3 Days Henan Highlights Tour: Luoyang, Shaolin Temple, Kaifeng

This morning, your local guide will meet you at the appointed location in Luoyang (hotel, railway station, or airport; tell us in advance).

Luoyang (洛阳), located in the western part of Henan Province, east of Xi'an, is one of China's Four Ancient Capitals. It served as the Capital for 13 Dynasties and marked the eastern starting point of the Ancient Silk Road. During the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD), Luoyang flourished as the Eastern Capital, rivaling the Western Capital, Chang'an (modern-day Xi'an). In 684, under the reign of Wu Zetian (武则天), China’s first female emperor, Luoyang became the official capital and earned the title "Divine Capital". The highlight of Luoyang is the Longmen Grottoes, heavily influenced by Wu Zetian’s era. Luoyang is also known as the "City of Peonies", and if you visit in spring, you can admire its beautiful peony gardens and parks.

Then, our experienced guide will lead you to the Longmen Grottoes (龙门石窟), located south of Luoyang city. Recognized as the most outstanding of China's Four Great Grottoes, Longmen Grottoes house the largest and most remarkable collection of Chinese art from the late Northern Wei and Tang Dynasties (316–907). This UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 2000, consists of over 2,300 caves and niches carved into steep limestone cliffs spanning a 1 km stretch. Inside, you will discover nearly 110,000 Buddhist stone statues, over 60 stupas, and 2,800 inscriptions carved on steles. These masterpieces, entirely dedicated to Buddhism, represent the pinnacle of Chinese stone carving.

Longmen Grottoes is divided into the Western Hill Grottoes and the Eastern Hill Grottoes, with the Western Hill being the highlight. The most iconic grotto is the Fengxian Temple (奉先寺), dominated by the colossal Vairocana Buddha at its center (17.14 meters tall). This statue, believed to represent Empress Wu Zetian, exudes elegance with its serene smile, earning it the title of the "Eastern Mona Lisa". Flanking the Buddha are four pairs of figures: disciples, Bodhisattvas, heavenly kings, and warriors. You will also explore Wanfo Cave (万佛洞), named for its 15,000 small Buddha statues intricately carved into its walls, with the smallest being only 2 cm tall. This cave, completed in 680 AD during the Tang Dynasty, is the most complete in terms of statue combinations. Don’t miss the Three Bingyang Caves (宾阳三洞), excavated during the Northern Wei Dynasty and commissioned by Emperor Xiaowen to honor his father. Another highlight is Yaofangdong Cave (药方洞), which features 140 inscriptions detailing treatments for various diseases. Finally, visit Guyang Cave (古阳洞) for an awe-inspiring experience.

Recommended Visiting Route for Longmen Grottoes:

North Gate → Yu Wang Pool → Qianxi Temple → Three Binyang Caves → Cliffside Three Buddhas Niche → Wanfo Cave → Lianhua Cave → Fengxian Temple → Guyang Cave → Yaofang Cave → South Gate. Exploring the highlights of the Western Hill Grottoes takes 2–3 hours. If time permits, visit the Eastern Grottoes across the Yi River.

After that, be transferred to Luoyang Old Town, centered around the iconic Lijing Gate (丽景门). Known for its rich history, the area is famously described by the phrase “Luoyang's peonies are unparalleled, and Lijing Gate is unmatched in the world”. The Old Town is a lively hub, filled with historic residential buildings, bustling food streets, and charming shops. It offers a vibrant glimpse into the grandeur of ancient Luoyang. Stroll through the streets to savor local snacks or shop for unique souvenirs at your leisure. Adding to the ambiance, you’ll encounter young people dressed in traditional costumes, making it feel as though you’ve stepped back in time to ancient China.

After the tour, be escorted to your hotel in Luoyang.

In this morning, our guide and driver will take you to the Luoyang Museum (洛阳博物馆), where you can fully immerse yourself in the history of ancient Luoyang, spanning 13 dynasties. With over 1,000 exhibits from various dynasties that once made Luoyang their capital, a stroll through the exhibition halls on the first floor will transport you through centuries of history. Take your time to explore the second floor, which features the Ancient Treasures of Luoyang exhibition and the Tricolor Pottery of Tang exhibition. The Ancient Treasures exhibit showcases prized artifacts, including the Black Glazed Pottery Horse (AD 618–907), Facial Part of a Clay Buddha Figurine (AD 386–557), White Jade Cup (AD 220–225), Gilt Bronze Figurine of a Winged Man (AD 25–220), Bronze Ding Intertwined with Gold and Silver Patterns (BC 475–221), and more. Spend some quiet time admiring these exquisite artifacts, each with its own unique story to tell.

