Henan Travel Guide

Named for its location of the south bank of the Yellow River, Henan (abbreviated as “Yu”) is a crucial national transportation hub and a typical large agricultural and population province. It is situated in the hinterland of China’s Central Plains and borders Anhui and Shandong to the east, Hebei and Shanxi to the north, Shaanxi to the west and Hubei to the south.

This province is renowned as one of the cradles of Chinese civilization where the ancient agriculture, animal husbandry and ceramic appeared 7 to 8 millenniums ago, where the Yellow Emperor was born, where China’s the first slavery regime - Xia Dynasty was found, world’s oldest character - Oracle Bones Inscription were invented, etc. Henan, being a political, economic and cultural center for a long term, is often neglected with more famous Beijing and Xian nearby, but it is a formidable land full of profound history and rich culture, such as culture of Shaolin Kung Fu, Buddhism, folk customs, food, fantastic bronze accomplishment of Shang Dynasty and numerous original historical heritages in different dynasties.

Why Visit Henan Province:

• An Abundance of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Speaking of quantity, Henan has totally 5 World Cultural Heritages which ranks the second after Beijing and ties with Sichuan and Yunnan. The 5 heritages are Luoyang Longmen Grottoes, Historical Monuments of Dengfeng in “The Center of Heaven and Earth”, Yin Xu (in Anyang), south section of the Grand Canal and part of the “Silk Road”. Each estate presents different and marvelous cultures, e.g. high level of stone carving art and craftsmanship, perfect fusion of religion, science, education to concrete buildings and wild nature, awesome evolution of Zen Buddhism and Kung Fu.
• The Birthplace of Chinese Nation and Civilization. Massive Chinese cultures were bred in Henan, such as the first Buddhist temple in China - White Horse Temple, three of the Four Great Inventions of Ancient China - compass, papermaking and gunpowder, Chinese ancestor - Yellow Emperor and his early inventions of civilized survival skills, China’s first observatory - Zhougong Sundial Platform and the Dengfeng Observatory. Yet, Henan is a crucial origin of Chinese surnames; about 171 of entire 300 family surnames were rooted in Henan.
• Four Famous Chinese Ancient Capitals. Served as a national political, economic and cultural hub for over 3,000 years, Henan has witnessed more than 20 dynasties and over 200 emperors and nourished four eminent ancient capitals - Luoyang, Kaifeng, Anyang and Zhengzhou, half number of Eight Great Chinese Ancient Capitals in China. Luoyang, the capital city of nine dynasties, has preserved cultural ruins of Xia, Shang, Eastern Zhou, Han, Wei, Sui and Tang Dynasties, Longmen Grottoes, White Horse Temple and plentiful historical interests. Besides, you can trace back to Yin Dynasty in Anyang, Shang Dynasty in Zhengzhou and Song Dynasty in Kaifeng.
• Grand National Flower Festivals. In Chinese traditional culture, beautiful flowers are cherished cultural symbols with unique connotations. Luoyang Peony standing for nobility and prosperity of a nation, rich and honor, happiness and good fortune is wildly loved by the Chinese. During early April to May each year, Luoyang holds a grand national Peony Cultural Festival in gardens to display a romantic sea of peony blossom. Moreover, Kaifeng with long history of chrysanthemum planting has annual Kaifeng Chrysanthemum Festival to show chrysanthemum of different varieties and colors.
• Tremendous Ancient Literati, Ideologist and Talents. Ancient wisdom is a major force of creating and promoting the brilliant history of Henan. Laozi (author of Tao Te Ching & founder of Taoism), Zhuangzi (writer of Zhuangzi - one foundational book of Taoism), Mozi are legendary ancient Chinese philosophers and ideologists. Jiang Ziya, Shang Yang, Sima Yi, Yue Fei are respectable politicians and patriots. Du Fu, Bai Juyi, Hanyu, Li Shangyin are poets with praiseworthy works. There are other countless great giants, like scientists Zhangheng, physician Zhang Zhongjing and Buddhist Xuan Zang.
• Eye-catching Nature Spectacles. Geographical terrain shapes stunning natural landscape of Henan. The top scenic area is Mount Song in west of Henna, covering 450 square kilometers with 72 peaks. Yuntai Mountain with odd red rocks, Taihang Mountains with steep cliffs, Laojun Mountain with sacred Taoist atmosphere, Xiaolangdi Dam with roaring water of Yellow River are popular spots to encounter natural miracles in Henan.
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Top Travel Destinations in Henan

