Heritage Tours
Henan Province Tour
$1,760/adult | $1,660/child (under age 12)
Tour Dates
- Summer - June 26 – July 3, 2025
- Booking Deadline: April 11, 2025
- Fall - November 25, 2024 – December 3, 2024
- Booking Deadline: August 23, 2024
IMPORTANT NOTES
- Travelers can add a personal Birth City & Orphanage Visit to any of our tours if orphanage is open to visitors. Be sure to mark “Add an Orphanage Visit” on your tour registration form.
- Tour prices are based on a 15-person travel group minimum and are subject to increase if travel group is below this number.
Overview
Download 2025 Henan Tour Add-Ons Fee Schedule
June 26 – Arrive Zhengzhou
Whether you are flying into Beijing, Guangzhou, or Shanghai, plan to arrive Zhengzhou, Henan today. Our tour guide will meet everyone at Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport (CGO) and we’ll get checked into our hotel for the night.
Meals Included: All on own today
June 27 – Tour Zhengzhou
Put on some comfortable walking shoes – we’re touring Henan’s capital city today! We’ll visit the Henan Museum, Erqi Square, and try some tasty local cuisine. Zhengzhou is a major junction city for all train travel, which might excite any locomotive fans, but we’re even nerdier about the fact that Zhengzhou is home to some of the tastiest noodles in the country! Henan hand-pulled noodles are a must-try and we hope you’ll fit in many-a-bowl this trip. Bowl #1 for dinner?
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch
June 28 – Kaifeng, Qingming Riverside Landscape Park, Song Dynasty Show
Driving 1.5hrs east, we’ll check into Kaifeng for the day.
Qingming Riverside Landscape Park is a large-scale Song Dynasty cultural-reality theme park that was built based on the famous painting “Qingming River Map” from the Song Dynasty. The theme park is praised for its beautiful and historically accurate landscapes. Its sprawling grounds, with dedicated performers and shows, completely transport its visitors to the Song Dynasty of old! Anyone a fan of C-Dramas? Please dress up with us so we can have a fun photoshoot!
We will get the chance to watch a Song Dynasty show at Qingming Riverside Landscape Park before we head back to our hotel.
Meal Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
June 29 – Yuntai Mountain
Put on those comfy hiking shoes. We’re headed to one of our most favorite scenic destinations today – Yuntai Mountain! Yuntai was one of the first geological parks to be named a UNESCO Global Geological Site and for good reason. With waterfalls in deep valleys, and luscious greenery glistening with mist, a hike through Yuntai is simply romantic. The elvish aura of the landscape makes us feel like we’ve left Middle Earth behind altogether. Only small portions of the mountain are open to tourists due to conservation efforts. Camera opportunities abound despite the limited routes!
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
June 30 – Luoyang
Making our way to Luoyang (~2-hr drive) in the morning, we’ll check into our hotel early and head out for an afternoon tour of Luoyang city proper. A full afternoon of touring requires another tasty dinner to make up the calories. Such a hard life 😉
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
July 1 – Longmen Grottoes
One of our most favorite destinations, the scale of the Longmen Grottoes is a bit mind-boggling. One of four major grottoes in China, the Longmen Grottoes contain the largest and most impressive collection of Chinese art of the late Northern Wei and Tang Dynasties. Yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the historical significance of these grottoes is slightly marred by the sad history of pillaging and religious wars that have caused marked damage on these sacred caves. Keen eyes will notice the sword scars and scorch marks on the stone carvings. Just like many ancient ruins around the world, visitors should imagine these beautiful statues in full color and dazzling with jewels. If we’re able, we’ll catch a night light show which projects the original likenesses of these grottoes through digital renderings!
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch
July 2 – Zhengzhou, Shaolin Temple
Coming full circle, we’re driving back to Zhengzhou (3 hrs)!
Oh the way to Zhengzhou, we’ll stop and visit Shaolin Temple, the “Birthplace of Chinese Martial Arts” (We personally like to think of Shaolin as the Hogwarts of Martial Arts). Many famous styles of Chinese martial arts are taught here to students who train their entire lives to master such skills. The Temple is tranquil and the atmosphere is quite serious, although these are put to the test thanks to the crowds of visitors.
Despite the crowds, Shaolin Temple is definitely worth the visit. We will catch a kung fu demonstration and learn of the vast history of this famous school. Martial arts inspires young and old alike and we can’t help but feel desperate for a kung fu lesson after leaving this place. Breaking boards is one thing, but punching a needle through glass without it shattering?? Come on…
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch
July 3 – Departure Day: Bullet Train to Beijing
Time to say goodbye 🙁 We’ll take a 2.5-hour bullet train ride to Beijing for departure back home. We hope to see you again, soon!
