The Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden (Qingming Shanghe Yuan, 清明上河园) is a large-scale cultural and historical theme park located in Kaifeng, Henan Province, China. It is inspired by the famous ancient Chinese painting "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" (清明上河图) by the Song Dynasty artist Zhang Zeduan. The park recreates the bustling city life and natural scenery depicted in the painting, reflecting the prosperity of the Northern Song Dynasty (960–1127 AD).
Historical Reproduction:
The park meticulously reconstructs the architecture, streets, waterways, marketplaces, and daily life of Bianjing (modern-day Kaifeng), the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty. This immersive environment gives visitors a glimpse into the ancient city's urban culture and economic vitality.
Performances and Activities:
Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden offers daily performances showcasing traditional Chinese culture, including folk dances, acrobatics, and reenactments of Song Dynasty customs. Highlights include the Imperial Court Parade, martial arts demonstrations, and shadow puppet shows.
Cultural Exhibits:
Visitors can explore Song-era crafts, such as pottery, calligraphy, and silk weaving. The park also features exhibits about the technologies and trade practices of the time.
Interactive Experiences:
Guests can dress in traditional Song Dynasty attire, participate in ancient games, and take boat rides along the carefully designed canals that replicate the waterways in the painting.
Festivals and Night Tours:
During special occasions like the Qingming Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival, the park hosts themed events and illuminates its buildings, creating a magical night-time atmosphere.
Significance:
Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden is not only a popular tourist attraction but also an important educational site, offering visitors insights into the rich history and culture of the Northern Song Dynasty. It serves as a living museum, celebrating the artistic and architectural achievements of ancient China.
Whether you're a history enthusiast, a culture lover, or simply looking for a unique travel experience, this park is a must-visit destination in Henan Province.
Visitor Guide to the Sui and Tang Dynasties of LuoYang City National Park
Getting There
Location: The Sui and Tang Dynasties of LuoYang City National Park is located in LuoYang, HeNan Province. It is easily accessible from the city center.
By Public Transport: You can take a local bus or taxi from anywhere in LuoYang to reach the park. Buses 81 and 83 have stops near the park.
By Car: If you are driving, ample parking is available near the park entrance.
Entrance and Tickets
Entrance Fee: The entrance fee varies depending on the season and any special exhibitions. Typically, it ranges from 50 to 100 RMB.
Opening Hours: The park is generally open from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Check for any changes during holidays or special events.
Attractions and Activities
Historical Sites
MingTang and TianTang Complex: Reconstructed palace complexes that offer a glimpse into the grandeur of the Sui and Tang dynasties. The architecture and layout are based on historical records and archaeological findings.
Ancient City Walls: Explore the remnants of the ancient city walls that protected LuoYang during the Sui and Tang periods.
Museums and Exhibitions
Archaeological Museum: This museum within the park showcases artifacts and relics from the Sui and Tang dynasties, including pottery, tools, and ancient manuscripts.
Historical Exhibitions: Various exhibitions throughout the park provide detailed insights into the history, culture, and daily life of the Sui and Tang dynasties.
Gardens and Scenery
Imperial Gardens: Beautifully landscaped gardens that reflect the horticultural styles of the Sui and Tang periods. These gardens are perfect for a leisurely stroll.
Scenic Lakes: The park features several artificial lakes that enhance the serene atmosphere and provide picturesque views.
Interactive Activities
Costume Experience: Visitors can dress in traditional Sui and Tang dynasty attire and take photos in the historical settings of the park.
Guided Tours: Join guided tours to learn more about the history and significance of the sites within the park. Tours are available in multiple languages.
Dining and Local Specialties
Within the park, you will find several dining options that offer both local and traditional Chinese cuisine. Some recommended spots include:
Imperial Banquet Restaurant: Experience a traditional imperial-style meal with dishes that were popular during the Sui and Tang dynasties.
Tea Houses: Relax in a tea house and enjoy a variety of Chinese teas along with light snacks.
Street Food Stalls: Try local snacks and delicacies from the numerous food stalls scattered throughout the park.
Shopping
Souvenir Shops: Browse the souvenir shops for unique gifts and mementos, including replicas of ancient artifacts, traditional crafts, and books on local history.
Artisan Workshops: Visit workshops where local artisans demonstrate traditional crafts such as pottery, calligraphy, and silk weaving. Many items are available for purchase.
Tips for Visitors
Best Time to Visit: The best times to visit the park are during spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) when the weather is mild and the gardens are in full bloom.
Clothing: Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress in layers to accommodate temperature changes. An umbrella or raincoat may be useful during the rainy season.
Guided Tours: Consider joining a guided tour to gain deeper insights into the historical significance of the park. Many tours are available in English and other languages.
Respect Local Customs: Be respectful of local customs and traditions, especially when visiting temples and historical sites. Avoid touching artifacts and stay on designated paths.
