Things to do in Wen County

No. 12 of Best Things to Do in Zhengzhou

Gongxian Grottoes

Gongyi Grottoes Temple is located at the foot of Dali Mountain, 9 km northeast of Gongyi city, nestled against the mountain and facing the water with picturesque scenery. Once praised as "a secluded retreat of misty streams and cloud-kissed cliffs," it is now a national AAA-level tourist attraction. The temple preserves five grottoes, one Thousand-Buddha niche, 255 small niches, three cliffside statues, and a total of 7,743 carved Buddha images, along with over 200 inscribed stone tablets. Among its treasures are 15 exquisite imperial Buddhist reliefs, renowned for their meticulous composition, masterful craftsmanship, and vivid character portrayals, making them rare gems in Buddhist art. Gongyi GrottoesCommissioned by the Northern Wei imperial family, the Gongyi Grottoes Temple was established by Emperor Xiaowen, with cave excavation beginning during Emperor Xuanwu's reign. Thousands of Buddhist statues were carved, followed by additional smaller niches created during the Eastern Wei, Western Wei, Tang, and Song dynasties. The Gongyi Grottoes Temple represents a continuation of...Longmen GrottoesIt was carved later, combining the foreign influences of Buddhist art with the traditional Han Chinese artistic style of the Central Plains.

Chenjiagou

Chen's Ravine is on Qingfeng Ridge to the east of Wenxian County, Jiaozuo. It is the birthplace of Chen-style Taijiquan. Hundreds of years ago, it was called Changyang Village. During the Hongwu Period of the Ming Dynasty, Chen Bu, a native of Zezhou in Shanxi, moved to the village. Later, thanks to Chen's prosperous family, its martial arts became very popular in the local area. Notably, there was a large ditch in the north-south direction of the village and over time the old name of Changyang was changed to Chen's Ravine. The area is home to the Taijiquan Ancestor Memorial Hall, Chen's Ravine Martial Arts Hall, and the legendary Yang Luchan's Boxing Training Area. Yang Luchan's Boxing Training Area is under Qingfeng Ridge, and the story told by the TV series "Tai Chi Master" takes place here.

No. 5 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Zhengzhou

Kang Baiwan Manor

The Kang Million Manor, one of China's three major manors, is a large estate whose history bridges the Chinese Ming, Qing and Republic eras. It has been called the spiritual home of Henan and a model of Central Plains architecture. The entire estate consists of 19 distinct sections, covering a massive area, however some sections are currently not open to the public. The architecture of the Kang Million Estate displays a unique style, showcasing multiple facets of Chinese traditional culture. The sculptures on the property are also quite beautiful, and visitors have admired them for many years running.

Du Fu's Hometown

The famous Tang poet Du Fu (712-770) was born in a one-hole brick cave at the foot of Bijia Mountain. Du Fu spent his youth here. In 1962, Du Fu's hometown was renovated and restored to its original appearance. It is a rectangular courtyard facing east to west and the gate facing south. The original house is 20 meters long and 10 meters wide. It has a small green tile gate tower. , hard mountain-style gray tile roof, indoor display of rare books of Du Fu's poems, comic strips of Du Fu's life, poetic paintings of Zhang Daqian, Jiang Guanghe, Qi Baishi, Zeng Zhushao, and a bronze statue of Du Fu.

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

Songshan Shaolin Scenic Area

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.

2026 Asia 100 - Best Things to Do

Longmen Grottoes

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.

No. 2 of Family-friendly Attractions in Henan

Henan Museum

[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.

No. 13 of Best Things to Do in Henan

White Horse Temple

The White Horse Temple was built in AD 68 and is the first temple built by the government after Buddhism was introduced to China. There are five major halls in the temple, located on a central axis. The Great Hall of Buddha is the main hall and also the main place of buddha rite. Today, a new "World Hall of Exposition" is built next to the White Horse Temple to showcase the Buddhist temples of India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar, Japan, and South Korea.

No. 10 of Family-friendly Attractions in Henan

Zhengzhou Yellow River Cultural Park

The Zhengzhou Yellow River Scenic Area is located 20 kilometers northwest of Zhengzhou City on the bank of the Yellow River. It is the starting point of the “hanging river” on the ground and the boundary between the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River. The main attractions are Yan Huang Square, the Stele Forest of the Yellow River, and the Geological Museum. Here, you can experience the magnificent scenery of the Yellow River at close quarters and learn about the rich history of the Yellow River culture.

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