The birthplace of Chinese civilization! 7 recommended tourist spots in Zhengzhou

Zhengzhou is the capital of Henan Province and has been an important transportation hub since ancient times. The Yellow River flows majestically through its outskirts, and when people refer to the birthplace of civilization, "Zhongyuan," they are specifically talking about this area.

Zhengzhou is a major city with a population of around 10 million and is also well-known as a popular tourist destination. The city is home to numerous historical sites, including ruins from the Shang Dynasty, dating back about 3,500 years, and tombs from the Eastern Han Dynasty.

Additionally, if you travel a little further, you can visit the famous Shaolin Temple on Song Mountain, which served as the setting for the Jet Li-starring kung fu film Shaolin Temple. This time, we will introduce seven recommended tourist spots in Zhengzhou.

1. Zhengzhou Yellow River Scenic Area

The Zhengzhou Yellow River Scenic Area is a tourist attraction centered around the Yellow River, located about 30 km northwest of Zhengzhou. To get there, take bus No. 16 from Zhengzhou Station and get off at the last stop. The journey takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes.

There are two main statues to see. The first is the "Nurturing" statue. The Yellow River is considered the mother river of the Chinese people, and this statue symbolizes that by depicting a mother (the Yellow River) nursing a baby (the Chinese people).

The second is the "Yan and Huang Emperors" statue. Emperor Yan and Emperor Huang are legendary rulers from ancient Chinese mythology, known for teaching medicine and agriculture to the people. Their massive faces carved into rock resemble the famous Mount Rushmore in the United States.

Additionally, the area includes a park with Yellow River water management facilities and an observation deck, offering a grand view of the river. Along the Yellow River, many sightseeing boats operate, allowing visitors to explore the river by boat. There are also boat restaurants where you can enjoy lunch while admiring the view.

2. Henan Museum

The Henan Museum is a provincial museum that opened in 1997. Equipped with modern facilities and a vast exhibition space, it is considered one of China's four major museums. If you visit Henan, this is a must-see attraction.

The museum holds over 140,000 artifacts, with an impressive collection of bronzeware, ceramics, and jade objects. Exhibits are systematically arranged by era, from the Neolithic period to the Ming and Qing dynasties, making it easy to understand China's historical progression. Photography without flash is allowed, so be sure to capture your visit!

3. Shang Dynasty Ruins

The Shang Dynasty Ruins, also known as Zhengzhou Shangcheng Ruins, cover an area of approximately 7 km and date back to the Shang Dynasty (also called Yin in China), which ruled from around the 17th century BC to the 11th century BC before being overthrown by the Zhou Dynasty.

Discovered in 1955, this site is designated as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit. Excavations have revealed palaces, wells, houses, cemeteries, and burial items made of bronze and pottery. While historically significant, the site is not developed as a major tourist attraction. If you visit without prior knowledge, it may just look like dirt mounds and walls, so be sure to explore carefully!

To get there, take bus No. 64 or No. 206 and get off at "Chengnan Road Shangcheng Ruins".

4. Erqi Memorial Tower

The Erqi Memorial Tower is one of the first buildings you'll see when you arrive at Zhengzhou Station, making it a symbolic landmark of the city. It is also known as the Twin Tower due to its unique structure, where two pentagonal towers are connected. Standing 63 meters tall with 12 levels, the tower was built in 1971.

The tower is located in Erqi Square, a bustling area with shopping centers and restaurants, making it a favorite spot for both locals and tourists. To get there, take bus No. 34, 93, 95, 105, 603, K805, or Y806 and get off at Erqi Square.

5. Dahuting Han Tombs

The Dahuting Han Tombs are located about 50 km southwest of Zhengzhou, in Xinmi City. These tombs date back to the Eastern Han Dynasty and are one of the must-see attractions for history lovers. The name "Dahuting" comes from a historical event when Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty passed through the area and shot a tiger.

The site consists of Tomb No. 1 and Tomb No. 2, but Tomb No. 2 is particularly remarkable for its well-preserved murals. The vivid colors and detailed paintings provide valuable insight into the daily life of people in the Eastern Han period. The tombs serve not only as a tourist attraction but also as an important historical and archaeological resource.

To visit, take a long-distance bus from Zhengzhou Central Bus Terminal to Xinmi City and get off at the final stop. From Xinmi Bus Terminal, you can either take a taxi or transfer to Bus No. 301 (bound for Wangzhuang) and get off at Dahuting Han Tombs. The bus ride from Xinmi takes about 15 minutes.

6. Songshan Shaolin Temple

Shaolin Temple is an ancient Buddhist temple built at the foot of Wuru Peak in Song Mountain. Founded in 495 AD, it is believed that Bodhidharma, an Indian monk, introduced Zen Buddhism here in 527 AD.

Shaolin Temple became world-famous thanks to Jet Li’s movie Shaolin Temple. The temple has a historical connection with martial arts, as its monks helped Emperor Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty unify China using Shaolin Kung Fu. A must-see attraction in the temple is the Hall of a Thousand Buddhas, where you can find 48 dents in the floor, said to have been made by monks practicing martial arts for centuries.

Today, Shaolin Temple is a well-developed tourist attraction, welcoming both domestic and international visitors. The most convenient way to visit is by joining a day tour from Zhengzhou, but you can also charter a taxi. Additionally, buses to Shaolin Temple depart every 30 minutes, with a travel time of about 1 hour and 30 minutes. To get there, take a long-distance bus from Zhengzhou Bus Terminal to Dengfeng.

7. Pagoda Forest (Talin)

The Pagoda Forest (Talin) is the cemetery of Shaolin monks, located west of Shaolin Temple. The name "Pagoda Forest" comes from the numerous pagoda-style tombs, resembling a dense forest. Covering 14,000㎡, it is the largest Buddhist pagoda cemetery in China and an artistic treasure showcasing ancient Chinese brick architecture and sculpture. Almost all visitors to Shaolin Temple also stop by here.

Among the many pagodas, the most famous ones represent different historical periods:

・"Fawan Pagoda" from the Tang Dynasty
・"Putong Pagoda" from the Song Dynasty
・"Xitang Pagoda" from the Jin Dynasty
・"Zhonglin Pagoda" from the Yuan Dynasty
・"Tairan Pagoda" from the Ming Dynasty
・"Bian Pagoda" from the Qing Dynasty

For Japanese tourists, the "Jukuan Elder Shou Pagoda", built in 1339, is especially recommended. It is said that a Japanese monk, Shaoyuan, inscribed its inscription. You can find various pagodas with engraved epitaphs, so be sure to look for them!

◎ Summary

How did you find the Zhengzhou tourist attractions, known as the birthplace of Chinese civilization? Despite its rich historical heritage, modern skyscrapers dominate the city center, creating a fascinating contrast that adds to Zhengzhou’s unique charm.

Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport is located 35 km southeast of the city, offering direct flights to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and other major Chinese cities. Additionally, there are two direct flights per week from Kansai Airport to Zhengzhou, making travel even more convenient.

Be sure to use this guide when planning your trip to Zhengzhou!

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The birthplace of Chinese civilization! 7 recommended tourist spots in Zhengzhou