A Visit to Henan: The Heart of Chinese Civilisation

Jun 10, 2026

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A Visit to Henan: The Heart of Chinese Civilisation

Henan Province is widely regarded as the cradle of Chinese civilisation and one of the most historically important regions in China. Situated in the fertile Central Plains along the Yellow River, Henan served for millennia as the political, cultural, and spiritual heart of the Chinese world.

More than 20 dynasties and kingdoms established their capitals within present-day Henan Province, including some of China’s greatest ancient capitals such as Luoyang, Kaifeng, Anyang, and Zhengzhou. Among them, Luoyang alone served as the capital for 13 dynasties, making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Asia. Kaifeng flourished as the splendid capital of the Northern Song Dynasty, while Anyang preserves the remains of the last capital of the Shang Dynasty — one of the earliest historically verified dynasties in Chinese history.

Today, the extraordinary historical legacy preserved across Henan reveals the rise and evolution of Chinese civilisation through legendary cities, imperial capitals, archaeological treasures, Buddhist sanctuaries, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Discover the mysteries of the Shang Dynasty (C. 1600 – 1100 BC) at Yinxu Museum, birthplace of oracle bone inscriptions and the earliest known Chinese writing system. Wander through the historic streets of Kaifeng, where grand palaces, ancient pagodas, lively markets, and traditional neighbourhoods evoke the brilliance of one of China’s golden ages.

Experience the spiritual heart of Chinese Buddhism and martial arts at the world-renowned Shaolin Temple, and marvel at the breathtaking stone masterpieces of the UNESCO-listed Longmen Grottoes. Along the journey, explore imperial mausoleums, Confucian academies, archaeological ruins, Buddhist temples, and beautifully preserved historical architecture that together reflect the enduring legacy of Chinese civilisation over more than three thousand years.

The Siam Society, under the leadership of Mrs Eileen Deeley, warmly invites members and friends to join this remarkable historical and cultural journey to Henan from 19 to 27 October 2026. Specially designed for travellers seeking a deeper understanding of China’s ancient heritage, offers an opportunity to experience firsthand the dynasties, philosophies, religions, artistic achievements, and cultural traditions that shaped one of the world’s oldest continuous civilisations.

When

Monday, 19 to Tuesday, 27 October 2026

Leader

with Mrs Eileen Deeley

Chairperson of the Music and Special Events Committee of The Siam Society

Booking

See information below

Or contact Khun Thun

studytrips@thesiamsociety.org

 

The tentative programme will be as follows:

Day 1: Monday, 19 October: Bangkok – Zhengzhou
09:30 Meet at Terminal 1 of Don Mueang International Airport, Thai Lion Air check-in counter.
12:15 Depart Bangkok for Zhengzhou by Thai Lion Air flight SL964.
17:20 Arrive at Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport and transfer to the hotel.
  Zhengzhou, the capital of Henan Province, is one of the birthplaces of Chinese civilisation and an important transportation hub in Central China. The city has over 3,000 years of history and played a significant role during the Shang Dynasty.
Evening: Dinner at a local restaurant.
  Overnight at Wanda Vista Hotel, Zhengzhou.
   
Day 2: Tuesday, 20 October: Zhengzhou – Anyang
– Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning: Check out of the hotel and proceed to visit Henan Museum, one of China’s premier museums, housing more than 130,000 priceless cultural relics. The museum presents remarkable treasures from the Xia, Shang, Zhou, Han, and Tang Dynasties, spanning 3,000 years, offering an excellent introduction to the civilisation of the Central Plains.
– Drive north to Anyang, one of China’s oldest historical capitals and the cradle of ancient Chinese civilisation, renowned for its rich Shang Dynasty heritage and oracle bone inscriptions.
Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon:

 

 Visit Yin Xu Archaeological Site and Yinxu Museum, the archaeological remains of the last capital of the Shang Dynasty and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site is famous for the discovery of oracle bones inscribed with the earliest known Chinese writing.
Evening: Dinner at a local restaurant
  Overnight at Wanda Realm Hotel, Anyang.
   
