Named for its location of the south bank of the Yellow River, Henan (abbreviated as “Yu”) is a crucial national transportation hub and a typical large agricultural and population province. It is situated in the hinterland of China’s Central Plains and borders Anhui and Shandong to the east, Hebei and Shanxi to the north, Shaanxi to the west and Hubei to the south.
This province is renowned as one of the cradles of Chinese civilization where the ancient agriculture, animal husbandry and ceramic appeared 7 to 8 millenniums ago, where the Yellow Emperor was born, where China’s the first slavery regime - Xia Dynasty was found, world’s oldest character - Oracle Bones Inscription were invented, etc. Henan, being a political, economic and cultural center for a long term, is often neglected with more famous Beijing and Xian nearby, but it is a formidable land full of profound history and rich culture, such as culture of Shaolin Kung Fu, Buddhism, folk customs, food, fantastic bronze accomplishment of Shang Dynasty and numerous original historical heritages in different dynasties.
Henan consists of 18 cities, such as Zhengzhou, Luoyang, Kaifeng, Anyang, etc., and Dengfeng (where Shaolin Temple is located) is under the jurisdiction of Zhengzhou. The Northern Henan along the Yellow River is the core area of ancient Chinese culture and history, which has generated the four ancient capitals. Meanwhile, Henan is embraced by different mountain ranges in the north, west and south, so many astounding natural landscape are hidden there. >> Top Henan Tourist Destinations
The long and profound history has left Henan wealthy cultural heritages, whose underground antiques occupies the largest amount in China, overground relics ranks the second and museum collection retains nearly one in eight of the whole nations’ total number. Shaolin Temple and Longmen Grottoes are the two brightest pearls in the treasury, which themselves are outstanding ancient architectures, and also reserve traditional culture of Buddhism, art and faith. More origins of Chinese civilizations and legacies can be traced in Henan. Also, the land present unique natural views, like the imposing Mount Song, exotic Yuntai Mountain, impressive Guoliang Village and Tunnel Road on the Taihang Mountains, powerful waters of Yellow River at Xiaolangdi Dam. >> Top Henan Tourist Attractions
The over 1,500-year old temple is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site and the birthplace of China’s Zen Buddhism and Chinese Kung Fu, a holy dream land for worldwide Kung Fu fans.
Longmen Grottoes sitting by the river is the world’s biggest stone engraving treasure-house and one of the four main Buddhist grottoes in China with over 111,000 carved Buddhist figures.
Built in Eastern Han Dynasty in 68 AD, White Horse Temple is the oldest Buddhist temple in China and an important & sacred Buddhist center in Asia.
Exhibiting more than 140 thousand cultural relics, the museum is a wonderful platform to catch a glimpse of the brilliant achievements of ancient Henan. You can see many national treasures here.
Known as one of the Five Great Mountains in China, Mount Song is a world geopark and the location of World Cultural Heritage - Historic Monuments of Dengfeng in “The Centre of Heaven and Earth” (including Shaolin Temple...)
Luoyang Museum offers great opportunity to better understand Luoyang in different dynasties and diverse cultural gems, such as pottery figurines of Han & Tang Dynasties, Luoyang Peony, calligraphy and paintings.
Yuntai Mountain is a large famed ecotourism scenic spot in north of Henan, which shows distinctive Danxia rocks , verdant forest and water landscape of waterfalls, ponds, streams and springs.
Hidden deeply in the mountains, it is a mysterious small village standing on the vertical cliff. All visitors will marvel at the twisty and thrilling tunnel road on the driving journey and sharp rock walls.
This archaeological site is the ruins of the late Shang Dynasty that systematically proves the glorious bronze civilization, interesting ancient Chinese characters (Oracle Bones Inscriptions) and funeral customs.
Besides sightseeing the ancient sites, there are plenty of local featured activities you can attend to make your Henan tour special and unforgettable. When visiting Shaolin Temple, you can closely watch a wonderful show of Shaolin Kung Fu, or even spend months learning this famous Chinese Martial Arts. Seasonal natural beauties mainly focus on the Luoyang in the spring and Kaifeng in the autumn. Of course, eating popular food and having nightlife are the relaxing parts of your trip and good ways to learn local life and culture.
>> Top Things to Do in Luoyang & Things to Do in Shaolin Temple & Dengfeng & Things to Do in Zhengzhou
Cultural & Historical Sites
Henan Opera (Yu Opera)
Diverse Henan Food
The south regions of Henan enjoy a subtropical climate while the central and north areas belong to a Warm Temperate Continental Monsoon Climate. For its elevation decrease from the western mountains and the east plains, there are transitional climate features as well. Generally, Henan has distinct four seasons, hot and humid summer and cold, dry and windy winter. The annual average temperature of Henan is between 10.5℃ to 16.7 ℃, and the annual mean rainfall is around 407.7mm to 1295.8mm. January is the coldest time of a year while July is the hottest period. Rain mostly comes during June to August of summer. You can visit Henan at any time. Warm spring (March to May) and cool autumn (September to November) are the best travel seasons, because temperature at that time is moderate, natural color is beautiful, sky is clear with little rain. In summer, mountains like Mount Song, Yuntai Mountain are good palaces to escape from the heat and strong sunshine.
Best Places to Visit in Spring: Luoyang, Shaolin Temple, Kaifeng, Anyang.
Best Place to Visit in Summer: Shaolin Temple, Luoyang, Yuntai Mountain.
