[2025 Zhengzhou Restaurant] Travel Guide for Fang zhong shan Soup With Pepper (Shunhe Road) (Updated Oct)

💰 Budget breakdown (around 3500 RMB per person+) • Transportation: Round-trip high-speed train/airfare about 1500 RMB (depending on departure city) + local transportation (subway/taxi) 200 RMB • Accommodation: 2 nights in a comfortable hotel/guesthouse, average 600 RMB/night, total 1200 RMB • Tickets: Shaolin Temple 80 RMB + Only Henan Drama Fantasy City 300 RMB + Henan Museum free (reservation required) ≈ 400 RMB • Food: 150 RMB per day, about 450 RMB for 3 days (Henan cuisine is really cost-effective!) • Total: Around 3500 RMB, flexible adjustments on accommodation and transportation can lower the cost～ 🏯 Must-visit attractions recommended 1. Henan Museum ⏰9:00-17:00 (closed on Mondays) Free but reservation required! Must-see treasures include Jiahu Bone Flute and Lotus Crane Fang Hu, a paradise for cultural relic lovers! 📸 Photo spot: The bronze ware exhibition hall has stunning light and shadow effects, wearing Hanfu makes photos even better! 2. Songshan Shaolin Temple 💰Ticket 80 RMB, martial arts performance included in the ticket Experience the culture of Zen and martial arts integration, the Pagoda Forest and ancient ginkgo trees are very atmospheric! Don’t forget to watch the martial monks’ performances at 10:30/14:30～ 3. Only Henan · Drama Fantasy City 💰Ticket 300 RMB (night show is more cost-effective) 21 theaters offer an immersive experience of Central Plains history, the rammed earth walls at sunset look like movie posters! 4. Financial Island & Big Corn Building Free! Zhengzhou’s “Little Kamakura,” the lakeside road has a strong Japanese vibe～ The 58th-floor observation deck of the Corn Building offers night views, open until 22:30 5. Erqi Memorial Tower A red landmark symbolizing the spirit of Zhengzhou, recommended to visit after lights on at night, surrounded by a bustling commercial area perfect for shopping 🗺 3-day highlight itinerary Day 1: Cultural time travel line Morning: Henan Museum (at least 3 hours) → Noon: Lao Yu Tai for Hui noodles Afternoon: Daguan Yin Temple/Haibian Temple → Evening: Erqi Tower night view + Dehua Street snacks Day 2: Kung Fu and drama collision All day: Shaolin Temple (renting a car/charter is more convenient) Evening: Only Henan Drama Fantasy City (night show tickets are cost-effective, the light show is stunning) Day 3: Urban leisure day Morning: Cycling around Financial Island lake → Noon: Explore Zhengdong MixC mall Afternoon: Take vintage-style photos at Youhua Factory Creative Park → Evening: Walk at Ruyi Lake Square and watch the fountain 🍜 Food highlights and warnings ✅ Must-try list • Hui noodles: Heji, Xiaoji old brands, rich soup and chewy noodles! • Spicy pepper soup: Fang Zhongshan’s spicy pepper soup with fried dough sticks, the soul breakfast combo! • Steamed cakes/steamed dishes: Geji steamed cakes, Lao Yu Tai steamed dishes, about 50 RMB per person to eat full! • Night market snacks: Erqi Square grilled gluten, almond tea, full of local flavor! ❌ Avoid tips • Be cautious choosing restaurants around the train station, easy to get bad experiences! • Avoid spending much in commercialized areas inside Shaolin Temple, vegetarian meals can be tried but cost performance is average～ 💡 Hidden gems • Hanfu rental available at Henan Museum, posing like the relics is super fun! • Download the “Oracle Bone Script Input Method” app to recognize inscriptions on bronze ware by photo! • At Youhua Factory Creative Park, the big “Zhengzhou” character wall is a popular photo spot; while waiting, buy a limited green bean ice from Mixue Bingcheng for 4 RMB to cool down! ✨ Travel TIPS • Best seasons: Spring and autumn (March-May / September-October), avoid heat and cold! • Transportation: Subway covers main attractions, search “Zhengzhou Metro Ride Code” on Alipay for direct scanning! • Money-saving tips: Free museum reservations + night show drama tickets + snacks instead of full meals～ Zhengzhou is truly a city to savor slowly! In three days, from bronze ware to kung fu Zen, from the rushing Yellow River to modern neon lights, it’s cost-effective and full of cultural impact～ Take this guide and start your Central Plains journey now!

