Henan

The Central Plains interior, one of the sources of Chinese civilisation — a great province layering ancient capitals, grottoes and Yellow River culture.

• History: Henan has many ancient capitals, including Luoyang, Kaifeng, Anyang and Zhengzhou. The Longmen Grottoes are a large grotto complex carved from Northern Wei to Tang times, represented by the Vairocana Buddha. Yinxu in Anyang is a late Shang capital site where oracle-bone inscriptions were found; the tomb of Fu Hao is a representative archaeological find. Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng is a Chan ancestral temple and one of the origins of martial arts; its Pagoda Forest is a group of tombs of eminent monks. Millennium City Park in Kaifeng recreates Song street life after the painting "Along the River During the Qingming Festival". Henan foods include hui noodles, spicy soup (hulatang) and Luoyang water banquets; Yu opera is the local grand opera.
• Legend: The legend of Yu the Great controlling the floods and "passing his home three times without entering" is widely told — it is legend; the historical memory of Yu and flood control appears in pre-Qin texts, and miraculous details must not be taken as reliable history. The claim that Laozi rode a green ox out of Hangu Pass is also legend; the history of Laozi and his book follows texts and archaeology, and points to be verified are left undecided.

• Longmen Grottoes, Luoyang — Vairocana Buddha, Binyang Central Cave; night visits subject to scenic-area notices.
• Shaolin Temple, Dengfeng — Changzhu Yuan, Pagoda Forest, martial-arts performances.
• Yinxu, Anyang — oracle bones, Fu Hao's tomb, bronze exhibitions.
• Millennium City Park, Kaifeng — recreated Song street life and performances.
• Yuntai Mountain, Jiaozuo — Red Stone Gorge, Zhuyu Peak; in the rainy season watch for falling rock and slippery paths.

Intercity travel is mainly by high-speed rail: Zhengzhou to Luoyang, Kaifeng and Anyang mostly tens of minutes to 1–2 hours, fares from tens to about a hundred yuan, subject to official publication. Zhengzhou Xinzheng Airport has airport buses, metro or intercity rail. Zhengzhou and Luoyang have metro and buses; buses are mostly one to a few yuan, payable by transit card or ride code. Longmen Grottoes can be reached by Luoyang metro to a nearby station then bus (subject to the latest route map). Shaolin Temple, Yuntai Mountain and Yinxu mostly rely on tourist lines or chartered cars; scenic shuttle fares are mostly about ten yuan, subject to on-site notice. Rural sites have few buses — check timetables in advance. Fare-evasion fines follow each operator's official rules.

• Red Line: In grottoes and museums do not touch statues or exhibits, and do not photograph or use flash in no-photography zones; in Shaolin Temple keep quiet and do not shout in training or ritual areas.
• Taboo: ① In Shaolin and other temples do not enter halls in shorts or camisoles, and do not point at Buddha statues; ② in Yinxu and site areas do not dig or pick up pottery shards or oracle-bone fragments without authorisation.
• Good Manners: Enter temples and museums quietly and slowly; when tasting hui noodles and spicy soup respect the local habit of eating while hot; at Yu opera and performances do not leave early or take loud phone calls.
• Common pitfalls for visitors: ① Confusing Luoyang Longmen Station with Luoyang Station — check station names and connections before travelling; ② in summer, Yuntai and Songshan mountain roads are slippery after rain — bring non-slip shoes and do not enter unopened gorges without authorisation.

Best in spring and autumn. In April, Luoyang's peony season draws large crowds — book in advance. In summer, Yellow River and mountain sites need heat and thunderstorm precautions. Popular grottoes and museums mostly use reservations, subject to official publication.