Things to do in Cao County
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Top 10 attractions in Cao County
Cao County Yellow River Ancient Course National Wetland Scenic Area
Cao County Yellow River Ancient Channel National Wetland Scenic Area is located in the jurisdiction of Weiwan Town, west of Cao County. It is based on the Taihang Dike Reservoir and is surrounded by the Yellow River Diversion Main Line and the Taihang Dike Reservoir Dam. The planned area is 887.6 hectares, of which the wetland area is 858.7 hectares, and the wetland rate is 96.7%. The Yellow River Ancient Channel Wetland is now a national park. It was rated as a national park by the State Forestry Administration in 2013. It is a typical warm temperate wetland ecosystem with rich biodiversity and unique natural landscape. It has high ornamental value, protection value and scientific research value. It is 10 kilometers away from Cao County, 45 kilometers away from Heze City, 50 kilometers away from Shangqiu, Henan Province, and 9 kilometers away from the planned Cao County West High-speed Railway Station. It is close to the new National Highway 220; it starts from the south bank of the Yellow River Diversion Main Line of Yantan Irrigation District in the south and ends at the north bank dam of Taihang Dike Sanku in the north. It is bounded by the Taihang Dike Sanku dike in the east and west. In front of it is the water conservation land of Cao County, carrying the expulsion of more than 1.7 million people in Cao County. The scenic area has a suitable climate, abundant rainfall, and rich wild animals and plants, which are extremely precious key tourist resources in our county. Cao County Yellow River Ancient Channel National Wetland Scenic Area is a comprehensive tourist Attraction integrating agricultural sightseeing, leisure, research and team building, entertainment, flower viewing and water play, farming experience and other functions. The Attraction currently has a large area of rice fields, lotus ponds, forests, wetlands, reeds, waters and other special features. The 10,000-acre lotus pond with the most complete lotus varieties in the country has a variety of lotus flowers in bud, wild ducks and white geese playing in the pond, and sometimes you can see water birds flying from the reeds. It is full of wild fun and ecological agricultural characteristics, allowing people to stay away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy the original natural and simple style. In 2022, the tourism industry of Caoxian Yellow River Ancient Channel National Wetland Scenic Area has been upgraded. 13 online celebrity projects have been introduced, including rice field trains, ATV off-road vehicles, water bicycles, windmill pedal boats, electric bumper boats, BBQ tent barbecue camps, wedding photography bases, Hot Air Balloon Rides flight camps, Hanfu dress-changing travel photography halls, Golden Beach Park, parent-child non-powered park, mobile food store cars, and shouting springs, which have greatly enriched the product system of the Attraction and provided tourists with a new travel experience. At the same time, the Attraction has re-perfected and established a professional operation management, marketing and service team, and launched large-scale festivals such as "Rapeseed Flower Festival, Peach Blossom Festival, Lotus Festival, E-commerce Festival, Beer Festival, Folk Customs Season" in a timely manner, which has comprehensively enhanced the fun, participation, interactivity and experience of the Attraction tour. The Attraction welcomes tourists from all over the country to visit, tour and experience with brand-new tourism projects, a new spiritual outlook, high-quality customer services and complete supporting facilities.Cao County · 10.8 km from downtown
Baliwan Scenic Area
Cao County · 4.4 km from downtown
Mount Taishan
Crowned as "The King of the Five Sacred Mountains", Mount Tai has been one of China's most famous mountain peaks since ancient times. A large and impressive rock mass covering 25,000 ha and rising to 1,545 m above the surrounding plateau, Mount Taishan is considered one of the most beautiful scenic spots in China and was an important cradle of oriental East Asian culture since the earliest times. The mountain was an important object of the cult worship of mountains even before 219 BCE, when the Qin Emperor paid tribute to the mountain to inform the gods of his success in unifying all of China. Watching the sunrise and catching the spectacular sea of clouds are common activities that visitors engage in. You are also encouraged to explore the ancient sites, engravings, and religious temples to understand the role of Mount Tai in China's long history.China · Tai'an
Longmen Grottoes
