Henan 河南

Shaolin Masters

Shaolin Masters By Kevin Poh. Sourced via Flickr under Creative Commons Attribution License.

Hénán (河南) is a province in central eastern China, the heart of old China. The name Henan is literally "River South" in reference to the location south of the Yellow River. It was from here that the earliest Chinese civilization began. The area is sometimes know as either as Zhōngyuán(中原) or Zhōngzhōu(中州) which translates as "central plains".  This land, around the lower reaches of the Yellow river, is very fertile and consequently prosperous. Henan is the second most prosperous province in China with 94 million people. It is also the fifth largest economy in the country. The economy depend largely on aluminum and coal reserves, as well as agriculture, heavy industry and tourism.

The history of Henan streatches back over 5000 years. Four of the Eight Great Ancient Capitals of China, Luoyang, Anyang, Kaifeng, and Zhengzhou are located in Henan. This means that there is much for tourists to visit. The main attractions are the UNESCO world heritage sites of the ruins of the Shang Dynasty capital city Yinxu and the Shaolin Temple, world famous for it's Kungfu martial arts and history.

Tourist Attractions

Below is a list of tourist attractions in Henan:

云台山 潭瀑峡 丫瀑潭，丫字瀑下，一汪碧水。水色湛蓝，水面宽阔。 by Guo Qi. Sourced via Flickr.

(焦作市云台山风景名胜区; jiāozuò yún táishān fēngjǐngmíngshèng qū): Yuntai Mountain Management Bureau, Xiuwu County, Jiaozuo District, Henan, China. 中国河南省焦作地区修武県景勝地管理局. Phone: 0391-7709001, 7709300. The National Geo Park is a site of great natural beauty. This tourist attraction is rates as AAAAA on China's national tourism scale. Entry tickets for adults costs 120 yuan peak season and 60 yuan off peak. Half price tickets are available for students and people over 60 years with ID. People over 65 years and children under 1.3m are free. ID required for discounts.

The Longmen Grottoes are 12 km south of the present day city of Luoyang in Henan, China. Along with the Mogao Caves and Yungang Grottoes, the Longmen Grottoes are one of the three most famous ancient sculptural sites in China. There are 2345 caves and niches, 2800 inscriptions, 43 pagodas and over 100,000 Buddhist images at the site. 30% of the caves date from the Northern Wei Dynasty, 60% from the Tang Dynasty, and caves from other periods less than 10%. Fengxiansi (Fengxian Temple, 672-675 AD) is the largest and most extravagant cave in Longmen, featuring the impressive Vairocana Buddha and various other bodhisattvas. It was built during the golden age of Tang Dynasty and is often considered as the pinnacle of Chinese Buddhism arts. 龙门石窟奉先寺. by Xuan Che. Sourced via Flickr.

(洛阳市龙门石窟景区; luòyáng lóngmén shí kū): A massive collection of Buddhist statues, inscriptions, carvings and grottoes alongside the Yi River in Henan. This tourist attraction is listed as a UNESCO World Herritage Site. This tourist attraction is rates as AAAAA on China's national tourism scale.

by fab to pix. Sourced via Flickr.

