Intro
After leaving Luoyang, I headed west to Zhengzhou and Kaifeng.
Mount Song & Shaolin Temple
I’d just climbed Laojun Mountain and was starting to think hiking was pretty fun. So I made my way to Mount Song, one of China’s Five Sacred Mountains.
I saw the Pagoda Forest, but there were still a bunch of steel frames standing around—whether they were for repairs or reinforcement, I couldn’t tell. Not the prettiest sight.
I had the temple’s vegetarian buffet—three dishes and a big bowl of rice. It was enough to fill you up, but there was really no oil to speak of.
The Shaolin warrior monk show (the paid one) was held in a big tent. You just found your own seat, and I ended up in the back. The experience wasn’t great; personally, I don’t think it’s really worth it.
Qingming Riverside Garden
Qingming Riverside Garden was pretty similar to Luoyi Ancient City, but since it’s a paid attraction, it’s packed with acrobatics, interactive scenes, and iron-flower performances—plenty worth seeing and doing.
Apparently it’s the only attraction in Kaifeng that’s really worth visiting. The ticket is steep, but worth a try.
Erqi Square & the Big Corn Building, Zhengzhou
Zhengzhou didn’t seem to have much to do, so I just wandered around Erqi Square and the Big Corn Building.
Outro
Next time I’m in Zhengzhou, I’ll go check out “Only Henan”.
Kaifeng & Zhengzhou