*NEW* 9 DAYS HENAN ETERNAL: DYNASTIES, RELICS & BLOSSOMS

Transfer: Zhengzhou Airport to Hotel

Upon arrival, you would be met and transferred to your hotel.

Cultural Relics of Henan and Anyang 

Showcasing over 130,000 pieces of cultural relics, Henan Museum is the best place to gain insights into the history and legacy of Henan through the past thousands of years. 
 
Then, travel to Anyang, a 2.5-hour drive to Henan’s northernmost city that is the earliest capital of China in written record. Visit the mausoleum of Yuan Shikai, who served as the first President of the Republic of China and later became highly controversial for his attempt to reinstate the monarchy. 

Anyang: Origin of Chinese Characters & Archaeology

Today, visit Yinxu, the UNESCO-listed ruins of the late Shang Dynasty’s capital, considered the cradle of ancient Chinese archaeology. Explore the Yinxu Museum’s newly opened facility, launched in 2024. 
 
Next, proceed to the Museum of Ancient Chinese Characters. This museum is China’s only national-level museum dedicated to the theme of writing, comprehensively showcasing the origin, evolution, and development of Chinese characters. 

Gongyi & Dengfeng: Ancient Grottoes & Pagoda

Set out on a 3-hour drive to Gongyi, home to one of northern China’s most significant sites of Buddhist grotto art. With over 1,500 years of history, the Gongyi Grottoes were first carved during the Northern Wei Dynasty. Proceed to the Imperial Mausoleum of the Northern Song Dynasty, one of the largest and best-preserved imperial mausoleum complexes in China.  

Continue about 1-hour drive towards Dengfeng. Visit the Songyang Academy, renowned as one of the four great academies for higher education during the Song Dynasty. Marvel at the Songyue Pagoda, China’s oldest surviving brick pagoda built in 523 AD. 

Discovering History & Martial Arts in Dengfeng

Visit the Three Gate Towers of the Han Dynasty, namely the Taishi Que, Shaoshi Que and Qimu Que Gates, as well as visiting Zhongyue Temple, a notable Taoist monastery complex.  
 
Continue to the world-famous Shaolin Temple, the birthplace of Zen Buddhism and Chinese Kung Fu (martial arts). This evening, witness the breathtaking “Zen Shaolin Music Grand Ceremony” show from VIP seating. 

Highlights of Luoyang

This morning, embark on 1.5-hour to Luoyang, renowned as “the city of peonies”. Head to the China National Flower Garden to admire the national flower of China, and other beautiful spring flowers.  
 
Luoyang, the birthplace of Heluo Culture and Chinese Civilization, where a spectacular UNESCO World Heritage site awaits. Keep your eyes peeled for the most impressive collection of Chinese Buddhist art at the Longmen Grottoes with exclusive visit to a few caves not accessible to general tourists with an expert guide. 

Archaeological Sites of Luoyang

Immerse yourself in early Chinese civilization with a full-day visit to two archaeological site museums in Luoyang, tracing the roots of the nation’s first dynasties.  
 
Visit the new Han-Wei Ancient Luoyang City National Archaeological Museum, built on China’s largest ancient capital site that existed from the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046 BC-771 BC) to the Tang Dynasty (618-907).  
 
Continue to the Erlitou Site Museum of the Xia Capital, a key archaeological site unveiling the structure of early Chinese civilization through its palaces, residential quarters, pottery and bronze-casting workshops, storage cellars, tombs, and other relics. 

Heritage of Luoyang

Visit the White Horse Temple, regarded as the first Buddhist temple in China and a symbolic birthplace of Chinese Buddhism. Afterwards, visit the Luoyang Museum to uncover a rich tapestry of cultural artifacts. We will also revisit the floral splendor of peony season at a handpicked viewing site.