Henan Travel Guide: An Ultimate Guide to the Cradle of Chinese Civilization
Historically known as the “Central Plains”, Henan in central China is widely considered an important cradle of ancient Chinese civilization. Its strategic location has made it a crucial transportation hub connecting the east to west and the north to the south since ancient China. Most of its cities are well-connected with an extensive railway network. The capital city Zhengzhou, in particular, serves as one of the most important railway junctions in China.
For spanning the basins of the Yangtze, Huai, Yellow, and Hai rivers, the province is also thriving in agriculture from ancient times to the modern age. That’s a core reason why four of the eight ancient capitals in China were located here. No wonder numerous world-class historical and cultural heritage sites are discovered and preserved here. The Longmen Grottoes and White Horse Temple in Luoyang, the Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng, and the Yin Ruins in Anyang are just part of its highlights.
More reasons to visit Henan? It is home to many famous mountains that are not only breathtakingly beautiful but also rich in historical and religious importance. It is one of the most populous provinces in China. The many unique-flavored traditional foods make it a paradise for food lovers. Brilliant cultures of Shaolin Kung Fu and Buddhism are widely practiced on this land… Read on our Henan Travel Guide to discover more of its highlights.
- Chinese name: 河南 (hé nán)
- Abbreviation: Yu
- Location: In central-eastern China, along the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River. It borders Anhui and Shandong to the east, Hebei and Shanxi to the north, Shaanxi to the west, and Hubei to the south.
- Capital: Zhengzhou
- Population: 98.15 million
Fast Facts of Henan Province
- Chinese name: 河南 (hé nán)
- Abbreviation: Yu
- Location: In central-eastern China, along the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River. It borders Anhui and Shandong to the east, Hebei and Shanxi to the north, Shaanxi to the west, and Hubei to the south.
- Capital: Zhengzhou
- Population: 98.15 million
- Famous ancient capitals in Henan: Zhengzhou, Anyang, Kaifeng, Luoyang
- Famous mountains: Mount Song, Laojun Mountain, Yuntai Mountain, Baiyun Mountain
- UNESCO heritage sites in Henan: Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang, Yin Ruins in Anyang, Historic Monuments of Dengfeng in “The Centre of Heaven and Earth” (the architectural complex of Shaolin Temple is included), Henan Section of the Silk Road, Henan Section of the Grand Canal
- Best time to visit: Late March to May is the season for peony appreciation in Luoyang; September to November is the best time for chrysanthemum exhibitions in Luoyang and Kaifeng; Historical and cultural sites are great to visit all year round.
Popular Cities in Henan
Henan Province has 18 cities. Among them, Anyang, Zhengzhou, Luoyang, and Kaifeng are the four ancient capitals of the Central Plains that encapsulate the splendor of thousands of years of Chinese civilization. Plus, Xinxiang at the foot of Taihang Mountains is known for its paper-cutting art. Dengfeng in central Henan features a rich Shaolin Kung Fu culture and religious history. The “Coal City” Jiaozuo captivates many visitors for its stunning red rocks and gorges of Yuntai Mountain…
- Zhengzhou: The capital city of Henan, and the former capital during the early Shang Dynasty. A major transportation hub of China and an important gateway city for a Henan tour.
- Kaifeng: Once the capital of eight dynasties. Being blessed with a rich cultural heritage. One of the birthplaces of Yu Opera.
- Luoyang: Served as the capital of thirteen Chinese dynasties. Home to the Longmen Grottoes, White Horse Temple, and Erlitou site. Highlights blooming peonies in early spring. >>China Tours including Luoyang
- Anyang: Will take you back to the late Shang Dynasty as you visit the Yin Ruins. A large number of oracle bones are discovered here.
- Dengfeng: Known worldwide for the Shaolin Temple, a symbol of Chinese Kung Fu. Also home to the Songyang Academy. A popular destination in China for families with kids.
Recommended Henan Tours:
Top Henan Attractions
White Horse Temple (Luoyang)
White Horse Temple is the first official Buddhist temple in China, thus revered as the "Cradle of Chinese Buddhism". Numerous historical relics and artifacts related to the spread of Buddhism and cultural exchanges are well-preserved here.
Yuntai Mountain (Jiaozuo)
Most people come here for its stunning red cliffs of Red Stone Gorge and waterfalls. This world geopark features diverse rugged mountains and deep gorges, making it a great place for hiking, enjoying waterfalls, and outdoor adventures.