Day 3: Wednesday, 21 October: Anyang – Kaifeng
– Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning: Check out of the hotel and proceed to visit the Museum of Ancient Chinese Writing, China’s only national museum dedicated entirely to the history and evolution of Chinese characters and writing systems.
– Visit Youli Castle Ruins, where King Wen of Zhou (1,100 – 1,050 BC) was once imprisoned during the Shang Dynasty. It is believed that he developed the philosophical foundations of the I Ching (“Book of Changes”) while confined here.
Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Drive south to Kaifeng, one of China’s Seven Ancient Capitals and the former capital of the Northern Song Dynasty.
Evening: Dinner at a local restaurant.
  Overnight at Sheraton Hotel, Kaifeng.
   
Day 4: Thursday, 22 October: Kaifeng
– Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning: Sightseeing in Kaifeng. Kaifeng is one of China’s most celebrated ancient capitals and served as the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty (960–1127), a period widely regarded as one of the high points of Chinese civilisation.
– Visit Longting Park, once the location of the imperial palace complex of the Northern Song Dynasty. The park preserves the historic central axis of imperial Kaifeng and offers insight into the grandeur of one of the world’s largest and most sophisticated medieval capitals. The park celebrates the Chrysanthemum Festival in October with a magnificent display of the flower in all its glory and diverse colours.
– Continue to visit Kaifeng Fu, the reconstructed administrative headquarters of the Northern Song government. The site is closely associated with the legendary Judge Bao Zheng, celebrated throughout Chinese history as a symbol of honesty, justice, and incorruptible governance.
Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Visit Zhou Bridge Site, a remarkable archaeological discovery in Kaifeng that reveals the advanced urban planning and waterway engineering of the Northern Song Dynasty. Excavations uncovered the remains of an ancient stone bridge, canal systems, roads, and beautifully carved decorative elements that once formed part of the bustling commercial heart of the imperial capital.
– Next, visit the Iron Pagoda, a masterpiece of Song Dynasty architecture built in 1049. Famous for its elegant glazed brick construction resembling cast iron, the pagoda remains one of the finest surviving examples of Song Buddhist architecture in China.
– Proceed to Shanxi-Shaanxi-Gansu Guild Hall, an exceptionally preserved Qing Dynasty merchants’ guild hall renowned for its exquisite wood, brick, and stone carvings. Built by merchants from Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Gansu provinces, the hall reflects Kaifeng’s historical importance as a prosperous commercial centre and offers valuable insight into the merchant culture and interregional trade networks of late imperial China.
– Leisurely visit Millennium City Park, a large-scale cultural park inspired by the famous Song Dynasty masterpiece “Along the River during the Qingming Festival”, a scroll of 5.25 cm in length. Through reconstructed streets, performances, markets, and traditional architecture, the park vividly recreates the daily life and vibrant atmosphere of the prosperous Northern Song capital.
Evening: Dinner at your own arrangement.
  Overnight at Sheraton Hotel, Kaifeng.
   
Day 5: Friday, 23 October: Kaifeng – Gongyi
– Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning: Check out of the hotel and proceed to Gongyi. Situated along the middle reaches of the Yellow River between Zhengzhou and Luoyang, Gongyi has long been an important cultural and commercial centre in the Central Plains. The city is renowned for its imperial mausoleums, Buddhist grottoes, traditional merchant estates, and rich historical heritage reflecting the prosperity of northern China over many centuries.
– Visit Imperial Mausoleum of the Northern Song Dynasty, one of China’s largest preserved imperial burial complexes, renowned for its impressive stone guardian statues lining the sacred pathways and its significance in understanding Song imperial funerary traditions.
Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Visit Kang Baiwan Manor, an exceptionally preserved mansion complex belonging to one of the wealthiest merchant families of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The estate beautifully combines northern courtyard architecture with elegant garden elements and reflects the prosperity of merchant culture in late imperial China.
– Continue to visit Gongyi Grottoes, a Buddhist cave temple complex featuring refined Northern Wei Dynasty (494 – 534) carvings and sculptures influenced by early Buddhist art traditions along the Silk Road. Although smaller and less monumental than the Longmen Grottoes, Gongyi is highly valued for its delicate artistic beauty, intimate atmosphere, and significant cultural heritage.
Evening: Dinner at a local restaurant.
  Overnight at Holiday Inn Express Gongyi City Centre by IHG, Gongyi.
   
