7 Days in Zhengzhou

The Henan Museum (1927) and its 170,000-piece collection — the Jiahu flute alone is about 8,700 years old — then the 63-metre twin Erqi tower of 1971 and Dehua street dumplings.

1. zhengzhou henan museum
2. zhengzhou erqi memorial tower

Morning on the 3,600-year-old rammed-earth walls of the early-Shang capital; afternoon across town in Zhengdong's CBD, where the 280-metre "corn cob" tower stands over Ruyi Lake's evening light show.

1. zhengzhou shang city ruins
2. zhengzhou zhengdong new district

The 80-kilometre run west to Dengfeng: the monastery of 495, more than 240 stupas in the Pagoda Forest, and the kung fu stage by the entrance. The 2010 UNESCO inscription frames the whole valley. Sleep in Dengfeng.

1. zhengzhou shaolin temple
2. zhengzhou pagoda forest

Plank walkways under the Shaoshi cliffs in the morning; the academy of 484 — with cypresses said to be 4,500 years old and a great Tang stele of 744 — in the afternoon. Second night in Dengfeng.

1. zhengzhou sanhuangzhai
2. zhengzhou songyang academy

East side of Mount Song: the temple complex serving the central peak since Qin times, then the Gaocheng observatory at Gaocheng town, raised from 1276 for the Yuan calendar surveys. Evening train back to Zhengzhou.

1. zhengzhou zhongyue temple
2. zhengzhou gaocheng observatory

A full day inside the 2021-opened drama compound — 21 theatres, courtyard restaurants, and shows that run from late morning into the night. Take the earliest sessions and rest between.

1. zhengzhou only henan drama city

Last morning at the river's edge for the 106-metre Emperors Yan and Huang carving of 2007 and the cableway views over the river, then out from the airport or Zhengzhou East.

1. zhengzhou yellow river scenic area