At the Longmen Grottoes, history meets you in the rock faces: they lie on both banks of the Yi River south of Luoyang in Henan Province. They stretch for more than a kilometer along steep limestone cliffs. Nearly 110,000 Buddhist stone statues, more than 60 stupas and 2,800 inscriptions carved into stone tablets make the grottoes an impressive testament to Buddhist art. If you are interested in the interplay between landscape and heritage, you will find both closely connected here: steep limestone cliffs and an extraordinary wealth of religious artworks.
Archaeology and history in Henan
Yin Xu, on both banks of the Huanhe River northwest of Anyang, offers a different historical perspective. The site is considered the first capital in Chinese history to be confirmed by historical documents, oracle bone inscriptions and archaeological excavations. The palace and ancestral shrine area contains a garden museum and a museum exhibition hall. Check whether these facilities are available before your trip.
The Henan Museum in Zhengzhou also has a distinctive focus: more than 170,000 artifacts are listed there for 2026; museum collections may change. An archaeological surprise box described in 2024 gives visitors the opportunity to experience the thrill of discovery firsthand. If this offering is important to your plans, check its availability before your trip.
In Gongyi, Ciyun Temple was founded in 64 CE during the Eastern Han Dynasty. It became one of China’s earliest Zen temples and received the title “Ancestral Court of the Source of Buddhism.” Shaolin Temple takes this religious and cultural story to the western foot of Mount Song: it was founded in 495 CE northwest of Dengfeng in Henan Province and is considered the birthplace of Chan Buddhism as well as the cradle of kung fu. The Pagoda Forest lies west of the temple. Covering more than 14,000 square meters, it is considered China’s largest pagoda complex in terms of size and number of structures.
Stone carving, architecture and literature
The Song Mausoleums in Gongyi include the tombs of seven emperors of the Northern Song Dynasty and 1,027 surviving above-ground stone sculptures. They are among China’s two best-preserved imperial mausoleum complexes and are known as an “open-air museum of stone carving.” Another perspective on Gongyi’s history can be found at the Kang Baiwan Manor: it spans the Ming, Qing and Republican eras and preserves more than 3,000 historical objects, including stone tablets, plaques, antiques, furniture and calligraphy.
Du Fu’s Hometown is dedicated to the life, poetry and significance of Du Fu in Chinese literary history. As a large cultural tourism area, it offers sightseeing, commemoration, education and cultural experiences. In Luoyang, the Luoyang Museum complements this focus with its extensive collection of three-color glazed ceramics. Regional cuisine also has a long tradition: the Luoyang Water Banquet is a local specialty with a history of more than 1,000 years.
Mountains, waterfalls and a canal along the Taihang Mountains
Henan’s landscapes offer a striking contrast to its archaeological sites. Yuntai Mountain features gorges of various shapes and several waterfalls of different sizes. Its main peak, Zhuyu Peak, is 1,297.6 meters high. Jigong Mountain, meanwhile, has 98 percent forest cover and is known for views of seas of clouds, hoarfrost, glaze ice, dawn and sunset skies, plants, rocks and waterfalls.
The resort villas are also part of Jigong Mountain’s character: diplomats, missionaries, warlords and businesspeople from various countries built them in the early 20th century. The villas earned the area a reputation as an “exhibition of world architecture.” Here, natural features and architectural history stand side by side, without one view replacing the other.
In the far north of Henan, northwest of Anyang, lies the Red Flag Canal, an irrigation canal in the Taihang Mountains. It winds along a cliff and passes through 42 tunnels. In the 1960s, it was considered a major achievement of Chinese workers. The mountain landscape is thus connected to a structure whose significance also lies in its history.
The Song era in Kaifeng
In Kaifeng, the Millennium City Park focuses on the history and culture of the Song Dynasty from 960 to 1279. The large park was designed based on the famous painting “Along the River During the Qingming Festival.” A visitor experience described on December 2, 2025, transforms visitors into characters from the Northern Song Dynasty; the exact program may change. If you would like to include this experience in your plans, check whether it is available before your visit.
Whether you first turn your attention to rock art, religious history, landscapes or regional cuisine, Henan offers different starting points for a trip tailored to your interests. To find a hotel, you can then choose the right base for your own plans.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Zhengzhou, Xinyang, Zhumadian, Luohe, Luoyang, Puyang, Zhoukou, Nanyang, Shangqiu, Anyang, Xuchang, Pingdingshan, Xinxiang, Jiaozuo, Kaifeng, Hebi, Sanmenxia.
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