14 Days in Shangqiu

Walk the Ming wall at dusk and wait for the moat lights; the west gate area has the liveliest food streets.

1. Shangqiu Ancient City
2. Nanhu Lake

Yingtian Academy opens early; climb the Fire God Terrace before the midday tour groups arrive.

1. Yingtian Academy
2. Fire God Terrace

Museum first for context, then the Tang dynasty defender's shrine and the stele pavilion in the old city.

1. Shangqiu Museum
2. Zhangxun Temple
3. Baguan Pavilion

Budget a full day for the Han tombs and the giant Liu Bang statue; the underground tomb halls stay cool even in summer.

1. Mangdang Mountain

The river moved south centuries ago — today it is forest trails and wetlands; rent a bike at the gate for the long loop.

1. Yellow River Old Course Forest Park

A laundry-and-tea day — lakeside benches in the morning, dumpling streets in the evening.

1. Nanhu Lake

Under an hour by rail to Kaifeng's Northern Song parks and night market; return for a late Shangqiu dinner.

1. Kaifeng

A second Kaifeng morning for the iron pagoda and riverside park, back in Shangqiu before dark.

1. Kaifeng

The provincial museum's bronzes are worth the rail hour; book the exhibition ticket online in advance.

1. Zhengzhou

Walk the full wall circuit slowly, then get lost in the lanes inside the gate — courtyards, barbers, chess corners.

1. Shangqiu Ancient City

If your dates hit a temple fair, take it slow — folk opera, snacks and incense crowds around the terrace.

1. Fire God Terrace

Return for the sights you skipped — the cliff carvings trail is quietest right after the park opens.

1. Mangdang Mountain

Walk between forest-park villages instead of cycling; farm lunches appear where the tour bikes do not.

1. Yellow River Old Course Forest Park

Revisit your favorite stalls around the west gate, then one last lake loop before the train.

1. Shangqiu Ancient City
2. Nanhu Lake