📅 Highlights of the itinerary: Explore Chinese civilization (Henan Museum, Yellow Emperor’s Hometown) Urban and natural blend (CBD Qianxi Plaza, Yellow River Scenic Area) Taste of Zhengzhou (Huimian noodles, spicy soup, night market snacks) 🗓️ Day 1: A journey through history and culture 🌞 Morning 📍 Henan Museum (Free, advance reservation required) ✅ Must-see: Jiahu Bone Flute (China’s oldest musical instrument) Lady Fuhao Owl-shaped Wine Vessel (Shang Dynasty bronze masterpiece) Lotus Crane Fang Hu (Spring and Autumn period national treasure) 🕘 Suggested duration: 2-3 hours 📍 Erqi Memorial Tower (Free, tower climb 10 RMB) Zhengzhou landmark, learn about the “February 7th Strike” history 🌙 Afternoon to evening 📍 Shangdu Ruins Museum (Free) 3,600-year-old Shang Dynasty capital ruins, immersive digital exhibition is stunning 📍 Dehua Street / Renmin Road Stroll through century-old streets, eat Heji Huimian noodles (time-honored brand) At night, visit Guangcai Market Night Market (recommended almond tea, grilled squid) 🗓️ Day 2: Urban charm and Yellow River culture 🌞 Morning 📍 Zhengzhou Yellow River Cultural Park (Ticket 48 RMB) ✅ Must-do: Statues of Emperors Yan and Huang (106 meters tall, perfect photo spot) Yellow River Geological Museum (learn about the mother river’s changes) Take a cable car to overlook the Yellow River (extra charge) 🌙 Afternoon to evening 📍 Zhengdong New District CBD Check in at “Big Corn” Qianxi Plaza (58th-floor observation deck overlooking Zhengzhou) Evening stroll at Ruyi Lake, watch the light show (Friday and Saturday nights) 📍 Zhenghong City / International Trade 360 Zhengzhou’s trendiest shopping area, dinner recommended at Fang Zhongshan Spicy Soup main store 🗓️ Day 3: Nature and leisure tour 🌞 Morning 📍 Songshan Shaolin Temple (1.5 hours from city center, ticket 80 RMB) ✅ Must-experience: Shaolin Kung Fu performance (multiple shows daily) Pagoda Forest, Bodhidharma Cave (pilgrimage site for martial arts fans) 🍜 Lunch: Shaolin vegetarian meal 🌙 Before departure in the afternoon 📍 Zhengzhou Botanical Garden (Free) Ginkgo Avenue is stunning in autumn, great for photos and picnics 📍 Jiankang Road Night Market (opens at 18:00) Local favorite night market, recommended dishes: steamed jelly, stir-fried cold noodles, egg-filled pancakes 🍜 Food recommendations and warnings ✅ Must-eat list: Huimian noodles: Heji, Xiaoji, Sichang Huimian (curry flavor) Spicy soup: Fang Zhongshan (spicy), Xiaoyao Town (fragrant) Snacks: Geji steamed cake, Caiji steamed dumplings, Yellow River big carp ❌ Avoid: Packaged “Henan specialties” sold at scenic spot entrances (overpriced) 🚗 Transportation tips Metro: Lines 1 and 2 cover main attractions (use ZFB to get “Zhengzhou electronic metro card”) Taxi: Starting fare 8 RMB, about 15-20 RMB between city attractions Shaolin Temple: Recommend chartering a car or joining a day tour (about 200 RMB/person including transfers) 🏨 Accommodation suggestions High-end: JW Marriott (CBD lake view), Jianyue Le Meridien (artistic style) Cost-effective: Chain hotels near Erqi Square (e.g., All Seasons, Atour) 💡 Tips: Zhengzhou is hot in summer; best to visit in autumn and winter (September to November has pleasant weather) Reserve seats early for Shaolin martial arts shows (crowded in peak season) Carry cash! Some old shops and night markets only accept cash!

