcases the trajectory of the Chinese nation's civilizational development, and recreates the long-standing splendor of Central Plains culture as well as its influence and radiating power. At the same time, from a global perspective, it presents the similarities and differences between Central Plains culture and cultures of other regions, and initiates a dialogue between this civilization and other civilizations. The permanent exhibition is located on floors 1, 2, and 3 of the main exhibition hall and is divided into 10 galleries, consisting of seven sections: the Neolithic Age, Xia and Shang, Western Zhou, Eastern Zhou, Qin, Han, Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties, Sui and Tang, and Song, Jin, and Yuan. It interprets the capital culture of the Central Plains and the cultural life within the capitals across various historical periods. [Henan MuseumHuaxia Ancient Music Orchestra] Henan is located in the Central Plains and has been a land of rites and music since ancient times, enjoying exceptional advantages for the development of musical culture. From the bone flutes of eight thousand years ago, to the bells, drums, chimes, and zithers, as well as the pipes, flutes, and mouth organs of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties, and to the music and dance, hundred entertainments, and banquet music and grand suites of the Han and Tang dynasties, the ancient music of the Central Plains is like a long river of history, surging endlessly and magnificent. Since its establishment in 2000, it has conducted restoration research on Central Plains musical artifacts, restored and reconstructed ancient musical scores, costumes, and performance scenes, and launched concerts with different themes, which have been highly praised by audiences at home and abroad. Millennia-old music, passed down through generations, the Huaxia Ancient Music Orchestra is resounding with the ceaseless spiritual voice of the Chinese nation... [Henan MuseumCultural and creative area] "Yubo Cultural Creativity" actively cooperates with enterprises both within and outside the province. By absorbing the creative concepts, design styles, and product characteristics of various enterprises, it has sorted out more than 300 cultural relic elements (sets) suitable for development. Adhering to the development principle of "highlighting originality," it has cumulatively produced nearly 800 cultural and creative products, covering categories such as stationery, toys, daily necessities, apparel, and food. Among them, a series of cultural and creative products developed with the museum's treasured artifacts and star relics as themes have achieved excellent results in various cultural and creative competitions across the country and have represented our province on the exhibition stages of major cultural and creative themes on multiple occasions. Currently, Yubo Cultural Creativity has focused on building physical product brands such as "Zhuozhen Cultural Relic Coffee," "Lost Treasures — Archaeological Blind Box," and "Cup of Light," as well as event brands such as "Museum Elegance Hall" and "Cultural Creativity Competition." At the same time, it is actively exploring the deep integration of cultural creativity and scientific research, collaborating with multiple universities to establish cultural creativity talent training and practice bases, and accelerating the training of cultural creativity talent. "The movement of the great Peng bird does not rely on the lightness of a single feather; the speed of a fine steed does not depend on the strength of a single foot." In the future, Yubo Cultural and Creative will continue to draw on more social forces to jointly explore the charm of history and culture, create more cultural and creative works, and make due contributions to the high-quality development of our province's cultural and creative industry. Location: Boutique on the west side of the first-floor lobby, book café on the third floor, pop-up store at the west exit [Henan MuseumSocial education experience hall] When visiting the Henan Museum, besides seeing exhibitions, listening to ancient music, and shopping for cultural creative products, there is one more place you must experience. Located on the first floor of the East Annex Building, it is a brand-new comprehensive practice experience area of over 1,400 square meters that can accommodate up to 500 people participating in activities at the same time. This place endows museum education with new dimensions of development; it is a national research and study education base for primary and secondary schools; it is a family-friendly museum classroom where education meets fun; and it also offers an immersive way to perceive the profoundness of culture. It features seven distinct zones, including an ancient technology experience area, a field archaeology experience area, a cultural relic restoration and conservation observation area, a visitor self-directed learning area, a research and study practice education area, a 3D national treasure magic wall experience area, and a 5G + 360° real-time panoramic experience area, all offering excellent experiences and visual effects. The social education experience hall of the Henan Museum adopts a "demographic-specific, menu-based" service model to target service groups. In educating underage visitors, it focuses on creating educational projects such as "special guided tours," develops thematic learning courses, and optimizes popular educational courses including the series on the nine treasures of the museum, "How Much Do You Know About Archaeology," "Guardians of National Treasures," and idioms and allusions, thereby enriching the education system and sharing educational projects. The newly opened museum comprehensive practice experience center showcases the new dimensions of museum education development with a high starting point, three-dimensional approach, and immersive presentation.