Day 6: Saturday, 24 October: Gongyi – Luoyang
– Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning: Check out of the hotel and proceed west to Luoyang. As one of China’s greatest ancient capitals, Luoyang served as the capital for 13 dynasties over nearly 1,500 years and, together with Xi’an, is regarded as one of the two great ancient capitals of China.
– Visit the Luoyang Museum of Ancient Tombs, a unique museum preserving authentic ancient tomb structures dating from the Han to Song Dynasties. The museum offers fascinating insight into ancient Chinese burial customs, funerary art, mural paintings, and beliefs surrounding the afterlife across different historical periods.
Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Visit Longmen Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring more than 100,000 Buddhist statues and carvings sculpted into limestone cliffs along the Yi River. Created over several centuries, the grottoes represent one of the finest achievements of Chinese Buddhist art and reflect the flourishing of Buddhism during the Northern Wei and Tang dynasties.
Evening: Leisurely through Luoyang Old Town, where traditional streets, lantern-lit alleys, local snacks, and historic architecture evoke the atmosphere of ancient Luoyang.
  Dinner at a local restaurant.
  Overnight at Luoyang Marriott Hotel, Luoyang.
   
Day 7:  Sunday, 25 October:  Luoyang – Sanmenxia – Luoyang
– Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning: Proceed to Sanmenxia in western Henan Province.
– Upon arrival, visit the Shanzhou Silo-Cave Scenic Area. The Shanzhou Silo-Caves are a unique form of traditional underground dwelling, featuring sunken courtyards excavated into the loess soil. These remarkable cave homes maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the year—cool in summer and warm in winter—making them an ingenious example of traditional Chinese architecture and an ideal summer retreat.
Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Continue to the Guo State Museum, a renowned archaeological museum built on the site of the ancient Guo State Cemetery dating back to the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046–771 BC). The museum houses an impressive collection of excavated artefacts, including exquisite bronze wares, jade objects, chariots, and horse burial pits, providing fascinating insights into the history, culture, and burial customs of the ancient Guo State.
  After that, proceed back to Luoyang.
Evening: Dinner at your own arrangement.
  Overnight at Luoyang Marriott Hotel, Luoyang.
   
Day 8: Monday, 26 October: Luoyang – Dengfeng
– Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning: Check out of the hotel and proceed to visit Luoyang Museum, renowned for its outstanding collections of artefacts from the Xia, Shang, Zhou, Han, and Tang dynasties, offering a comprehensive overview of Luoyang’s long role as one of China’s greatest ancient capitals.
– Visit Emperor’s Carriage Museum, renowned for the remarkable excavation of ancient royal horse-drawn chariots and burial remains dating back to the Eastern Zhou period (770 – 256 BC).
Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Drive to Dengfeng. Located at the foot of sacred Mount Song, Dengfeng has long been regarded as one of China’s great spiritual centres and is home to important monuments of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism. Several of its historical sites are collectively recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the title “The Centre of Heaven and Earth.”
– Visit the Dengfeng Ancient Observatory, part of the UNESCO World Heritage “Centre of Heaven and Earth” monuments. Originally constructed during the Yuan Dynasty (1206 – 1368), it is regarded as one of China’s oldest astronomical observatories and reflects the advanced scientific knowledge and cosmological traditions of imperial China.
– After that, continue to check in at the hotel.
Evening: Early dinner at a local restaurant.
  After dinner, attend the spectacular outdoor performance Shaolin Chanzong Musical Ceremony, typically performed from approximately 20:00 to 21:15. Set against the dramatic mountain landscape near Shaolin Temple, the large-scale production combines martial arts, music, dance, lighting effects, and Zen philosophy in a breathtaking open-air performance.
  Overnight at Dengfeng Zhongzhou Intermega Hotel, Dengfeng.
   
