Things to Do in Henan
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What travelers are saying
- Deanosaur89Edmonton, Canada1,775 contributionsDuring my February 2022 visit they required a green arrow, the green QR code from a Chinese government pandemic prevention (screenshots for the programs in my last picture) and a negative nucleic test done with 48 hours of your visit. They checked multiple times and said both foreigners and locals have to have all of these items in order to enter. The grottoes were under maintenance during my visit and some scaffolding blocked the views for restoration work. There were also some stairs I could not use but I felt there was still so much to see and the main parts were left uncovered.
The grottoes are the best I've seen in China and are much worth the trek of going out to Luoyang. There was enough English signs to explain the signifance of certain caves and carvings. The signage was also pretty good too. The ticket covers you for the main west side of the grottoes but will allow you to access the east side carvings, a temple and a couple other attractions on the east side.
I got here as early as I could and I'm glad I did. It got busier as the morning went on and the sun coming from the east helped light up the caves. I had setup all my health codes the night before and was able to quickly get through lines where I feel I would normally have struggled! The east side isn't as built up so don't plan to spend a lot of time here. You can however get some good pictures of the west side from the east side.
I was in a hurry so I took a Didi right to the Longmen Grottoes scenic area ticket office. The metro station is about 5 km away from my understanding but I had troubles getting didis on the south side of Luoyang.
Cost to enter is 90 RMB which covers all attractions on both sides of the river. It is about a 2 km walk to the grottoes from the ticket center, the sales people encouraged it and so I bought a 10 RMB one way ticket to get to the park gate. I thought it was worth it as there isn't much to see on the walk to the grottoes. Once done you can take another bus back to the ticket office but once you get close enough you can get a Didi.
Bring good shoes and plan to go on a sunny day. The rock/stone surfaces were slippery in some spots and the light helps see inside the many many caves better! Plan to spend 2 to 3 hours in the area.Written February 3, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Reinhard SWiener Neustadt, Austria14 contributions...nature lovers and hikers get their money's worth, accessibility of this jewel is well organized for weekend trips.Written February 12, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Foodie_Traveller_12Edmonton, Canada81 contributionsThere is lots to see and the area is enormous. As you enter the front gates there are the statues of monks in different fighting pose. Pay the extra money for the golf carts to take you to the first destination, I see some people walking but it is almost 1km of walking before you get to the first site - Statue of the pagoda forest. A pagoda statue is built for each monk who has lived and died here. The higher up you are in rank, the bigger the pagoda.
One very important note - the Chinese and Shaolin people find it a great disrespect to the deceased monks if you take pictures of this area and even greater disrespect if a living person is in the same picture posed with these pagodas.
After you’ve completed the pagoda forest, you would journey down a path to take you to the next phase where the famous Shaolin temples are. The walk to this part from the pagoda forest is about 600 m and only accessible by foot.
Afterwards you’d go to the main building where the shows are performed. When we went it was low season and there were only 2 shows per day. To access this building from the temples is about 500m walk. The show itself was what I felt is okay. There’s the standard breaking wood, showcasing some of the martial arts to throwing a bobby pin through a clear piece of glass.
Note: it’s sad but true, the Shaolin temple is now operated like a business. The monks will try to find ways to make money from you by trying to tell your fortune etc....Written December 31, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Deanosaur89Edmonton, Canada1,775 contributionsLots of history is written down on the signs throughout and there is lots of modern history as well. The temple complex has enough signage in English to explain building's significance and the history of the area. I thought the international area was cool with examples of Indian, Myanmar and Thai style Buddhist temples built in partnership with those governments. In the middle was the Chinese temple area and it was cool to check out but the most busy. At the far end was the Qiyun pagoda with a really well written history.
Cost to enter is 35 RMB in the winter and 45 in the high season. They only asked for the green arrow and health code at entry. The metro is about 5 km away from here but White Horse Temple comes up on Didi. I would recommend avoiding Yangwan station midday as it can get insanely busy and there's limited ticketing machines.
I went mid day and I feel I would have enjoyed an early morning visit. There was lots of screaming and shouting in the busier parts which took away from it. I also don't see it too much but there was children relieving themselves inside the temple so tread carefully! Plan to spend between 1 to 2 hours here.Written February 4, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Alan RCambridge, UK1,264 contributionsThis had various interesting exhibits including a temporary exhibition on the Sillk Road plus a permanent collection of magnificent tri-coloured Tang ceramics (~600-900 AD). The technology enabling construction of those figures was very advanced for the time.Written October 28, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Seaside189010081563 contributionsWorth to spend an afternoon there. Especially hiking part is entertaining. Hidden little temples add fun to the trip. I recommend 👍Written January 20, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- jackieLos Angeles, CA29 contributionsThis place is amazing!!!! Initially you see lots of temples and the trees that have turn a pretty yellow color. Beautiful. However the most breath taking place is the walk on the edge of the mountain. Take the tram up or hike once you get up to the mountain the hike is amazing. Not an easy hike but worth the try.Written December 27, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- KodoDrummerBuenos Aires, Argentina64,754 contributions
