This day tour takes over 12 hours, including 6 hours of return bullet train travel – it’s quite intensive, so please rest well in advance and come prepared.
Our driver will pick you up from your Beijing city centre hotel's lobby and take you to Beijing West Railway Station. Our driver will accompany you all the way to the right waiting room and make sure all tickets are ok. Enjoy a 2.5-3.5 hours bullet train ride to Zhengzhou.
Upon arrival, your local guide in Zhengzhou will hold a sign with your name on waiting at the exit of the arrival Hall. Then heading directly to Shaolin Temple (approx. 1.5 hours drive), on the way your tour guide will explain the related history of the Shaolin Temple, and you will enjoy the beautiful countryside view.
Shaolin Temple is famous for Chinese Kungfu. As a UNESCO Site, the Shaolin Temple was first constructed in 495 A.D. Later, Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-557) had the temple built to accommodate the Indian master Batuo. As Chinese Kungfu also originated from Shaolin Temple, it has been recognised as the origin of Chan Buddhism and the cradle of Kungfu.
Upon arrival, first you will witness the real Kung Fu performed by Shaolin monks at the theatre. Next, explore different halls and courtyard with your tour guide, including: The Hall of heavenly Kings, Mahavira Hall, Bell Tower and Drum Tower, Thousand-Buddha Hall, Abbot Room and more. Gain deep insight into the histories and related stories about Shaolin Temple - culture, people and soul.
Move onto the Pagoda Forest which is a concentration of tomb pagodas for eminent monks and abbots of the temple. There are more than 240 tomb pagodas of various sizes from the Tang, Song, Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties (618-1911), making it the biggest pagoda forest in China.
After your Shaolin Temple tour finished, your tour guide will take you to Zhengzhou Railway Station for your train back to Beijing (approx. 2.5 hours). Once arrives, your driver will pick you up at Beijing West Railway Station and transfer you back to your hotel in Beijing City.
Please Note: You will take the train on your own, your local English speaking tour guide will meet you in Zhengzhou.
