武汉

Wuhan developed from the three towns of Wuchang, Hankou, and Hanyang at the intersection of the Yangtze River and the Han River. Ferries, bridges, opening blocks, universities, museums, and the vast East Lake jointly make the water system the core of the urban structure. The itinerary should be arranged according to river banks and areas, because places that appear to be very close across the water may require longer bridges or subway transfers.

洛阳

The importance of Luoyang comes from the many capital constructions and repeated reconstructions in the Yellow River Civilization, rather than from a completely preserved ancient city. Longmen records Buddhist patronage in the Northern Wei and Tang dynasties, Erlitou discusses early state formation, and the museum and archaeological site park explain the subsequent capital structure. Archaeological remains, protected grotto art and modern display reconstructions should be distinguished, and sufficient travel time should be reserved for dispersed points.

开封

Kaifeng was once the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty, but repeated Yellow River floods, wars, and reconstructions left that metropolis largely archaeologically layered beneath later cities. Museums, evidence of city stacks, ancient pagodas, guild halls, and Ming and Qing city walls can provide better historical anchors than simple modern Song-style landscapes. The central city is more walkable, but the monuments visible everywhere belong to different eras.