One of the four major grottoes of China and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Longmen Grottoes are a trove of 1000 years of Buddhist art treasures. Bounded by the Yi River, the caverns are divided into two sections at East Hill and West Hill. The caverns at East Hill contain mostly Tang dynasty (618-907) works, while the caverns at West Hill were cut out during the Northern, Sui, and Tang dynasties and contain the carvings that are most representative of the site. The Buddha and bodhisattva sculptures that inhabit the caverns are carved into an endless variety of poses and expressions of mercy and kindness, while the caves themselves lend a stately and dignified atmosphere. The artistry of these sculptures is truly a priceless inheritance of Buddhist art.China · Luoyang
Millennium City Park
Millennium City Park is located by the Longting Lake in Kaifeng, a large-scale historical and cultural theme park that faithfully recreates the Northern Song Dynasty's capital based on the famous painting "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" by artist Zhang Zeduan, following the original layout at a 1:1 scale. The park is divided into two sections by the Shuangting Bridge: the southern area recreates the bustling urban life of Bianjing, with taverns, teahouses, pawnshops, and artisan workshops lining the streets, where peddlers with shoulder poles and shouting shop assistants move about; while the northern area features imperial gardens, with lakeside halls and quadrangular courtyards standing by the water. Staff and vendors throughout the park wear Song-style attire, accompanied by ancient music and the rhythmic sounds of bells and drums, creating the illusion of "stepping into a painting and traveling back a thousand years in a single day." The architecture here offers visually striking highlights: the Rainbow Bridge spanning the Bian River replicates the famous bridge from ancient paintings, arching like a rainbow—watching grain barges pass beneath recreates the painting's ambiance. Fuyun Pavilion towers above all other structures with its crimson facade and golden-roofed eaves, offering panoramic garden views. The reconstructed Shangshan Gate mirrors Kaifeng's Northern Song dynasty city gates, standing majestic with resplendent paintings as the garden's most imposing structure. Waterside pavilions like Shuixin Xie, Double Pavilion Bridge, and Nine Dragons Bridge dot the emerald waters in picturesque harmony. The daytime highlight is the scattered live performances throughout the park: "Judge Bao inspecting the Bian River grain transport" unfolds on the water by Rainbow Bridge, "Squire Wang's daughter seeking a husband" brings the embroidered ball tossing matchmaking to the streets, and "Yue Fei unhorsing Prince Xiao Liang" stirs up dust with galloping hooves in the drill ground. Folk performances like cockfighting, stilt walking, cuju (ancient football), and pan drumming are interspersed throughout. Families with children can visit Fun Garden and Great Song Games to try archery, dart throwing, rope climbing, and hoop diving—experiencing every Song dynasty game from a thousand years ago—or dress in period costumes at Square Courtyard to take mock imperial exams. Street-side workshops showcase folk crafts like Bian embroidery, Zhuxian Town woodblock prints, official kiln porcelain, and dough figurines, where visitors can watch artisans at work. The park takes on a different face after nightfall: red lanterns light up one after another, and the streets are ablaze with lights, making it seem like a completely different place from daytime. The large-scale water show "Northern Song Dynasty: Splendid Dreams of Dongjing" is performed on Jinglong Lake. The entire show is connected by eight classic Song Dynasty poems and a scroll of "Along the River During the Qingming Festival," transporting the audience back to Dongjing of the Northern Song Dynasty a thousand years ago. The performance lasts approx. 70 minutes, and many travelers specifically reserve their itinerary for the evening to wait for this show. After the performance, you might as well climb the Shangshan Gate tower to overlook the park scenery and the night view of Kaifeng under the lights. Dining in the park is also convenient: the snack street and night market around the Dongjing food area gather Kaifeng snacks like soup dumplings and mutton pancake, perfect for eating while strolling; for a proper sit-down meal, head to Sunyang Restaurant, a recreation of the "main shop" depicted in paintings, and try traditional Henan dishes such as soup dumplings and carp with noodles.China · Kaifeng
Song Du Huangcheng Cultural Tourism Resort
