Things to do in Dengfeng

The Observatory is a tall blue brick and stone structure, consisting of a platform body and a measuring stick. The platform body is in the shape of an inverted bucket and has a history of 700 years. It is the oldest existing observatory in my country and one of the important astronomical sites in the world.

If you ask me which mountains around Zhengzhou are worth visiting, my first recommendation is Fuxi Mountain. Many people have a misconception about Fuxi Mountain, thinking it's all admission-only, but that's not true. Some attractions are free, and you can have a great time enjoying the natural scenery.

Junji Peak, located in Taishi Mountain Scenic Area in Songshan Grand Scenic Area, Dengfeng City, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, is the highest peak of Taishi Mountain and the highest peak of Zhongyue Songshan Mountain, with an altitude of 1491.73 meters. Taishi Mountain has abrupt peaks and rugged rocks. Its unique geological structure is listed as a national geological park. The scenery of Junji Peak is unique. Going up along the neat steps, the road will suddenly become steep. After climbing several very steep mountain roads, you will arrive at Junji Palace. Junji Palace is backed by the cliffs of Songshan Mountain and has extraordinary momentum. Continue to go up and you can reach the top in more than three hours. At this time, you can experience the feeling of "Songgao Junji". There are ancient temples to visit at the foot of the mountain.

It combines a zoo and an amusement park. Suitable for children under 10. It has everything, but nothing is done exceptionally well. The price-performance ratio isn't high. At least not as good as Qingming Riverside Park or Wansui Mountain Martial Arts City. The food inside is a bit pricey.

Our guide at the Luobo Museum, Mr. Pei, was excellent. He was considerate of the artifact display cases, reminding the children in our group and others to keep a safe distance to avoid obstructing photos or leaving handprints. His explanations were engaging and detailed, although latecomers sometimes interrupted him. Overall, it was a good experience, and we saw all the museum's treasures and popular artifacts within the limited time – definitely worth it.

Overall, it's not bad. Many facilities are still under construction. The area outside the scenic spot is a bit messy, there's no proper parking lot, and there are many small, scattered vendors at the entrance, which doesn't give a good impression. The area inside the scenic spot is quite nice, and it will be a great place to visit once everything is completed.

The Henan Museum is very large and has a wide variety of exhibits. The guides are detailed and comprehensive, and they clearly explain the stories behind the artifacts. I highly recommend hiring a guide when you visit, as it's easy to rush through things on your own.

It's very worthwhile, but it's also very crowded, which might slightly detract from the overall experience. However, the people are incredibly welcoming, and there are many beautiful spots for taking photos. The food is also affordable and inexpensive, which kids enjoy. I'll definitely go back when it's less crowded.

From Yuntaishan, we boarded a bus bound for Luoyang. The journey was long — more than four hours on the road. We left at 2:30 pm and only arrived close to 7:00 pm, which meant our first day in Luoyang was largely consumed by travel. That evening, drained from the ride, I managed only a brief visit to Yingtianmen, illuminated against the night sky.The following day was devoted entirely to two of Luoyang’s most iconic sites: the Longmen Grottoes and the White Horse Temple. After exploring the temple, we caught bus no. 58 directly to Luoyi Ancient City. By then, the hours of walking through grottoes and temple grounds had left us physically exhausted. Still, the ancient city welcomed us with free admission and a promise of cultural immersion.Dinner was taken at a basement food court along Minzhu Street. By the time we finished, night had fallen, and Luoyi Ancient City had transformed. The streets glittered with lanterns, music pulsed through the air, and the atmosphere was electric. Crowds gathered near the lake to watch 天女散花 — the “Fairy Scattering Flowers” dance performance — though we chose not to linger.Luoyi Ancient City (洛邑古城) remains one of China’s most authentic living historic districts. Here, 3,000 years of dynastic history — from the Zhou to the Ming — can still be felt in its preserved city walls, pagodas, canals, and performances. It is not simply a relic of the past, but a vibrant cultural stage where history and daily life coexist.

A guided tour is a must. The guides are incredibly knowledgeable, engaging, and present information clearly. Highly recommended. For exploring the origins of Chinese dynasties, museum artifacts provide powerful physical evidence, offering more than just a few words in ancient texts.