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Day trips from Zhengzhou

Best Day Trips from Zhengzhou 2026

Escape the city with the best day trips from Zhengzhou.

By Updated

Zhengzhou has 8+ day trips covered in this guide, led by Shaolin Temple and Songshan, Zhongyue Temple and Songyang Academy and Kaifeng Song Dynasty City. Each entry below includes the practical details — what it costs, when to go, and how to plan around it.

Zhengzhou travel guide: where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Zhengzhou, Henan, China.

Top day trips

Handpicked excursions within easy reach.

About 80 km (50 miles) southwest of central Zhengzhou

Shaolin Temple and Songshan

Coach from Zhengzhou to Dengfeng, then local bus or taxi to the temple; or DiDi door to door

Shaolin Temple and Songshan: About 80 km (50 miles) southwest of central Zhengzhou, About 1.5-2 hours each way.

Highlights: Pagoda Forest with over 200 memorial stupas for Shaolin monks · Kung fu demonstrations by Shaolin monks and students · Thousand Buddha Hall with its worn martial-arts floor · Mount Songshan trails and cable cars above the temple · Birthplace of Chan (Zen) Buddhism in China
About 80 km (50 miles) southwest of central Zhengzhou

Zhongyue Temple and Songyang Academy

Coach to Dengfeng, then taxi (10 minutes) to Zhongyue Temple

Zhongyue Temple and Songyang Academy: About 80 km (50 miles) southwest of central Zhengzhou, About 1.5-2 hours each way.

Highlights: Zhongyue Temple, the imperial site for rites to Mount Songshan · Ancient cypress trees within the temple courtyards · Songyang Academy, one of China's four great academies · Fawang Temple and its old brick pagoda · Quieter than Shaolin Temple, with fewer tour groups
About 70 km (43 miles) east of Zhengzhou

Kaifeng Song Dynasty City

Intercity high-speed rail from Zhengzhou East to Kaifeng, then bus or DiDi

Kaifeng Song Dynasty City: About 70 km (43 miles) east of Zhengzhou, About 20-30 minutes by high-speed rail plus 30 minutes to the old town.

Highlights: Iron Pagoda, an 11th-century glazed-brick tower · Kaifeng Fu and its costumed magistrate re-enactments · Millennium City Park recreation of Song riverside life · Gulou night market with guantang bao and peanut candy · Xiangguo Temple in the old town
About 150 km (93 miles) west of Zhengzhou

Luoyang and Longmen Grottoes

High-speed rail from Zhengzhou East to Luoyang Longmen, then short taxi or bus

Luoyang and Longmen Grottoes: About 150 km (93 miles) west of Zhengzhou, About 1 hour by high-speed rail plus 30 minutes to the grottoes.

Highlights: Colossal Vairocana Buddha at Fengxian Temple, about 17 m tall · Guyang and Binyang Caves with Northern Wei carvings · East-bank views back across the Yi River to the cliff face · Xiangshan Temple and the tomb of poet Bai Juyi · UNESCO World Heritage Site with thousands of niches
About 40 km (25 miles) south of central Zhengzhou

Xinzheng and Yellow Emperor's Birthplace

DiDi direct, or metro toward Xinzheng then a taxi

Xinzheng and Yellow Emperor's Birthplace: About 40 km (25 miles) south of central Zhengzhou, About 1 hour each way.

Highlights: Huangdi Guli park honouring the legendary Yellow Emperor · Ceremonial plaza with monumental statuary · Exhibition halls on early Chinese civilisation · Spring memorial ceremony around Qingming · Xinzheng jujube (red date) snacks and local noodles
About 30 km (19 miles) north of central Zhengzhou

Yellow River Scenic Area (Huayuankou)

Half day to full dayTourist bus or DiDi from central Zhengzhou

Yellow River Scenic Area (Huayuankou): About 30 km (19 miles) north of central Zhengzhou, About 45-60 minutes each way.

Highlights: Views of the Yellow River from the Mangshan ridge · Colossal statues of the Yan and Huang emperors · Riverside walkways and viewpoints · Yellow River carp at local restaurants · Easy half-day trip close to central Zhengzhou
About 100 km (62 miles) northwest of Zhengzhou

Yuntai Mountain (Jiaozuo)

High-speed rail to Jiaozuo, then coach or shared car to the scenic area

Yuntai Mountain (Jiaozuo): About 100 km (62 miles) northwest of Zhengzhou, About 1.5-2.5 hours each way.

Highlights: Tanpu waterfall, among the tallest in China · Hongshixia red-rock gorge · UNESCO Global Geopark in the Taihang range · Cliffside stairways, boardwalks and bridges · Cable car and shuttle options for tired legs
About 160 km (100 miles) north of Zhengzhou

Anyang Yin Ruins

High-speed rail from Zhengzhou East to Anyang East, then taxi

Anyang Yin Ruins: About 160 km (100 miles) north of Zhengzhou, About 40-60 minutes by high-speed rail plus 20 minutes to the site.

Highlights: Excavated Shang dynasty palace and temple foundations · Chariot burial pits with horses and chariots · Reconstructed tomb of Fu Hao, a Shang queen · Oracle bones, the earliest mature Chinese writing · UNESCO World Heritage Site

Trips by distance

How far you can go in a day.

Items

Getting there

Transport options for day trips.

Multi-day tours from Zhengzhou

If you have longer than a day, these are organised multi-day trips that start here.

Browse multi-day tours from Zhengzhou

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Day trip tips

Make the most of your excursions.

Tip

Kaifeng, Luoyang and Anyang are easy same-day trips by high-speed rail from Zhengzhou East.

Tip

Shaolin, Zhongyue Temple and Sanhuangzhai can share one long day only with an early start; an overnight in Dengfeng is more relaxed.

Tip

Buy rail tickets on 12306 or Trip.com as soon as they go on sale, about 15 days ahead, especially around national holidays.

Tip

Save each destination in Amap in Chinese before leaving; rural signage is mostly Chinese.

Tip

Ticket prices and hours change; confirm in the official mini-program before travelling.

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