Follow "At Dawn, At Dusk" to Check In at This City! Unlock New Ways to Break the Boundaries of City IPs Trip Highlights: This micro-drama, centered on the concept of "time-space crossover," connects the city's dual day and night faces through 12 unit stories—the lively atmosphere at dawn and the artistic vibe at dusk. Many scenes are shot at landmark locations in Zhengdong New District, Zhengzhou, such as the modern urban light and shadow at Ruyi Lake Cultural Plaza, the immersive night tour experience at Longhu·Chuan Shuo Zhengzhou, and the trendy street vibe at Haihui Port. The guide specially designs a "character perspective" route, combined with the micro-drama’s dissemination methodology, allowing you to transform from a viewer into a "plot participant." 1. Must-Visit Filming Locations 1. Ruyi Lake Cultural Plaza (Urban Light and Shadow Chapter) - Core Plot: The protagonists meet at a café under the "Big Corn" at Qianxi Square, where the glass curtain wall reflects the shimmering lake surface, creating a visual symbol of "the intertwining of reality and ideal." - Recommended Activities: - Shoot the "Big Corn" with the morning glow from 7:00 to 8:00 AM, using a telephoto lens to capture architectural details; - Experience the "Chuan Shuo Zhengzhou" water night tour from 6:30 to 7:30 PM. The 5.2 km journey features Central Plains civilization transformed into flowing light and water screens, perfectly matching the drama’s creative theme of "dialogue between past and present." - Spending Tips: The boat ticket includes a Hanfu experience (80 RMB/person), which can be booked in advance on Trip.com via the "Fans Exclusive Channel." 2. Haihui Port (Trendy Culture Chapter) - Core Plot: The female lead encounters the male lead while selecting poetry collections at a popular bookstore; the camera sweeps over architecturally designed buildings and street art installations. - Recommended Activities: - Check in at the "Happy Mahua New Space" from 3:00 to 5:00 PM, participate in an improvisational drama workshop (68 RMB/person), and experience the interactive charm of the "play within a play" in the drama; - Visit the market from 6:00 to 8:00 PM to purchase cultural and creative merchandise featured in the drama (such as "Dawn" themed coffee cups and "Dusk" series postcards). 3. Zhongyuan Science and Technology City Investment Promotion Center (Future Technology Chapter) - Core Plot: The scientist character discusses time-space experiments inside a building resembling a "planetary engine," where the tough metallic texture contrasts sharply with soft lighting. - Recommended Activities: - Visit the "Wandering Earth" themed exhibition from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM (free admission), and shoot creative photos combining architecture and sci-fi elements; - Participate in the "Time-Space Travel" AR interactive game from 2:00 to 4:00 PM (30 RMB/person), triggering plot Easter eggs by scanning specific areas with your phone. 2. Immersive Experience Design 1. "Travel with the Micro-Drama" Online Task - How to Participate: Search "Zhengzhou Micro-Drama Check-In" on Trip.com to receive an electronic task card. Complete check-ins at 3 locations and upload short videos with the hashtag to redeem a "Time-Space Blind Box" worth 128 RMB (including attraction tickets and specialty food vouchers). - Dissemination Logic: Through UGC content multiplication, a closed loop of "watching-drama, checking in, secondary creation" is formed, just like the drama’s social media-driven craze for "finding the same shooting spots." 2. Specialty Food Collaboration - Drama Easter Egg: The protagonist has a key conversation while eating Hui noodles at a night market stall, with Henan opera excerpts playing in the background. - Recommended Shops: - Fang Zhongshan Spicy Soup (Huanghe Road Branch): Opens at 5:30 AM, experience the "hardcore breakfast" of Zhengzhou locals; - Ge Ji Steamed Cake (Haihui Port Branch): Offers "Dawn Set" (steamed cake + millet porridge) and "Dusk Set" (bucket chicken + rice wine). Scan the QR code to watch behind-the-scenes footage of the food filming in the drama. 3. Consumption Upgrade and Traffic Conversion 1. Accommodation Recommendations - Fans Exclusive Packages: - Greenland JW Marriott Hotel: Offers a "Time-Space Room" (1288 RMB/night) equipped with the same projector as in the drama, allowing you to watch the entire series on screen; - Atour S Hotel (Haihui Port Branch): The "Artistic Theme Room" provides handwritten script postcards and city guide maps, with a custom bookmark gift upon checkout. 2. Transportation Tips - Metro + Shared Bikes: Zhengzhou Metro Line 5 connects major attractions; cycling to Ruyi Lake takes about 15 minutes, matching the micro-drama’s "lightweight" dissemination style; - Car Rental Service: Trip.com offers "Character Exclusive Car Rental" (499 RMB/8 hours), with the driver doubling as a "plot guide," narrating filming stories along the way. 4. Breaking Boundaries Dissemination Methodology Breakdown 1. Content Breakthrough: The micro-drama integrates city cultural symbols (Henan opera, Hui noodles, Yellow River civilization) into popular genres like suspense and romance, lowering cultural comprehension barriers. 2. Channel Breakthrough: Douyin launched the combined with "time-space filters" to trigger nationwide participation, with topic views exceeding 120 million. 3. Experience Breakthrough: Offline "Time-Space Travel" themed script murder games allow tourists to unlock hidden plots by completing drama tasks, achieving secondary conversion of "watching-experiencing-sharing." Practical Information: - Best Travel Time: April to October, avoiding winter haze that affects filming quality; - Official Event: From August to October 2025, Zhengzhou Cultural and Tourism Bureau and the production team will launch the "Travel Zhengzhou with Micro-Drama" theme month, with half-price tickets at some attractions during this period. Conclusion: The success of "At Dawn, At Dusk" shows that breaking the boundaries of city IPs requires moving beyond traditional one-way promotional videos. Through a closed-loop design of "content seeding - scene experience - social fission," tourists become "co-creators" of the city’s story. Set off now and capture your "drama moment" with your camera! (Note: Some locations require advance reservation. For details, see Trip.com’s "Zhengzhou Micro-Drama Zone.")

