Departing from Luoyang! A Day Trip to Shenhou Ancient Town, Full of Surprises and Complaints!

Think ancient town trips are boring? Shenhou Ancient Town will give you an unexpected experience, trapping you in the dilemma of "regret if you don't go, regret if you do"! 📍Navigation tip: Head to the Shenhou Ancient Town Visitor Center. 🚗Drive from **Luoyang Relais & Châteaux Hotel (Lijingmen Cross Street Luoyi Ancient City Branch)** in Luoyang, which takes about 2 hours (1 hour on the national highway with poor road conditions and lots of trucks). Note: The visitor center parking lot is uphill, and you’ll need to descend a steep slope to reach the ancient town—best avoided during holidays. 🎫Free admission🆓, and 🅿️plenty of parking spaces available for just ¥10 per vehicle. 🔁Itinerary: ✅Morning: Upon arrival, head straight to **Shenhou Old Street**. The well-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty architecture and cobblestone paths will transport you back in time. The street is lined with shops—Jun porcelain stores, antique shops, and traditional handicraft stores galore. Want to try pottery-making? Small workshops offer sessions for around ¥30/person (firing costs extra). **Boling Weng Temple** and the **Jun Porcelain Cultural Theme Park** are also worth visiting for their exquisite architecture. ✅Noon: Try local delicacies at nearby restaurants. Must-tries include **Shenhou baked flatbread**, stir-fried mung bean jelly, tofu pudding, and "Zake" (a mixed stew). Don’t miss Yuzhou’s signature drink, **"Yinmei Kole"**—a unique blend of cola and sour plum juice. 🍜Highly recommended ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: A bowl of Zake with two flatbreads and an ice-cold Yinmei Kole—pure perfection! ✅Afternoon: After lunch, drive 40 minutes to **Yuzhou Pang Donglai**. It’s much less crowded than the Xuchang branch and covers all daily shopping needs. ⚠️Tips: 1️⃣The ancient town is small, with just one main street—explorable in 1-2 hours. 2️⃣Shops sell similar items, so compare prices—you might find hidden bargains in smaller stores. 3️⃣Handle fragile items carefully, and watch out for clothes/bags snagging on displays (though items are cheap, damaged moods aren’t worth it). 4️⃣Summer visitors: Sunscreen is a must—the ancient town’s color palette and heat amplify the temperature. 5️⃣The old street’s slippery, uneven cobblestones require extra caution for elderly/children. 6️⃣Honestly, the 4-hour round-trip drive (no free highway) makes this a one-time experience—Luoyang’s **Old Town Cross Street** is more fun😜.