Shangqiu Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in May)

Shangqiu Ancient City (Part 2)

The layout of Shangqiu Ancient City is nearly square, slightly longer from north to south, with a perimeter of 4327 meters. The city wall is 10 meters wide at the base and 6.7 meters wide at the top. It is made of rammed earth on the inside and covered with green bricks on the outside. The wall is 7 meters high, with a 1.8-meter-high parapet wall built on top. The area within the city is 1.13 square kilometers. There are a total of 107 streets inside the ancient city, arranged in a chessboard pattern. The street layout from the Ming and Qing dynasties has been mostly well-preserved. There are also nearly ten quadrangle courtyard buildings from the Ming and Qing periods within the city. The integration of the city wall, moat, and lake forms a unique structure that makes the ancient city round on the outside and square on the inside, resembling a huge ancient coin. The architecture is very distinctive. Shangqiu is metaphorically referred to as the birthplace of commodity, commerce, and business culture in the Central Plains of China.

Henan Solo Free Travel 1 - Shangqiu

In April 2021, I had a brief tour along the Luoyang-Anyang-Zhengzhou-Kaifeng route in Henan, and I have also visited several times for work reasons over the years. My impression of Henan has always been very good; while its tourism resources may not be top-tier, it certainly provides top-tier tourism services. Therefore, when choosing a destination for my Spring Festival trip this time, I decided to visit Henan again. In February 2024, I followed the route from Shangqiu to Kaifeng-Luoyang-Xuchang-Zhengzhou-Jiaozuo, filling in the gaps I had missed before. The first stop of the trip -- Shangqiu, is very close to my hometown Xuzhou. I took a high-speed train at 8:30 in the morning and arrived in 50 minutes. Shangqiu has only one train station, where ordinary and express trains enter from the south entrance, and high-speed trains from the north entrance. After getting off the train, I took a taxi directly to the Yingtian Academy. The main attractions are concentrated nearby, collectively known as the Shangqiu Ancient Cultural Tourism Area. The joint ticket for the scenic area is 35 yuan, which is a bargain. It was the second day of the Lunar New Year, and due to traffic control, ride-hailing cars could only reach the south gate of Shangqiu Ancient City (P2), and Yingtian Academy (P1) required about a 1-kilometer walk east from there. When planning the trip, I had already set my expectations low enough, as Shangqiu's history has been buried underground with the layering of cities, and there are not many ancient buildings to see. But upon arrival, I found that -- there was still much room for my expectations to drop. Once the glory of the Imperial Academy and the foremost of the four great academies during the Northern Song Dynasty, Yingtian Academy during Fan Zhongyan's tenure was infinitely splendid. A thousand years later, only desolation remains. The empty academy is narrow in size, and they even seem reluctant to plant a few more trees. Two large halls (P3, P4) stand alone in the courtyard, and the characters on the plaques (P5) have peeled off and are illegible, highlighting the carelessness and perfunctory nature of the renovations. It is truly a case of regret for not coming, and even more regret after coming. To the west of the south gate of the ancient city is the Zhang Xun Shrine (P6), which was built with much more care than Yingtian Academy. The shrine was rebuilt in the 1990s, but behind the main hall (P7), next to the tomb (P8), there is a Ming Dynasty stone stele inscribed by Sun Chuanting, the then magistrate of Shangqiu. Shangqiu was known as Suiyang during the Tang Dynasty, and during the An Lushan Rebellion, Zhang Xun, a scholar, held off an enemy army of over a hundred thousand with just a few thousand men, defending the isolated city for two years and saving millions of people in the Jianghuai region from the chaos of war. Eight hundred years later, Sun Chuanting, also a successful imperial examinee, built a shrine and erected a stele for Zhang Xun, a gesture of respect between heroes and a declaration of his own aspirations. One wonders if he foresaw that he too would become a bulwark for the nation in times of turmoil. The Ba Guan Zhai (P9) is located opposite the Zhang Xun Shrine and is quite inconspicuous. The stone tablet under the pavilion is the 'Record of the Tang and Song Dynasty Officials' Eight Guan Zhai Gratitude Meeting' (P10), which is a replica; the original is in the room behind. Only two sections (P11) remain, which are from the Tang Dynasty and inscribed by Yan Zhenqing himself. Despite the fragmentary nature of the stele, one can still feel the 'strength in every stroke' of Yan's calligraphy. Since I was only staying in Shangqiu for three hours, I gave up on visiting other attractions like Han Liang Park and Huoshen Platform, and took a taxi back to the train station to catch a high-speed train to Kaifeng. By the way, the only 5A tourist attraction in Shangqiu is Mangdang Mountain. Located in Yongcheng City, its main feature is the Han Liang Xiaowang Tomb, which has high archaeological value but not much tourism value. To bundle it for the 5A application, several very humorous modern attractions were built. It's a very 'watered-down' 5A site, and transportation is not convenient, so it's not necessary for non-local tourists to visit.

