Henan

Henan is a province in Central China. Henan is home to many heritage sites, including Yinxu, the ruins of the final capital of the Shang dynasty (c. 1600 – c. 1050 BC) and the Shaolin Temple. Four of the historical capitals of China, Luoyang, Anyang, Kaifeng and Zhengzhou, are in Henan. While the province's name means 'south of the river', approximately a quarter of the province lies north of the Yellow River. With an area of 167,000 km2 (64,000 sq mi), Henan covers a large part of the fertile and densely populated North China Plain. Its neighboring provinces are Shaanxi, Shanxi, Hebei, Shandong, Anhui, and Hubei. Henan is China's third-most populous province and the most populous among inland provinces, with a population of over 99 million as of 2020. It is also the world's seventh-most populous administrative division; if it were a country by itself, Henan would be the 17th-most populous in the world, behind Egypt and Vietnam. People from Henan often suffer from regional discrimination. Henan is the 5th-largest provincial economy of China, the second-largest in South Central China after Guangdong, and the largest among inland provinces, with a nominal GDP of CN¥5.88 trillion (US$926 billion) as of 2021, ahead of the nation of Turkey ($815 billion). If it were a country, it would be the 18th-largest economy as of 2021. However, its GDP per capita is low compared to other eastern and central provinces. The economy continues to grow based on aluminum and coal prices, as well as agriculture, heavy industry, tourism and retail. High-tech industries and the service sector are concentrated around Zhengzhou and Luoyang. Henan hosts more than 150 institutions of higher education, ranking first in the Central China region. As of 2023, three major cities in the province ranked in the top 200 cities in the world (Zhengzhou 76th, Kaifeng 154th and Xinxiang 195th) by scientific research output, as tracked by the Nature Index.

One-Day Henan Tour Itinerary Recommendations

Theme:

Central Plains Civilization + Kung Fu Zen + Ancient Capital Charm

Suitable for:

Short trips to Zhengzhou/Luoyang/Kaifeng, optimal with high-speed rail + metro/scenic shuttle

Practical Tips

Cultural Notes:

Luoyang's Yingtianmen closed Tuesdays, Millennium City Park night show recommended

Ticket Prices:

Longmen Grottoes ¥90 | Millennium City Park ¥120 | Drama Fantasyland ¥290

Must-Try Foods:

Zhengzhou: Spicy soup (Fangzhongshan)

Luoyang: Beef soup (Nanguan Small Bowl)

Kaifeng: Five-spice lamb feet (Drum Tower night market)

Optimization Tips:

Zhengzhou alternative: Yellow Emperor's Hometown (requires half-day trip)

Short on Luoyang time? Skip White Horse Temple for Longmen + Museum

Kaifeng night show "Dream of the Capital of Song" highly recommended

(Note: Zhengzhou-Luoyang 40min by high-speed rail | Kaifeng-Zhengzhou 30min intercity train)

Option 1:

Zhengzhou Shang Dynasty Culture

Best for:

History/archaeology lovers, families

Transport:

Metro Line 1 + e-bike

08:00-10:00 Henan Museum

Must-see: 9,000-year-old Jiahu bone flute + Fu Hao owl zun (free with booking)

10:30-12:00 Shang Dynasty Ruins Museum

360° immersive theater + touch ancient rammed earth walls

12:30-14:00 Stewed Noodles Lunch

Heji Noodles (with garlic) + Geji Braised Pancakes

14:30-17:00 Only Henan Drama Fantasyland

21 immersive theaters (main show "Fantasy City" is a must)

18:00 Erqi Tower Night Views

Dehua Street snacks: almond tea + grilled lamb skewers

Option 2:

Luoyang Tang Dynasty Time Travel

Best for:

Hanfu enthusiasts, cultural photographers

Transport:

Luoyang Metro Line 2 + bike-sharing

07:30-09:30 Longmen Grottoes

Early access to avoid crowds - see Giant Buddha + "V-sign" statue

10:00-12:00 White Horse Temple

China's first Buddhist temple + Indian/Thai style halls

12:30-14:00 Water Banquet Lunch

Zhenbutong Restaurant (peony swallow dish + fried meatballs)

14:30-17:00 LuoYi Ancient Town + Yingtianmen

Rent Hanfu for Tang-style photos + light shows at Mingtang Paradise

18:00 Night Market

"Bu Fan" soup + boiled beef tripe, buy Tang tri-colored pottery

Option 3:

Kaifeng Song Dynasty Experience

Best for:

Folk culture lovers, foodies

Transport:

Kaifeng tourist bus

08:00-10:00 Millennium City Park

9am opening ceremony + experience Hongqiao water transport

10:30-12:00 Kaifeng Prefecture

"Judge Bao Trials" reenactment + Eight-Trigram prison

12:30-14:00 Soup Dumpling Feast

First Floor Restaurant (crispy fish noodles + barrel chicken)

14:30-17:00 Daxiangguo Temple + Book Street

Thousand-hand Buddha + antique book hunting

18:00 Xisi Night Market

Fried jelly + almond tea, enjoy Yu opera excerpts