Day 9: Tuesday, 27 October: Dengfeng – Zhengzhou – Bangkok
– Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning: Check out of the hotel.
– Proceed to visit the world-renowned Shaolin Temple, birthplace of Shaolin Kung Fu and Chinese Chan (Zen) Buddhism. Explore the historic temple complex, Pagoda Forest, and monastic grounds while learning about the deep connections between martial arts, meditation, and Buddhist philosophy. Enjoy an exciting martial arts demonstration by Shaolin monks showcasing the discipline, agility, and traditions of Shaolin Kung Fu
Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Transfer to Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport.
18:20 Depart Zhengzhou for Bangkok by Thai Lion Air flight SL965.
21:25 Arrive at Don Mueang International Airport.
   

The Siam Society reserves the right to change the programme as necessary.

Important notes:

– The Siam Society may utilise photos taken from study trips, lectures, performances, and other activities as part of its public relations and marketing campaign. These photos, which may sometimes contain image(s) of activity participants, can also be featured on The Society’s website and other online social media channels.

– As part of our effort to address the issue of global warming, The Siam Society strongly supports the reduction of plastic waste. We kindly recommend bringing your own water flask during the trip, if possible.

Booking:

Contribution of THB 89,000 (THB 94,000 for non-members). Single room surcharge of THB 13,000. A deposit of THB 30,000 and a photocopy of the identification page on your passport must accompany the booking. Your reservation will be confirmed as soon as the deposit has been made. Payment in full will be required 75 days before the start of the trip (i.e. by Wednesday, 5 August 2026). There is a 4% surcharge for credit/debit card payment to cover bank charges. Please pay by cash or cheque payable to “The Siam Society Under Royal Patronage”. Transfer can also be made to The Siam Society travel account at TMBThanachart Bank (ttb), saving account no. 053-2-18000-7, swift code: TMBKTHBK or by scanning the QR code on your right. Once the payment has been made, please e-mail the deposit or transfer docket to us.

Inclusions:

  • The contribution includes accommodation (sharing basis), meals as mentioned in the programme, transfer and sightseeing cars, entrance fees, gratuities and other costs incurred to make this trip possible.
  • Basic travel insurance, which will only cover participants travelling from and back to Thailand as per the itinerary.

Exclusions:                                                                                                                                          

  • All air tickets are not included in the price (Bangkok – Zhengzhou – Bangkok). The approximate airfare will be around THB 19,000, and there is no business class available.
  • Visa fees (if any), personal expenses, personal food and beverage consumption, etc.
  • 2 meals that are excluded from the programme (dinner on days 4 and 7).

 

Tourist Visa Policy

Citizens from over 38 countries, including Thailand, Japan, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Canada, are eligible to enter China without a visa for tourism purposes for a period not exceeding 30 days.

(Source: https://www.visaforchina.cn/HAM3_EN/tongzhigonggao/277650362838683648.html)

United States passport holders are required to obtain a visa to enter China. Please be informed that your passport with two passport photos must be submitted to The Siam Society for the visa application process. The list of required documents, as specified by the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre, will be provided to you when the trip is confirmed.

Cancellation charges:

91 days before the start of the trip (before Mon, 20 July 2026): Deposit forfeited
90 – 76 days before the start of the trip (Tue, 21 July to Tue, 4 August 2026): 50% of the tour cost
Less than 75 days or cancellation without notice (Wed, 5 August 2026 onwards): No refund

*The cancellation charges will also depend on the date we pay the deposit to our travel agent. If we have to pay the deposit to the travel agent before the 75-day period prior to the start of the trip, our officer will send an email to inform every participant before we make the payment, as only a partial amount of the deposit can be refunded after that point.

 

For further information and bookings, please contact Khun Thun at 02-661-6470-3 ext 205, or studytrips@thesiamsociety.org.The Society’s office is open from 09:00 to 17:00, Tuesday to Saturday.

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