Iron Pagoda Park (Kaifeng)
The Iron Pagoda is the landmark of Kaifeng City that can be traced back to the Northern Song Dynasty. Though named Iron Pagoda, it is actually entirely built with brown glazed bricks. It is recognized as the tallest and oldest glazed brick pagoda in China, standing 55.8 meters tall in 13 stories.
Millennium City Park (Kaifeng)
This theme park is a 1:1 recreation of the famous painting "Along the River During the Qingming Festival," exuding a rich historical atmosphere of the Song Dynasty. The northern part of the park highlights folk customs and bustling streets of the era. While the southern part focuses on royal gardens and ancient leisure activities.
Yin Ruins (Yinxu in Anyang)
The Ruins of Yin is the site of the late Shang Dynasty capital, boasting the oldest and largest archeological sites in China. It is known worldwide for its rich archaeological discoveries and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2006. Oracle bones are the most significant discoveries here.
Top Things to Do in Henan
Besides visiting the above-mentioned top attractions, a Henan tour should also include the following recommended activities.
Attend Luoyang Peony Festival
Luoyang is praised as the “Millennium Imperial Capital and the City of Peonies”. Each year, during the annual Luoyang Peony Festival, crowds of tourists flock to this Peony Capital to appreciate the blooming peonies and participate in various activities. The festival usually lasts from mid-April to early May and April 10th to 20th is usually the peak bloom period.
Luoyang National Peony Garden is the main venue of the peony fair, planting over 1,200 kinds and 1 million peony trees. Other popular gardens to appreciate the blooming peonies include:
- Luoyang National Flower Garden: Features hundreds of rare peonies.
- Wangcheng Garden: The venue for the first Luoyang Peony Festival; With over 800 kinds of peonies of various colors.
- Shenzhou Peony Garden: Opposite the White Horse Temple; With over 30,000 peony trees of 840 kinds.
Enjoy Shaolin Kung Fu Shows
A visit to Dengfeng Shaolin Temple is not completed without enjoying the spectacular Kung Fu shows. The two most recommended Kung Fu shows in Dengfeng are:
- The free performance in the martial arts hall inside Shaolin Temple: There are seven performances scheduled from the morning to the afternoon. The exact performance times are 9:30-10:00, 10:30-11:00, 11:30-12:00 in the morning, and 14:00-14:30, 15:00-15:30, 16:00-16:30, 17:00-17:30 in the afternoon.
- ‘Zen Shaolin’ Music Grand Ceremony: It is a large-scale outdoor performance, with the natural landscapes of Mount Song as its stage. The show takes place each night from March to November, in Daixiangou Valley (about 7 km from Shaolin Temple). The entire show lasts 75 minutes and is composed of five parts, aiming to introduce the audience to the cultural essence of Shaolin and Zen martial arts. Nearly 600 performers are showcasing Zen and martial arts against stunning seasonal landscape designs, accompanied by serene Buddhist music.
Best Luoyang Tours including Shaolin Temple:
- 2 Days Luoyang Highlights Tour with Shaolin Temple & Longmen Grottoes
- 3 Days Classic Shaolin Kung Fu Class Tour
Taste Luoyang Water Feast
This traditional Luoyang banquet has been listed as the intangible cultural heritage of China. It features a variety of dishes, with each being associated with water. During the banquet, each dish is served one after another, just like a flowing stream, hence its name “Wanter Banquet”. In Chinese culture, water usually symbolizes the flow and gathering of wealth and prosperity.
Typically, the banquet consists of 24 dishes, balancing meat and vegetarian, hot and cold, sweet and savory, and sour and spicy flavors.
Experience Hanfu Photoshoot in Luoyi Ancient City
A great place to experience the bustling nightlife of Luoyang, the Ancient City of Luoyi also stands out as one of the most popular places for Hanfu photoshoots in China. It is teemed with various ancient buildings that exemplify the architectural styles of different dynasties. Also, it is a hub of diverse intangible cultural heritage items. You may feel like on a journey through time while wearing the traditional Hanfu attire and strolling through its streets.
Several landmark buildings are well-preserved in the ancient city. Though many buildings were rebuilt or restored, efforts were made to preserve the original appearance to ensure the authentic look of the ancient city.
Related Reading: Top Kaifeng Attractions
Henan Food
Henan cuisine, aka Yu cuisine, was gradually developed and evolved based on the foundations of imperial court dishes, official dishes, market dishes, and folk dishes. And was largely influenced by local produce and climatic conditions during the evolution. Get in touch with Henan’s rich history and culture through some of its classic food.