Download 2025 Henan Tour Add-Ons Fee Schedule
Inclusions
- Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport (CGO) pickup & transportation to hotel
- All Tour accommodations
- All Tour-specific transportation
- All Tour activities (except for optional experiences)
- All meals included on the itinerary
- Dietary restrictions such as Vegan and Paleo may need to plan individual meals as China cuisine is not always accommodating to such diets.
- Tour guide and driver service
Exclusions
- International airfares
- Passport and/or China Visa fees
- Additional $330 for single room occupancy in hotels
- Tips or gratuity
- Suggested tip amount for Guide: $3-6 or 20-40RMB/day/person
- Suggested tip amount for Driver: $1.5-3 or 10-20RMB/day/person
- Personal expenses, spending money
- Any meals that are not included on the itinerary
- Approximately $5-$15/person/meal
- Transfers between the airport and the hotel before or after the main tour itinerary
Zhengzhou
Hilton Hotel – 1 nights (5 Stars)
Bus Ride (1.5 hours)
Kaifeng
Pullman Hotel – 1 night (5 Stars)
Bus Ride (2 hrs)
Jiaozuo (Yuntain Mountain)
Zhong Zhou Yi Mei Hotel – 1 night (4 stars)
Bus Ride (2 hrs)
Luoyang
Ramada Hotel – 2 nights (4 Stars)
Bus Ride (3 hrs)
Zhengzhou
Hilton Hotel – 2 nights (5 Stars)
Bullet Train to Beijing (2.5 hours)
- Orphanage visit
- Foster family visit
- Finding Place exploration
- Local tourist sites
Tour Resources
What to Pack
The right outfits take time
Visa Information
Everything you need to know about that pesky little piece of paper
Travel Tips
It's never too early to start becoming a pro
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Each tour group is divided into smaller travel groups, around 8-12 parties per group (depending on the number of travelers), each with their own tour guide. This tour group and guide will be yours for the entire tour.
We try our best to arrange groups based on the age of the adoptee travelers. Tour groups will have staggered bus departure times, sightseeing schedules, and often different restaurants for group meals.
Yes, of course!
Please make sure to email heritagetours@theparkcommunity.org to make any travel group requests. The earlier that you make requests, the more likely it is that they will be honored. We try our best to honor every request.
Yes, of course! Please make sure to register together under the same profile. The email address provided upon registration will be used for all Heritage Tour correspondence, so be sure to pass information on to your travel companions if they do not have access to that email.
Of course you can! Our Heritage Tour opportunities are for everyone. Please spread the word! We would love the chance to help make your travel dreams a reality.
Certainly! If you need help with any additional trip bookings, we are happy to help.
Yes, you can, but please understand that unused tours are non-refundable and the cost of the Tour package is a fixed cost.
Please let us know in advance of your decisions so that we can confirm your preferences with your tour guide.
$3-6 or 20-35 RMB per day per person in your party for each tour guide. It is fine to tip in either USD or RMB currency. You should plan to tip $1-3 or 7-20 RMB per day per person in your party for tour bus drivers. To make tipping easier for your family, you can tip your guide & bus driver at the end of each city on the tour.
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China no longer requires a negative PCR test to enter China.
Wearing a mask is suggested at airports and train stations. In more crowded sight-seeing areas, some people still choose to wear masks, especially elders and kids, but it is not required.
There are no more public COVID testing stations or daily requirements.
China has no specific immunization requirements for entering their country and the U.S. has no immunization requirements for re-entry. This includes no requirements for COVID immunizations.
We recommend that you ask your personal physician, a travel/immunization clinic, and/or the Center for Disease Control about any vaccinations requirement updates or suggestions.
CDC website for specific recommendations.
Each traveler will need:
- A valid passport with at least 6 months’ validity from departure date
- Chinese tourist visa (L visa)
- Obtain a Chinese tourist visa from a Chinese Embassy/Consulate prior to travel. For more detailed information on travel visas, please view our Visa Information page.
Please check your passport and the passports of each individual in your travel party to verify that all expire at least 6 months after your tour dates.
Due to the unpredictability of international travel, we highly recommend that you purchase international travel and medical emergency insurance. Visit our Tour Resources section for more information.