Song Du Huangcheng Cultural Tourism Resort is located in the northern part of the old city of Kaifeng, precisely on the site of the imperial palace of the Northern Song Dynasty's Dongjing city. The millennium-old central axis of Kaifeng runs through this area, making it the core zone of the royal culture of the Song Dynasty. Here, you can find the Song-style imperial architecture of the Longting attraction, the tales of the Yang Family Generals at Tianbo Yang's residence, and the calligraphic steles of Han Yuan Stele Forest. The Shuanglong Lane historical and cultural block, 960 Cultural and Creative Park, and Qisheng Corner have transformed old streets and courtyards into Song-style blocks perfect for leisurely exploration. The resort also connects a series of Song culture attractions: Wansui Mountain Great Song Martial Arts City stages year-round martial arts live shows and intangible cultural heritage iron fireworks, while historic sites like the Iron Pagoda, Kaifeng city wall, Zhouqiao and Bian River ruins, Shanshangan Guild Hall, Yanqing Taoist Temple, and Fan Pagoda are scattered across the old city, along with niche spots like the underground wartime grain storage. These places are hard to cover in one day, so we recommend focusing on two or three key sites. After dark, a different experience awaits as the attractions light up in unison. Boarding a painted pleasure boat on the Great Song Imperial River to watch the illuminated pavilions and towers sway with the rippling water is a popular nightlife option here.China · Kaifeng
Wansuishan Martial Arts City
Wansui Mountain Martial Arts City is located in the Wansui Mountain tourist area in the northwest of Kaifeng city. It is a large tourist area built with the background of Song Dynasty culture and martial arts culture. There are antique and charming Song Dynasty garden streets and alleys in the scenic area. There are wonderful martial arts and ancient costume performances all year round, as well as rich entertainment facilities. It is a good place for relaxation and entertainment Souvenir Kaifeng, Zhengzhou and other places. When visiting the Wansui Mountain Martial Arts City, the first thing you feel is the beautiful scenery of the scenic spot. The entire martial arts city has created the atmosphere of the Song Dynasty, including the Wansui Temple, which reproduces the glory of the thousand-year-old ancient temple in the Song Dynasty, the Dragon Altar that embodies the spirit of Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism, the intact ancient city wall ruins of the Ming and Qing Dynasties that have been preserved in the world, and one of the largest man-made streams and waterfalls in China. Many landscapes such as "Jiulong Waterfall" are very eye-catching. What's rare is that there is also a very large forest and green space in the scenic area, which is quiet and quiet. There are flowers in bloom every suitable season, which is very suitable for photography. After that, tourists will notice the unique martial arts features in the scenic spot. There are 36 martial arts-themed plays performed here year round (about 60 per day), such as "Cross Slope", "Wu Song Drunk Beats Chiang Menshen", "Wild Boar Forest" and so on. The themed drama is quite exciting and must not be missed when you come here; and interactive performances such as "Martial Arts Film and Television Experience Hall", "Wu Zhuangyuan" and "Li Kui's Case" can also allow tourists to participate in martial arts stories, which is full of fun. There are also many elements of martial arts in the architectural design of the scenic spot, such as the martial arts road with large weapons such as the "Yitian Sword" and the "Bawang Sword", the "Knight's Picture" of the Song Dynasty Martial Arts Hall, the "Sword Altar" on the cross slope, and the "Sword Altar" on the cross slope. Xianzhuang, Wulin venue and other places are unique. In addition, during the Spring Festival every year, Wansui Mountain holds a large-scale temple fair, with grand performances, rich snacks, dazzling handicrafts and unique entertainment activities. The atmosphere is warm and it has become one of the most popular temple fairs in the Central Plains. one.China · Kaifeng
Baotu Spring
Baotu Spring is located in the bustling downtown area of Jinan, bordered by Qianfo Mountain to the south, Daming Lake attraction to the north, and connected to Quancheng Square to the east. This spring-themed garden is renowned as the "No. 1 spring under heaven" and ranks first among Jinan's "72 famous springs," with a history spanning over 2,000 years. It has also frequently appeared in literary works, most notably in Lao She's "Baotu Spring." Visitors come here to witness the spectacular sight of the three gushing springs. The main spring serves as the park's centerpiece, with its crystal-clear water gushing in three separate jets day and night, reaching several feet high during peak flow. The spring is surrounded by large stone masonry and guardrails, allowing visitors to overlook the spectacular sight of the three jets from the railings. A dark green