Conclusion
The Sui and Tang Dynasties of LuoYang City National Park offers a fascinating journey through Chinese history. With its blend of historical sites, beautiful gardens, and cultural activities, the park provides an enriching experience for all visitors. Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or simply looking for a peaceful escape, this national park in LuoYang is a must-visit destination.
ZhangJiaJie 张家界 (HuNan) and HuaShan 华山 (ShaanXi) ...
XingPing 兴平 and the Li River 漓江 (GuangXi) ...
Xi'An 西安 (ShaanXi) and BeiJing 北京 ...
LuoYang 洛阳 (HeNan) and PingYao 平遥 (ShanXi) ...
LuoYang is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China.
The LuoYang Museum features ancient relics dating back to the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties.
The LongMen Grottoes, south of the city, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
GuanLin, a series of temples built in honor of Guan Yu, a hero of the Three Kingdoms period, and the White Horse Temple are also nearby.
LuoYang is famed for its Water Banquet, which consists of 8 cold and 16 warm dishes all cooked in various broths, sauces or juices.
Near LuoYang, provincial capital of HeNan, central China.
There is a LaoZi Cultural Park near the foot of the mountain and a cable car is available to reach the top.
The ancient sage LaoZi (in modern PinYin though one will still also see Lao-Tse or Lao-Tzu) who started Daoism (Taoism) and authored the Dao De Jing (Tao Te Ching), is said to have gained inspiration here around 550 BC.
The Dao (道) which roughly translates as 'the way', in the sense of how things are, is a concept that existed in Chinese thought many centuries before LaoZi, but it was LaoZi who developed the concept considerably.
Wu Wei (無爲), literally "non-action" or "not acting", is a central concept of the DaoDeJing. The concept of wu wei is multi-faceted, and reflected in the words' multiple meanings, even in English translation; it can mean "not doing anything", "not forcing", "not acting" in the theatrical sense, "creating nothingness", "acting spontaneously", and "flowing with the moment / 'here and now'". It is a concept used to explain ZiRan (自然), or harmony with the Dao. LaoZi used the term broadly with simplicity and humility as key virtues, often in contrast to selfish action. On a political level, it means avoiding such circumstances as war, harsh laws and heavy taxes. The 'ruler' can also refer to the 'self'. There is an overlap here with the Buddha's teachings that suffering stems from attachments and desires, ultimately to the notion of a separate self.
In Chinese philosophy, Yin and Yang (陰陽 YīnYáng, "dark—light") describes how opposite or contrary forces are actually complementary, interconnected, and interdependent in the natural world, and how they give rise to each other as they interrelate to one another. While duality is found in many belief systems, Yin and Yang are parts of a Oneness that is also equated with the Dao. Yin and yang can be thought of as complementary (rather than opposing) forces that interact to form a dynamic system in which the whole is greater than the assembled parts; it is a holistic view. Everything has both yin and yang aspects, though either of the two major aspects may manifest more strongly in a particular object, depending on the criterion of the observation. Yin and Yang is a balance between two seeming opposites with a portion of the opposite element in each.
Some of LaoZi's famous sayings include:
"When goodness is lost, it is replaced by morality."
"Without Darkness, there can be no Light."
"The usefulness of a pot comes from its emptiness."
"The best people are like water, which benefits all things and does not compete with them. It stays in lowly places that others reject. This is why it is so similar to the Way."
"When people see some things as beautiful, other things become ugly. When people see some things as good, other things become bad."
"Try to change it and you will ruin it. Try to hold it and you will lose it."
"Those who know do not say. Those who say do not know."
"When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you."
"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished."
"A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving."
"Music in the soul can be heard by the universe."
"A journey of a thousand miles starts under one's feet."
"The more that laws and regulations are given prominence, the more thieves there will be."
Alan Watts - 'The Daoist Way' ...
LuoYang is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China.
The White Horse Temple, BáiMǎSì 白马寺, was founded in 68 AD with the main building seen today dating from the Ming (1368 - 1644) and Qing (1644 - 1912) dynasties.
The temple is a 30 minute bus (No. 56) ride from LuoYang railway station.
KāiFēng was once the capital of the Song dynasty, and is one of the Eight Ancient Capitals of China.
Located along the southern bank of the Yellow River, it borders the provincial capital of ZhengZhou to the west.
Shaolin Temple is located near the base of SongShan Mountain near DengFeng in Henan province and is the cradle of ShaoLin Kung Fu Buddhist culture.
The live show is located in DaiXian Valley, 7 kilometers from the ShaoLin Temple and ten kilometers south of DengFeng in ZhengZhou city. Performances: 20:00 - 21:15 between mid-March and mid-November.
Awesome ...
The largest pagoda forest in China.
There are 228 stone or brick pagodas here built from 791 AD (Tang dynasty) onwards. The number of levels (always an odd number) is related to the achievements of the associated Buddhist master.
