Shaolin Temple, in the region of Song Mountain, Dengfeng City, Henan Province, is reputed to be 'the Number One Temple under Heaven'. The temple is the cradle of the Chinese Zen Buddhism and the Shaolin Martial Arts such as Shaolin Cudgel. One can see wild flowers and pines on the mountain. With birds singing and a brook spattering, a beautiful scene full of life and vitality is revealed to the visitors. Shaolin Temple embraces many exciting attractions, such as the Hall of Heavenly Kings (Tianwangdian), the Mahavira Hall (Daxiongbaodian), the Pagoda Forest, the Dharma Cave and the Shaolin Temple Martial Art Training Center. Visitors may follow the virtual guide about the Shaolin Temple. First we see the Shanmen Hall. Hung on its top is a tablet reading 'Shaolin Temple'. The tablet was inscribed by the Emperor Kangxi (1622 - 1723) during the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911). Under the stairs of the hall crouches two stone lions made in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The hall enshrines the Maitreya Buddha. Two sides of the corridor behind the hall's gate are paved with inscriptions on stone steles made during several different dynasties. Next we arrive at the Hall of Heavenly Kings. The gate of the hall is guarded by two figures depicting Vajra (Buddhist warrior attendants). Inside the hall are figures of the Four Heavenly Kings who are responsible for inspecting peoples' behavior, helping the troubled, and blessing the people. Then we come to the Mahavira Hall. The complex's center is right before your eyes. Both important celebrations and regular prayers are held here. 18 Buddhist Arhats stand along the eastern and the southern walls of the hall. Buddhas of the Middle, East and West are enshrined in this hall, respectively Sakyamuni Buddha, Pharmacist Buddha and Amitabha Buddha. Figures of Kingnaro (the founder of Shaolin Cudgel) and Dharma (the founder of Chinese Zen Buddhism) stand beside those three Buddhas, a placement which is very different from other Mahavira Halls. At the feet of the pillars in this Mahavira Hall are stone lions that are more than one meter (about 3.33 feet) high. On the ground there are about 50 small pits, 20 centimeters (about 7.87 inches) deep. It is said that they are the footprints left by monks when they practiced Shaolin Martial Arts. Unexpectedly, we come to the Pagoda Forest, a graveyard for Buddhist dignitaries through the ages. On average, the pagodas are less than 15 meters (about 49 feet) high. The layer and the shape of a pagoda depend on many factors, such as one's Buddhist status, attainment and prestige during his lifetime. The Pagoda Forest in Shaolin Temple is the largest of China's pagoda complexes. Outside the temple we continue walking to the northwest, and then we will take a look at two monasteries, named the Ancestor's Monastery and the Second Ancestor's Monastery. The first monastery is built by a Dharma's disciple to commemorate Dharma's nine years of meditation in a cave. It has a big hall supported by 16 stone pillars on whose shafts are exquisitely carved warriors, dancing dragons and phoenixes. The second monastery is a nursing home of the second ancestor Huike who cut his left arm in order to show his sincerity to study Buddhism from Dharma. In front of the monastery are four springs created by Dharma to help Huike to fetch water easily. They are called 'Spring Zhuoxi' and each has its own distinctive flavor.

Song Mountain

Song Mountain lies in Dengfeng city, in the heart of Henan Province and about 80 kilometers (50 miles) east of its capital, Zhengzhou. Song Mountain, which is also known as Zhong Yue (middle mountain), is known as one of the Five Mountains of China. The others in this group are Tai mountain in Shandong Province, Hua Mountain in Shaanxi Province, Mount Heng in Shanxi Province and Mount Heng in Hunan Province. Song Mountain has fine natural scenery. Its 72 mountains, grouped around the peaks of Mount Shaoshi and Mount Taishi, extend for about 70 kilometers (43 miles) from east to west. Besides these mountains, there are many valleys, caves, pools and waterfalls, each of which provides the visitor with a unique and wonderful experience. The landscape is so unique that it has been given the title of 'International Geological Park' by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The history of Song Mountain is as rich and interesting as its landscape. Its proximity to Luoyang, the ancient capital city of nine different dynasties, made it an essential place for emperors to offer sacrifices to their ancestors and the gods and to confer the crown to their heirs. This has left many sites of historic and cultural interest in this area. The beauty of the area's scenery also led to many scholars, eminent monks and famous Taoists chose this area as an important place to give lectures, explain Buddhist sutras and develop the teachings of different religions. Practitioners of the three faiths of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism absorbed ideas from each other, which led to their three belief systems growing closer together. Song Mountain is the birthplace of China Zen Buddhism, and is the home of many wondrous temples, including Shaolin Temple, the largest pagoda forest in China, Ta Lin (meaning pagoda forest) and the most ancient pagoda in China, Songyue Temple pagoda. A visitor can also visit the oldest cypress, as well as the earliest star observation platform in China. What makes Song Mountain different from the rest of the Five Mountains is its profound and extensive cultural history. For this reason, a visit to Song Mountain will be greatly rewarding for scholars of religion, physical culture, astronomy, archaeology, geology.

