Destination Travel Guide
Welcome to Henan， China
If you want to understand where China began, you must come to Henan. Lying south of the Yellow River, this province is not just a destination; it is the birthplace of the Chinese nation, the origin of Chinese characters, and the ancestral home of Kung Fu. While the coastal cities look to the future, Henan proudly guards the past. China Explorer Tour invites you to walk in the footsteps of emperors across four ancient capitals. Imagine standing before the massive Buddha at Longmen, watching a thousand monks practice martial arts at dawn, or deciphering the first written words on oracle bones. Our curated China travel packages are designed to decode 3,000 years of history, transforming dusty ruins into living stories. A comprehensive Henan travel guide is your time machine, ensuring your China heritage tour connects you deeply with the roots of the Middle Kingdom.
Top Destinations in Henan: Cities to Explore
The wonders of Henan extend into nature. Yuntai Mountain (Yuntaishan) offers a dramatic geological park of red rock canyons and waterfalls, a stunning contrast to the flat plains. China Explorer Tour often combines the history of Luoyang with the hiking of Yuntai for a balanced itinerary. For a truly unique experience, visit the Guoliang Tunnel Village in the Taihang Mountains; carved by hand into the sheer cliff by 13 villagers, it is one of the most dangerous and spectacular roads in the world—a thrill for photographers and adventurers.
Most popular China tour package
If you want a mix of comfort, local insight, and a well-planned day, China Explorer Tour offers tailored tours with friendly guides.
Destination Travel Guide
1. Zhengzhou
Zhengzhou is the modern pulse of the province and a crucial transport hub. But don’t just pass through; visit the world-class Henan Museum. It houses national treasures that define Chinese history. A Zhengzhou tour is also your gateway to the Yellow River Scenic Area, where you can see the “Mother River” flow majestically past the statues of mythical emperors Yan and Huang.
Destination Travel Guide
Luoyang is the artistic soul of Henan. As the capital of 13 dynasties, it boasts the UNESCO-listed Longmen Grottoes, where thousands of Buddhas were carved into limestone cliffs over centuries. It is also the city of Peonies; in April, the whole city blooms. It is a city of elegance and Buddhism, essential for any China cultural trip.
Destination Travel Guide
Kaifeng offers a different flavor—the bustling, commercial energy of the Song Dynasty. It was once the largest city in the world. Today, it is famous for the Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden, a theme park that brings ancient paintings to life, and its legendary Night Markets, which have thrived for a thousand years.
Destination Travel Guide
Nestled in the central mountains is the Shaolin Temple area. This is not a city, but a spiritual realm. At the foot of the sacred Mount Song, Zen Buddhism and Kung Fu were born. It is a place of physical power and mental peace, where the “Pagoda Forest” stands as a silent testament to generations of masters.
Destination Travel Guide
5. Anyang
Drive north to Anyang to touch the very beginning of written history. This is the site of Yinxu (The Ruins of Yin), the last capital of the Shang Dynasty. Here, the Oracle Bones were discovered, proving the existence of China’s earliest dynasty. It is a pilgrimage site for historians and those fascinated by archaeology on a China adventure.
Most popular China tour package
If you want a mix of comfort, local insight, and a well-planned day, China Explorer Tour offers tailored tours with friendly guides.
Tailored China Tours for Global Travelers
Our diverse team brings rich experiences from both sides of the East/West, and they can understand precisely what international visitors want in a China tour.
Real Local Experiences in China
Our best China tours go beyond sightseeing and make you like a local to explore hidden treasures, taste authentic flavours, and participate in daily activities.
Curated Social Connections
We design various types of tours to China carefully, which are tailored to meet the diverse needs of families, couples, friends, and solo travellers.
Transparent Pricing
We promise to provide high-quality China tours plan with no hidden costs. And you'll enjoy worry-free travel with clear pricing and great value for money.
What to Eat in Henan - Food Lover’s Guide
Henan cuisine (Yu Cuisine) is the “cuisine of the middle,” blending north and south. It is hearty, wheat-based, and savory. The signature dish is Henan Braised Noodles (Hui Mian), wide, hand-pulled noodles served in a rich mutton broth with quail eggs and kelp. In Kaifeng, you must master the art of eating Soup Dumplings (Xiaolongbao); bite a small hole, sip the soup, then eat the rest. The Luoyang Water Banquet is a royal feast of 24 soup-heavy dishes, tangy and peppery. Trust our Henan food guide and let China Explorer Tour lead you to the noisy, smoky, and delicious Kaifeng Drum Tower Night Market to snack on almond tea and spicy rabbit meat.
How to Get Around Henan: Transportation Tips
Henan is the “Crossroads of China.” Zhengzhou East Station is one of Asia’s largest railway hubs, making it incredibly easy to reach from Beijing (2.5 hours), Xi’an (2 hours), or Shanghai (4 hours). This makes a Xi’an & Luoyang China travel package a seamless high-speed rail journey. However, reaching the Shaolin Temple or Anyang usually requires a transfer from the train station. A private car service from China Explorer Tour is highly recommended. We ensure you don’t waste time figuring out local buses to the scattered heritage sites, providing door-to-door service from the Grottoes to the Temple.
Best things to do in Henan
The best things to do in Henan are immersive. Taking a Kung Fu Lesson at a school near Shaolin is a rite of passage; learning the basic stance from a master is empowering. In Anyang, try your hand at Oracle Bone Script Calligraphy to write your name in ancient characters. We also recommend a Night Boat Ride in Kaifeng to see the city lights reflected in the lakes, imagining the glory of the ancient capital. Hiking Mount Song offers a physical challenge with spiritual rewards at the summit. With China Explorer Tour, your Henan trip is an active engagement with history, not just sightseeing.
What and Where to Shop in Henan
Shopping in Henan is a cultural treasure hunt. It is the premier place in your China travel package to buy Tang Sancai (Tri-colored Glazed Pottery), the iconic ceramic horse and camel figures of the Tang Dynasty. Jun Porcelain, famous for its unpredictable and colorful glazes (“the color of the sky after rain”), is another high-end collectible from Yuzhou. In Luoyang, Peony Tea and peony cakes are fragrant, edible souvenirs. As your Henan travel guide, China Explorer Tour advises visiting the museum shops or certified kilns to buy pottery, as street markets often sell mass-produced replicas.
Essential Henan and China Travel Tips
Here are must-know tips to make your China trip smoother
Selected by
Proudly featured in China’s leading global media and recognized as a distinguished government-funded startup by the Hong Kong Youth Development Commission.
FAQ's
Find answers to your questions before joining a tour so that you can find out exactly what you want to know. If you have more question please feel free to reach us via contact form.
It is very popular and can be crowded. However, the history is real. To avoid the commercial feel, China Explorer Tour takes you to the quieter halls and the Sanhuangzhai hike, or arranges private visits to smaller martial arts schools.
Yes! The grottoes are illuminated at night, creating a mystical atmosphere that is completely different from the day. It is cooler and less crowded in summer.
April is the Peony Festival in Luoyang. The whole city is covered in flowers. Hotels fill up fast, so book your China heritage tour early.
Yes, very safe. The people of Henan are known for being straightforward and hospitable. English is less spoken than in Beijing, so a guide is helpful.
Beijing
Chengdu
Chongqing
Dali
Datong
Guangzhou
Guiyang
Harbin
Hubei
Kunming
Lhasa
Lijiang
Shanghai
Shangri-La
Shaoxing
Western Sichuan
Wutai Mountain
Xi'an