After that, you will be transferred to the Shaolin Temple (74 km, about a 70-minute drive) in Dengfeng City, located east of Luoyang. Shaolin Temple is renowned as the birthplace of Chan Buddhism and the cradle of Shaolin Kung Fu. Here, you can immerse yourself in an incredible Kung Fu experience.

Upon arrival, you will first enjoy a Kung Fu performance at the Shaolin Martial Arts Hall, lasting about 30 minutes. Afterward, explore the Shaolin Temple complex, which consists of seven main halls along its central axis and seven additional halls surrounding them. The first hall, known as Shanmen or "Mountain Gate" Hall, features a large black tablet inscribed with "Shaolin Temple" in gold, written by the Kangxi Emperor of the Qing Dynasty. At the heart of the complex lies the Mahavira Hall, where daily prayers and significant celebrations take place. The floor of this hall contains 50 small pits, believed to be the footprints left by monks practicing Kung Fu.

Next, visit the Pagoda Forest, hailed as the "Museum of Ancient Chinese Pagoda Art." This area houses over 250 tomb pagodas of varying sizes, dedicated to eminent monks, abbots, and ranking temple monks. The forest, the largest of its kind in China, showcases diverse architectural styles spanning the Tang to Qing Dynasties, offering a visual feast of history and culture.

After the tour, you will be transferred to Zhengzhou, the capital of Henan Province, where you will check in for your accommodation.

After breakfast, our guide and driver will take you to Kaifeng (开封), located to the east of Zhengzhou (80 km, about 1.5 hours' drive).

Upon arrival, you will have a full day to explore this ancient capital, which served as the capital for eight dynasties and boasts a rich history spanning over 4,100 years. Kaifeng is the birthplace of the influential "Song Culture", which bridged the Han and Tang dynasties with the Ming and Qing dynasties, leaving a profound impact on Chinese history. As the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), Dongjing (today's Kaifeng) was once the largest city in the world and the inspiration for the famous painting "Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival" (清明上河图).

The first stop is Dragon Pavilion Park (龙亭公园). The Dragon Pavilion, located at the heart of the park, was once the imperial palace of the Northern Song Dynasty. The pavilion faces south and is perched on a high platform made of blue bricks, standing 13 meters above the ground. The steps leading up to the main hall are 36 zhang (a traditional Chinese unit of measurement) high, symbolizing the 36 Heavenly Stems, and there are 72 steps, representing the 72 Earthly Spirits. The steps are intricately carved with cloud and dragon patterns. Crossing the Jade Belt Bridge, you will reach the main hall of the Dragon Pavilion.

Next, head to the Kaifeng Iron Pagoda (开封铁塔), built during the Song Dynasty in 1049. This is the only surviving historical monument from the eight ancient capitals of China and is often referred to as the "World's First Pagoda." Standing at 55.88 meters tall, the pagoda has 13 octagonal tiers, making it the tallest, oldest, and best-preserved glazed brick pagoda in China. The pagoda's exterior is covered in brown glazed bricks, giving it the appearance of being made of iron. Its walls are adorned with over 50 intricate carvings, including images of flying apsaras, descending dragons, mythical creatures like qilin, and scenes of musical performances.

After that, let’s explore Kaifeng Fu (开封府), the heart of Song Dyansty justice. Built in 907 CE with over 1,100 years of history, Kaifeng Fu was the administrative and judicial headquarters of the imperial capital during the Northern Song Dynasty. Known as the "First Prefecture of the Realm", it symbolized justice, power, and moral integrity. You can explore its grand halls, imperial palaces, scenic lakes, and ancient prisons. Key highlights include the Main Hall, where major court cases were judged, the Meihua Hall, linked to the legendary upright official Bao Zheng (Bao Gong), and the Western Prison, which reveals the harsh realities of ancient justice.

After the tour, you will be transferred back to the airport or train station in Zhengzhou for departure. Your 3-day Henan Tour concludes. Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel for your China Henan tour! We are always here to assist you and look forward to seeing you again for your next trip to China/Asia!