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Traveling in Henan, Understanding China
Henan served as China's political, economic, and cultural center for 5,000 years. It is the province with the most ancient capitals in China, boasting a rich history of Central Plains culture, Heluo culture, Three Shang culture, martial arts culture, sage culture, and Wan Shang culture. Henan is home to numerous cultural relics and scenic spots, including world-renowned attractions such as Shaolin Temple, Longmen Grottoes, and Yuntaishan. It is the core birthplace of Chinese civilization and the Chinese nation. Kaifeng, Luoyang, and Xinxiang are popular tourist cities in Henan Province.
Every April, peonies are in full bloom. Luoyang, a city known for its vibrant peony scene, hosts a series of cultural events centered around them. The Peony Festival is one of China's four most famous festivals, and the saying has long been, "Only peonies are truly the national beauty; their blooms move the capital." In October, visit Luoyang and Kaifeng to view chrysanthemums.
Longmen Grottoes, Luoyang
One of China's three great treasure troves of stone carving, it lies on the banks of the Yi River, 12 kilometers south of Luoyang, Henan Province. Excavated over 400 years from the Northern Wei Dynasty to the Northern Song Dynasty, it still boasts over 2,100 caves and niches, over 100,000 statues, and over 3,600 inscriptions, primarily on the west bank of the Yi River. This remarkable number of caves is the highest of any major Chinese grotto site.
Luoyang Peony
"Luoyang peonies are the best in the world" is the praise people have given to Luoyang peonies for thousands of years, so Luoyang is known as the "Peony City".
Shaolin Temple
Songshan, located in Dengfeng, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, China, is the birthplace of Shaolin martial arts and the ancestral home of Zen Buddhism.
Wangwu Mountain
It is located between Jiyuan City in Henan Province, Yangcheng County in Jincheng City in Shanxi Province, and Yanqu County in Yuncheng City. It is the place where the story of "Foolish Old Man Moving Mountains" in Liezi is recorded.
Kaifeng
Kaifeng served as my country's capital during the Northern Song Dynasty, and the famous painting "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" was filmed here. Seven dynasties, including the Wei Kingdom during the Warring States Period, the Later Liang, Later Jin, Later Han, and Later Zhou dynasties during the Five Dynasties, as well as the Northern Song and Jin dynasties, successively established their capitals in Kaifeng, earning it the nickname "The Capital of Seven Dynasties." With numerous historical sites, Kaifeng possesses a natural charm reminiscent of an ancient capital.
Anyang
A cultural city with a history of over 3,000 years, it is the main birthplace of Chinese civilization and one of the seven ancient capitals of China. It is also known as the "First Ancient Capital of China".
Recommended number of days for a visit: 3-5 days
Henan is a historically rich province in central China, considered the cradle of Chinese civilization. It was home to several ancient capitals and key dynasties, contributing significantly to China’s cultural, religious, and technological development.
Henan is located in central China. Major cities like Zhengzhou, Luoyang, and Kaifeng are accessible by train, bus, or flights. Within cities, taxis, local buses, and metro systems provide convenient transport, while many historical sites are walkable.
Booking in advance is recommended during weekends, holidays, or peak tourist seasons, ideally 3–7 days ahead.
Guided tours are available at most major sites in Chinese and English. Audio guides may also be provided at Longmen Grottoes and Henan Museum.
Start with Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng, then visit Songshan Mountains nearby. Next, travel to Luoyang to explore Longmen Grottoes and White Horse Temple, ending with Kaifeng for historic city exploration.
Some sites offer night performances, such as martial arts shows at Shaolin Temple and seasonal cultural festivals in Luoyang.
Weekdays are less crowded; national holidays (Golden Week in October, Chinese New Year) are peak times.
Most attractions have toilets, food stalls, souvenir shops, rest areas, and drinking water facilities.
Many sites are partially accessible; some temples and mountain trails involve stairs or steep paths. Elderly and disabled visitors may need assistance.
Most places accept mobile payments like Alipay and WeChat Pay; credit cards are accepted in major tourist spots, though small vendors may require cash.
Local restaurants, street food vendors, and cafes are available near major attractions, offering Henan cuisine such as Luoyang Water Banquet and Kaifeng steamed buns.
Vegetarian and vegan options are available at temples and major restaurants; halal options are available in some cities due to local Muslim communities.
Henan has a wide range of accommodations, from budget hostels to 5-star hotels in Zhengzhou, Luoyang, and Kaifeng, often within 10–30 minutes of main attractions.
Souvenir shops sell Buddhist charms, martial arts memorabilia, local crafts, calligraphy scrolls, and traditional Henan snacks.
High-speed trains, buses, and taxis connect major Henan cities. Car rentals are also available for flexible travel to nearby scenic areas and neighboring provinces.
