Zhengzhou is the capital city as well as the largest city, the political and economic center of Henan Province, which lies on the southern bank of the Yellow River, in north-central Henan Province and the hinterland of China’s Central Plains. Today, Zhengzhou is most famous for the Shaolin Temple, birthplace of the Yellow Emperor and its transport hub function in the Central Plains area. Being one of the excellent tourism cities and an important cradle of Chinese civilization Zhengzhou owns plentiful natural and human landscapes, including international famous Shaolin Temple and Shaolin Kung Fu, one of China’s Five Great Mountains - Mount Song, many ancient architectures and natural sights.
Under the jurisdiction of Zhengzhou, there are 6 districts, 5 county-level cities (Dengfeng, Xinzheng, Gongyi, Xingyang…) and 1 county. The No.1 must-see is Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng, southwest of Zhengzhou. The spectacular Mount Song and its architecture complex are also located in Dengfeng. In downtown Zhengzhou, you can visit Henan Museum, Zhengzhou Museum and some local parks to get close to local culture and history. Yellow River Scenic Area is in the north suburb. See more Zhengzhou Attractions >>
This Zen Buddhist temple nestled in dense forest of Mount Song is a UNESCO World Heritage site and an international known ancestral home of Chinese Kung Fu (Martial Arts) and a Mecca for all Chinese Kung Fu fans.
Famed as one of the five great mountains in China, it is composed of Taishi Mountain & Shaoshi Mountain with 72 peaks and many ancient temples, pagodas. Here is the birthplace of Chinese Zen culture and Taoism and a vital barrier of ancient Luoyang.
It is a national comprehensive museum exhibiting over 140,000 pieces of cultural relics and a good window to know the long history and diverse culture of Henna. Best treasures include bronzes Shang Dynasty, China’s only gold book of Tang Dynasty, etc.
It is a large-scale outdoor Yellow River culture park. Here has towering statues of Chinese ancestors - the Yellow Emperor & Yan Emperor, peak, tablet and over 40 spots showing the stunning landscape of Yellow River and origin of Chinese civilization.
Zhengzhou Museum is a small local museum mainly introducing the ancient history and glorious culture of Zhengzhou. Different kinds of delicate bronze wares are the most attractive highlights to have insight of Zhengzhou’s previous status.
The 14-storey tower, located in the city center, is one of the landmarks in Zhengzhou. With a height of 63 meters, it is a unique ancient style siamesed twin-pagoda tower with distinctive Chinese traditional architectural designs.
Here is an excellent place to view massive natural wonders made by earth’s movement. Visitors can read unique geological data and explore in lots of exhibition halls of dinosaur, elephant, mineral resources, earthquake and tsunami.
Built in Ming Dynasty, the temple is one of the largest and best-preserved Ming and Qing Dynasty ancient buildings in Henan. It was a local Taoist shrine worshiping the city guardian but now is a quiet building complex with pristine architectures & peaceful atmosphere.
Besides visiting ancient architectures of Shaolin Temple, there are many local featured activities you can attend to make your Zhengzhou tour informative, entertaining and meaningful, such as watching a Shaolin Kung Fu show, join in a Kung Fu class to study some basic styles, taste the local unique food and so on. More about Shaolin Kung Fu Shows >>
With an entrance ticket, you can enjoy a free half an hour Shaolin Kung Fu show in the Shaolin Martial Arts Hall close to the Shaolin Temple. Different Shaolin Kung Fu will be performed by monks in front of you.
It is said that all martial arts in the world were originated from Shaolin. Chinese Kung Fu fans can study the Shaolin Kung Fu to strengthen your health and protect yourself. Duration and fee varies from each school.
Marvel at the harmonious coexistence of nature and culture on Mount Song. Climb the Taishi Mountain, visit Junji Peak, Zhongyue Temple, Songyang Academy and meet the thrilling mountain roads and special landform
Without any charge, museums in Zhengzhou are worth your exploration. You can view thousands of valuable ancient cultural relics in just one visit, catch a glimpse of the city’s previous refulgence.
This show is an outdoor landscape spectacle made up of five chapters. Over 600 actors present different stories to unlock the mysterious Zen culture under gorgeous stages and spirit-purifying chant of Zen.
A Zhengzhou tour won’t be complete without tasting the local Henan food. You can try the Henan Cuisine to understand its food culture, lifestyle and environment. Classic dishes are Carp with Fried Noodles, Luoyang Water Banquet...
Zhengzhou has a Northern Temperate Continental Monsoon Climate with features of: distinct four seasons, short Spring and Autumn, hot, humid and rainy Summer and cold, dry and windy Winter. The annual average temperature of Zhengzhou is 15.6℃, and July is the hottest month when temperature rises up to above 34℃, while January is the coldest period with a mean temperature of only a few degrees Celsius. During late June to August of Summer, Zhengzhou receives lots of rains. The best time to visit Zhengzhou is April to May and September to November, because temperatures in these periods are pleasantly comfortable with high visibility, healthy air and more beautiful natural scenery. You can visit Shaolin Temple anytime, but early March to May, August to end of October with moderate temperature and nice weather are the best times for a Shaolin Temple tour.
