Three days and two nights in Zhoukou in July! An insanely powerful divine-level guide is here

Who would have thought! July in Zhoukou completely overturns my impression of Central Plains cities! Three days and two nights of fun until my phone storage was almost full, quickly save this guide👇 🌟 Day 1: Collision of millennia-old civilization and vibrant local life 📍 Taihao Mausoleum Cultural Tourism Area Head straight to the "World's Number One Mausoleum" at 8 AM. The ancient cypress-lined sacred path is breathtaking. Participate in the morning bell and evening drum ceremony, touch the 600-year-old gilded coiled dragon pillar, and feel the profoundness of Chinese civilization. 🍜 Xiaoyao Town Spicy Pepper Soup At noon, have a bowl of authentic spicy pepper soup with lamb bone broth mixed with peppery aroma, gluten, meat slices, and wood ear mushrooms piled high. Paired with fried dough sticks, it’s soul-satisfying and only about 10 yuan per person for a full meal! 📍 Zhoukou Guan Di Temple In the afternoon, explore the artistic treasure of the Qing Dynasty Shanxi-Shanxi merchants. Look up at the 368 intricately carved coiled dragons on the ceiling of the Spring and Autumn Tower. The wood carving details are finer than hair strands. Free admission is a great deal. 🌉 Shaying River Night View In the evening, take a painted boat night tour. Laser projections on the riverside buildings narrate the creation myth of Fuxi. The water screen reaches 20 meters high—breathtakingly beautiful! 🌟 Day 2: Ten thousand acres of lotus ponds and intangible cultural heritage feast 🛶 Huaiyang Longhu Wetland Lotus flowers are in full bloom in July! Ride a wooden boat into the vast lotus fields, pick fresh lotus pods bursting with sweetness, scare up a flock of gulls and egrets, stroll on the Xian Ge Terrace in Hanfu holding lanterns—perfect for a traditional Chinese style photo shoot. 🍖 Dengcheng Ye’s Heritage Pig Trotters At noon, don’t miss this intangible cultural heritage dish. The pig trotters are stewed until tender and falling off the bone, dipped in garlic vinegar sauce to cut the greasiness, paired with handmade noodles soaked in the broth. About 30 yuan per person for a filling meal. 🎨 Chen Chu Ancient Street In the afternoon, learn to mold the thousand-year-old totem "Clay Dog," and take home a unicorn as a souvenir. The ancient street architecture is perfect for vintage-style photos. 🌟 Day 3: Philosophical journey and authentic flavors 📍 Laozi’s Hometown Tourism Area In the morning, read the Tao Te Ching under the thousand-year-old ginkgo tree at Taiqing Palace, touch the Tang Dynasty "Mountain Driving Whip" iron pillar, and climb 33 steps to the Ascension Terrace at Mingdao Palace for a panoramic view of Luyi. 🥣 Luyi Ma Hu At noon, drink a bowl of millet and soybean porridge called Ma Hu, white and milky with a delicate texture and no residue, served with pickled vegetable strips and crispy baked flatbread—warm and healthy. 🛍️ Jianye Canal Ancient Town In the afternoon, shop for intangible cultural heritage souvenirs like Shenqiu Gu family bread. The ancient town’s architecture is quaint and charming. After shopping, you can conveniently take home vacuum-packed Fang Zhongshan spicy pepper soup. 📝 Babysitter-level Tips 🚄 Transportation: Take the high-speed train to "Zhoukou East Station," car rental costs about 150 yuan on the first day (attractions are scattered, self-driving is most convenient) 🏨 Accommodation: Recommended are Xihuang Hotel near Taihao Mausoleum (garden-style environment) or Weilai LOFT Hotel in the city (smart room control + free pick-up), average price 150-250 yuan/night 💡 Tips: July Lotus Festival attracts many visitors, it’s best to enter before 7 AM to avoid crowds; Longhu has many mosquitoes, wear long pants + mosquito repellent; Taiqing Palace offers Hanfu experience (30 yuan/hour) Zhoukou’s strength lies in its 8,000 years of civilization, the poetic ten thousand acres of lotus ponds, and the vibrant local flavors! Are you ready to unlock it this summer?👇 (After posting pictures on Moments, I was bombarded with questions—this guide really can’t be kept secret!)