Henan

Author: Editorial Board of "China Travel Guide"
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-09-01
Features: Henan Province is located in central-eastern China and is named "Henan" because most of its territory is south of the Yellow River. It is also known as "Zhongzhou" or "Zhongyuan" and abbreviated as "Yu." With the reputation of being a "microcosm of Chinese history and culture," Henan has long served as the political, economic, and cultural center of China. It has been said since ancient times that "whoever controls the Central Plains controls the world." The three ancient capitals—Luoyang, Kaifeng, and Anyang—and the four national historical and cultural cities—Zhengzhou, Nanyang, Shangqiu, and Xunxian—are rich in historical sites and scenic spots. Over a hundred tourist attractions, including the Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang (one of China's three major stone carving art treasures), the (Millennium-old Shaolin Temple) in Dengfeng, the Tai Chi hometown of Chenjiagou in Wenxian, the Yinxu in Anyang (the site of oracle bone script discovery), the Youli Castle in Tangyin (the birthplace of the I Ching), the Xiangyuan Huangdi Mausoleum in Xinzheng (a sacred site for descendants of the Yellow Emperor), and the magnificent Xiaolangdi Gorge of the Yellow River, form more than 10 golden tourism routes, such as Ancient Capital Tours, Yellow River Tours, Kung Fu and Fitness Tours, Ancestral Worship Tours, and Three Kingdoms Tours.