China · Zhengzhou

2025 Asia 100 - Family-friendly Attractions

Luoyang Museum

8

4.7/5

3.8k reviews

Founded in 1958 and fully opened to the public on April 16, 2011, the Luoyang Museum is a comprehensive institution integrating cultural relic collection, exhibitions, and public education, with a collection that spans the long history of Luoyang as a capital of thirteen dynasties. The main building stands like a giant ding, drawing on the meaning of "establishing the capital at Luoyi," and its solemn and imposing facade is itself a popular backdrop for photos. The museum's large permanent exhibition "Civilization of the Yellow River and Luo River" unfolds along the sequence of prehistoric times, the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties, the Han and Wei dynasties, the Sui and Tang dynasties, and the Five Dynasties and Northern Song, stringing together Luoyang's millennia-long history as a capital into a complete viewing route. Among the exhibits, the Northern Wei painted pottery figurines of two women holding hands, affectionately called the "best friend figurines" by visitors, are especially eye-catching—two young girls holding hands side by side with lively expressions, and visitors often come specially to take photos with them. On the second floor, the Treasures Gallery rotates representative artifacts from the collection, and the Cao Wei white jade cup and the Northern Wei clay Buddha face statue are both worth pausing to examine closely; in the Tang Sancai Gallery, the entirely black-glazed sancai horse is vigorous and rarely seen. The Court Artifacts Gallery displays Qing dynasty court artifacts transferred from the Forbidden City, and the golden nanmu pagoda carved from a single piece of wood and covered with small gilded Buddhas has a distinctly royal air; the Wang Xiu Peony Art Exhibition, meanwhile, brings Luoyang's peonies into paintings, offering a softness that contrasts with the weighty antiquity of the stone carvings, each with its own flavor. Start your visit with the "Civilization of the Yellow River and Luo River" exhibition and the Stone Carving Gallery on the first floor, then go up to the second floor to savor the Treasures Gallery, the Tang Sancai Gallery, and the Court Artifacts Gallery in detail; the Treasures Gallery features rotating exhibitions, so the specific exhibits on display are subject to what is shown on site. A careful full visit usually takes two to three hours, so it is advisable to set aside ample time.

China · Luoyang

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Grand Canyon of Taihang

Eight Spring Gap

8

7.5k reviews

Eight Spring Gap is located in the middle section of the Taihang Mountains Grand Canyon. Originally named "Badao Water," it takes its name from the eight springs in the canyon that emerge from a single source. The attraction covers an area of approx. 24 km², with a low point at approx. 600 m above sea level and a high point at approx. 1,400 m, a drop of approx. 1,100 m, combining the grandeur of northern mountains and rivers with the soft beauty of Jiangnan waterscapes. The attraction is divided into four touring areas: the gatehouse view, the canyon view, the cableway view, and the trail view, with water routes, land routes, and aerial cableways connecting in alternation to create a three-dimensional touring experience. The water route begins at the sightseeing dam pier, where visitors board a boat to enter the gorge, passing through the emerald waters of the high gorge and calm lake, with cliffs pressing in on both sides and the full force of a sliver of sky visible at a glance. After landing, visitors follow the Quiet Valley Listening to Springs and the Hanging Streams Dripping Emerald deeper into the canyon, where spring water gathers into streams and eight flows tumble over flat rocks, their sound echoing at the bottom of the valley. Pot Hole Grotto is a continuous arc-shaped grotto formed by mountain spring water eroding the mountain body over hundreds of millions of years—an easily overlooked detail that is well worth a stop. Along the trail route, the Cliff Hanging Ladder is built against the cliff face at approx. 60 m above ground, and walking on it offers a panoramic view of the dam; the sightseeing elevator is built vertically against the mountain, with an operating height of approx. 200 m, and a cantilevered transparent viewing platform at the top, making it the highest point for overlooking the canyon. The Cloud Cliff Walk consists of thousands of steps and several thousand meters of cliffside plank walkway, hanging among the clouds on the precipice and leading to high points such as Yuhuang Square and North Heaven Gate. North Heaven Gate is a natural stone arch, over 20 m high, standing atop the peak and echoing the pictographic rock views such as the Chinese Zodiac Worshipping Heaven on the opposite ridge. The Turning Cableway spans more than ten mountain ridges, offering an aerial panorama of the canyon and a commanding view of the layered Taihang mountain scenery from above. It is advisable to allow ample time, as the water, land, and air touring options each offer different viewing experiences; along the way, small views close to the cliff face, such as Pot Hole Grotto and Dripping Valley Nine Lotuses, are easily overlooked and deserve extra attention to the signs along the path.