stone tablet inscribed with "No. 1 spring" stands nearby, bearing the calligraphy of Licheng's Wang Zhonglin from the Tongzhi era of the Qing Dynasty. In the vicinity, over thirty other famous springs are scattered, including Jinxian Spring, Shuyu Spring, Xibo Spring, Liuxu Spring, Huanghua Spring, Dukang Spring, and Bailong Spring. July and August, when local rainfall is abundant, make for the best season to observe these springs. In the height of summer, visitors can get up close with the springs in the park. Some springs have no railings around them, with stone paths in the pools where water flows over. Visitors can step into the pools to interact with the water, walking on the stone paths where their feet will get wet from the cool spring water. Besides water interaction, there are free drinking springs available for visitors by the pools. On the east side of the springs stands the Wangheting teahouse, specially catering to visitors.This springFragrant tea brewed with water at a moderate price. In addition to the springs, another highlight of the park is its magnificent south gate, adorned with grandeur and elegance. The horizontal plaque above the gate, inscribed with "Baotu Spring" in golden characters on a blue background, bears the imperial handwriting of Emperor Qianlong from the Qing Dynasty. It is acclaimed as the "first gate" of Chinese classical gardens. In previous years, seasonal water stoppages frequently occurred here, but through recent conservation efforts, normal water levels have been largely restored. Additionally, the attraction regularly hosts various cultural events. Every year on the first day of the lunar new year, a lantern festival is held for 20 days. In late September, there's a spring water culture festival lasting about 10 days, featuring folk activities, calligraphy and painting exhibitions, and traditional opera performances for visitors to enjoy. From late October to late November, a chrysanthemum exhibition takes place where the golden fall scenery of gushing springs and blooming chrysanthemums creates a spectacular sight well worth seeing. In addition, the attraction has launched a cruise route. After visiting the attraction, interested visitors can board the cruise at the dock, passing through the west gate bridge in Jinan's old town, the east gate of Wulongtan Park, and entering Wulongtan Lock, Jinan's first passenger ship lock in history, where they can experience a drop of over 2 m. Sitting on the east side of the boat, visitors can also see the relief of "Jinan's eight scenic views". The riverbanks along the route are lined with aquatic plants, and the water is crystal clear. The cruise finally passes through Yanbo Bridge and enters the Daming Lake attraction.China · Jinan
Luoyang Museum
The Luoyang Museum was established in 1958 and fully opened to the public on April 16, 2011. It is a comprehensive museum integrating cultural relic collection, exhibition display, and social education. Its collections span the long history of Luoyang as an ancient capital of thirteen dynasties. The main building stands like a giant ding (ritual vessel), symbolizing the "establishment of the capital in Luoyang." Its solemn and majestic facade itself serves as a popular photo backdrop. The large-scale permanent exhibition "Heluo civilization" unfolds along the timeline of prehistoric times, the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties, the Han and Wei dynasties, the Sui and Tang dynasties, and the Five Dynasties and Northern Song period, connecting thousands of years of Luoyang's capital history into a complete viewing experience. The treasure hall on the second floor rotates displays of representative artifacts from the collection, including the Cao Wei white jade cup, the Northern Wei clay Buddha face sculpture, and the vividly expressive Northern Wei painted pottery figurine of two women holding hands, affectionately called the "best friends figurine" by visitors, all worth pausing to admire. In the Tang tri-color ceramics hall, the rare and majestic black-glazed tri-color horse and the massive Eastern Han stone artifacts are equally popular. The palace artifacts hall displays Qing Dynasty imperial artifacts transferred from the Forbidden City, including a golden nanmu wood tower carved from a single log and adorned with gilded miniature Buddhas, exuding royal grandeur. The stone carving hall is rustic and imposing, while the Wang Xiu peony art exhibition brings Luoyang peonies into paintings, each showcasing a unique blend of strength and delicacy. You can start your visit from the "Heluo civilization" exhibition and stone carving hall on the first floor, then proceed to the second floor to explore the treasure hall, Tang tri-color glazed pottery hall, and imperial artifacts hall in detail. The treasure hall features rotating