All of the hotels we will be staying at have in-house clinics for any mild medical needs. For anything more urgent, our guides are able to take you to the nearest hospital, if needed.
For any prescription medication, it is recommended that they be kept in their original containers in case of emergency. Make sure that you pack amounts slightly more than enough for the entire trip and have a plan for the drastic time change. For more information regarding medications in your carry-on or checked bags please visit TSA guidelines.
Yes, all of our tour guides will try their utmost to help ensure that all meals are safe for any dietary restrictions. However, due to cultural and culinary differences in China, we cannot guarantee anything and suggest taking caution and packing snacks if food allergies are severe.
Please mention any and all food allergies, dietary needs, or health concerns on your registration form. This will help our guides better prepare.
We also have translated cards available for common allergies or physical conditions. Visit our Tour Resources section to find these under “Travel Tips”. If you would like a translated card that is not yet listed, please contact us.
For in-China flights:
- Checked luggage weight allowance: ≤ 44 lbs
- Carry-on size restrictions: 14in. x 19in. x 22in.
Plan to bring an additional $50-$100 if you are a heavy packer. You may lock your bag for in-China flights but you must leave your bag unlocked for your international flights.
For bullet train travel:
- Checked luggage weight allowance: ≤ 110 lbs.
- Carry-on weight allowance: ≤ 44 lbs.
- Carry-on size restrictions: 36in. x 36in. x 36in.
Your hotels on the trip will have laundry services available; however, with the quick speed of the trip, it can be challenging to get hotel laundry done in time. Plan on only being able to do laundry when you are staying at least 2 nights in a given city so that your clothes have ample time to dry.
Please keep in mind that hotel laundry services can be very expensive. Be sure to carefully review the laundry form provided by the hotel in regards to the price per item. There may be some opportunities to have your laundry done outside of the hotel in Chengdu and Guilin. These options could be cheaper. Your guide will be able to notify you if this service is available.
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A $200/traveler deposit is required upon booking. This deposit is applied toward your tour total and is non-refundable except under extenuating circumstances.
Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about this deposit.
Unfortunately, we are no longer able to provide free trip coverage for adoptees traveling on a heritage tour.
Your tour fee does not cover:
- International airfares
- Passport and/or China Visa fees
- Tips or gratuity
- Suggested tip amount for Guide: $3-6 or 20-40RMB/day/person
- Suggested tip amount for Driver: $1.5-3 or 10-20RMB/day/person
- Additional $330 for single room occupancy in hotels
- Personal expenses, spending money
- Meals not included on the itinerary
- Approximately $20-$40/person/day for any lunch & dinner
- Any optional tour excursions
- Transfers between the airport and the hotel before or after the main tour itinerary
Click here to view our 2024 Specialty Tour Add-Ons Fee Schedule
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*Please keep in mind that orphanage visits are not guaranteed and will be at the discretion of the orphanage.*
For an orphanage visit, you will need:
- Adoption Registration Certificate
- Abandonment Certificate (Chinese version)
- Printed copies of Adoption Registration Certificate, U.S. passport, and Abandonment Certificate to bring with you to China.
- Orphanage Visit Application Form (completed by CCAI in-China staff)
Yes, to everything except the orphanage visit itself. Pending approval of your Orphanage Visit Application, our guides can contact the orphanage for you, but the go/no go decision is ultimately up to the orphanage.
Your Orphanage City Tour costs (including hotels, flights/trains, transportation, guide services, etc.) will be calculated specifically for your trip.
Yes! You can take a day trip to visit your/your child’s orphanage in Shanghai, Suzhou, or Hangzhou while the group is traveling in each particular city. The additional cost of this would be approximately $200-$500 per family per orphanage visit.
- Day 1: Fly into the capital city of your birth province. Get settled and acquainted with the area.
- Day 2: Drive to birth city/town, visit the orphanage, visit foster parents and finding spot (if information is available), stay overnight in the birth city or travel back to the provincial capital
- Day 3: Free day or sightseeing before flying either to join the main tour OR to fly back to the U.S.
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Yes, this we are happy to plan a Birth Province & Orphanage Tour itinerary for whatever length you would like! Additional costs will be communicated accordingly.
Yes, this is possible in most cases. Please be sure to note this on your registration form and we will work with you to make sure we understand all of your needs.
Although gifts are not required as part of the orphanage visit, if you would like to bring a gift, you can consider bringing small toys or school/art supplies for the children. You may also consider inquiring with the orphanage about any specific needs they may have. If you would like, you can purchase what is needed in China.
Gifts/donations are strictly optional.
