Cose da fare a Contea di Wen

去巩义石窟寺走了一遭，真的太震撼了！一踏入，那古寺和参天古树就把我拉回了千年前。现存的5个洞窟、1个千佛龛、3尊摩崖大像和7743尊佛像，每一尊都饱含岁月的痕迹。特别是第一窟的“帝后礼佛图”，人物栩栩如生，看着它，仿佛能看到当年皇室礼佛的盛大场面。还有那灵动的飞天，飘逸的衣带，好像马上要翱翔天际。这一趟，真真切切感受到了古人的智慧和艺术造诣 。

去了康百万庄园，真的太震撼了！这座庄园历史可久了，从明朝就开始修建，历经好几代才成了现在的规模。一进去，就能看到那一排排规整又大气的房子，庭院连着庭院，错落有致。让我印象最深的是那张精美的金丝楠木雕花顶子床，上面的雕刻栩栩如生，听说十几个工匠花了近五年才完成。还有“留余匾”，上面的家训蕴含着深刻的处世哲学。逛完之后，我对康家的辉煌历史和传统文化有了更深的认识，真的不虚此行。

就像开启一场跨越千年的对话。园区内，古色古香的建筑错落有致，红墙灰瓦间尽显唐代韵味 。沿着诗人展区漫步，从杜公祠到诞生窑，再到壮游园，仿佛能看到杜甫儿时的身影，触摸到他成长的脉络。诗歌展区里，高科技展示生动呈现杜诗的魅力，让我对 “诗史” 有了更深理解。在这里，诗意与历史交融，心灵也在这浓厚的文化氛围中得到滋养。

It was drizzling during the performance. We sat in zone A directly in front of the outdoor stage. Due to the rain, the seats were wet and the thoughtful service team provided plastic cover and rain coat. The performers, many of them teenagers, put on a great show.

Longmen Grottoes is truly an amazing place to visit and one of China’s most remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The breathtaking Buddhist sculptures and centuries of history make this place so special.As I walked through this beautiful and historic site, I couldn’t help but think of my mom. I know she would have loved to see this place with her own eyes. It breaks my heart that she left this world too soon and never had the chance to experience this beauty.Mom, I wish you were here with me to share these precious moments. Although you are no longer by my side, you will always live in my heart. ❤️Some places are more than just destinations; they bring back memories, remind us of the people we love, and make us wish we could share the beauty of the world with them one more time. 🙏❤️

Henan is the cradle of Chinese civilization. Known as the Central Plains (中原), it is where the earliest dynasties, writing systems, bronze technology, and organized states first emerged. The fertile soil of the Yellow River nurtured farming communities as early as 5000 BCE, laying the foundation for Chinese culture.Luoyang, in Henan, is historically celebrated as the Ancient Capital of Thirteen Dynasties (十三朝古都), while Kaifeng (开封) is recognized as the Ancient Capital of Six Dynasties (六朝古都). Luoyang’s White Horse Temple (白马寺) is revered as the birthplace of Chinese Buddhism, and the Longmen Grottoes (龙门石窟) — with over 100,000 Buddhist statues — are honored as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Kaifeng, meanwhile, was the world’s largest city during the Northern Song dynasty, a thriving metropolis of commerce and culture.Henan as a whole is culturally dense and historically profound. The Henan Museum located at Zhengzhou is a must-visit, serving as a microcosm of Chinese civilization across thousands of years.I visited Henan Museum on a weekday and was struck by the sheer size of the crowd. Admission is free, but locals must register in advance. As a foreigner, I simply presented my passport, wrote my name in the register, and was then free to explore.The Henan Provincial Museum features one main permanent exhibition, Ancient Civilization of the Central Plains, divided into eight chronological galleries, alongside four themed galleries — Bronze of Chu, Ancient Jade, Treasures of Ming & Qing, and Musical Instruments. Each gallery highlights a different facet of Henan’s role as the cradle of Chinese civilization.I was deeply impressed by the exquisite porcelain, bronze bells and ritual vessels, the earliest pottery, oracle bones and early writing, Buddhist sculptures, and funerary art. My visit lasted about 3 hours enough to take in all the galleries and appreciate Henan’s extraordinary legacy.Article published at TripAdvisor on 20 Sep 26

Dall'ingresso principale delle Grotte di Longmen, abbiamo preso l'autobus numero 56 per il Tempio del Cavallo Bianco (tariffa: 1,50 RMB). Il viaggio è durato poco più di un'ora. L'ingresso è a pagamento e ho pagato 35 RMB. Il Buddhismo raggiunse la Cina attraverso la Via della Seta, portato da mercanti, monaci e viaggiatori provenienti dall'India e dall'Asia centrale. Secondo la leggenda, l'imperatore Ming della dinastia Han sognò una figura radiosa, interpretata come il Buddha. Ispirato, inviò degli emissari verso ovest, che tornarono con monaci e testi sacri trasportati su cavalli bianchi, dando origine alla fondazione del Tempio del Cavallo Bianco. Da qui, il Buddhismo si diffuse ulteriormente verso est, in Corea (IV secolo), Giappone (VI secolo) e Vietnam, plasmando il panorama spirituale dell'Asia orientale. Il tempio divenne il primo centro in cui i testi sanscriti vennero tradotti in cinese, affermandosi come il più antico tempio buddista in Cina. All'interno, la Sala dei Re Celesti si ergeva maestosa, con le statue dei Quattro Re Celesti e di Maitreya a guardia del complesso. Abbiamo visitato le tombe di Kashyapa Matanga e Dharmaratna, i monaci indiani a cui si attribuisce l'introduzione del Buddhismo in Cina, e abbiamo passeggiato nella Foresta delle Pagode, dove pagode risalenti alle dinastie Tang e Ming commemorano generazioni di monaci. Il tempio ospita anche le Sale Buddiste Internazionali, costruite negli stili di India, Myanmar e Thailandia, ognuna delle quali simboleggia la diffusione globale e lo scambio culturale del Buddhismo. La nostra esplorazione è durata circa un'ora. Sebbene il sito non colpisca per la sua grandiosità, da appassionato di storia ho trovato un significato profondo nella sua quieta importanza: trovarsi proprio nel luogo in cui il Buddhismo ha messo radici per la prima volta in Cina.

