On the tranquil shores lies a warm river city - Luohe, surrounded by green waters
I. Overview of Luohe
• Location: Situated in south-central Henan Province at the confluence of Sha River and Li River, known as the "Port of Water and Land."
• Historical Significance: Home to the Jiahu Site (where the world's earliest musical instrument "bone flute" was unearthed) and Xu Shen's hometown (author of "Shuowen Jiezi"), making it an important origin of Chinese character culture.
• Notable Features: China's Food City, Chinese Character Culture City, and Ecological Waterfront City of Sha-Li Rivers.
• Climate: Warm temperate monsoon climate with distinct seasons. Best travel time is spring and autumn (March-May, September-November).
II. Must-Visit Attractions
1. Cultural and Historical Sites
• Xu Shen Cultural Park (4A Scenic Area)
◦ Highlights: Sacred ground of Chinese character culture, commemorating the "Saint of Characters" Xu Shen. Visit Xu Shen's tomb, Character Avenue, and Shuowen Hall to learn about Chinese character evolution.
◦ Admission: Free (reservation required)
◦ Tips: Great for children's education; Hanfu experience activities available on weekends.
• Jiahu Site Museum
◦ Highlights: 9,000-year-old Neolithic site featuring bone flutes and carved symbols (predating oracle bone inscriptions), witnessing the origins of Chinese civilization.
◦ Admission: Free
◦ Tips: Guided tours recommended for deeper understanding of "Jiahu Culture."
• Xiaoshang Bridge (Linying County)
◦ Highlights: Sui Dynasty bridge dubbed "First Bridge Under Heaven," built 20 years before Zhaozhou Bridge, featuring exquisite craftsmanship.
◦ Admission: CNY 30
◦ Nearby: Yang Zaixing Mausoleum (tomb of famous Southern Song Dynasty general) is adjacent and worth visiting.
2. Natural Scenery
• Sha-Li River Scenic Area (4A Scenic Area)
◦ Highlights: Ecological corridor along Sha River and Li River, perfect for cycling, walking, and night light shows. Cherry blossom dyke is stunning in spring.
◦ Recommended route: Golden Beach Park → Red Maple Square → Ferris Wheel → Heshang Street Ancient Town (must-see at night).
• Kaiyuan Heshang Street Ancient Town
◦ Highlights: Retro commercial street combining Central Plains folk customs and cuisine, featuring Republic-era style streets, opera performances, and unique handicrafts.
◦ Food: Try Yancheng tofu box and Wuyang pole bread.
3. Industrial Experience and Red Tourism
• Shuanghui Industrial Park
◦ Highlights: Tour ham production lines, learn about China's meat processing giant's history, suitable for family education.
◦ Admission: Advance reservation required (through travel agencies or corporate website).
• Nanjie Village Scenic Area (Linying County)
◦ Highlights: Nationally famous "Red Billion-Yuan Village," experience collectivist culture, visit Dongfanghong Square and Tropical Botanical Garden.
◦ Admission: CNY 80 (including sightseeing car)
◦ Tips: Purchase Nanjie Village instant noodles and fresh noodles as specialties.
III. Luohe Food Map
Luohe is a food paradise! Combining Henan cuisine essence with local specialties, must-try list:
• Hulatang (Spicy Pepper Soup):
◦ Recommended shops: Beiwudu Shan's Hulatang (century-old shop, rich and mildly spicy), Gao Qunsheng's Hulatang (excellent with fried bread).
• Yancheng Tofu Box: Deep-fried tofu stuffed with meat, crispy outside and tender inside, eat with garlic sauce.
• Juanjian: Steamed meat wrapped in egg skin, sliced and served cold, light and refreshing.
• Wuyang Hot Tofu: Soft tofu with secret spicy sauce, available at street stalls everywhere.
• Matuan Sugar Cake: Deep-fried glutinous rice dessert, crispy with roasted aroma.
• Shuanghui Wang Zhong Wang: Local brand sausage, available in portable packs at supermarkets.
Food Streets:
• Zhonghua Road Night Market: Local's favorite night food gathering spot, try grilled gluten and cold bean jelly.
• Shouxiang Road Food Street: Concentration of time-honored brands, perfect for one-stop traditional snack experience.
IV. Transportation Guide
• External Transportation:
◦ High-speed Rail: Luohe West Station (Beijing-Guangzhou High-speed Railway), 40 minutes to Zhengzhou, 1.5 hours to Wuhan.
◦ Train: Luohe Station (regular trains), adjacent to city center.
◦ Driving: Junction of Beijing-Hong Kong-Macau Expressway and Nanjing-Luoyang Expressway, about 2 hours from Zhengzhou.
• City Transportation:
◦ Bus: CNY 1-2, covers major attractions.
◦ Shared E-bikes: Scan QR code to ride, suitable for short trips.
◦ Taxi: Starting fare CNY 6, usually under CNY 20 within city.
V. Accommodation Recommendations
• High-end:
◦ Luohe Guest House: By Sha-Li River, elegant environment, suitable for business or leisure.
◦ Four Points by Sheraton: International chain, complete facilities, near high-speed rail station.
• Value for Money:
◦ Blue Bay Hotel (Heshang Street Branch): Next to scenic area, convenient for night tours.
◦ Home Inn Plus (Renmin Road Branch): City center location, convenient transportation.
• Characteristic Homestays:
◦ Sha-Li Spring Homestay: Near Sha-Li River Scenic Area, pastoral style, suitable for families.
VI. Itinerary Recommendations
One-day Tour (Culture and Food Route)
• Morning: Xu Shen Cultural Park → Jiahu Site Museum
• Noon: Beiwudu Shan's Hulatang + Yancheng Tofu Box
• Afternoon: Xiaoshang Bridge → Yang Zaixing Mausoleum
• Evening: Heshang Street Ancient Town night view + Zhonghua Road Night Market
Two-day Tour (In-depth Experience)
• Day 1: Xu Shen Cultural Park → Sha-Li River cycling → Shuanghui Industrial Park → Heshang Street Night Market
• Day 2: Nanjie Village Scenic Area (full day, including Red culture + Tropical Botanical Garden) → Return
VII. Surrounding Area Tours
• Zhoukou (1-hour drive): Taihao Mausoleum (Fuxi Tomb), Laozi's Hometown in Luyi.
• Zhumadian (1.5-hour drive): Yuntai Mountain (Journey to the West filming location), Nanhai Temple.
• Xuchang (1-hour drive): Cao Wei Ancient City, Chunqiu Tower (Guan Gong culture).
VIII. Practical Tips
1. Language: Local people speak Henan dialect, but Mandarin is commonly used.
2. Best Seasons: April-May (cherry and bauhinia blossoms) and September-October (pleasant autumn weather).
3. Warnings:
• Hulatang has "Xiaoyao" and "Beiwudu" styles, typically spicy, can request less spicy.
• Compare prices when shopping in Nanjie Village Scenic Area.
4. Cultural Etiquette: Maintain solemnity when visiting mausoleums and historical sites, avoid loud noise.
Though not a traditional tourist hotspot, Luohe's rich cultural heritage, unique cuisine, and leisurely waterfront life are worth savoring slowly. Whether tracing the origins of Chinese characters or experiencing Central Plains' daily life, this city will surprise you!