Zhoukou is beautiful, but it is not recommended to visit in July and August.

✨Dear family, the meaning of travel is probably: to go to different places, see different scenery, experience different cultures, and meet different versions of yourself. This time, I came to Zhoukou, Henan, a city full of historical charm and vibrant life. I spent three days immersing myself in its unique allure. Now, I’m sharing the most comprehensive travel guide for Zhoukou with you all👇 🗺 Introduction to Zhoukou: Zhoukou is located in southeastern Henan, with a long history and profound cultural heritage. It is an important birthplace of Chinese dragon culture, surname culture, Taoist culture, and farming culture, earning the reputation of "Ancestor of Humanity, Beginning of History, Root of the Nation, Source of Culture." Here, you will find numerous historical sites and cultural attractions, as well as mouthwatering local cuisine, making it a city well worth visiting. 📅 3-Day Itinerary: - Day 1: Taihao Mausoleum - Zhoukou Ocean Park - Zhoukou Guandi Temple - Morning: Head to the "World’s Number One Mausoleum," Taihao Mausoleum, the tomb temple of Taihao Fuxi. Ancient cypresses tower here, and the architecture is grand, mostly built according to the principles of the primordial Bagua numerology. It is a rare large-scale palace-style ancient architectural complex among Chinese imperial mausoleums. You can feel the weight of history at the Taiji Altar and Yarrow Garden, and visit the small stele forest on the east side to see the millennium-old cypress trees. - Noon: Enjoy a Huaiyang banquet near Taihao Mausoleum, tasting local specialties like Fang Budai roast chicken, five-spice sheep head, and small fried fish soup to savor authentic Huaiyang flavors. - Afternoon: Visit Zhoukou Ocean Park to see various marine creatures and experience the wonderful underwater world. Don’t miss the exciting mermaid show and dolphin and sea lion performances. - Evening: Visit Zhoukou Guandi Temple, an ancient architectural complex funded by merchants from Shanxi and Shaanxi during the Qing Dynasty, also known as the Shan-Shaan Guild Hall. It features palace-style architecture with a rigorous layout, luxurious decorations, and exquisite craftsmanship. The temple at night, illuminated by lights, has a unique charm, and you can also enjoy a light show. - Day 2: Laozi’s Hometown (Taiqing Palace, Mingdao Palace) - Golden Monkey Hot Spring Resort - Morning: Drive to Luyi, Laozi’s hometown, which includes attractions like Taiqing Palace and Mingdao Palace, the birthplace of Taoist culture. Taiqing Palace commemorates Laozi and has a long history; Mingdao Palace is said to be where Laozi ascended to immortality. You can try rubbing ink from the Tao Te Ching stele forest and experience the charm of traditional culture. - Noon: Dine at Zhenbutong Restaurant in Luyi, tasting specialties like fried meatballs and almond tea. - Afternoon: Head to Golden Monkey Hot Spring Resort to relax in the hot springs. The resort has a water park and various hot spring pools, perfect for family trips. Students should bring their student ID to enjoy a 20% discount. - Evening: You can choose to stay at Golden Monkey Hot Spring Hotel for convenience, relaxing in the hot springs and then resting in your room, very comfortable; or stay at Qingshiban Alley Inn to experience the charm of a local guesthouse. - Day 3: Shaying River Scenic Area - Return Trip - Morning: Visit Shaying River Scenic Area, a beautiful spot known as the mother river of Zhoukou. The best photo spot is the Rubber Dam Viewing Platform. If you have a drone, bring it for stunning aerial shots. On weekends, you can also enjoy boat rides to admire the scenery on both sides, though prices may rise during holidays. - Noon: Taste Xiaoyao Town spicy soup and five-spice sheep trotters at Xiangcheng Spicy Soup Main Store. The spicy soup is flavorful and warming, and the sheep trotters are tender and delicious, leaving a lasting impression. - Afternoon: Buy souvenirs. Li’s smoked meat can be vacuum-packed to take home, and Taihao Mausoleum’s clay sculptures are meaningful keepsakes, priced between 30 to 80 yuan. Then you can head back according to your travel arrangements. 📸 Photo Spots: - Taihao Mausoleum: Aerial shots of the Bagua formation, with the unique Bagua layout and surrounding ancient buildings as the backdrop, make for stunning photos. - Laozi’s Hometown: Night view of the bronze statue of Laozi riding a green ox, solemn and majestic under the lights, very photogenic. - Shaying River Scenic Area: Sunset Bridge, where the setting sun casts a romantic glow on the bridge and river. 🍱 Must-Try Foods: - Xiaoyao Spicy Soup: Zhoukou’s signature dish, rich and spicy. A bowl in the morning warms you up. Recommended places are Fang Zhongshan Spicy Soup Main Store or Xiangcheng Spicy Soup Main Store. - Dengcheng Pig Trotters: Bright in color, soft in texture, fatty but not greasy, full of collagen. - Taikang Pork Knuckle: Smooth skin and tender meat with a rich aroma, paired with a unique dipping sauce for a special flavor. - Dry-fried Panlong Eel: The eel is dry, crispy, and spicy, with a numbing flavor. Even the bones can be chewed and swallowed, addictive. 🏨 Accommodation Recommendations: - Day 1: For convenience in Huaiyang, choose Huaiyang Xihuang Zhongzhou International Hotel or Huaiyang Zhongzhou Huayue Hotel; for cost-effectiveness, Hanting Hotel (Renmin Road branch) is also a good choice, around 138 yuan/night. For design lovers, Wuyue Huafu Guesthouse offers rooftop night views at 268 yuan/night. - Day 2: To enjoy the hot spring hotel’s convenience, choose Golden Monkey Hot Spring Hotel at 680 yuan per villa (including breakfast); for a local guesthouse experience, Qingshiban Alley Inn is 180 yuan/night with strong local flavor. ⚠️ Travel Tips: - Be cautious of Taoist fortune-telling in scenic spots like Taihao Mausoleum and Laozi’s Hometown to avoid scams. - Hotel deposits usually should not exceed 200 yuan; remember to get a refund when checking out. - Prices at popular night market snack streets may be doubled; try local snack streets frequented by residents for better value. - Bring waterproof shoe covers if visiting Shaying River Scenic Area on rainy days. - Zhoukou Museum is closed on Mondays; plan your visit accordingly. - Luyi Laojuntai holds a temple fair every year on the 15th day of the second lunar month; if interested, visit then to experience the lively atmosphere. - Breakfast near Shenqiu Huaidian Zhakou is very authentic; try the local breakfast specialties. 🌈 Zhoukou, this charming city, has left me with a deep impression through its history, culture, food, and scenery. If you love exploring history, tasting delicious food, and enjoying natural landscapes, Zhoukou is definitely your top choice. Come to Zhoukou and start your own wonderful journey!