exhibitions, and the specific exhibits are subject to the on-site display. A thorough visit typically takes two to three hours, so it is recommended to allocate sufficient time. Luoyang Museum consistently organizes flexible and diverse temporary exhibitions, continuously providing the public with new cultural offerings. It has introduced exotic-themed exhibitions such as "Civilizations of Qin-Han and Rome," "Norwegian style painting exhibition," "African cultural relics and art exhibition," as well as independently curated large-scale temporary exhibitions like "The starting point of the Silk Road - the Silk Road and Luoyang" and "The hub of the Grand Canal - the Grand Canal and Luoyang," enriching the exhibition content and ensuring visitors always find something new. Adhering to its mission of reaching out, Luoyang Museum has independently or collaboratively held cultural relic exchange exhibitions in over 20 countries and regions, including the United States, France, Japan, South Korea, Italy, Belgium, Sweden, and Australia, generating positive impacts both domestically and internationally. Luoyang Museum adheres to the organic integration of collection preservation, scientific research, and social education for balanced development. Practicing a people-oriented service philosophy, it enhances integration and interaction with society while excelling in exhibition reception and educational promotion. The museum actively recruits volunteers passionate about museum education, establishes cooperative units, and extends its reach to communities, schools, rural areas, and military camps to expand its coverage and influence. Additionally, it hosts monthly traditional culture lectures to disseminate heritage knowledge and cultivate museum audiences, achieving remarkable results. Luoyang Museum boasts a team of professionals with high academic standards. It has published numerous works and collections, with over 1,000 papers and representative publications including: "Han tombs at Shaogou in Luoyang," "Luoyang tri-colored glazed pottery of the Tang dynasty," "Bronze mirrors unearthed in Luoyang," "Han dynasty murals in Luoyang," "A collection of essays commemorating the 40th anniversary of Luoyang Museum," "Cultural treasures of Luoyang," "The charm of Luoyang—highlights of archaeological achievements in the Heluo region," "A history of the ancient capital Luoyang," "Research on Western Zhou bronze ware," "Heluo civilization," and more, all widely recognized by society and academia. In the era of promoting cultural development and prosperity, Luoyang Museum is bound to play an even greater role in the construction of socialist spiritual civilization.China · Luoyang
Daming Lake Scenic Area
Daming Lake Scenic Area is located in the northeast of downtown Jinan, the northern part of the Old Town. It is a park that integrates bodies of water, garden landscape, and ancient architecture. Daming Lake is in the center of the park. Or one could say that the park is built along the lake. Daming Lake is a natural lake. The water source comes from many springs in the city. It has a long history, dating back to the Northern Wei Dynasty. In the park, you can visit the Lao She Memorial. In summer, you can enjoy the lotus blossoms in the garden.China · Jinan
Free things to do in Cao County
Song Du Huangcheng Cultural Tourism Resort
China · KaifengLuoyang Museum
China · LuoyangDaming Lake Scenic Area
China · Jinan
Henan Museum
China · Zhengzhou
The Best Spring In The World
China · Jinan
Kaifeng Museum
China · Kaifeng
Guangfu Ancient City
China · Handan
Xuzhou Museum
China · Xuzhou
Shandong Museum
China · Jinan
Xuzhou Yunlong Lake Tourist Area
China · Xuzhou
What travelers say about Cao County
M41***00December 16, 2025
4.0
Beautiful Baliwan! During these past six months of staying home, I've explored Baliwan more than Xixi Wetland! 🥰 There's a difference between a managed park in the south and this grand forest park in the north. What they have in common is that there are always different flowers to see each season. From autumn to winter to spring, from the bleak autumn winds to the lush greenery, it's time for me to leave for a while. #FlowerLiveReport #SpringExchange #ABeautifulPlace #SoCloseSoBeautiful
Baliwan Scenic Area
愚人老石October 24, 2026
5.0
Climbing Mount Tai, we were accompanied by clouds and mist, admired cliff carvings, and watched the sunlight peek through the clouds... We took a scenic shuttle bus from Tianwaicun to Zhongtianmen, climbed the steps to enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way, reached Yuhuangding, descended to Nantianmen, took a cable car back to Zhongtianmen, and chose to exit the scenic area through Hongmen, avoiding backtracking. Our visit lasted nearly 7 hours. Mount Tai truly deserves its title as the foremost of the Five Sacred Mountains.