This time, I have customized a plan for you 📍 【Zhengzhou · People's Park 2 days 1 night · Slow city life in the city center｜Find poetic breathing in the hustle and bustle】✅ Stroll on the West Lawn｜✅ Row on the artificial lake｜✅ Check in at Republic of China-era buildings｜✅ Experience old Zhengzhou morning exercise culture｜✅ Taste authentic local snacks ✅ Total budget controlled within ¥1,800 (per person) 📌 Suitable for: couples dating｜family with children｜photography enthusiasts｜urban micro-vacationers 📍 Route: Zhengzhou city → People's Park → Erqi business district → Minsheng Road old street → Return > "At People's Park, > you don't have to travel far, > you can still enjoy the slow life of 'park + coffee + old street.'" Budget details (RMB, per person) | Item | Cost ||------|------|| Local transportation (subway + walking) | ¥50 (subway/bus, walkable around the park) || Accommodation (1 night) | ¥680 (recommended: boutique hotel near Erqi Square, breakfast included) || Tickets + experiences | ¥100 (boat ¥30｜film development ¥50｜journaling materials ¥20) || Meals (4 meals) | ¥600 (average ¥300/day, including popular restaurants + local snacks) || Emergency + souvenirs + records | ¥370 (buy old Zhengzhou postcards ¥50｜cultural bookmarks ¥30｜water/snacks ¥60｜reserve fund ¥230) || Total ¥1,800** ✅--- Itinerary: Live like a local for two days in the heart of the city 1｜First encounter with People's Park · Lake light and tree shadows × local life Morning: Arrive in Zhengzhou → Check in hotel - Recommended accommodation: All Seasons Hotel (Erqi Square branch) or Atour Light Residence Price: ¥680/night (includes double breakfast｜10-minute walk to People's Park) - Advantages: clean, quiet, near subway Noon: Visit 【Zhengzhou People's Park】 - Free admission! Built in 1952, the oldest park in Zhengzhou - Recommended route: - Enter from the South Gate** → Walk along the lake → Pass the West Lawn* → To the lake island → Climb the Wanghe Pavilion Afternoon: Row on the 【Artificial Lake】 - Boat options: pedal boat or electric boat ¥30/30 minutes - Experience: - Watch weeping willows brush the water, white pigeons fly by - Capture the "boat in a painting" composition - Paddle together with family/loved ones, slow down 📷 Recommended photo spots: - Reflection shot on the lake island bridge - Panoramic shot from the top of Wanghe Pavilion - "Tree hole light and shadow" shot on the West Lawn bench Special experience: Observe 【Old Zhengzhou life in the park】 - Highlights: - Tai Chi group morning exercise (6:30-7:30) - Yu Opera enthusiasts singing (afternoon under the shade) - Elderly playing chess, writing ground calligraphy, sword dancing - Photo tips: - Use telephoto to shoot "ground calligraphy elder" writing "Virtue carries all" - Shoot "choir under the tree" singing "Who doesn't say my hometown is good" 🍽 Lunch: Eat at 【Old restaurant beside the park】 - Recommended: **State-run Canteen · Renmin Road branch** (retro style) - Must order: - Braised pork ¥28 - Stir-fried mixed vegetables ¥18 - Rice + small pickles ¥5 - Total about ¥55/person Evening: Stroll 【Erqi Square × Zhenghong City】 - 10-minute walk - Photo spots: - Erqi Memorial Tower night view (lights on every night) - Zhenghong City glass curtain wall reflections - Free city night view from Zhenghong City rooftop terrace Dinner: Eat at 【Popular restaurant beside Songshe Bookstore】 - Recommended: Songjian Canteen (Japanese fusion cuisine) - Environment: A restaurant hidden inside a bookstore, full of artistic vibe - Recommended: - Signature Matsutake rice ¥68 - Plum wine ¥28 - Total about ¥100/person Overnight: Return to hotel, organize today's photos - Suggestions: - Edit photos on phone (recommended VSCO filter A6) - Write a "People's Park diary" 2｜City memories · Minsheng Road old street × journaling × Return trip Early morning: Return to People's Park · Morning light moment - Enter at 6:30, fewer people and soft light - Photos: - Lake surface in morning mist - White pigeons taking off - Silhouettes of elderly doing Tai Chi Breakfast: Eat 【Spicy soup at park entrance】 - Recommended: Fang Zhongshan Spicy Soup (Renmin Road branch) Must order: - Classic spicy soup + fried