Best Places to Visit in Autumn: Shaolin Temple, Luoyang, Kaifeng, Guoliang Village, Anyang.
Best Place to Visit in Winter: Luoyang, Kaifeng, Anyang.
>> Henan Weather & Climate & Dengfeng & Shaolin Temple Weather & Climate
By Flight: There are four airports served for civil aviation in Henan, including Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport (CGO) and Luoyang Beijiao Airport (LYA) and two less-used airports. Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport is the major airport hub & the only international airport in Henan. It operates oer 200 air lines between more than 110 cities at home and abroad. Tourists can fly to Zhengzhou from Beijing (about 2 hours), Shanghai (about 2 hours), Guangzhou (about 2.5 hours), Chengdu (about 2 hours) and major Chinese cities, and Tokyo, Seoul, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and other overseas cities. Luoyang Beijing Airport mainly serves domestic flights to Luoyang from Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Kunming, Xining, etc.
>> Zhengzhou Airport & Flights & Luoyang Airport & Flights
By Train: Located on a well-developed rail network for both traditional and high speed railways, such as Beijing Guangzhou High Speed Railway, Henan is a vital rail hub in Central China. It’s every convenient and time-saving to get to Henan by high speed train from nearby provinces, like Shaanxi, Shanxi, Shandong. Zhengzhou and Luoyang are the most popular gateway cities for a train travel to Henan, for they are linked with Beijing and Xian within several hours’ train journey.
>> Zhengzhou Railway Stations & Trains & Luoyang Railway Stations & Trains
Zhengzhou is the frequently-used transfer center in Henan, for it has many buses and rains to other major tourist destinations in Henan, especially the fast intercity high speed trains to Kaifeng, Jiaozuo and Zhengzhou airport within 1 hour.
Zhengzhou-Luoyang: aabout 140 km, 40~50 minutes by high speed train; 2 hours by private driving; 2.5 hours by bus.
Zhengzhou-Shaolin Temple: about 110 km, 2 hours by private driving; 2.5~3 hours by bus.
Luoyang-Shaolin Temple: about 55 km, 1.5 hours by private driving; 2 hours by bus.
Zhengzhou-Kaifeng: about 60km, 20 ~ 30 minutes by intercity train; 1.5 hours by private driving.
Zhengzhou-Yuntai Mountain: about 95 km, 1.5 hours by private driving; 40 ~ 50 minutes to Jiaozuo by intercity train.
>> How to Get to Zhengzhou & How to Get to Luoyang & Zhengzhou to Luoyang
>> How to Get to Shaolin Temple & How to Get to Longmen Grottoes
Below are the most useful maps made and collected by China Discovery to help you better know Henan’s location, top attractions & destinations to visit, best way for arrival and traveling around. When planning your Henan trip, you’re welcome to use and download these maps as you need, which covers the Henan Location Map, Henan Attraction Map, Henan Top Tourist Destinations Map, Travel Maps of Luoyang, Shaolin Temple, Zhengzhou. Here are overall Henan Maps.
Henan Travel Map
Shaolin Temple Tourist Map
China is vast and diverse. You can choose your favorite destinations among more than 70 tourist destination and regions, like Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Chengdu, etc. Following are 4 popular destinations you may get interested in. Check all destinations in China.
We have helped many global travelers enjoy their memorable wonderful trips to Henan for the past few years. Among them, a couple from the UK traveled with us and spent 21 Happy Days in Luoyang, Dengfeng, Beijing, Xi'an and 5 Other Cities in Northern China, and shared us their special travel story!
Moreover, we got more than 2,020+ good reviews on TripAdvisor.com, and over 4,020+ China travel reviews from our customers. Travel with China Discovery to create your great China trip memories!
All itineraries and side trips can be customized privately, so please feel free to contact with our travel consultants if you have this kind of need.
Apart from the surviving Longmen Grottoes, you will also explore more of Luoyang by visiting its local museums and experience the authentic Shaolin Kung Fu in nearby Dengfeng Shaolin Temple.
Be taught to acquire some real Shaolin Kung Fu skills by a professional Kung Fu teacher and enjoy a fascinating Kung Fu show performed by real martial monks of Shaolin Temple. Free airport/train station pick up and drop off.
Driving about 1 hour 45mins from Zhengzhou to Shaolin Temple to experience real authentic Shaolin Kung Fu and extend your tour to nearby Longmen Grottoes with well organized itinerary and private tour guide.
Explore the best attraction of Xian and World Heritage Site - Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang. Your time and money are efficiently used.
Take this tour to explore Guoliang Village, a delightful stone hamlet which used be unconnected to the outside world due to inaccessibility and anonymity. It is situated high up on the clifftop in northern Henan.
Explore the essential highlights of Henan in a brief but enjoyable way, including the ancient Yinxu Site in Anyang, famous Shaolin Temple and magnificent Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang, etc.
This tour starts from Luoyang (Zhengzhou also available), visit Shaolin Temple and hike Mount Song, then return to Luoyang to visit Longmen Grottoes. It is a trip of diverse experiences.
This private tour takes you to discover Luoyang, Shaolin Temple and Kaifeng with a leisure pace. It’s an authentic cultural experience which is quite different from what you can get in other parts of China.
“Very good experience”
“WONDERFUL 25 DAYS IN CHINA - PRIVATE TOUR”
“Awesome China tour from northeast to southwest”
2,020+ Reviews
