Widely regarded as one of the Cradles of Chinese civilization, Henan is known for historic heritage and archeological discoveries, with over 3,000 years of recorded history and remained China's cultural, economic and political center until approximately 1,000 years ago.

Henan Province is home to many heritage sites which have been left behind, including the ruins of Shang dynasty capital city Yin, Longmen Grottoes and the Shaolin Temple. Four of the Eight Great Ancient Capitals of China, Luoyang, Anyang, Kaifeng and Zhengzhou, are located in the province. The practice of Tai Chi originated in Chen Jia Gou Village (Chen style), which is considered as the birthplace of Tai Chi, a form of martial arts in China.

It is quite interesting that the name of the province - Henan means "south of the [Yellow] river", but approximately a quarter of the province still lies north of the river. With an area of 167,000 km2 (64,479 sq mi), Henan covers a large part of the fertile North China Plain. It is a major grain producer in China and the third most populous province with a population of over 96.4 million (2019).

If you intend to learn more about Chinese history, Henan is definitely a perfect region to visit, like Luoyang, Dengfeng, Anyang, Zhengzhou and Kaifeng. Besides, a visit to the annual Peony Flower Festival held in Luoyang and delectable water banquet are good chances to experience Chinese culture. The local cave dwelling built underground is also worth exploring to see the traditional way of life in Henan. ETC travel specialists will be very pleased to plan a fantastic trip to Henan, which suits your needs.