When I think of the Yellow River, I picture the torrential spectacle of China’s largest waterfall — Hukou Waterfall (壶口瀑布) — at the border of Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces. But here at Zhengzhou’s Yellow River Cultural Park (黄河文化公园), the river feels tamed, calm, and almost unremarkable. I was frankly disappointed when the shuttle bus dropped us at the riverbank.Admission policies added to the frustration: foreign seniors aged 60 and above are charged, while free entry is reserved only for local seniors. We reluctantly paid ¥48 each for admission, plus ¥20 each for shuttle transport around the park.Within the park, however, two monuments stand out as especially symbolic: the colossal Yan & Huang Emperors Sculpture and the Mao Statue Viewing the Yellow River. Together they make the park unique — one anchors visitors in ancient heritage, the other ties the river to modern revolutionary history. The Yan & Huang Emperors Sculpture, towering 106 meters high and carved into Mangshan Mountain, is awe‑inspiring. It represents the legendary ancestors of the Chinese nation, often called the “founding fathers” of Chinese civilization. The Mao statue, meanwhile, depicts Mao Zedong gazing across the Yellow River, reflecting his writings and speeches that invoked the river as the “Mother of China.”Beyond these two monuments, the park also hosts a remarkable collection of sculptures depicting famous figures from ancient Chinese history. It is, in effect, a sculptural encyclopedia of Chinese civilization, where visitors walk among stone figures representing thousands of years of heritage. This blend of natural scenery, ancestral monuments, and historical icons creates a cohesive cultural landscape.For practical access, Bus Y16 runs directly from the public bus terminal opposite Zhengzhou Train Station to the park’s scenic attractions (RM5)

巩义虽然现在是个县城，但是玩的东西还挺多，大名鼎鼎的河洛交界处也在此处。 黄河水浊浪滔滔，洛河水清澈潺潺，两河交汇时清浊分明，形成直径达千米的天然太极图案，这种“清浊异流”的景象十分震撼。北魏郦道元在《水经注》中就曾记载过此地“清浊异流，皦焉殊别”的景观。 传说远古时期，龙马从黄河跃出背负“河图”，神龟自洛水浮现背负“洛书”，伏羲氏受此启发，观察河洛交汇的漩涡景象画出了八卦，推演了太极，开启了华夏文明的新纪元。据史书记载，黄帝、帝尧、虞舜等多位上古先王，都曾在此修坛沉璧，祭祀天地河洛。除了神话传说，现在的考古发现 ：在河洛汇流处向南不远处，是被誉为“早期中华文明胚胎”的双槐树遗址。该遗址距今约5300年，总面积达117万平方米，这里发现了瓮城式城墙结构、中国最早的“宫殿”遗迹等，也为河洛文明的辉煌提供了坚实的考古证据。河洛汇流处现已开发为河洛汇流景区，位于巩义市河洛镇神北村，免费对外开放，旁边的小山也可以登高观黄河，或探寻双槐树遗址。公交巩义66路可至神北村可达，末班车结束较早，注意返程时间，所以还是自驾方便些。其他：携带无人机航拍会更有气势，这里也可以钓鱼，不过感觉黄河的鱼应该不太好钓吧。

Millennium City Park (清明上河园) in Kaifeng is remarkable because it is a living reconstruction of the Northern Song capital, Bianjing, (Bianjing (汴京) was the old name for Kaifeng), inspired by the famous scroll Along the River During the Qingming Festival. With authentic Song‑style architecture, immersive performances, and cultural activities, the park makes visitors feel as though they have stepped directly into a painting. As the saying goes: If you have not visited this park, you have not truly visited Kaifeng, the capital of six dynasties.Ticket price: RMB 120Senior discount: Half price Transport: Bus No. 15 from the Gulou areaValidity: Tickets are valid for three consecutive days, with facial recognition used for entry.The performances are the heart of the experience. Upon entering, the first stop should be the information counter to collect a brochure and confirm the day’s schedule. Seating is limited, so arriving at least an hour early ensures a good view.We managed to watch the following daytime shows:《枪挑小梁王》 Spearing the Prince of Liang《包公出巡》 Judge Bao Goes on Patrol《东京保卫战》 Dongjing Defense Battle《杨门女将》 Female Generals of the Yang Family《群狮会》 Gathering of Lions《欢乐巡游季》 Joyful Parade SeasonThese productions feature pyrotechnics, mass choreography, explosions, smoke, martial horse battles, and performers in full armor with sword and spear combat. The immersive realism was breathtaking — my heart nearly leapt out when the cannon fire began. The overarching theme of these shows is patriotism, and the authorities have succeeded brilliantly in using performance art as a form of mass education.The park is vast, and at times it feels like China’s version of Disneyland. Yet the focus here is not fantasy but cultural immersion. Walking through the grounds is like entering a living museum of Song‑era streets, bridges, food stalls, and performances. Traditional crafts, lion dances, and Justice Bao patrols connect directly to Kaifeng’s heritage.