Songshan Shaolin Scenic Area — Attraction in Zhengzhou

The Shaolin Temple itself is a tourist trap, lacking any authenticity. The religious aspects of the temple are ignored for the most part, instead it's just kung fu down your throat. However the scenic area offers much more to see than the temple, and those things actually make the place a worthwhile visit. The Pagoda Forest a few hundred meters away is neat, the Damo Cave is impressive and steeped in history, the Songyue Pagoda is the oldest brick pagoda in China and as a result is quite unique in it's design, Songshan which is the central of the five sacred peaks of China, and Dengfeng which is purportedly the ancient capital of the mythical Xia Dynasty. The whole place oozes with history and beauty, it's just a shame that the Shaolin Temple (which is the place most people come here to see) is woefully lacking on authenticity while overly-abundant with tourists and souvenir hawkers. Probably worth a visit if you're in the area, but temper your expectations and don't put this too high on your China list. Unless you love kung fu, there are hundreds of other sites in China that would be far...

The Shaolin Temple, located on the southern slopes of Mount Song in Dengfeng City, Henan Province, China, is the birthplace of Chinese Zen Buddhism and a world-renowned center for martial arts. Established in the 19th year of the Taihe era of the Northern Wei Dynasty (495 AD), it gained fame through the legendary meditation of Bodhidharma and the founding of Zen Buddhism. The temple is celebrated for Shaolin Kung Fu, which integrates martial arts with Zen culture, embodying the unique philosophy of "unity of Zen and martial arts." Rich in historical relics, including the Changzhu Yard, Mahavira Hall, and the Pagoda Forest, the temple is a treasure of ancient Chinese architecture and culture. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Shaolin Temple attracts visitors and martial arts enthusiasts from around the world and serves as a vital symbol of...

The Shaolin Cablecar, accessed from within the Shaolin Temple complex, was very good despite the visibility being limited by smog/heat haze/smoke. We visited mid pm, & might be better in morning.

The cablecar takes around 10min to ascend - each car holds 4 people comfortably & has some air flow but no air-conditioning so can be hot.

Once at top there is a viewing platform with views of mountains, valley & the pagoda. You can also go down along the path to the spectacular walkway (10 mins).

You can also continue on longer walks to pagoda. At top there are a number of shops selling drinks, ice cream, souvenirs & massages.

Was hot & dry for our visit but can be cold, snowy & wet & path a bit slippery.

There is also the Songyang Cablecar departing from the same area but up a...