Henan Travel Guide, the most comprehensive travel guide to Shangqiu

Shangqiu - the only prefecture-level city site from the Ming and Qing Dynasties in the Central Plains region, and also the only large ancient city site in the world that combines the trinity of Bagua City, Water City, and City Stacked City. It has a history of more than 3000 years, and this land is simultaneously overlaid with 6 capitals. 1⃣️Guidu Prefecture City built during the Yuan Dynasty before the 16th year of the Hongzhi period of the Ming Dynasty 2⃣️The Nanjing City of the accompanying capital Yingtianfu during the Northern Song Dynasty 3⃣️Song City, the administrative center of Songzhou during the Sui and Tang Dynasties 4⃣️Suiyang City, the capital of the State of Liang during the Qin and Han Dynasties 5⃣️The capital city of the State of Song during the Zhou Dynasty, etc. The ancient city is round outside and square inside, like a huge square hole round coin, implying the heaven is round and the earth is square, and the heaven and earth give birth to each other. The courtyards in the ancient city are lined up one after another, and 93 streets divide the whole city into many small blocks of 200 meters square. ✔️There is Yingtian Academy, which is ranked first among the four academies of the Northern Song Dynasty ✔️There is the Confucian Temple of Guidu Prefecture, which is the largest in Henan Province ✔️There are the Chen Family Courtyard, the Zhuanghui Hall, etc., which hide the stories of the Ming and Qing Dynasties ✔️There is Zhang Xun Temple, which commemorates Zhang Xun, the Marquis of Loyalty and Righteousness in the Tang Dynasty, who defended the city and defended the world during the Anshi Rebellion, and the Baguanzhai, which commemorates Yan Zhenqing. Every place is worth visiting. city walk route: North City Gate of the Ancient City → Zhongshan Street → Hou Fangyu's Former Residence → Confucian Temple of Guidu Prefecture → Chen Family Courtyard → Mu Family Courtyard → South City Wall → South Lake → Zhang Xun Temple → Baguanzhai → Yingtian Academy Must-visit in the ancient city ❶Yingtian Academy: The first of the four academies of the Northern Song Dynasty, it was also promoted to the Imperial College, becoming the highest academy of the Northern Song Dynasty. Fan Zhongyan studied hard here, passed the imperial examination, took charge of the academy, and became a famous literati and politician in history. ❷Hou Fangyu's Former Residence: The talented scholar Hou Fangyu wrote the 'Zhuanghui Hall Collection' here; the east and west buildings are respectively Xueyuan Society and Feicui Building (the residence of Hou Fangyu's beloved wife, Li Xiangjun, one of the Eight Beauties of Qinhuai). ❸Confucian Temple of Guidu Prefecture: Now it is the largest Confucian temple in Henan Province, and there is also a thousand-year-old soapnut tree in the courtyard. ❹Baguanzhai: There are stone tablets of Yan Zhenqing and the Thousand Old Banquet Tablet, which records the grand occasion of Emperor Qianlong's last 'Thousand Old Banquet'. ❺Chen Family Courtyard: The first of the seven big families in Shangqiu, mainly composed of quadrangles, which are connected and distributed in an orderly manner, it is a model of quadrangle architecture in the Central Plains region. ❻Mu Family Courtyard: One of the 'Eight Big Families and Seven Big Households' in Guidu Prefecture City, one of the quadrangles of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. ❼Zhang Xun Temple: Built to commemorate the hero Zhang Xun who died in defense of Suiyang during the Anshi Rebellion. ❽Shangqiu Fire God Platform, the oldest existing observatory in China, Erbo Platform ❾Shangqiu Museum, the first museum in China to focus on the display of Shang culture and historical civilization ❿Han Liang Cultural Park, which restores the architectural style of the Han and Liang periods, and you can travel back to the Han Dynasty in a second.

