Trip Overview
When: May (Labor Day, 5-day holiday) - best season for travel
Duration: 2 days
Travelers: Friends
Budget: 100 RMB (~$14 USD) per person
Transportation: Short-distance travel within the province
Introduction
This year's May Day holiday is different from previous years. The 5-day mini vacation not only fuels our desire to travel but also raises the question: where should we go for May Day? During the pandemic control period, short-distance and intra-provincial travel will be our only option, with tourist volume expected to reach a recent high—possibly twice that of the Qingming Festival. Reports indicate that nearly 60% of attractions in Henan Province are now open. What special experiences will these scenic spots offer to attract provincial tourists?
Important Travel Advisory: During pandemic control, tourist sites are only open to outdoor areas; indoor venues remain closed. Attractions can only receive 30% of their maximum capacity to prevent overcrowding. Many scenic spots have implemented timed-entry reservations, requiring visitors to stagger their entry times. I strongly recommend booking tickets in advance.
After analyzing nearby attractions, I've found several excellent VR panoramic tourism sites within the province that are definitely worth visiting this May Day.
Tianbo Yangfu (天波杨府)
Tianbo Yangfu was the residence of Yang Ye (杨业), a famous Northern Song dynasty hero who fought against the Liao Empire. The original mansion was located in the northwest corner of Kaifeng, the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty, near Jinshui Bridge beside Tianbo Gate—hence the name "Tianbo Yangfu." The new site was built in 1994 and is situated in the Longting Lake Scenic Area of Kaifeng, Henan Province. It's a large private garden integrating lake scenery, historical culture, and Song dynasty architecture, making it a distinctive national AAA-level tourist attraction in Kaifeng.
When visiting Tianbo Yangfu, you can watch live performances including "Emperor Taizong Visiting the General," "Lady She Commissions the Generals," "Yang Family City Assault Drill," traditional Henan opera, "Yang Family Spear Formation Display," and "Yang Qilong's Boxing Challenge."
Kaifeng Prefecture (开封府)
Kaifeng Prefecture, located on the north bank of Kaifeng's Bao Gong Lake in Henan Province, was the administrative and judicial office of the capital during the Northern Song Dynasty. Known as the "First Prefecture Under Heaven," it's a national AAAA-level tourist attraction. Historical records show that Kaifeng Prefecture had 183 prefects during the Northern Song dynasty, with Bao Zheng (包公) being the most famous. Today's reconstructed Kaifeng Prefecture covers over 60 mu (about 10 acres) with 13,600 square meters of building space. It complements the Bao Zheng Temple on the west bank of Bao Gong Lake, creating a beautiful landscape of east-prefecture and west-temple, pavilions and lakes.
Daxiangguo Temple (大相国寺)
Daxiangguo Temple, originally named Jianguo Temple, is located on Ziyou Road in Kaifeng, Henan Province. It's a famous Buddhist temple in China, originally built in 555 AD during the Northern Qi Dynasty. In 712 AD during the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Ruizong renamed it Daxiangguo Temple to commemorate his ascension to the throne from the title of Prince of Xiang. During the Northern Song Dynasty, the temple received royal patronage and underwent multiple expansions, becoming the largest temple in the capital and the center of Buddhist activities nationwide. It was later damaged by wars and floods. The temple was rebuilt in 1671 during the Qing Dynasty. The existing preserved buildings include the Heavenly King Hall, Mahavira Hall, Octagonal Glass Hall, and the Buddhist Scripture Repository, housing the Thousand-Hand and Thousand-Eye Buddha statue. In 1992, Buddhist activities were resumed, and structures like the Bell and Drum Towers were reconstructed. The temple's layout is rigorous and magnificent. In 2002, it was rated as a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.
Jianye Huayi Brothers Film Town (建业·华谊兄弟电影小镇)
Jianye Huayi Brothers Film Town is a film-themed cultural tourism town jointly developed by Jianye Group and Huayi Brothers. Positioned as an immersive film entertainment destination, it takes film scenes as its form and historical culture and urban memory as its soul. It integrates film scene tours, film culture exhibitions, film interactive entertainment, folk and intangible cultural heritage experiences, large-scale series performances, special catering, theme inns, and more.
How to Explore the Film Town:
1. Book tickets through the Smart City platform for a surprise
2. Bring a friend who's good at taking photos
3. Exchange tickets at the Visitor Center on the north side of the main entrance
4. At the Costume Change Pavilion on the south side of the main entrance, choose an outfit for your time-travel adventure
5. Begin your journey
There are countless ways to enjoy the film town! The park includes: Film Workshop, Time Box, Wonderland Mystery, Station 12 Intelligence Post, Character Transformation Studio, Silent Film Era, Avon Photo Studio, Microfilm Studio, Tai Chi Martial Arts Hall, Film Art Gallery, and more.
In the Film Workshop, experience the magic behind the film industry in one stop. In the Time Box, touch upon the elegant past of old Zhengzhou. In the Wonderland Mystery, travel through the legendary underground imperial city. In Station 12 Intelligence Post, experience countless spy missions—see if you can survive until the end...
Special Offer: According to my research, this May Day, all medical workers can visit the scenic area for free with their relevant credentials.