Henan is a landlocked province in central China, on the middle Yellow River, that held the capitals of several dynasties. It is home to the Shaolin Temple, the Longmen Grottoes, the Shang dynasty Yin Ruins and Song dynasty Kaifeng, all linked by fast high-speed rail from Zhengzhou.
Henan sits in the middle reaches of the Yellow River, and its cities have been capitals of China for more than 3,000 years. Anyang, Luoyang, Kaifeng and Zhengzhou are counted among the eight ancient capitals, and the province's Shang oracle bones, Buddhist grottoes and Song city all sit within a few hours of each other by high-speed rail.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Henan.
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1
Jiahu Culture
Neolithic villagers at Jiahu in Wuyang County make the Jiahu bone flutes and early symbols, among the oldest playable instruments known; finds are held at Henan Museum in Zhengzhou.
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2
Erlitou and Early Shang Cities
Early bronze-age palace cities rise at Erlitou near Luoyang and at Zhengzhou, whose Shang city walls are still visible today.
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3
Yin, Late Shang Capital
The Shang court moves its capital to Yin near Anyang, where oracle bones bearing the earliest mature Chinese writing are used for divination.
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4
Eastern Zhou Capital at Luoyang
The Zhou court relocates to Luoyang, making it the political centre of the Central Plains.
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5
White Horse Temple Founded
Emperor Ming of the Eastern Han builds White Horse Temple in Luoyang, traditionally the first Buddhist temple in China.
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6
Longmen Grottoes Begin
Northern Wei Emperor Xiaowen moves the capital to Luoyang and begins carving the Longmen Grottoes, continued through the Tang dynasty.
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7
Shaolin Temple Founded
Emperor Xiaowen founds the temple on Mount Song, where the Indian monk Bodhidharma later teaches Chan Buddhism.
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8
Tang Dynasty Eastern Capital
Luoyang serves as the Tang eastern capital, home to Empress Wu Zetian's court and the great Vairocana Buddha at Longmen.
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9
Northern Song Capital Bianjing
Kaifeng, then called Bianjing, is the Northern Song capital and one of the world's largest cities; its life is recorded in the scroll Along the River During the Qingming Festival.
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10
Kaifeng Yellow River Flood
Yellow River flood waters bury much of Kaifeng, leaving the Song layers deep below the modern streets.
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11
Beijing-Hankou Railway Strike
Railway workers strike in Zhengzhou and other cities; the Erqi Memorial Tower now commemorates the event.
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12
Yin Ruins Excavations
The first scientific excavations at Anyang uncover the Shang royal tombs and thousands of oracle bones.
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13
Mount Song Historic Monuments Listed
UNESCO inscribes the Historic Monuments of Dengfeng in the Centre of Heaven and Earth, including Shaolin Temple and its Pagoda Forest.
Historical eras
The chapters of Henan's past.
Shang Dynasty
Eastern Zhou
Eastern Han
Northern Wei
Tang Dynasty
Northern Song
Ming and Qing
Historical sites
Places where Henan's past comes alive.
Longmen Grottoes
Over 2,300 caves and 100,000 statues along the Yi River, showing the shift from Northern Wei to Tang Buddhist sculpture.
Where: Luoyang
Admission: ¥100 (~$15) Apr-Oct; ¥80 (~$12) Nov-Mar
Shaolin Temple and Pagoda Forest
The cradle of Chan Buddhism and Shaolin martial arts, with a Pagoda Forest of more than 240 abbots' pagodas.
Where: Dengfeng, Zhengzhou
Admission: ¥80 (~$12)
White Horse Temple
Traditionally the first Buddhist temple in China, said to be where the first Chinese translation of Buddhist scripture was made.
Where: Luoyang
Admission: ¥50 (~$7.50)
Yin Ruins (Yinxu)
The last Shang capital and source of the oracle-bone script, the earliest system of Chinese writing.
Where: Anyang
Admission: ¥70 (~$10.50)
Iron Pagoda (Youguo Temple Pagoda)
A 55 m 13-storey glazed-brick pagoda, surviving Yellow River floods over nearly a thousand years.
Where: Kaifeng
Admission: ¥50 (~$7.50)
Kaifeng Prefecture (Kaifeng Fu)
Reconstruction of the Song magistrate's office of Bao Zheng, with re-enacted court sessions.
Where: Kaifeng
Admission: ¥50 (~$7.50)
Songyang Academy
One of China's four great Song academies, where scholars such as Sima Guang taught.
Where: Dengfeng, Zhengzhou
Admission: ¥30 (~$4.50) approx
Wuhou Temple (Wolonggang), Nanyang
Memorial to Zhuge Liang, the Shu Han strategist said to have lived on Wolong Ridge.
Where: Nanyang
Admission: ¥60 (~$9) approx
Museums
Curated collections that tell Henan's story.
Henan Museum
Luoyang Museum
Kaifeng Museum
Anyang Chinese Character Museum
Zhengzhou Museum
Historical tours
Guided experiences that bring history to life.