China · Huguan

No. 6 of Best Things to Do in Henan

Kaifeng Fu (Kaifeng Palace)

7.9

4.5/5

16.5k reviews

Kaifeng Fu (Kaifeng Palace) was first built during the Later Liang period of the Five Dynasties. During the Northern Song Dynasty, it was grand in scale and served as an important institution for managing the capital and the surrounding metropolitan region. Famous officials such as Bao Zheng, Ouyang Xiu, Fan Zhongyan, and Su Shi all once held posts here. The Kaifeng Fu of the Song Dynasty, having endured wars and floods, no longer exists. What visitors see today is a reconstructed imitation ancient attraction built according to the Northern Song architectural treatise "Yingzao Fashi." The gate of the palace faces south. The attraction is centered on an axis formed by the main hall (grand hall), the council hall, and the Plum Blossom Hall, with various halls of different sizes distributed on both sides, including Tianqing Temple, Mingli Courtyard, Hidden Dragon Palace, Qingxin Tower, the prison, Yingwu Tower, and Yinbin Guesthouse. The main hall on the central axis replicates the appearance of the case-hearing venue of the Kaifeng Fu (Kaifeng Palace) magistrate in the Northern Song Dynasty. In front of the hall are displayed three bronze guillotines with dragon, tiger, and dog heads, which are widely known furnishings of Lord Bao culture. The council hall restores the office scene of the Northern Song Dynasty government office. The Plum Blossom Hall in the northern part of the attraction features a wax figure scene of Lord Bao hearing cases while "sitting facing south" at the southern government office. In the Hidden Dragon Palace east of the central axis, the Hidden Dragon Hall enshrines statues of three emperors — Emperor Taizong, Emperor Zhenzong, and Emperor Qinzong of Song — all of whom served in Kaifeng Fu before ascending the throne. The adjacent Qingxin Tower is a high-rise building within the attraction, with a large bronze statue of Lord Bao on the ground floor and exhibitions of the life stories of successive Kaifeng Fu magistrates of the Northern Song Dynasty inside. The West Prison of the Fu Office on the southwest side of the palace gate includes a warden's room, a prison god temple, death cells, and male and female prison cells, furnished with sculptures, torture instruments, and scenes reflecting the prison administration of the Northern Song period. The attraction also stages ancient-style live performances such as "The Opening Ceremony of the Government Office" and "Lord Bao Judges Cases," offering an immersive visiting experience.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Songshan Scenic Area

