What to Do in Henan for a Weekend: 3 Insider Plans

Let’s be honest—planning a weekend trip in China can feel like decoding a new language. Between ticket bookings, train schedules, and the eternal mystery of Chinese digital payments, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.

As a guide who has spent countless weekends shuffling travelers through Henan’s dusty treasures, I’m here to cut through the noise. If you only read one section, let it be the itineraries below—I’ve designed them to pack maximum value into 48 hours without turning you into a zombie.

Here’s the truth about a Henan weekend: it’s totally doable, but you need a plan. The good news? I’ve got three solid ones.

Why Henan Should Be Your Next Weekend Adventure

Henan is China’s cradle—the birthplace of Chinese civilization, home to four of the Eight Great Ancient Capitals. For a weekend, it offers an astonishing density of UNESCO sites, mouthwatering regional food, and a glimpse of a China that many outside visitors never see.

But let me save you my usual lecture. The real reason to choose Henan? It’s accessible. Zhengzhou, the provincial capital, is a high-speed rail hub. You can be at the Shaolin Temple within two hours of landing, and Luoyang’s grottoes are a quick hop from there. That’s practical.

Now, let’s get to the good stuff.

What to Do in Henan for a Weekend: Three Itineraries

I’ve arranged these by style. Check the table to find your match, then dive into the details.

Itinerary 1: The Classic – Shaolin Temple & Longmen Grottoes

This is the route I recommend for first-timers. It hits two of Henan’s biggest hits without rushing.

Day 1: Zen and Kung Fu

Start early in Zhengzhou. Book a taxi or private car to Shaolin Temple—it’s about 1.5 hours, and you want to be there by 8:30 AM to beat the bus crowds. The temple itself opens at 7:00 AM (in summer) and 7:30 in winter, but the martial arts show starts at 10:00, so target that.

After the show, explore the Pagoda Forest—a chilling sea of stone monuments that has been used as a filming location for Chinese martial arts epics. You’ll need a good hour.

Lunch at the nearby temple village—try the local “temple vegetable” dishes. Then, at around 2 PM, drive to Luoyang (1 hour 20 minutes via highway) and check into your hotel.

Spend the rest of the afternoon at Luoyang Old Town. Walk the ancient streets, snack on water-banquet appetizers, and watch the city light up. If you’re not too tired, the Lijing Gate at night is a photo classic.

Day 2: Grottoes and Remnants of Empire

Get an early start again. Longmen Grottoes opens at 8:00 AM; you want to be at the west gate before 9. The main walkway along the Yi River will be quiet, and you can actually appreciate the thousand-year-old Buddha statues without being jostled.

By noon you’ll be done with the main area. Cross the bridge to the east side for the best views of the whole complex. Lunch in Luoyang’s modern food street—I always send people to “Old Street” for a bowl of spicy soup and a grilled cold noodles.

If you have time after lunch, visit Guanlin Temple (close by) or the Luoyang Museum (free with passport) before grabbing the afternoon high-speed train back to Zhengzhou or onward. The train takes 40 minutes.

Itinerary 2: The Ancient Capital – Kaifeng’s Song Dynasty Splendor

Kaifeng is the easiest add-on from Zhengzhou—just a 20-minute high-speed train ride. But don’t let its proximity fool you; it’s a time capsule of Northern Song Dynasty China.

Day 1: Step into a Painting

Train from Zhengzhou East to Kaifeng (there are trains every 30 minutes or so). Leave at 8:00 AM. Drop your bags at a hotel near Millennium City Park (Qingming Shanghe Yuan) and head straight to the Dragon Pavilion (Longting) in the morning. The park’s highlight is the lake and the artificial dragon hill, which, frankly, is a bit of a climb but gives you a postcard view.

Lunch at Xisi Street—you’ll find the famous Kaifeng soup dumplings (xiaolongbao). Then it’s time for the main event: Millennium City Park. This reconstructed Song Dynasty village deserves at least three hours. The evening light show is spectacular, but if you’re on a budget, the daytime shows are just as good. Stay for the night performance if you can—it’s included in the ticket.

Day 2: Prayers and Museums

Morning: Daxiangguo Temple, one of China’s oldest Buddhist temples. Then walk to the nearby Drum Tower and the old quarter. Buy some “Bing Tang Hulu” (candied hawthorn) from street vendors.

Afternoon: Kaifeng Museum, if you’re into ceramics. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, take a local bus to the cemetery of the Jewish community—a fascinating slice of history.

Catch the late afternoon train back to Zhengzhou.

Itinerary 3: The Nature Escape – Yuntai Mountain

If you’ve had enough of temples and crowds, head to Yuntai Mountain Global Geopark—UNESCO-listed, with some of the most dramatic red stone canyons in China.

Day 1: The Red Stone Gorge

From Zhengzhou, take a bus from the main station (about 2.5 hours) or hire a car for a more direct route. The gorge is a steep descent into a narrow canyon—walking down is fine, but the climb back up is a workout. Go early to avoid the midday heat. The walkway ends at a waterfall; most visitors turn back, but I suggest spending 15 minutes just sitting there.

Day 2: The Blue Lake and Waterfalls

Take the internal shuttle to Tanpu Gorge, a more relaxed trail that ends at a crystal-clear lake. If you’re fit, add the Zhuanyao Waterfall for an extra two hours.

Catch the afternoon bus back.

Must-See Attractions: Shaolin Temple, Longmen Grottoes and More

These are the headline acts. I’ll give you the nuts and bolts, but the real value is in my little notes.

