Zhengzhou Travel Guide

Zhengzhou is the capital of Henan province and the central city of the Zhongyuan region, spread along the south bank of the Yellow River. Regarded as one of the cradles of Chinese civilization, it holds Shang-dynasty capital ruins and many other ancient remains in its surroundings. In modern times it grew as a railway junction into one of China's key transport nodes.

The Henan Museum gathers the province's history in one place, housing bronzes, jades and ceramics from the Shang and Zhou periods. Begun in 1927, it is now counted among China's top-tier museums. Seeing the oracle-bone inscriptions and bronzes excavated from the Yin ruins brings the sources of Chinese civilization close.

Zhengzhou is also a base for visiting Henan's ancient capitals. The "Center of Heaven and Earth" historic monuments at the foot of Mount Song, which include the Shaolin Temple, are a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site — famous as a temple of Chan Buddhism and martial arts, together with the Songyang Academy and an ancient observatory. The Longmen Grottoes at Luoyang and Kaifeng, the former capital of the Northern Song, are also within easy reach by train.

Henan flavors lead the food, with huimian — wide noodles simmered in lamb or beef broth — and the peppery, thickened hula soup among the local favorites. High-speed rail lines cross at Zhengzhou East station, giving good access from all directions.