This is 'Thirty Thousand Miles to Chang'an', the hometown of Gao Shi in Li Bai's writings - Shangqiu

Go out and take a walk, feel the wind of the ancient city, look at the green bricks and black tiles of the ancient city wall, feel the wind by the South Lake, and enjoy the healing scenery on the weekend.

Shangqiu Han and Liang Culture Park

Located on the south side of the ancient city of Shangqiu, it faces the ancient Song River to the north, Zhangxun Road to the south, and Pingyuan Road to the west. It is a theme park that integrates historical culture with natural landscapes, filled with the distinctive style of the Han and Liang dynasties. The park is surrounded by lakes, with artificial hills and strange rocks, pavilions, willows, and small bridges over flowing water, offering an incomparably beautiful view. People eagerly step into nature to embrace spring. There is a free parking lot at the entrance of the park, and admission is free. Friends who are interested can come for a visit.

Art and romance never end

Hanliang Park Art Museum Location: 500 meters to the left of the west gate of Hanliang Park Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9:00—17:00 If you can't go to Zhengzhou Art Museum, come to Shangqiu for a free art exhibition~ Hanliang Cultural Park Tulips The flower language of tulips is philanthropy, consideration, elegance, wealth, competence, and intelligence. Other colors of tulips: red represents a confession of love, passionate love; pink represents eternal love; white represents pure and noble love; yellow represents cheerfulness; black represents a confession of love, the crown of honor, eternal blessings, etc. Tulips have a variety of colors and varieties, and the colorful tulips form a piece, and the graceful flower world is like a brocade

Miss these and you'll miss a billion! Shangqiu Travel Guide

Here's a quick and easy one-day tour of Shangqiu: First stop: 868 Creative Park - Suitable for photo check-ins, but some stores are not yet open. - Recommended to try the purple rice snack.📸🍴 Second stop: Peach Blossom Source Cultural Art Museum - Close to the ancient city, you can also appreciate the exterior of the building.🏰👀 Third stop: Ancient City - The ancient city is quite large, it may not be very special without lights during the day, but the central area is quite good.🏯🌅 Fourth stop: Han Liang Cultural Park - Not far from the ancient city, you can overlook the beautiful scenery from the attic, suitable for taking pictures and relaxing.🌳📸😌 Fifth stop: Sun Moon Lake - It is recommended to arrive early, you can take a boat ride during the day, and also enjoy the beautiful lake view at night.☀️🛥️🌙 Sixth stop: Pedestrian street near the train station - You can taste local special foods, recommend Bang Bang Chicken and Yousu Huoshao (arrive early to avoid selling out).🍗🥮 Transportation: - Gaode map may not display bus information, so the bus time is not certain. - Shangqiu currently has no subway, it is recommended to drive, take a taxi or share an electric car. - Shared electric bicycles can conveniently move between attractions, and you can also ride around the lake.🚗🛵🚴 Precautions: - The train station has two entrances, north and south, which are the entrances for high-speed trains and ordinary-speed trains, pay attention to the choice of entrance and exit. - It is recommended to arrive in Shangqiu early to better arrange the itinerary.🚆⏰

