3 Days 3 Nights Travel Guide in Henan Province, Budget (5000 RMB)

📅 Itinerary Overview Day 1: Zhengzhou (Henan Museum + Erqi Tower) → Overnight in Luoyang Day 2: Luoyang (Longmen Grottoes + White Horse Temple + Luoyi Ancient City) → Overnight in Luoyang Day 3: Dengfeng Shaolin Temple → Return trip 💰 Budget Allocation (2 people traveling, 2500 RMB per person) Transportation: about 1200 RMB (high-speed train + car rental/taxi) Accommodation: about 900 RMB (3 nights in comfortable hotels) Tickets: about 600 RMB (all major attractions included) Meals: about 800 RMB (including specialty meals) Others: 500 RMB (souvenirs/emergencies) 🗺️ Detailed Daily Itinerary Day 1: Cultural Introduction to Zhengzhou Morning Arrive at Zhengzhou East Station (early high-speed train recommended, e.g., Beijing West → Zhengzhou East, ticket about 300 RMB/person) Henan Museum (free, reservation required): must-see Jiahu bone flute, cloud-patterned bronze gui, recommended to rent an audio guide (30 RMB/person). Noon Lunch: Xiao Ji Sanxian Huimian (40 RMB per person), recommended classic huimian + cold mixed jingjie. Afternoon Erqi Memorial Tower (free): landmark check-in, nearby Dehua Street has old-brand specialty shops. Transportation: Zhengzhou → Luoyang (high-speed train 40 minutes, ticket 60 RMB/person). Evening Stay at a hotel in Luoyang old city (recommended near Luoyi Ancient City, such as "Luoyang Huayang International Hotel," about 300 RMB/night). Late-night snack: Shizi Street Night Market (no soup stirring, beef tripe hotpot, about 30 RMB per person). Day 2: Millennia Journey in Luoyang Morning Longmen Grottoes (ticket 90 RMB/person): recommended to arrive before 8 AM to avoid crowds, focus on the Vairocana Buddha. Transportation: taxi round trip to city about 60 RMB. Noon Lunch: Zhen Butong Water Banquet (60 RMB per person), must order peony jelly and fried meatballs. Afternoon White Horse Temple (ticket 35 RMB/person): Buddhist halls in Chinese, Indian, Burmese, and Thai styles, great for photos. Luoyi Ancient City (free): Hanfu rental (49 RMB/set), night view is stunning. Evening Yingtian Gate Light Show (free, performances Friday to Sunday). Day 3: Shaolin Kung Fu and Return Morning Car rental to Shaolin Temple (Luoyang → Dengfeng, one-way 1.5 hours, car rental about 300 RMB/car). Shaolin Temple Scenic Area (ticket 80 RMB/person): watch martial arts performances (free shows at 10:30/15:00) + Pagoda Forest. Noon Vegetarian meal experience (inside Shaolin Temple, about 30 RMB per person). Afternoon Return trip: Dengfeng → Zhengzhou East Station (car rental about 200 RMB), take high-speed train home. 🍜 Recommended Food List Zhengzhou: Fang Zhongshan Spicy Soup (with fried dough sticks), Ge Ji Steamed Cake Luoyang: Beef Soup (Nanguan small bowl soup), Jiang noodles Dengfeng: Sesame Seed Cake with Tofu Skewers ⚠️ Notes Advance reservation: Henan Museum and Longmen Grottoes require online booking. Transportation optimization: On Day 3, carpool or choose Shaolin Temple one-day tour (about 200 RMB/person including transfers). Budget adjustment: For solo travelers, switching accommodation to hostels can save 400 RMB. ✨ Highlights: Three days cover Henan’s "Three Major World Cultural Heritage Sites" (Longmen Grottoes, Shaolin Temple, Yinxu not included yet), perfect for a short in-depth trip! Can be adjusted based on interest to Kaifeng (Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden) or Anyang (Yinxu).