Henan: The Great Central Plains of Culture

Author: Yang Chunchun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: It is not difficult to gain a snapshot understanding of China's past and present, but to gain a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of China is not something that can be achieved overnight. In this regard, the "Panoramic China" series aims to help readers, especially foreign readers. The outstanding feature of this series is its organization into units based on provinces, cities, and districts, with several volumes published, each a standalone book, introducing the most distinctive highlights of each place from different perspectives, richly illustrated with text and images. Through these highlights, readers can gain insights into the authentic and vibrant daily life, diverse social landscapes, developing economic conditions, and related information of the local areas.
Henan Province, spanning the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River, is part of China's Central Plains region and has been known as "Zhongzhou" since ancient times, celebrated as the "Heart of China." Whether it is the myths and legends that have endured for thousands of years or the numerous historical relics and cultural heritage sites, all indicate that this is the cradle of Chinese civilization and the root of the Huaxia nation. Additionally, Henan is the birthplace of the world-famous Shaolin martial arts and the origin of the soft and flexible Chen-style Tai Chi.
"Henan: The Cultural Heart of Central China" first invites readers to the homeland of Shaolin martial arts and Tai Chi through words and images, allowing them to experience the magic of different forms of Chinese martial arts. Then, it narrates the formation and development of Chinese civilization in Henan from far to near, as well as the profound cultural heritage and vibrant diversity it presents. The writing is engaging, and the insights are sharp.