The Yellow River Scenic Area

At the base of Yue Hill, around 30 kilometers northwest of Zhengzhou, is the Yellow River Scenic Area, where a variety of natural and man made attractions have been drawing visitors for centuries for its beautiful views over Yellow River. Liu Bang, who later became Emperor Gaozu, defeated the Han Dynasty Emperor Xiang Yu at the western end of the large park, in a historic battle. Other sites include Yuenshan Temple, and a forest of traditional Chinese steles, where 570 steles inscribed with the calligraphy of China's most famous calligraphic artists stand. The highest peak in the park is Five Dragon's Peak, which reaches 800 feet at its highest point, from where the views over the Yellow River are most spectacular. Visitors interested in a closer view of the river can take a hovercraft or a speedboat along the river itself.

Zhengzhou Century Amusement Park

This amusement park has 30 rides to amuse and delight children. It is the one of the largest amusement parks in the province, and claims to have Asia's largest ferris wheel and China's longest roller coaster among its attractions. The park is understandably busiest in summer. Admission: RMB 80

Zhengzhou Museum

The Zhengzhou Museum has several collections demonstrating the cultural history of the city. It has eight major exhibition areas, the busiest of which are the collections of Shang Shang Dynasty (About 1600-1100 BC) Site of capital: Anyang was the last of several capitals. The Shang dynasty governed a large area of north China and was profoundly important historically and culturally. The origins of Chinese script can be dated to the Shang – early examples appear on Shang dynasty oracle bones. Bronze casting reached very high levels of excellence during this period. [ Dynasties ] & Zhou Dynasty bronze ware and stone carvings from the Tang Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) Site of Capital: Xi'an (then called Chang'an) China's first golden age. The Silk Road turned Chang'an into the world's greatest metropolis. The arts flourished: poetry reached its greatest heights. Buddhism enjoyed great favor – some of China's greatest religious art dates from this time. From the mid-8th century, rebellion weakened the dynasty and finally ended it. [ Dynasties ] & Song Song Dynasty (AD 960-1279) A culturally rich and economically prosperous dynasty which united most of China until 1127 (the Northern Song dynasty) and the southern portion until 1279 (the Southern Song dynasty). Art, literature and philosophy flourished, the growth of printing spread literacy, and commerce boomed. [ Dynasties ] Dynasties. The other areas include ancient pottery and coins, rock paintings and calligraphy,

Henan Provincial Museum

This outstanding museum has over 1.3 million pieces of art and historical artifacts in its collection, and though only a fraction of these can be displayed at one time. The development of Henan culture is explored in one of the permanent exhibitions, covering the rise and fall of the civilizations that have lived in the area which include Xia Xia Dynasty (About 2100-1600 BC) Site of capital: Anyi (mid-west Shanxi province) The Xia governed an area of northeastern and eastern China. The dynasty began with the reign of Qi, the son of the Great Yu, and had 16 kings in 13 generations. [ Dynasties ] , Shang Shang Dynasty (About 1600-1100 BC) Site of capital: Anyang was the last of several capitals. The Shang dynasty governed a large area of north China and was profoundly important historically and culturally. The origins of Chinese script can be dated to the Shang – early examples appear on Shang dynasty oracle bones. Bronze casting reached very high levels of excellence during this period. [ Dynasties ] , Zhou, Sui Sui Dynasty (AD 581-618) Site of Capital: Xi'an (then called Chang'an) Although short-lived, the Sui Dynasty was important in reunifying China after centuries of division under the Northern and Southern Dynasties. The first Sui emperor introduced land reform, reformed government institutions and recruited officials through examinations. The tyrannical second Sui emperor pushed through the construction of the Grand Canal. [ Dynasties ] and Tang Dynasties Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) Site of Capital: Xi'an (then called Chang'an) China's first golden age. The Silk Road turned Chang'an into the world's greatest metropolis. The arts flourished: poetry reached its greatest heights. Buddhism enjoyed great favor – some of China's greatest religious art dates from this time. From the mid-8th century, rebellion weakened the dynasty and finally ended it. [ Dynasties ] . Other exhibitions in the museum include collections of Henan architecture, Chu Kingdom bronze wares, and many dinosaur fossils found in the region, as well as ancient stone and jade carvings. The Han Dynasty stone carvings are one of the stars of the museum's collection, displaying a high level of artistry in the calligraphic art. The museum can supply audio tours in both Chinese and English. Opening hrs: 9:00 -17:00 (Autumn & Winter) 9:00 – 6 (Spring and Summer) Note: The museum is located 3 km north of the February 7th Square.

Zen Music ShaoLin Grand Ceremony

Zen does not pursue characters but mind, as well as sudden realization. Music is the best way to express the conception of zen. In this melody, the music of zen from the valley of Song Mountain is combined with various kinds of sound from the valley of Song Mountain is combined with various kinds of sound from the nature, such as the sound of water,wind, forest and insect, and all these kinds of sound form a fabulous harmony of zen. What is the same is that this is also a performance: music, light, dance, kungfu, and so on, what is different is that the performance is offered here, This place is the origin of zen and Shaolin kungfu, therefore, each artlstic element owns its particular annotation of background and becomes unique. This is why you must watch the performance here. The theater is located among the valleys, where is free of any hurly. We can sit on prayer mats around the brook in the wind, watch the water,hear the music of zen and appreciate the performance,with our mind eased and relaxed, In the night, you can forget all your worries,or have a rest, or even conduct meditation, Everything is leisurely and perfect, just the same as the life style we are pursuing.