Things to do in Mengzhou

In April, as spring warmed and flowers bloomed, I had the privilege of accompanying my mother to the Peony Garden at the Luoyang Sui and Tang Dynasty City Ruins, fulfilling a springtime rendezvous with peonies. The ancient charm of the Sui and Tang dynasties permeated the garden with spring colors. A gentle breeze stirred, and peonies of all colors burst into bloom, vibrant and elegant, their petals unfurling and swaying, releasing a subtle fragrance that softened the entire spring day. Beneath our feet lay the ancient soil of the Sui and Tang dynasties, and before us, a breathtaking spectacle of peonies, where ancient and modern elegance gently blended. Strolling slowly through the garden with my mother, we admired the blossoms, chatted about everyday life, and quietly captured these tender and beautiful moments. Shedding the hustle and bustle of daily life, we didn't rush; we simply wanted to quietly accompany her, feeling the fragrance of flowers and the gentle passage of time. Flowers bloom in their season, but time is gentle; the most beautiful scenery is never limited to a garden full of spring colors. Before, I was always busy with life, neglecting time with my family. At this moment, I deeply understand that the most precious happiness in the world is the health and well-being of my parents, and their companionship year after year. May every year bring spring sunshine and blooming flowers, may I always be by my mother's side, cherishing every moment of warmth and companionship, living up to the beauty of the flowers and the warmth of her love.

The scenery is different during the day and at night, each with its own unique characteristics. The scenic area is well-planned and the landscape is quite nice, making it worth a visit. The only downside is the large number of people. Transportation in the surrounding area is not very convenient.

With boundless respect and anticipation, we brought our children to trace the footsteps of Du Fu, one of the greatest poets of the Tang Dynasty, a man deeply concerned about his country and its people. The entire former residence reflects Du Fu's life: simple, almost to the extreme, devoid of any extravagance or superfluity. Perhaps due to the relatively low number of visitors, there weren't enough funds for renovations. This aligns with Du Fu's character and destiny throughout his life.

I visited Henan in October and went to Songyang Academy in Dengfeng, one of the four great academies in China, with a profound historical and cultural heritage! Mount Song, the central peak of the Five Sacred Mountains, was a bit strenuous to climb, with over 5,000 steps. But the scenery was truly beautiful.

It's very convenient: entrance ticket + 2 cable car rides + bus to and from the mountain. However, the morning shuttle bus wasn't very smooth; you had to wait and transfer, so even though it picked me up at 7:00 AM, I didn't arrive at the mountain until 12:30 PM. There were also a lot of tourists that day, and everyone was rushing to complete the five peaks of Huashan in one day.

I highly recommend spending 80 yuan for the aerial photography at the summit; I personally think it's well worth the money. The footage is very clear and excellent. We started climbing at 10 am. It was the off-season, so the first-level cable car wasn't crowded. After reaching the top, we started hiking. Zhongtianmen requires walking up stairs (if you can't climb, take the second-level cable car 🚡). The rest of the path was very gentle, all the way to the summit. The weather on the mountain was a bit cold, probably around 0 degrees Celsius, but it didn't snow; it just drizzled a little (I still recommend bringing a raincoat just in case). There were many people on the mountain. The descent involved both cable car and toboggan rides. A complete tour takes about 7 hours.

Definitely worth the price where you pay 1 get 4 attractions. The whole atmosphere was very lively, a lot of interesting shows to watch and NPC to interact with. Combine with the other attractions to balance out with some chill vibe. However, it was a bit too crowded even during off peak season.

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.

Lijing Gate Scenic Area is located at the intersection of Ximenkou Street and Jinye Road in the old city of Luoyang. It is one of the iconic buildings of the ancient city of Luoyang and one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Luoyang, known for the saying "If you don't visit Lijing Gate, you haven't truly been to Luoyang." Lijing Gate was the west gate of the Jinming Luoyang City, built in the first year of the Xingding era of the Jin Dynasty (1217). It is located northeast of the ruins of the Sui and Tang Dynasty Yingtian Gate. Historical records indicate that the Jinming Luoyang City had gates on all four sides: Jianchun Gate in the east, Lijing Gate in the west, Changxia Gate in the south, and Anxi Gate in the north.