Anyang Yin Ruins

The Yin Ruins in Anyang, about 160 km (100 miles) north of Zhengzhou in Henan province, are the remains of the last capital of the Shang dynasty, dating to around 1300-1046 BCE. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ruins are where oracle bone script, the earliest mature Chinese writing, was discovered. High-speed trains from Zhengzhou East reach Anyang East in about 40-60 minutes for roughly ¥70-110. A taxi or DiDi from the station to the Yin Ruins Museum takes about 25 minutes and costs ¥25-45. Entry is about ¥70, and visitors should check the current price.

The site is arranged as an open-air archaeological park and museum. Visitors can see the reconstructed palace and temple foundations, the royal tomb area with its excavated pits, and the chariot burial pits showing horses and chariots interred with their owners. The tomb of Fu Hao, a Shang queen and military leader, has been reconstructed and is one of the site's best-known features. Exhibits display oracle bones and bronze vessels, and a full visit takes about 2-3 hours.

A practical day leaves Zhengzhou East on a morning train, reaches the site by about 10:00 and spends the late morning in the museum and grounds. Lunch is available in Anyang city, where local noodle shops and Henan dishes are easy to find. The afternoon can go to the nearby Chinese Character Museum, which covers the history of the script, before returning to the station for an evening train. The best seasons are March-May and September-November, when mild weather suits walking the open grounds. Summer is hot with limited shade at the excavation areas, and winter is cold and dry. The trip suits history-minded travellers, and visitors should confirm current opening hours and the last train back before leaving Zhengzhou.