Overview
Henan ("south of the river") is a central Chinese province often called the "cradle of Chinese civilization." It was the seat of numerous ancient capitals and the birthplace of Chinese philosophy and writing.
Province
Henan
河南省 · Capital: 郑州
Map & Prefectures
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Prefecture-level cities
Zhengzhou郑州Kaifeng开封Luoyang洛阳Pingdingshan平顶山Anyang安阳Hebi鹤壁Xinxiang新乡Jiaozuo焦作Puyang濮阳Xuchang许昌Luohe漯河Sanmenxia三门峡Nanyang南阳Shangqiu商丘Xinyang信阳Zhoukou周口Zhumadian驻马店Jiyuan济源
Read articles about Henan → About Henan
Geography
Centered on the vast North China Plain drained by the Yellow River, Henan is mostly flat and intensively farmed, with the Taihang and Funiu mountains on its western rim.
History
Henan hosted the capitals of more dynasties than any other province—Luoyang, Kaifeng, Anyang, Zhengzhou—and is the site of the oracle-bone script of the Shang dynasty and the Yellow Emperor's legendary birthplace.
Culture
As the heart of the Central Plains (Zhongyuan), Henan is the source of Hakka and many Han subclans, the Shaolin kung fu tradition, and the Yu opera.
Cuisine
Henan food centers on wheat noodles and steamed buns: Hu la tang (peppery soup),烩面 (braised noodles), and Luoyang water banquet of twenty-four dishes.
Highlights
Highlights: the Shaolin Temple and Longmen Grottoes near Luoyang, the Yin Xu ruins of Anyang, and the Songshan sacred mountain.