dough sticks ¥15 - Braised egg + small side dish ¥8 - Total about ¥23/person Morning: Walk around 【Minsheng Road old street】 - 15-minute walk - Features: - The street with the strongest old Zhengzhou local life atmosphere - Old barbershops, shoe repair stalls, handwritten price tags - Recommended experience: - Buy 【Old-fashioned snow cream】 ¥10 (nostalgic style) - Shoot 【28 Bicycle + Phoenix trees】 - Check in at 【Minsheng Road Post Office】 to send postcards 📷 Photo themes: - "Old Street Trilogy": 1. Morning light and shadow (sunlight through phoenix trees) 2. Local life scenes (elderly shopping, repairmen) 3. City memories (faded signs, old doorplates) Noon: Make a 【People's Park journal】 - Location: Songshe Bookstore (Renmin Road branch, free seating) - Materials: - Postcards (park scenery) - Tape, stickers, pens - Content suggestions: - Paste: boat ticket stubs, spicy soup receipts, leaf specimens - Hand-draw: park map + today's route - Write a reflection: > "People's Park, > is not a tourist spot, > but the 'living room' of Zhengzhou people." Lunch: Eat 【Minsheng Road old stewed noodles】 - Recommended: Heji Stewed Noodles (old shop on Minsheng Road) Features: rich soup, chewy noodles, large lamb pieces - Price: ¥28/ Afternoon 14:00: Return trip - You can take the last photo at 【People's Park North Gate】 on the way - Shoot "park plaque + phoenix trees" - Post on social media: > "Two days and one night, > I lived like an old Zhengzhou local > at People's Park." Thoughtful tips Best season - Spring and autumn (March-May cherry blossoms｜September-November ginkgo) - ❌ Avoid high temperatures in July-August｜cold and windy winter 📸 Recommended photo themes - "City Park Trilogy": 1. Beauty of nature (lake light and tree shadows) 2. Warmth of culture (elderly morning exercise, couples boating) 3. Traces of memory (old buildings, old signs) Preparation before trip - Comfortable walking shoes (8km daily walk) - Small camera or phone wide-angle lens - Journal book + pen + tape - Foldable small stool (useful when no seats in the park) --- In Zhengzhou, the most touching scenery is not at popular check-in spots, but on the bench in People's Park, where the steam from a bowl of spicy soup rises, igniting the city's everyday life. Walk the slowest path, drink the hottest soup, and tell you: true travel is not about going far, but falling in love with your city again right at your doorstep. If you also want to start this "urban micro-vacation," comment "People's Park,"

Roaming Zhengzhou: Encountering the Warmth of Atour Amid the Bustle of the Commercial Capital​​ ​​【Zhengzhou, a Central Plains City Worth Savoring Slowly】​​ From the dawn at Erqi Tower to the nightscape of Zhengdong New District, Zhengzhou, the "Center of Heaven and Earth," boasts a heritage of three thousand years as a commercial capital and the vibrant vitality of modern Central Plains. Stroll through the Shang Dynasty Ruins Park and touch the weathered bronze artifacts; dive into the Health Road Night Market where the spicy hot pepper soup awakens your taste buds; or visit the Henan Museum to hear the echoes of the 8,000-year-old Jiahu bone flute... This city is like a bowl of stewed noodles—seemingly simple but layered with rich flavors. Between the city's hustle and tranquility, Atour Hotel became my most comfortable resting place—not flashy, yet warm enough; not deliberate, yet thoughtful in every detail. ​​【Staying at Atour: A Journey’s Rest Like Home】​​ ​​🏨 First Impression: Zhengzhou’s “City Living Room”​​ Walking into Atour’s lobby, there’s no traditional hotel’s rigid luxury. Instead, there’s the warmth of natural wood tones, the relaxed feel of linen sofas, and a whole wall of the Bamboo Residence Library (yes, Atour’s free reading area is truly amazing!). The front desk attendant hands you a cup of freshly brewed coffee, and the air carries a faint “Atour scent”—not a strong perfume, but a fresh, woody aroma like after the rain, instantly melting away travel fatigue. The biggest surprise is the lobby’s “Bamboo Residence” reading area and the “Local Culture” display corner, featuring Henan intangible cultural heritage crafts and old photos