Henan is a landlocked province in central China, on the middle Yellow River, that held the capitals of several dynasties. It is home to the Shaolin Temple, the Longmen Grottoes, the Shang dynasty Yin Ruins and Song dynasty Kaifeng, all linked by fast high-speed rail from Zhengzhou.
Family activities
Engaging experiences for travellers of every age.
Shaolin Temple and Kung Fu Show
Children watch daily martial arts performances, see the Pagoda Forest and try simple stances, and the site is the main draw of Dengfeng, about 1.5 hours by road from Zhengzhou.
Duration: Half to full day
Longmen Grottoes
A UNESCO World Heritage site of carved Buddhas along a flat riverside path near Luoyang, best with an audio guide for children.
Duration: 3-4 hours
Henan Museum
Zhengzhou's flagship museum with bronzes, jade and ceramics; a good rainy-day or hot-day activity.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Yin Ruins and Oracle Bones
The Shang dynasty capital in Anyang, where children see chariot burial pits and the earliest known Chinese writing.
Duration: Half day
Kaifeng Millennium City Park
A theatrical Song-dynasty town with shows, costumed performers and boat rides.
Duration: Half day
Kaifeng Iron Pagoda Park
The 55 m Iron Pagoda and gardens, especially colourful during the chrysanthemum festival in October and November.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Yuntai Mountain Geopark
Red-rock canyons, waterfalls and cliff walkways for active families with older children.
Duration: Full day
White Horse Temple
China's first Buddhist temple in Luoyang, calm and compact for younger children.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Luoyang Museum
Free museum on Luoyang's history with Tang tri-colour pottery.
Duration: 1.5-2 hours
Zhengzhou Yellow River Scenic Area
A riverside park on the Yellow River with statues, boat rides and open space.
Duration: Half day
Mount Song hike
Moderate hiking on one of China's Five Sacred Mountains, near Shaolin.
Duration: Half to full day
Family-friendly hotels
Accommodation designed with families in mind.
Hilton Zhengzhou
An international hotel in the Zhengdong New District of Zhengzhou with family rooms and buffet breakfast, close to the metro and convention area; approximate rates ¥700-1,100 (about $105-165) per night
Family features: Family rooms, breakfast buffet, central metro access; verify current pool and kids facilities before booking
Zhengzhou Marriott Hotel
A five-star hotel in Zhengzhou's Zhengdong district with large rooms; approximate rates ¥700-1,200 (about $105-180) per night
Family features: Spacious rooms, connecting rooms on request, restaurant and fitness facilities; confirm current amenities
Crowne Plaza Zhengzhou
A mid-to-upper range international hotel in Zhengzhou with buffet dining and convenient transport links; approximate rates ¥500-800 (about $75-120) per night
Family features: Family rooms, breakfast included on many rates, near the city centre; confirm current details on Trip.com
Dining with kids
Eating out as a family.
Henan cuisine centres on noodles, dumplings and soups, so most children find familiar dishes such as hui mian, jiaozi and steamed buns
Kaifeng's guantang baozi (soup dumplings) and Night Market snacks are child-friendly, but order less spicy and hot foods cooled first
Ask for 'bu la' (not spicy) and 'bu fang xiang cai' (no coriander) when ordering
Boiled water is free at most restaurants; bring a thermos for small children
Western fast-food chains are found in Zhengzhou and Luoyang malls when picky eaters need a familiar meal
Family travel tips
Practical advice for stress-free family trips.
Use the 12306 app for high-speed rail; Zhengzhou East to Kaifeng takes about 30 minutes and to Luoyang Longmen about 30-45 minutes
Bring passports for every family member since entry to free museums, trains and hotels needs ID, and a copy of the child's birth certificate for booking family tickets
Plan around the heat and rain: July and August are hot, and April or October are best for young children
Avoid Golden Week (1-7 October) and May Day when Shaolin and Longmen are overcrowded
Mask and air quality: check AQI in winter and use masks on smog days for young children
Download WeChat, Alipay, Didi and a translation app before arrival