Mount Taishan
賢賢君October 23, 2026
5.0
Teacher Liang was already waiting for us at the meeting point and thoughtfully provided detailed directions, making it easy for us to find the meeting point. During the tour of Baiyuan/Longmen Grottoes, through professional content, simple explanations, and the aid of pictures, she gave us a different understanding of Bai Juyi and Longmen Grottoes than what we had learned in books. She worked tirelessly for the entire four hours without a break (and even went overtime to explain things to us, tourists from other places, so that we could learn more). At the end, Teacher Liang specifically mentioned that the protection of cultural relics is closely related to the country's national strength. She said that every cave and every Buddha in Longmen Grottoes is telling us, the descendants, stories from thousands of years ago. My wife and I completely agreed. It was truly an honor to have such a good guide.
Longmen Grottoes
_We***16October 23, 2026
5.0
Stepping into the painting is like stepping back a thousand years in a single day! The Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden, a Song Dynasty cultural park recreated based on the famous painting "Along the River During the Qingming Festival," offers an immersive experience. The park boasts a rich variety of performances, with "Yue Fei Spears Xiao Liang Wang" being a highly recommended highlight—the equestrian combat is spectacular. The "Great Song Dynasty: A Dream of Bianjing" live-action performance is breathtaking and beautiful. Actors in Song Dynasty costumes are everywhere on the streets, carrying loads, hawking goods, and performing acrobatics, making you feel like you've stepped into a living ancient painting. The streets, alleys, Rainbow Bridge, and Bian River are all faithfully recreated, making it perfect for introducing children to the history of Northern Song Dynasty life. The only downside is the crowds during holidays; arrive early to secure a spot at popular performances. A visit to the garden can easily take up half a day—a must-do when in Kaifeng!
Millennium City Park
M55***20August 18, 2026
5.0
It's very worthwhile, but it's also very crowded, which might slightly detract from the overall experience. However, the people are incredibly welcoming, and there are many beautiful spots for taking photos. The food is also affordable and inexpensive, which kids enjoy. I'll definitely go back when it's less crowded.
Song Du Huangcheng Cultural Tourism Resort
M86***35October 23, 2026
5.0
It's a really fun place. It's huge inside with lots of delicious food stalls, like bringing the eateries from several neighborhoods into the park. The dining options are even more concentrated than in the city center. It truly combines eating, playing, and sightseeing all in one place. No wonder it's a 3-day pass; you could easily spend 3 days straight without getting bored.
Wansuishan Martial Arts City
WasabiROctober 24, 2026
4.0
Baotu Spring is definitely worth a visit. The park is beautiful, and aside from being very crowded, it has no other drawbacks. The three springs are quite large, though the spray isn't very high. Each pool is different, and it's quite interesting to observe closely. Some pools constantly emit small bubbles, and many pools are teeming with koi. However, due to the large number of people feeding them, the fish have become very picky eaters.
Baotu Spring
M25***53October 19, 2026
5.0
There was a slight unpleasantness with the merchant's customer service when making the reservation, as I had booked a guided tour of the Longmen Grottoes, but the merchant's page description was incorrect and I requested a refund, which they refused. I only got a refund after contacting the platform's customer service. Because of this unpleasant experience, I didn't have high expectations for the tour. However, once inside the museum, Mr. Pei's explanation was truly dedicated, and he was a very kind person; it was clear he genuinely loved the experience. Special praise! 👍 He made up for the merchant's shortcomings! 👍
Luoyang Museum
Bolton ChenOctober 19, 2026
4.0
Daming Lake holds the story of Emperor Qianlong and Xia Yuhe's "epic, tragic love" 😂 "Your Majesty, do you still remember Xia Yuhe by Daming Lake?"—When Emperor Qianlong toured the south, he encountered Xia Yuhe playing the zither in the Yuhe Hall, fell in love at first sight, wrote a poem and presented her with a fan, vowing that "a true friend is hard to find." However, after more than a decade apart, Yuhe fell ill with longing and died with her zither in her arms 😢 However, there is no historical record of this person; it's purely a romantic fiction by Qiong Yao. The lake shimmers, lotus flowers fill the pond, and the saying "lotuses on all four sides, willows on three" is truly fitting. The illuminated Chaoran Tower is even more breathtaking.
Daming Lake Scenic Area
