✨ Henan — A Journey Through Temples, Grottoes & Ancient Capitals

Henan is often called the heartland of Chinese civilization — and after exploring it, it’s easy to see why. The province blends grand Buddhist sites, martial arts heritage, and Song Dynasty culture into one unforgettable journey. ⸻ 🗿 Luoyang — Longmen Grottoes (龙门石窟) Thousands of Buddha statues carved into limestone cliffs, a UNESCO site that takes your breath away. The evening light show at the grottoes makes the experience even more magical. 🥋 Dengfeng — Shaolin Temple (少林寺) & Songshan Shaoshi Mountain (嵩山少室山) Step into the cradle of kung fu at the Shaolin Temple, where martial arts monks perform daily shows. Pair this with a cable car up Shaoshi Mountain — a smart way to save energy if you want to combine both in one day. 🏯 Kaifeng — Living Song Dynasty Heritage • Da Xiangguo Temple (大相国寺) — a majestic Buddhist temple with centuries of history. • Kaifeng Prefecture (开封府) — walk into the world of Justice Bao and Song Dynasty governance. • Iron Pagoda Park (铁塔公园) — admire one of China’s finest Song pagodas, still standing tall after almost 1,000 years. • Qingming Shanghe Garden (清明上河园) — Zhang Zeduan’s famous scroll painting recreated into a lively cultural park by day, glowing lantern streets by night. 🏯 Zhengzhou — Gateway to Henan Often overlooked as just a transport hub, Zhengzhou (郑州) is actually a city worth slowing down for. As the capital of Henan Province, it blends modern city life with layers of history and local charm. Top attractions (all FREE!) there are: • Erqi Memorial Tower (二七纪念塔) — The city’s iconic landmark, built to honor the 1923 railway workers’ strike. By night, it glows beautifully against the skyline. • 🏛 Henan Museum (河南博物院) — one of China’s top museums, showcasing bronzes, jades, and treasures spanning 5,000 years. • Various city parks, with Xiliuhu Park being one of the most scenic and outstanding of all parks, followed by Bishagang Park. (碧沙岗公园) ⸻ 🌟 Why Henan? Because nowhere else in China combines so much history, religion, martial arts, and daily life in one province. From the quiet chanting at Shaolin to the glowing night streets of Kaifeng, Henan is a living storybook of Chinese civilization. #mytraveldiary #chinatravel #henan #zhengzhou #luoyang #kaifeng #shaolintemple #longmengrottoes #大相国寺 #开封府 #铁塔公园 #清明上河园