Miss these and you'll miss a billion! Shangqiu Travel Guide

Here's a quick and easy one-day tour of Shangqiu: First stop: 868 Creative Park - Suitable for photo check-ins, but some stores are not yet open. - Recommended to try the purple rice snack.📸🍴 Second stop: Peach Blossom Source Cultural Art Museum - Close to the ancient city, you can also appreciate the exterior of the building.🏰👀 Third stop: Ancient City - The ancient city is quite large, it may not be very special without lights during the day, but the central area is quite good.🏯🌅 Fourth stop: Han Liang Cultural Park - Not far from the ancient city, you can overlook the beautiful scenery from the attic, suitable for taking pictures and relaxing.🌳📸😌 Fifth stop: Sun Moon Lake - It is recommended to arrive early, you can take a boat ride during the day, and also enjoy the beautiful lake view at night.☀️🛥️🌙 Sixth stop: Pedestrian street near the train station - You can taste local special foods, recommend Bang Bang Chicken and Yousu Huoshao (arrive early to avoid selling out).🍗🥮 Transportation: - Gaode map may not display bus information, so the bus time is not certain. - Shangqiu currently has no subway, it is recommended to drive, take a taxi or share an electric car. - Shared electric bicycles can conveniently move between attractions, and you can also ride around the lake.🚗🛵🚴 Precautions: - The train station has two entrances, north and south, which are the entrances for high-speed trains and ordinary-speed trains, pay attention to the choice of entrance and exit. - It is recommended to arrive in Shangqiu early to better arrange the itinerary.🚆⏰

Follow the steps of the Tianzhu Mountain Brahma Temple and descend to the mountain lake of Qianshan, named Sun Moon Lake, surrounded by a lake promenade, with wooden walks around the lake on both sides, and 19 waterfront leisure platforms, each platform. Named after the year number used by Wu Zetian. Riyue Lake is facing the Brahma Temple, and the sun and the moon are the natural "" characters. Breeze noodles, I feel very happy. With the mountains and rivers, what can you ask for? This is a clear lake in the bay. The lake is horizontal like a mirror. It reflects the blue sky and white clouds. Under the blue sky, the lake is blue and green. The sun shines on the lazy lake, like a layer of sparkling green satin on the water surface. The old man is exercising by the lake, and the young man is sketching at the lake. This scene is harmonious and interesting. This is not the quiet life we are striving for! The beauty of Sun Moon Lake is calm and calm, she is as quiet as it is; the beauty of Sun Moon Lake is graceful, she is like a bright moon; the beauty of Sun Moon Lake is awesome, she I dont feel self-pity; the beauty of Sun Moon Lake is extraordinary and refined. She is a poem and a distant place in a paradise...

The Huoshen Platform in Shangqiu

The Huoshen Platform is located near the southwest of the ancient city of Shangqiu, and it is said to be an observatory built by Emperor Ku's son, Yanbo, about 4500 years ago. People honor Yanbo as the God of Fire, hence the name 'Huoshen Platform', also known as 'Yanbo Platform' or 'Shangqiu', which is the oldest existing observatory in China. Friends who are interested can take their children to visit and experience it, to gain a deeper understanding of the historical and cultural heritage of Shangqiu, which will be very rewarding. The ticket price for the scenic area is 30 yuan, with discounts or free admission for the elderly, children, teachers, military personnel, etc. There is a free parking lot near the entrance.