of Zhengzhou, letting you feel the city’s warmth even before stepping outside. ​​🛏️ Guest Room: Just the Right Comfort​​ Opening the door, the elegant natural wood tones and soft lighting immediately relax you. The bedding features Atour’s signature “Deep Sleep Pillow” and “Cloud-like Mattress,” not sinking too soft but providing just the right neck support, like being gently wrapped by clouds. Detail lovers will be thrilled: ✅ Adjustable color temperature reading lamp (no glare for late-night reading) ✅ USB charging ports + anti-fog mirror bathroom (highly practical) ✅ Free mini bar + local specialty tea bags (Zhengzhou’s chrysanthemum tea, cooling and refreshing) ✅ “One City One Flavor” breakfast (hot pepper soup + fried dough sticks, authentic Henan taste!) What surprised me most was a copy of the "Zhengzhou City Guide" on the bedside table, featuring not only sightseeing recommendations but also a local’s secret snack map—this thoughtful touch that “understands your needs” is truly hard not to love. ​​🤝 Service: Subtle and Thoughtful Care​​ Atour’s service isn’t an “overly enthusiastic” disturbance but a “just right” kind of care. • At check-in, the front desk proactively asked, “Would you like a low-sugar breakfast?” (because I casually mentioned it) • Returning late at night, the lobby was still lit, and staff greeted me with a smile and a nod: “Out so late?” • At checkout, the front desk handed me a handwritten note: “Zhengzhou has cooled down, remember to wear an extra layer.” This kind of “warm standardization” gives chain hotels a human touch. ​​【Zhengzhou + Atour, a Comfortable Journey】​​ In Zhengzhou, you can: 🔹 Visit the Shang Dynasty Ruins and feel the grandeur of a three-thousand-year-old royal capital 🔹 Enjoy a bowl of Fang Zhongshan’s hot pepper soup and experience a Henan morning 🔹 Check in at the Henan Museum to see the Jiahu bone flute and Lady Fuhao’s owl-shaped wine vessel 🔹 Explore Zhengdong New District at night and capture the “Big Corn” night view at Qianxi Square And Atour is your most comfortable resting place in this city—not luxurious, but warm enough; not deliberate, but thoughtful everywhere. Like Zhengzhou itself, it carries the weight of history and the ease of modern life, making you reluctant to leave once you arrive. If you’re coming to Zhengzhou, consider staying at Atour to add a “home” feeling to your journey.​​ 🌟

Fang Zhongshan Hu La Tang (Hot Spicy Soup) in Henan: Unlocking Authentic Henan Flavor In Henan, Fang Zhongshan Hu La Tang is a breakfast favorite. Its unique combination of numbing, spicy, fresh, and fragrant flavors has captivated countless diners, making it a hallmark of Henan cuisine. Henan locals and visitors alike are drawn to this fiery, savory bowl of Hu La Tang. Address: The intersection of Shunhe Road and Zijingshan Road in Zhengzhou. This flagship restaurant, established in 1997, spans 1,000 square meters and can accommodate 400 people. Hours: Hours typically open at 5:00 AM and close around 1:00 PM. Arrive before 11:00 PM, especially on weekends, to avoid long waits and spoil your dining experience. Must-Try Dishes Exquisite Hu La Tang: Priced around 9 yuan, it features a generous portion of beef and a rich selection of ingredients, including wood ear mushrooms and gluten. The broth is thick and tangy, and the spicy pepper flavor instantly awakens your taste buds, leaving you with a rich, mellow flavor. Two-mix: This dish combines spicy hot soup with tofu pudding. The white tofu pudding is refreshing and smooth, neutralizing the spicy flavor of the soup for a more balanced taste, perfect for those who can't handle spicy food. Main Course Pairings: Beef Box: The outer skin is thin and chewy, and the filling, mainly beef and vermicelli, is rich and savory, with just the right amount of seasoning, not overpowering the umami flavor of the beef. A beef box is cut into four portions, making it a generous portion. Beef Pan-fried Buns: The bottom is pan-fried to a golden brown, and the outside is attractive. The filling is similar to the beef box, but a bit more generous. Fans of pan-fried buns should give this a try. Oil-fried Cake: The texture is incredibly chewy, and the aroma of chopped green onions and cumin blends beautifully, becoming even more fragrant with each chew. Soaked in the spicy hot soup, it becomes even more delicious after soaking up the broth. If you can't finish it, you can take it away and reheat it for breakfast the next day. Fang Zhongshan Spicy Hot Pot is more than just a delicious bowl of food; it's a symbol of Henan's culinary culture. When you come to Henan, you must have a bowl of steaming hot Fang Zhongshan Spicy Soup, paired with delicious staple food, to start a full day of energy!

