Cheap Flights To Zhengzhou

The historic city of Zhengzhou is one of the most interesting cities in China being home to the Shaolin Monks Temple and a porcelain centre of excellence.
This city of just over 9 million people lies on the banks of the Yellow River in the central Chinese province of Henan. It enjoys pleasant weather with temperature highs of 28°C in the summer.
This ancient city was the capital of the Shang Dynasty 3,500 years ago, and the Shaolin Temple that lies just outside the city is the jewel in its crown.
The temple lies at the foot of Mount Song and no trip to the city is complete without watching one of the amazing Shaolin Kung Fu performances by the highly dedicated monks.
Because it is such an ancient city, you can spend a whole day shopping for collectible antiques. Zhengzhou has a long tradition of making porcelain and you can visit dedicated museums and traditional arts and crafts centres.
In the middle of the city, you will find the incredible Zhengzhou Confucian Temple, which reflects on the culture of Confucius and other great Chinese thinkers.
If you want to mix it up with something modern, you can enjoy dinner and the view from the revolving restaurant at the top of the 388-metre-high Zhongyuan Tower.

Things To Do

Zhengzhou is an ancient city that is all about history and culture. It is relatively unspoiled and traditional when compared to some other destinations in China. You will definitely want to get out and about on foot to explore all that this unique city has to offer.

• For the martial arts fans
  The Shaolin Temple is an attraction in itself: a beautiful monastery nestled at the foot of Mount Song. It is peaceful, tranquil but at the same time bursting with latent energy. No trip to this city is complete without watching one of the Shaolin Kung Fu performances that take place daily.

• For the antiques hunters
  The antiques market can be found near the city centre and it is one of the biggest in China. You can buy anything from antique porcelain to furniture and ancient robes. Make sure you do your research as some items are not allowed to be taken out of the country.

• For the thinkers
  Zhengzhou is an ancient centre of Confucianism. A temple dedicated to the sage can be found right in the city centre. The building is ornate, and the original was built about 2,000 years ago. The detail on the facade is incredible and dedicated to the Jade Emperor.

Calendar Of Events

Most of the annual events and festivals in Zhengzhou provide visitors with fascinating insight into traditional Chinese culture, but that's not to say there aren't some events with a more contemporary feel (light displays included!).

• International Shaolin Wushu Festival. If you are in the city on the last weekend of October, be sure to book in for this festival where martial artists from 60 countries will compete in various tournaments.

• The Ancestor Worship Ceremony. This traditional event is held on the third day of the Chinese lunar month. It involves prayers being offered to Huang Di: the ancient Yellow Emperor.

• Green Expo Night Festival. This event is held in October and features contemporary Chinese music and dance accompanied by stunning light displays. Definitely worth a visit.