See more details about Zhengzhou Weather, Temperature & Climate >>
By Flight: Air travelers can fly to Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport to start your Zhengzhou travel. The airport is a large national air transport hub in central China, operating over 200 airline routes to more than 110 cities at home and abroad. Conveniently, you can take flight to Zhengzhou from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xiamen, Kunming and many other Chinese cities, or from Hong Kong, Macau, Seoul , Cheju, (South Korea), Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and Shizuoka (Japan), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Bangkok, Phuket and Krabi (Thailand), Singapore, Jakarta (Indonesia) and Manila (Philippines) via international and regional flights.
>> Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport & Flights to Zhengzhou
By Train: Zhengzhou is also a railway transport center that serves both several major traditional railways and high speed railways (including the north-south Beijing Guangzhou High Speed Railway and east-west Xuzhou Lanzhou High Speed Railway). Currently, tourists can take high speed trains to Zhengzhou from Beijing (about 2.5-3.5 hours), Shanghai (about 4-7 hours), Guangzhou (about 5.5-6.5 hours), Xian (2-2.5 hours), Tianjin (4 hours), Taiyuan (4 hours), etc.
>> Zhengzhou Railway Stations: Location & Transportation
Zhengzhou is the most important transport hub in Henna. From Zhengzhou, you can easily take a bus to Luoyang (Longmen Grottoes), Shaolin Templ, Kaifeng, Jiaozuo (Yuntai Mountain) and other destinations in Henan. It’s more convenient to take the fast intercity train from Zhengzhou to Kaifeng and Jiaozuo, and Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport to Zhengzhou Railway Station and Zhengzhou East Railway Station within half an hour.
Travelers can choose different area and standard of accommodation in Zhengzhou depending on your own needs. If you go to Shaolin Temple directly from Zhengzhou, the most recommended places to stay are in the downtown Dengfeng City and near the Shaolin Temple. For those who plan to stay overnight in Zhengzhou city, the best choice goes to Zhengzhou city center area which offers plenty of choices ranging from luxury brands to budget hostels. Here you can quickly find places for dining and shopping within walking distance and short ride. Also, you can book hotel near the airport and train station to catch your flight or train to next destination.
>> Where to Stay in Zhengzhou - Top Recommended Zhengzhou Hotels
To help you better know the location, tourist attraction and transportation of Zhengzhou, we’ve collected many useful Zhengzhou maps for you. All are updated and downloadable. Check more Zhengzhou Maps here >>
Zhengzhou Attractions Map
Shaolin Temple Tourist Map
Zhengzhou Airport Map
Zhengzhou Railway Station Map
In Henan, besides Zhengzhou, there are more other nice destinations can be visited around. Go westward of Zhengzhou, you can visit Longmen Grottoes - a large-scale Buddhist grottoes cluster spreading by the riverside and China’s oldest Buddhist temple in Luoyang. Kaifeng in the east side of Zhengzhou is another ancient capital preserving abundant meritorious historical sites.
China is vast and diverse. You can choose your favorite destinations among more than 70 tourist destination and regions, like Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Chengdu, etc. Following are 4 popular destinations you may get interested in. Check all destinations in China.
We have helped many global travelers enjoy their memorable wonderful trips to Henan for the past few years. Among them, a couple from the UK traveled with us and spent 21 Happy Days in Luoyang, Dengfeng, Beijing, Xi'an and 5 Other Cities in Northern China, and shared us their special travel story!
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All itineraries and side trips can be customized privately, so please feel free to contact with our travel consultants if you have this kind of need.
Apart from the surviving Longmen Grottoes, you will also explore more of Luoyang by visiting its local museums and experience the authentic Shaolin Kung Fu in nearby Dengfeng Shaolin Temple.
Be taught to acquire some real Shaolin Kung Fu skills by a professional Kung Fu teacher and enjoy a fascinating Kung Fu show performed by real martial monks of Shaolin Temple. Free airport/train station pick up and drop off.
Driving about 1 hour 45mins from Zhengzhou to Shaolin Temple to experience real authentic Shaolin Kung Fu and extend your tour to nearby Longmen Grottoes with well organized itinerary and private tour guide.
Explore the best attraction of Xian and World Heritage Site - Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang. Your time and money are efficiently used.
Take this tour to explore Guoliang Village, a delightful stone hamlet which used be unconnected to the outside world due to inaccessibility and anonymity. It is situated high up on the clifftop in northern Henan.
Explore the essential highlights of Henan in a brief but enjoyable way, including the ancient Yinxu Site in Anyang, famous Shaolin Temple and magnificent Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang, etc.
This tour starts from Luoyang (Zhengzhou also available), visit Shaolin Temple and hike Mount Song, then return to Luoyang to visit Longmen Grottoes. It is a trip of diverse experiences.
This private tour takes you to discover Luoyang, Shaolin Temple and Kaifeng with a leisure pace. It’s an authentic cultural experience which is quite different from what you can get in other parts of China.
“Very good experience”
“WONDERFUL 25 DAYS IN CHINA - PRIVATE TOUR”
“Awesome China tour from northeast to southwest”
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