The site of the ancient Ebo Star Observation Tower

Ebo is the ancestor of the Shang clan. In 2400 BC, Ebo invented the calendar based on fire timing. While managing the fire, he built the Fire God Tower to observe the stars, and based on this, he determined the natural changes of the year and the quality of the year, contributing to ancient Chinese astronomy. Ebo was deeply loved by the people in his fiefdom 'Shang' where he served as the fire chief, so people respected him as the 'Fire God'. After Ebo's death, he was buried in his fiefdom. Because Ebo's title was 'Shang', his tomb was also called 'Shangqiu', which is the origin of today's Shangqiu. The earliest meaning of 'Shangqiu' is 'the settlement of the Zi surname clan (Shang clan) living on the hill'. 'Shangqiu' also means the site of the Shang Dynasty capital, and it is undoubtedly the birthplace of Chinese civilization. The Shang Ancestral Temple, Wang Hai, the sixth-generation grandson of Ebo in the pre-Shang period, created a commercial civilization and was respected as the ancestor of businessmen. Later, Ebo's thirteenth-generation grandson, Shang Tang, who destroyed Xia, established the Shang Dynasty near the ancient city of Shangqiu. The capital was moved several times, leaving the last page of Shang Dynasty history to the Yin Ruins in Anyang. During the Zhou Dynasty, the Zhou Dynasty's three reverences and one of the five hegemonies of the Spring and Autumn Period, the vassal state of Song, established its capital in Shangqiu. In inheriting and developing Yin and Shang culture, especially commercial culture, it has made great contributions and was the largest commercial center in China at that time, making the ancient city of Shangqiu once again unprecedentedly prosperous. During this period, along with the territory, what grew strong was the birth of the Chinese sage culture centered on Shangqiu, the interpretation of Chinese thought civilization, and the rise of the land. Philosophers such as Laozi, Confucius, and Mencius often lectured here, and a large number of famous Chinese thinkers such as Zhuangzi, Mozi, Huizi, Song Jian, Ji Ran, Yuan Xian, and Sima Geng were born here. In the late Warring States period, the Wei state set up the Great Song County with the ancient city of Shangqiu as its administrative center.

It is said that the place where Emperor Shunzhi of the Qing Dynasty became a monk is the Baiyun Zen Temple

Baiyun Zen Temple, located in Baiyunsi Village, Minquan County, Shangqiu City, was founded during the Tang Dynasty's Zhenguan period, and is one of the four famous temples in the Central Plains. Every summer and autumn, the clouds linger around the temple, enveloping it in a spectacular and unusual scenery, hence the name: Baiyun Temple. The treasure of Baiyun Temple is the 'Four Shang Stele'. It is said that Emperor Shunzhi of the Qing Dynasty became a monk here, and Emperor Kangxi came to this temple twice to look for his father. The first time he saw his father working as a handyman in the temple, and the second time he came, his father had already left to become a wandering monk. Emperor Kangxi wrote the four characters: 'Dang', 'Tang', 'Chang', 'Shang', and erected a stele, known as the 'Four Shang' stele. The upper half of each character is 'Shang', and the lower halves are 'Tian', 'Tu', 'Jin', 'Bei', meaning that monks should have fields to cultivate, houses to live in, clothes to wear, and money to use, which was actually for his father to live a more comfortable life. Although the stele is damaged, it still exists to this day. From south to north along the central axis of the temple, there are the Weituo Hall, the Arhat Hall, and the Mahavira Hall, all of which are Qing Dynasty buildings, simple and elegant, majestic and spectacular. There is also a wonder in the temple: the Iron Pot Locust Tree. Originally a large iron pot used for serving porridge at a charity kitchen, it was abandoned due to a leaky bottom. Soil accumulated inside the pot, and the roots of a locust tree penetrated through the cracks at the bottom of the pot and took root in the soil, resulting in the miraculous sight of a large tree that several people can embrace growing inside an iron pot. 'Baiyun Ancient Temple, with its long history, exudes both grace and simplicity, and its splendor and elegance resonate in harmony, making it the pride of Buddhist temples and ancient architectural complexes in eastern Henan.'