Henan consists of 18 cities, such as Zhengzhou, Luoyang, Kaifeng, Anyang, etc., and Dengfeng (where Shaolin Temple is located) is under the jurisdiction of Zhengzhou. The Northern Henan along the Yellow River is the core area of ancient Chinese culture and history, which has generated the four ancient capitals. Meanwhile, Henan is embraced by different mountain ranges in the north, west and south, so many astounding natural landscape are hidden there. >> Top Henan Tourist Destinations

Dengfeng (Shaolin Temple)

Luoyang

Zhengzhou

Kaifeng

Anyang

Jiaozuo

Popular Tourist Attractions in Henan

The long and profound history has left Henan wealthy cultural heritages, whose underground antiques occupies the largest amount in China, overground relics ranks the second and museum collection retains nearly one in eight of the whole nations’ total number. Shaolin Temple and Longmen Grottoes are the two brightest pearls in the treasury, which themselves are outstanding ancient architectures, and also reserve traditional culture of Buddhism, art and faith. More origins of Chinese civilizations and legacies can be traced in Henan. Also, the land present unique natural views, like the imposing Mount Song, exotic Yuntai Mountain, impressive Guoliang Village and Tunnel Road on the Taihang Mountains, powerful waters of Yellow River at Xiaolangdi Dam. >> Top Henan Tourist Attractions

Shaolin Temple

The over 1,500-year old temple is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site and the birthplace of China’s Zen Buddhism and Chinese Kung Fu, a holy dream land for worldwide Kung Fu fans.

Luoyang Longmen Grottoes

Longmen Grottoes sitting by the river is the world’s biggest stone engraving treasure-house and one of the four main Buddhist grottoes in China with over 111,000 carved Buddhist figures.

White Horse Temple

Built in Eastern Han Dynasty in 68 AD, White Horse Temple is the oldest Buddhist temple in China and an important & sacred Buddhist center in Asia.

Henan Museum

Exhibiting more than 140 thousand cultural relics, the museum is a wonderful platform to catch a glimpse of the brilliant achievements of ancient Henan. You can see many national treasures here.

Mount Song

Known as one of the Five Great Mountains in China, Mount Song is a world geopark and the location of World Cultural Heritage - Historic Monuments of Dengfeng in “The Centre of Heaven and Earth” (including Shaolin Temple...)

Luoyang Museum

Luoyang Museum offers great opportunity to better understand Luoyang in different dynasties and diverse cultural gems, such as pottery figurines of Han & Tang Dynasties, Luoyang Peony, calligraphy and paintings.

Yuntai Mountain

Yuntai Mountain is a large famed ecotourism scenic spot in north of Henan, which shows distinctive Danxia rocks , verdant forest and water landscape of waterfalls, ponds, streams and springs.

Guoliang Village

Hidden deeply in the mountains, it is a mysterious small village standing on the vertical cliff. All visitors will marvel at the twisty and thrilling tunnel road on the driving journey and sharp rock walls.

Yin Dynasty Ruins (Yinxu)

This archaeological site is the ruins of the late Shang Dynasty that systematically proves the glorious bronze civilization, interesting ancient Chinese characters (Oracle Bones Inscriptions) and funeral customs.

Top Activities in Henan

Besides sightseeing the ancient sites, there are plenty of local featured activities you can attend to make your Henan tour special and unforgettable. When visiting Shaolin Temple, you can closely watch a wonderful show of Shaolin Kung Fu, or even spend months learning this famous Chinese Martial Arts. Seasonal natural beauties mainly focus on the Luoyang in the spring and Kaifeng in the autumn. Of course, eating popular food and having nightlife are the relaxing parts of your trip and good ways to learn local life and culture.

>> Top Things to Do in Luoyang & Things to Do in Shaolin Temple & Dengfeng & Things to Do in Zhengzhou

Shaolin Kung Fu Show

Shaolin Kung Fu Training

Luoyang Peony Festival

Cultural & Historical Sites

Henan Opera (Yu Opera)

Diverse Henan Food

Henan Weather & Climate - Places to Go in Each Season

How to Get to & around Henan

Henan Travel Maps

Below are the most useful maps made and collected by China Discovery to help you better know Henan’s location, top attractions & destinations to visit, best way for arrival and traveling around. When planning your Henan trip, you’re welcome to use and download these maps as you need, which covers the Henan Location Map, Henan Attraction Map, Henan Top Tourist Destinations Map, Travel Maps of Luoyang, Shaolin Temple, Zhengzhou. Here are overall Henan Maps.

Henan Travel Map

Shaolin Temple Tourist Map

2024 Special Theme Tours for Henan Travel

Other Popular Destinations in China

China is vast and diverse. You can choose your favorite destinations among more than 70 tourist destination and regions, like Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Chengdu, etc. Following are 4 popular destinations you may get interested in. Check all destinations in China.

Beijing

Shanghai

Xian

Yangtze River