Shaolin Temple

Address: Songshan Scenic Area, Dengfeng, Zhengzhou (登封嵩山少林寺)

• Opening hours: 7:00–18:30 (summer), 7:30–17:30 (winter)
• Tickets: ¥80 (adults), half price for children under 1.4m. At times there are combo discounts for the whole Songshan area—check online or at the gate.
• How to get there: From Zhengzhou Long-Distance Bus Station, buses run hourly to Dengfeng (1.5–2 hours). From Dengfeng, a taxi to the temple costs ~¥20. You can also take the tourist bus line from Zhengzhou East Railway Station.

My insider tip: The kung fu show starts at 10 AM and 3 PM. Arrive 20 minutes early to grab a seat in the shade. Also, the temple’s accommodation is surprisingly good if you want to attend morning chanting, but it books out.

Longmen Grottoes

Address: Longmen, Luoyang (洛阳市龙门)

• Opening hours: 8:00–18:00 (Apr–Oct), 8:00–17:30 (Nov–Mar)
• Tickets: ¥90 (adults), ¥45 (students 7–18 with passport). Free for children under 1.4m. Booking: WeChat official account is easiest, but if that’s a struggle, use Trip.com—it confirms instantly.
• How to get there: From Luoyang Longmen Station, take bus 71 or 99 directly to the west gate (15 minutes). Or just take a taxi for about ¥15.

My insider tip: The most impressive Buddha, Vairocana, is at the top of a steep staircase. Most tour groups rush there; instead, start from the northern end of the walkway and work your way up. You’ll have the bridge to yourselves for photos around 11 AM.

Dragon Pavilion (Kaifeng)

Address: 6 Longting West Road, Kaifeng (开封市龙亭西路6号)

• Opening: 8:00–18:00
• Tickets: ¥45 (adults), ¥22 for students.

My note: It’s a reconstructed palace, but the scale and the lake views are worth the visit. Climb the steps for a classic panorama.

What to Eat in Henan: Local Dishes and Where to Find Them

Henan’s cuisine is not as famous as Sichuan’s, but it’s a heartland of comfort food. Here’s what to hunt down.

Must-Try Dishes

• Hu La Tang (胡辣汤) – A thick, peppery soup that’s the classic breakfast. Spicy and warming, with beef and black fungus. Grab a bowl at any local breakfast joint.
• Kaifeng Xiaolongbao (小笼包) – Soup-filled dumplings, though with a slightly thicker skin than the Shanghai version. The best are at Xi’s Street.
• Luoyang Shuixi (水席) – Literally “water banquet” – a series of soups and semi-liquids. The “Duanyan” (crossing the mouth) appetizer trio is a must. Try it at the True Old-Fashioned Water Banquet Restaurant in Old Town.
• Hui Mian (烩面) – Hand-pulled noodles often served in mutton broth. It’s the comfort food of Zhengzhou, and every taxi driver has a favorite joint.

My Go-To Spots

• Zhengzhou: “Heji” (合记) on Renmin Road – famous for hui mian. It’s a local chain, but the queue moves fast. Expect to pay ¥20–30 for a bowl.
• Luoyang: “Zhen Butong” (真不同) on Zhongzhou Road – a legend for water banquet. Book ahead or go early. Prices are moderate for the experience (¥80–100 per person).
• Kaifeng: “Xisi Street Night Market” – it’s chaotic, but you’ll find grilled skewers, peanut candy, and sweet and sour fish. Bring cash – some stalls don’t take cards or digital.

Where to Stay in Henan: Neighborhoods and Hotels

Choose your base based on your itinerary. I’ve stayed in all these areas, and they’re safe and accessible.

Zhengzhou – Near the Train Station

Pros: Direct access to high-speed rail to Luoyang and Kaifeng. Easy airport bus access.

Hotel pick: Youth Hostel at the Railway Station (¥40–80 for a bed) or the classic “Zhengzhou West Point” for mid-range.

Cons: Not much local charm; it’s a transit hub.

Luoyang – Old Town or West District

Pros: Old Town puts you in the historic heart; West District is more modern with lots of food options.

Hotel pick: I often book guests into “Luoyang Old Town Inn” (a small boutique hotel) for the courtyard atmosphere. Doubles run ¥300–500.

Cons: Old Town streets are narrow, so taxis may need to drop you off outside.

Kaifeng – Millennium City Park Area

Pros: Steps from the park, easy access to the night show.

Hotel pick: “Kaiyuan Hotel” is a reliable mid-range option, ¥250–450.

Cons: The area is touristy; head to the old city for real-life charm.

How to Navigate Henan’s Transport Networks

This is where I see most rookie travelers trip up.

High-speed trains are your best friend. They connect Zhengzhou–Luoyang (40 min), Zhengzhou–Kaifeng (20 min), and broader China. Book via the official 12306 website (English version is limited but available) or through Trip.com. Always carry your passport—you’ll need it to board.

Taxis are cheap, but beware of unofficial drivers. Use the “taxi” option in your ride-hailing app. DiDi has an English interface? Actually, DiDi’s English version exists, but it’s locked to certain regions. Most users install the Chinese app with translation features. A safer bet for tourists is to ask your hotel to order a taxi or use local courtesy cars.

Now, here’s a tip that will save your sanity: Google Maps is useless in China. Download Apple Maps (which works OK with Chinese addresses) or use AMap (高德地图) with its 'Global' setting. I always tell guests to save the Chinese address of their destination—you can screenshot it and show it to the driver.

Pro Tip: For high-speed train ticketing, the official 12306 app requires a Chinese phone number to register. If you don’t have one, use Trip.com or ask your hotel to purchase the tickets for you. It’s a common task for them.

FAQ: Your Henan Weekend Questions Answered

Verified and fact-checked by the editorial team. Ticket prices and opening hours are subject to change—always check official channels before you go.