On October 5th, as the National Day holiday hits its midway point, the cultural tourism scene in Henan Province is buzzing with activity. Visitors are being treated to a range of exciting cultural events that promise a unique experience.
Reports from the Henan Province Cultural and Tourism Department indicate that there’s a palpable enthusiasm in the cultural tourism market this holiday season, along with a plethora of highlights.
In Eastern Henan, the “Yue Opera Cultural Arts Week” launched in Shangqiu on the very first day of the holiday. This week-long event showcases a variety of activities, including performances of Yue Opera, exhibitions, demonstrations of intangible cultural heritage, and interactive experiences designed to engage opera fans and deepen public appreciation for this traditional art form.
Heading south, the Jigong Mountain Scenic Area in Xinyang has rolled out festive activities such as a fireworks market, traditional lacquer fan-making demonstrations, ethnic parades, and flash mobs, all contributing to a lively holiday atmosphere. Similarly, at the Chuyi Mountain Scenic Area in Zhumadian—famous for being a filming location in “Journey to the West”—there has been a notable influx of visitors, all drawn to the ongoing themed performances celebrating local culture.
In Western Henan, the Miao Di Gou Museum in Sanmenxia has launched a captivating original science exhibition showcasing ancient fishing and hunting tools. This exhibition allows visitors to gain insights into daily life during the Miao Di Gou cultural period, emphasizing its cultural richness and historical relevance.
Meanwhile, the Yin Xu Museum in North Henan, the first national museum dedicated to commercial civilization, has expanded its offerings of cultural products. The museum is hosting unique exhibitions, artistic performances, and nighttime tours, creating an enriching cultural experience for attendees.
In Zhengzhou, the provincial capital, the Henan Museum has introduced a special National Day program titled “Blessings in Cultural Relics.” This initiative features twenty precious artifacts from the museum’s collection, inviting visitors to explore the intricate stories, craftsmanship, historical contexts, and significance behind these relics.
As various cultural tourism activities unfold across Henan, immersive performances attract significant crowds. Experiences like the “Wind Rising in Luoyang” VR, “Heavenly Gate,” and “Carp Leaping over the Dragon’s Gate” offer visitors a chance to witness the grandeur of ancient Luoyang during a palace banquet setting.
At the Hangu Pass Scenic Area in Sanmenxia, an impressive array of performances is on schedule, including “Great Qin Signal Fires,” “Chu-Han Battles,” and “Qin Wang Points the Troops,” with daily shows reaching up to sixty. In Dengfeng, the “Zen Buddhism Shaolin: Musical Grand Ceremony” has added two additional daytime performances to meet audience demand. To accommodate the growing interest in “A Dream of Song Dynasty” in Kaifeng, nightly performances have increased to four from October 2 to 5.
To further boost enthusiasm in the cultural tourism market, several regions in Henan are launching varied promotional initiatives. For example, the Baoquan Scenic Area in Xinxiang is offering a 40-day free admission and transportation service for visitors from Shandong, Jiangsu, and Anhui provinces. Additionally, Laojun Mountain Scenic Area in Luoyang is providing a “one-yuan lunch” deal, while guests who recite the full verses of “Man Jiang Hong” or “Xiao Chong Shan” can enjoy complimentary admission to the first gate of the Yue Fei Temple in Tangyin, Anyang.
