Unlike the engaging cities of Beijing and Shanghai, Zhengzhou has lost much of its local charm during recent modernization. However it has had a long and varied history that has left it with several tourist destinations and attractions that visitors should not miss. Probably the most familiar of Zhengzhou's sites to most people is the Shaolin Monastery, where the monks combine the practice of Buddhism with the study of martial arts. The temple sends touring groups of Wushu scholars all over the world and stages daily exhibitions in the temple itself. The temple is still a working place of worship as well as a major attraction in the city.

Far older than the Shaolin Monastery are the Shang Dynasty City Ruins, which date to 1600 BC: visitors interested in seeing ancient settlements in this region should not miss them, or the Dahecun Village Ruins, which have been dated to the Neolithic age. The Dahecun Village is one of the largest settlements found from this era: around 500 people are thought to have lived, farmed and fished here. The Songyang Academy is another ancient institution: it prepared scholars for the Chinese civil service during the Northern Wei Dynasty and is now notable for its ancient courtyard and the 3000 year old cypress tree around which it was built.

The long history of Zhengzhou can be explored at the excellent Henan Provincial Museum, which has a vast collection of artifacts and artworks, demonstrating the social, cultural and religious past of the region. The smaller Zhengzhou Museum has a notable collection of Shang and Zhou Dynasty Bronze Wares.

The natural scenery in Zhengzhou is worth exploring too, from the mighty Yellow River to the Five Dragons Peak, all the way to Zijingshan Park and Zhengzhou National Forest Park. Visitors particularly interested in rare plants, should take a trip to the Zhengzhou Rare Plants Botanical Garden where the largest greenhouse in China has been used to cultivate over 3500 varieties of plant, many of which are rare or endangered.

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