- Hui Mian (烩面): One of the most famous Henan foods, Hui Mian is a kind of noodle soup, featuring a rich meat broth, and a variety of ingredients, such as tofu and diverse vegetables.
- Spicy Soup (胡辣汤): Has become a popular breakfast food in China. The main ingredients include beef or lamb, gluten, and wood ear mushrooms. Its seasoning includes over twenty spices and is dominated by pepper.
- Yellow River Carp (黄河大鲤鱼): One of the three famous dishes of Henan cuisine, appearing on most banquets. Steaming and braising are popular ways to prepare the carp.
- Daokou Roast Chicken (道口烧鸡): Cooked by simmering the fried chicken in a seasoned broth. Can be eaten either hot or cold.
- Beef Soup (牛肉汤): This representative Henan soup food is made by simmering the fresh beef bones overnight and serving with slices of cooked beef or offal.
Henan Weather and Best Time to Visit
The warm temperate-subtropical, humid-semi-humid monsoon climate in Henan means that it sees four distince seasons. Generally, the windy and dry springs and sunny autumns provide the most comfortable temperatures for outdoor activities. Summers in Henan are typically hot and rainy, while winters are cold and dry.
March to May is widely considered the best time to take a Henan tour when the vibrant peonies are in full bloom in many gardens of Luoyang. Autumn months from September to November are also preferred thanks to the clear skies, pleasant temperatures and chrysanthemum displays during this period. Both of these two seasons are great for natural adventures and cultural travel to Henan. While if you are just keen on the cultural and historical sites, it is ok to visit the province in any season.
Henan Transportation: How to Get to and Travel around
How to Get to
By air
Henan’s most important gateway is Zhengzhou. The most convenient way to reach Henan is to fly to Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport first, then take a high-speed train to your destination. As one of the most important transportation hubs in China, Zhengzhou can be easily reached from around the country.
You can also fly to Luoyang International Airport which offers 16 routes to 22 cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Urumqi, Hangzhou, Chongqing, Bangkok, and Thailand.
By high-speed train
If travel by high-speed trains, Zhengzhou, Luoyang, Kaifeng, etc. can all be easily reached from major domestic cities.
How to Travel Around
From Zhengzhou, there are frequent intercity bullet trains connecting other Henan cities. For example, from Zhengzhou to Luoyang, Kaifeng, Jiaozuo, or Anyang, high-speed trains are available every few minutes and generally take no more than 1 hour.
Most attractions in the city centers can be easily arrived by either public transportation or taxi. Tips for reaching further attractions are as below:
- Zhengzhou to Shaolin Temple: Zhengzhou – Shaolin Temple Direct Bus runs from Zhengzhou Railway Station West Square to Shaolin Temple at 7:50, 8:10, 8:20, 8:50, 9:20, and 10:00 separately. There is also a Shaolin Temple Cultural Tourism Line running from Zhengzhou East High-speed Railway Station P5 parking lot at 7：00、7:30、8:30、9:30、10:30 each day. A single journey takes about 2.5-3 hours.
- Zhengzhou to Yuntai Mountain: Take a high-speed train from Zhengzhou to Xiuwuxi Railway Station or Jiaozuo Railway Station. Direct buses to Yuntai Mountain are available from both railway stations.
- Luoyang to Longmen Grottoes: Longmen High-Speed Railway Station is about 4 kilometers from the Longmen Grottoes. You can take Bus No. 71 directly to the grottoes. From Luoyang Railway Station, you can take Bus No. 81 to reach the site directly or opt for a taxi for convenience.
Travel Henan with Us
Since Henan is abundant in cultural and historical attractions, it is highly recommended to join a Henan tour with a reliable tour operator, like Chinaxiantour. It might be difficult to fully understand the sites and their history if explore on your own.
Helpful Henan Travel Tips
- How Many Days to Plan for a Henan Trip: For people visit limited time, we recommend to spend 2-3 days to explore the essence of Henan, like the Longmen Grottoes, Shaolin Temple, White Horse Temple. With more time available, you can add Henan Museum in Zhengzhou, Millennium City Park and other iconic sites in Kaifeng by spending 2-3 more days. 2 more days are required if you want to travel to Yuntai Mountainin Jiaozuo and the UNESCO-listed Yinxu in Anyang.
- 144-hour Visa-free Transit Policy: As of July 15, 2024, Zhengzhou Aviation Port in Henan has offered the 144-hour Visa-free Transit Policy. The policy allows visitors from certain countries to enjoy a 6-day travel to Henan without applying for a visa beforehand.