Songshan Shaolin Scenic Area

7.8

4.5/5

17.7k reviews

It is said that "all martial arts originate fromShaolinNot only Chinese people who grew up deeply influenced by Shaolin kung fu, but also many international friends visiting Henan will go to see Shaolin temple. It is not only a sacred place for martial arts worldwide, but also the ancestral temple of Zen Buddhism. Striking some classic martial arts poses for photos at Shaolin temple makes the swords and shadows of the martial world seem to flash before your eyes. AboutShaolin TempleTwo keywords 1. The founder of Zen Buddhism The Shaolin Temple is a sacred Buddhist site in China and the ancestral temple of Chan Buddhism. In 527 AD, the renowned Indian monk Bodhidharma (known as the founder of Zen) traveled by sea to southern China, crossed the Yangtze River northward into the Central Plains, and arrived at Shaolin. He meditated and taught dharma in the mountains behind the Shaolin Temple, first advocating the Chan teaching of "mind-to-mind transmission," thereby establishing the temple's revered status as the ancestral home of Chan Buddhism. Nowadays, many visitors come to Shaolin Temple to pray for blessings and peace. The origin of martial arts After the "Thirteen monks with staffs rescued Li Shimin" incident in the early Tang Dynasty, Shaolin Temple became renowned worldwide for its exquisite "Shaolin Kung Fu," and since thenShaolinMonks practicing martial arts has become a common tradition passed down through generations. The Shaolin Temple is the birthplace of Shaolin kung fu, andShaolinThe pai school is a martial arts sect with a wide influence, long history, and numerous boxing styles in the wulin (martial arts world). Since ancient times, it has been regarded as "the foremost martial arts sect in the world" and the supreme authority of martial arts by Chinese people. The Shaolin Temple scenic area - pagoda forest is the burial ground of Shaolin Temple's successive abbots, serene and solemn. You might even catch glimpses of the movie "Shaolin Temple" here. Travel tips What to do? How long to stay? Recommended self-guided tour activities: Half-day tour:Shaolin Temple- Pagoda forest - Chuzu nunnery - Damo cave - Songshan Shaolin scenic area -Songshan Shaolin scenic area - Shaolin temple martial arts hallPerformance The Shaolin Temple complex mainly consists of three parts: the Changzhu Yuan Pagoda Forest, the Chuzu Nunnery, and the Songshan Shaolin attraction - Damo Cave. Most visitors traveling to Shaolin Temple from Luoyang or Zhengzhou choose this route. The layout of Shaolin Temple is typical of Han Chinese Buddhist temples, featuring central axis symmetry. After entering the mountain gate, you can walk straight ahead. The temple is not large, and the visit can be completed within an hour. The Shaolin Temple scenic area - pagoda forest is located approx. 400 m west of Shaolin Temple, serving as the burial ground for the temple's eminent monks throughout history. As the Buddhist saying goes: "Saving one life is better than building a seven-story pagoda." Here, you can learn about the life stories of Shaolin Temple's eminent monks across different dynasties. The Chuzu Temple and Songshan Shaolin attraction - Damo Cave are also near the Shaolin Temple, accessible by walking. The Chuzu Temple was built by people of the Song Dynasty to commemorate Bodhidharma's wall-gazing meditation, while the Songshan Shaolin attraction - Damo Cave is the very place where Patriarch Bodhidharma meditated facing a wall for nine years. 1-day tour:Shaolin Temple-Tallinn-Sanhuangzhai In the morning, follow the half-day tour itinerary to visit Shaolin Temple first, then proceed to the Shaolin Temple attraction - Pagoda Forest. The location is approx. 5 min walking distance from the Shaolin Temple attraction - Pagoda Forest.Shaolin cablewayAfter taking the cable car to Sanhuangzhai station, it takes about 30 minutes to reach the destination on foot.Sanhuangzhai scenic areaPortal. ActivitiesSanhuangzhai scenic areaIt takes at least 3-4 hours to explore the attraction, which features many unique geological views. The Sanhuangzhai cliffside plank walk is a must-see. Walking along the cliffside path with towering cliffs on one side and a sheer drop on the other is both a physical and mental challenge. 2-day tour:Shaolin Temple- Songyang scenic area - Zhongyue scenic area Shaolin Temple andSongyang academy, Mount SongLocated in Dengfeng, visitors with ample time can purchase a combo ticket for all three sites and explore them over two days. On the first day, visitShaolin scenic areaIn the evening, watch the live performance of "Zen Shaolin Music Ceremony", and the next day, head to Songyang, which is far from downtown Dengfeng.Zhongyue scenic area. Where can I see authentic Shaolin kung fu? Nowadays, it is difficult for ordinary visitors to witness the martial arts training of Shaolin monks at Shaolin temple. However, visitors can use the Shaolin temple combo ticket to watch the Shaolin kung fu performance at the Shaolin martial arts hall in Songshan Shaolin scenic area, approx. 700 m east of Shaolin temple. Performance time: The performance time at Songshan Shaolin scenic area - Shaolin temple martial arts hall is subject to the on-site announcement. Each performance lasts 30 minutes. The cost is included in the admission ticket. Where is a good place to stay?There are some farmhouse inns and guesthouses around Shaolin Temple, but the conditions are average. If you're not in a hurry, it's not recommended to stay here. If you need to stay overnight, Dengfeng city center is a good choice, as it offers convenient access to the three major attractions of Songshan Mountain. Shaolin TempleIs vegetarian food available?Since you're visiting Shaolin Temple, don't miss the vegetarian cuisine. The vegetarian restaurant inside Shaolin Temple is called "Huanxidi" and is worth trying. Shaolin story The most stubborn holdout in history: When it comes to stubborn holdouts, they didn't just appear in modern times. As early as the Tang dynasty, the Shaolin Temple emerged as such a case. Emperor Li Yuan of Tang issued an order for its demolition but failed. When Li Shimin came to power, not only was the Shaolin Temple spared from punishment, but it also received generous rewards. Compared to today's holdouts, the Shaolin Temple can be called the most legendary stubborn holdout in history. The origin of the matter was an imperial edict issued by Li Yuan, ordering the demolition of all temples within Henan province, including the Shaolin Temple. After receiving the imperial decree, hundreds of monks at Shaolin Temple refused to comply, standing united and resolute in collective defiance. Li Yuan had no choice, as the Tang dynasty was newly established and could not afford to gain a reputation for cruelty. He tacitly allowed the temple's "retention" but revoked the 4,000 acres of temple land previously granted by the Prince of Qin. Later, when Li Shimin became emperor, he granted Shaolin Temple an additional 4,000 mu of land, permitted the temple to train monk soldiers, lift the prohibition against killing, and consume alcohol and meat. Inside the temple, there is a stele titled "Emperor Taizong of Tang's decree to the Shaolin Temple abbot," which records this historical event. You may want to see it when visiting the Shaolin Temple.

China · Dengfeng