If you go to Henan from Beijing,and the route can be arranged:Beijing---Zhengzhou---Kaifeng---Dengfeng---Luoyang---BeiJing.You don't need walk repeat.
Don't speak to anybody in Zhengzhou railway station,and leave the station as soon as possible.
Kaifeng is a Song Dynasty city,and the native were guileless.
From Kaifeng to Dengfeng,you have to change bus in Zhengzhou,but it is very very easy!
Dengfeng:Shaolin Temple,I advise that you can climb the Shaoshi mountain and walk to the Temple,about 4 hours,don't go there by bus!The second day in Dengfeng,you can visit Songyang College and Taishi mountain(too terrible,about 5300 steps,like go ot the upstairs,if you have no enough physical force,don't climb it).
Luoyang:I think only Longmen Cave was worthy to visit,the city is not as my image,disappointed!

Xi'an is a popular place for travelling,but I love the north of Shaanxi!
From Xi'an to the north city Yan'an or Yulin,by bus is a good choice,you can see the scenery at the two sides---Yellow Soil Tableland.Amazing!!!