Zhengzhou

Zhengzhou, the capital of Henan province, lies along the southern bank of the Yellow River in central China. As China's main railway hub, you can reach significant cultural sites from here, like the Shaolin Temple where you'll see monks practicing kung fu in open courtyards, or walk through the 3,600-year-old Shang dynasty ruins. At the pyramid-shaped Henan Museum, you'll find everything from 8,000-year-old pottery to Ming dynasty scrolls, while at the Yellow River Scenic Area, two massive stone emperors - Yan and Huang - tower 106 meters above the riverbank.

Getting to Zhengzhou

Take a high-speed train from Beijing (3.5 hours) or Shanghai (7-15 hours) to reach Zhengzhou's central station. From Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport, 37 km southeast of downtown, catch a shuttle bus to the city center - they depart every 30 minutes from the terminal.

Exploring the Shaolin Temple

Travel 90 kilometers southwest of Zhengzhou to reach the Shaolin Temple, a 1.5-hour journey by coach. Watch monks practice kung fu in the training grounds, explore the main monastery halls, and walk through the Pagoda Forest with its 240 stone and brick pagodas built between 618 and 1911 CE. Catch a bus from the stand opposite Zhengzhou train station - they leave throughout the morning.

Yellow River Area and Parks

Walk along the paths of the Yellow River Scenic Area in northern Zhengzhou to see the carved stone heads of emperors Yan and Huang. In the Zhengdong New District, you'll find Zhengzhou National Forest Park wrapping around Long Lake's western shore, with paths winding through woods and along the water.

Museums and Archaeological Sites

Walk through 5,000 years of Chinese history at the Henan Museum, where you'll see dinosaur bones, bronze vessels from the Shang dynasty, and intricate jade carvings. In Beiguan District, explore the Zhengzhou Shang City ruins, where city walls from 1600 BCE still stand. Look for the distinctive rectangular inner wall and circular outer wall - they reflect ancient Chinese beliefs about the cosmos.

Local Food Scene

Try hui mian - hand-pulled noodles in clear broth - at restaurants around Erqi Square. Experience the Water Banquet, a local specialty with 19 different soup courses served in sequence. You'll find most restaurants concentrated around Erqi Square and along Weiyi Road.

Getting Around

Take the subway running east to west through central districts. City buses cover most neighborhoods, with route information in Chinese and English. A taxi from downtown to the Yellow River Scenic Area costs around ¥70.

Shopping Districts

Browse through the night market at Erqi Square, where local vendors sell street food and goods. Shop at Kingbird and Beijing Hualien department stores in the surrounding streets. Under Erqi Square, explore several levels of shops extending for about one kilometer. Look for traditional Miyu jade jewelry and lacquerware in specialty shops throughout the area.