Things to do in Yucheng

No. 1 of Night Attractions in Shangqiu

Shangqiu Ancient City Scenic Area

There are over a hundred scenic spots in the area of ​​Shangqiu Ancient City, and are widely distributed. The ancient city was built in the sixth year of Zhengde in the Ming Dynasty. It mainly includes three parts: the ancient city, the South Lake scenic area and the Fire Culture scenic area. The main attractions include the Zhuanghui Hall in the ancient city area, Zhangxu Memorial and Baguan Temple in the South Lake area, as well as Yubo Terrace (Mars Terrace) in the Fire Culture area.

Mulan Ancestral Hall

The Mulan Temple is located in Dazhouzhuang Village, Yingkuo Town, 35 kilometers south of Yucheng County. The temple was built in the Tang Dynasty and was rebuilt in the Jin, Yuan and Qing dynasties. The Mulan Temple once covered an area of more than 10,000 square meters, with a gate, a main hall, a hall of worship, a back building and auxiliary rooms. In the main hall, there is a valiant standing statue of Hua Mulan in military uniform and sculptures and group paintings that record Mulan's participation in the army on behalf of her father, fighting the battlefield, and returning triumphantly. There are two steles in the shrine: one is the stele of "Recognition and Zhengji of the Portrait of General Xiaolie" erected in the second year of Yuantong in the Yuan Dynasty (1334). "full text. Another link is the stele of "General Xiaolie's Identification of Mistakes and Correct Name" erected in the eleventh year of Jiaqing in the Qing Dynasty (1806). Hua Mulan, a heroine who disguised herself as a man and joined the army on her father's behalf, is a native of Yingkuo Town, Yucheng County, Shangqiu. Mulan's surname is Wei and her name is Mulan. During the Sui Dynasty, he recruited soldiers, and Mulan joined the army on his father's behalf.

Yingtian Academy

Yingtian Academy in Shangqiu, together with Songyang Academy, Yuelu Academy, and Bailudong Academy, is called the Four Academies of the Northern Song dynasty. Yingtian Academy was founded by Yang Que, a native of Shangqiu in the Five dynasties and Jin dynasties. Fan Zhongyan came to study here, then got married and had children, settled in Shangqiu, and served as the Main Instructor of this academy. In 1043, Song Renzong changed Yingtian Academy into Nanjing Imperial College, making it one of the higher academic institutions in the Northern Song dynasty, equivalent to the present Academy of Social Sciences.

Shang Qiu Huo Shen Tai

Yubotai, also known as Mars Terrace and Vulcan Terrace, is located 1.5 kilometers southwest of the ancient city of Shangqiu. The existing Yubotai is like a tomb, 35 meters high and 270 meters in circumference, built of rammed earth. The layers of rammed earth are mixed with many tiles and pottery pieces from the Han Dynasty, which may have been built in the Han Dynasty. The original Yibotai was hidden under the existing platform due to the sedimentation of the Yellow River for many times. Yibotai is the earliest existing star-gazing platform in my country, with a history of more than 4,000 years. The mound under the platform of Yibo is Shangqiu, which was first sealed by Yibo. This is where the name of Shangqiu came from. Yibotai is even more tall and abrupt on the endless plain. This platform is the high point of the ancient capital of Shangqiu. In addition, the ancients believed that the spirit of Yibotai corresponds to the star of Shangqiu. Therefore, since ancient times, people have regarded Yibotai as a symbol of Shangqiu. The scenic spot has major scenic spots such as Suiren's Mausoleum, Yubotai, Kaiyuan Temple, Huaxi Tower, Botanical Garden, Jade Palace, Fengdu City, Shangzu Hall, Yuelao Palace and so on. According to historical records and folklore, in ancient times, Qi, the son of Emperor Ku, was here as Huozheng. One was to manage the seeds of fire so that people could get fire at any time (so later generations also called him the God of Fire). The second is to sacrifice to Mars and observe the movement of Mars, so as to timely inform people of disaster prevention and avoid disasters and timely sow and harvest. Over time, Huo Zhengqi, who observes the relationship and position between Mars and Tai Sui, is called "Yu Bo". After Qi's death, people buried him on the high ground where he observed Mars during his lifetime. Every year from the first day of the first month of the lunar calendar to the second day of the second day of the second month of the lunar calendar, the ancient dynasty material exchange conference attracts millions of people from Henan, Shandong, Jiangsu, Anhui, Hebei and other provinces to come to the court; the "May 1st" Golden Week holds the Fire Festival of Emperor Suihuang in Shangqiu, China; The "November" Golden Week holds the "Shang Culture" Festival. Mars Station is the birthplace of commerce, and Yibo is the ancestor of merchants.