Zhengzhou's first stop is Jie's Henan cuisine where we ordered the recommended Golden Soup Small Fish. The fish soup was soaked with the complimentary local pot-baked bread, which was fresh, fragrant, and highly recommended. Nanyang beef is not recommended as it's a bit fatty and greasy, but we also got a complimentary serving of greens, which was my first time trying and quite refreshing. I even learned how to make it. We stayed at the Vienna hotel near the provincial museum, dropped off our luggage, and walked 1.2km to the museum. The location of the museum's treasures was clearly marked at the audio guide rental, but I must say, it was really hard to find among the many treasures. Everywhere you looked, there were treasures, and Henan has indeed made a significant mark in the long river of history. In the evening, we planned to go to the National Cotton Factory No. 4 for Huimian noodles, but the driver said that Factory No. 3 is actually more frequented by locals, so we decisively changed our destination and it didn't disappoint. We even made a special trip to Factory No. 4 to compare, and indeed, the meat portion and the color of the soup at Factory No. 3 were superior. It's a local-recommended place! Just around the corner from Factory No. 4, every restaurant had a long queue, but Factory No. 3 is a hidden gem with no queue, so come and check in quickly! We also passed by a local-frequented fried meatball shop, which was very crispy and delicious. Locals buy a big bag to eat while it's hot, and if there's any left, they cook it with noodles the next day. If you have the chance, you should try it. The next morning, we went to Fang Zhongshan for spicy soup, which is also an authentic old brand praised by local masters. However, the master said that the main store has the best taste, but the one on Hongzhuan Street was also very good. It was warm and comforting to eat, and the water-fried buns and beef pancakes also had pepper powder added, so those who don't like it should take note to avoid it! After eating, we changed hotels to one opposite the Henan Theater, dropped off our luggage, and walked again. The south gate of the second phase was closed, but the east gate was a detour and also very close, less than 1km. Upon entering the park, the first show was arranged in the waiting hall, where old items were stored, and the stories behind them were told, involving love, friendship, and family. But behind all these, the shadow of the nation loomed large. In that era, personal feelings seemed trivial in the face of national righteousness, which made it even more touching. The second show was Cao Cao's wheat field. Historically, Cao Cao's image is not positive, and in drama, he is often portrayed as a treacherous white-faced character. In Henan, he has a new image, wise and godlike in his use of people, and the actor's conviction was strong, making the one-man show far from boring. On the contrary, the recommended third show at the Seventh Locomotive Vehicle Factory Auditorium was too red-themed, and although the actors were indeed handsome, the plot was not novel enough. The fourth show was at the Tianzi Ji Liu Pit Site, with only two actors, and I'm still wondering how the emperor appeared right before my eyes. It had a similar intention to Cao Cao's wheat field but was not as good. The final show in the grand theater was Fantasy City, dreamlike and astonishing, shocked by the many heroes who have lived or been buried in Henan throughout history. Dinner was at the only restaurant next to the hotel, very affordable, with the taste of home-cooked food.