Henan suits travellers who want deep history at a calmer pace than Beijing or Xi’an. Plan it as a rail loop through Dengfeng, Luoyang and Kaifeng, and give it four to five days.
The region confuses people because the three headline sights sit in different towns. No single hotel base covers all of them, so the route matters more than the hotel.
Which of the three places suits you?
Pick by what your group enjoys, not by the name you see everywhere online.
| Place | What you come for | Suits | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dengfeng | Shaolin Temple, the pagoda forest and a kung fu show | Families, curious teenagers | A long, tiring day if you add too much |
| Luoyang | Longmen Grottoes, carved Buddhas beside the river | History lovers, photographers | Standing, steps and strong summer sun |
| Kaifeng | Song-era streets and the night market | Food lovers, evening walkers | Crowds after dark |
If you must choose two, choose Luoyang and Dengfeng, because they sit closest together.
How do you get there from Malaysia?
Fly to a major gateway, then continue by high-speed train. Malaysia Airlines said in July 2026 that it serves nine gateways in the China region, among them Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu[1]. Ask your airline whether a direct flight to Zhengzhou exists for your dates, and compare it with a connection.
Foreigners with ordinary passports have been able to verify and buy train tickets on 12306 since late 2023[2]. Keep your passport in your hand, because it is needed to buy tickets and to pass the platform gates[3]. Tickets usually go on sale 15 days before departure, so book as soon as the window opens[4].
Malaysia and mainland China share one time zone, so there is no jet lag[5]. Malaysian ordinary passport holders can also stay up to 30 days per stay without a visa[6]. Confirm both on the official source before travel.
Where should you base yourself?
Think in areas, not hotel names.
- Luoyang is the best single base, since Longmen is a day trip and Shaolin can be reached from there.
- Dengfeng suits you if you want an early start at Shaolin before the tour groups arrive.
- Kaifeng deserves one night near the Song streets, so you can walk to the night market without a late taxi.
Use the rail versus flight tool to judge each leg, and the pace checker to see whether your plan is too tight.
What about halal food, seniors and children?
Halal food needs checking meal by meal. Look for the green 清真 (qingzhen) sign, eat at Hui-run restaurants, who follow Islamic dietary law and avoid pork[7], and ask about the kitchen and ingredients.
In February 2025 JAKIM removed the China Islamic Association from its list of recognised foreign halal certification bodies, so a Chinese halal label cannot be assumed to meet Malaysian recognition[8]. Check halal.gov.my before you rely on one.
Seniors do best with one big sight a day and a car for the last stretch. Children need snack stops and a slow afternoon.
When is something else a better choice?
If this is your first China trip and you have one week, Beijing or Xi’an gives you more in one place. Read how Xi’an, Luoyang and Zhengzhou fit together before you decide, or browse the regions topic page to compare other areas.