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Mount Taishan

Mount Taishan is centered around Mount Taishan, the first of the Five Great Mountains, with steep and towering peaks, and the views of sunrise and sunset from the summit are breathtaking. Sea of clouds often appear among the mountains, and in winter there are spectacular rime ice views. In addition to natural scenery, the mountain also has numerous historical sites, stone inscriptions, religious temples, and other cultural views, with cliff inscriptions and steles scattered throughout the mountain, which is a major feature of Mount Taishan. Mount Taishan has its own highlights in each of the four seasons: in spring, peach and pear blossoms bloom across the mountains; in summer, the mountaintop is lush green and cool, making it a great summer retreat; in fall, the leaves are a mix of red and yellow, dyeing the layered forests in brilliant colors. There are multiple routes to the summit of Mount Taishan. The hiking trail at the Hongmen entrance is the traditional route opened during Emperor Qin Shi Huang's Fengshan ceremony, consisting mainly of stone steps. Walking from Hongmen to Zhongtianmen, you will pass by numerous attractions along the way, including Wanxian Tower, Doumu Palace, Huima Ridge, and Hutiange. This area is also where stone inscriptions are concentrated. After reaching Zhongtianmen, you can take a cable car or walk to Nantianmen and the summit area, where you can see attractions such as Eighteen Bends, Shengxian Archway, Duisong Mountain, Chaoyang Cave, and Wudafu Pines. The Tianwaicun route is a road leading from Tianwaicun to Zhongtianmen, accessible by tour bus, passing by Heilong Pool, Fanzhi Cliff, and Feng Yuxiang's Tomb. After reaching Zhongtianmen, it merges with the latter half of the Hongmen route. Travelers who prefer not to hike can choose this route. The Tianzhufeng route is relatively steep with few visitors, and is a hiking route often taken by outdoor enthusiasts. It features beautiful mountain scenery, including attractions such as Liyu Back, and at the starting point there is also the large-scale live performance "Chinese Mount Taishan: Grand Ceremony of Fengshan." The Taohuayu route is mostly chosen by travelers when descending the mountain. From Tianjie at the summit, take the ropeway to the mountainside, then transfer to a tour bus down to Taohuayu at the foot of the mountain. Along the way, you can enjoy the Colorful Stone Stream scenic area, where the colorful stone patterns at the bottom of the stream are quite magical. Dongyudao is also a walking hiking route, with attractions such as Qingyang Hall, Hanque Gate, and Dongtianmen along the way. Each route ultimately leads to the Daiding tourist area at the summit. Daiding features the main peak of Mount Taishan, Jade Emperor Peak, the Tianjie Scenic Area, as well as attractions such as Sun Viewing Peak, Daguan Peak, Zhanlu Terrace, Bixia Temple, and Confucius Temple. On clear days at the summit, you can gaze at the Yellow River in the distance and admire the wonder of the "Golden Belt of the Yellow River." The Houshiwu area is rich in varied pines and rocks, and there is a cableway leading to the North Heavenly Gate. Many visitors who want to watch the sunrise choose to climb Mount Taishan at night, usually setting off from the Hongmen route, and it is advisable to depart around 11 pm. This route is well lit at night, and a hike of about seven to eight hours will allow you to reach Sun Viewing Peak or Jade Emperor Peak at the summit before sunrise, which are ideal spots for watching the sunrise.

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Millennium City Park

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

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

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.

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Baotu Spring

Baotu Spring is located in the bustling downtown area of Jinan, with Thousand Buddha Mountain to the south, Daming Lake attraction to the north, and Quancheng Square to the east. It is a distinctive garden themed around springs, renowned as "the finest spring under heaven" and ranked first among Jinan's "72 famous springs," with a history spanning over 2,000 years. It has also appeared in literary works many times, most notably in Lao She's essay "Baotu Spring." Visitors come here to witness the magnificent sight of the three springs erupting. The main spring is the centerpiece of the park. The spring water splits into three streams, clear and crisp, gushing day and night, and reaching several feet high when the flow is abundant. Around the spring are large stone blocks with railings, where visitors can look down at the spectacular sight of the three springs surging in the pool. Beside the spring stands a stone tablet inscribed with "First Spring" in dark green, written by Emperor Qianlong himself. In addition, nearby are scattered more than thirty famous springs, including Golden Thread Spring, Shuyu Spring, Xibo Spring, Liuxu Spring, Huanghua Spring, and Dukang Spring. Due to the abundant local rainfall in July and August, this is a good season to come and admire the spring water. In midsummer, visitors can have an intimate encounter with the spring water in the park. Some springs have no railings around them, and there are stone paths in the pools with spring water flowing over them. Visitors can step down into the pools to get close to the water, and walking on the stone paths, their feet will be splashed by the spring water, giving a cool sensation. Besides getting close to the water, there are also springs beside the pools that visitors can drink from directly. To the east of the spring is the Wanghe Pavilion Teahouse, which offers visitors specially preparedThis springFragrant tea brewed with water. In addition to the springs, another sight worth seeing in the park is the South Gate. It is magnificently and elegantly decorated. The horizontal plaque above the gate, with the words "Baotu Spring" in golden characters on a blue background, was written by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty and is acclaimed as the "first gate" of Chinese gardens. In addition, the attraction frequently hosts various cultural activities. Every year during the first lunar month, a lantern festival is held in the park, lasting 20 days. There is also the Spring Water Culture Festival, during which the park features various folk activities, calligraphy and painting exhibitions, and opera performances for visitors to enjoy. The park also hosts a chrysanthemum exhibition; in the golden fall season, when the springs all surge forth and chrysanthemums and spring water complement each other beautifully, it is well worth a visit. In addition, the attraction has also launched a cruise route. After touring the attraction, visitors who are interested can board a boat at the boat station and sail through the West Gate Bridge in Jinan's old city area, passing by the East Gate of Wulongtan Park and entering Wulongtan Lock, Jinan's first passenger lock in history, where they can experience a drop of more than 2 m. Sitting on the east side of the boat, visitors can also see the relief sculptures of the "Eight Views of Jinan." Along the way, there are many aquatic plants on the banks, and the river water is so clear that the bottom is visible.

Shangqiu Riyue Lake Scenic Area