(登封市嵩山少林景区; Sōngshān shǎolínfēngjǐngqū): The home of the world famous Shaolin Kong Fu, the Shaolin Temple is now a major tourist attraction. People travel from all over the world to learn Kong Fu from the Shaolin masters. This tourist attraction is listed as a UNESCO World Herritage Site. This tourist attraction is rates as AAAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(新乡辉县万仙山风景区; xīnxiāng huīxiàn yīwàn xiān shān fēngjǐngqū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(洛阳栾川重渡沟风景名胜区; luòyáng luánchuān chóng dù gōu fēngjǐngmíngshèng qū): Southwest Luanchuan Lake Town, Luoyang, Henan, China. 河南省洛阳市栾川县潭头镇西南. This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(鹤壁浚县大伾山风景区; Hèbì jùnxiàn dàpī shān fēngjǐngqū): The biggest stone Buddha in the north of China. This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(开封相国寺; kāifēng Xiāng Guósì): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(开封中国翰园碑林; kāifēng Zhōngguó hàn yuán bēilín): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(焦作博爱青天河风景名胜区; Jiāozuò Bó'ài Qīngtiānhé Fēngjǐngmíngshèng Qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(洛阳龙峪湾国家森林公园; luòyáng Lóng Yùwān guójiā sēnlín gōngyuán): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(安阳羑里城景区; ānyáng 羑lǐ chéng jǐngqū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(洛阳市嵩县天池山国家森林公园; luòyángshì sōngxiàn tiān chí shān guójiā sēnlín gōngyuán): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(许昌鄢陵国家花木博览园; xǔchāng yānlíng guójiā huā mù bólǎn yuán): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(南阳市西峡恐龙遗址园　　; nányángshì xīxiá kǒnglóng yízhǐ yuán): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(郑州嵩阳书院; zhēngzhōu sōng yáng shū yuàn): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(嵖岈山风景名胜区; Chayá shān fēngjǐngmíngshèng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

Exif_JPEG_PICTURE the chariots of the shang dynasty excavated in yinxu have been the earliest example of animal-drawn carts discovered by chinese archaeology. these six chariot pits of the shang dynasty and the remains of the road of the shang dynasty were excavated separately by anyang working station of the institute of archaeology of the chinese academy of social sciences and the historical relics working team of anyang municipality in the protected area of yinxu in recent years. the chariot pits were preserved well basically, one chariot one pit, there are two horses in each of the five pits and there is one person buried in each of the four pits. through the appraisement, most of the immolated were adult men and one was a boy. the chariot pits of the shang dynasty have not only exhibited the level of civilization of the ancient animal-drawn carts, but also reflected the cruel institution of immolation in the slave society. description courtesy of yin ruins historical site anyang, henan china by WL. Sourced via Flickr.

(安阳殷墟博物苑; ānyáng Yīn Xū bówù yuàn): This tourist attraction is listed as a UNESCO World Herritage Site. This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(濮阳戚城文物景区; Púyáng Qīchéng wénwù jǐngqū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(洛阳鸡冠洞风景名胜区; luòyáng jīguān dòng fēngjǐngmíngshèng qū): Phone: 0379-66890998‎. This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(三门峡虢国博物馆; sān mén xiá guó guó bówùguǎn): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(郑州世纪欢乐园; zhēngzhōu shìjì huānlè yuán): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(济源五龙口风景名胜区; jǐyuán wǔ lóng kǒu fēngjǐng míngshèng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(巩义康百万庄园; gǒng yì kāng bǎiwàn zhuāngyuán): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(濮阳绿色庄园景区; púyáng lǜsè zhuāngyuánjǐngqū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(开封龙亭公园; kāifēng Lóng Tíng gōngyuán): Kaifeng, Zhongshan District, Henan, China. 河南省开封市龙亭区中山路北段. Phone: 0378-5660142. This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(洛阳市新安县龙潭大峡谷景区; luòyángshì xiàn xīnān Lóng Tán dàxiágǔ jǐngqū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(开封府景区; kāifēng fǔ jǐngqū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(南阳内乡县衙博物馆; nányáng nèi xiāng xiàn yá bówùguǎn): Phone: 0377-65333488. A well preserved official government building from the Qing Dynasty of China. This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(林州太行大峡谷风景名胜区; Lín Zhōutài xíng dàxiágǔ fēngjǐngmíngshèng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(南阳西峡县老鹳河漂流风景区; nányáng xīxiá xiàn lǎo guàn hé piāoliú fēngjǐngqū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(洛阳市嵩县木札岭景区; luòyángshì sōngxiàn mù zhá lǐng jǐngqū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(漯河南街村; luòhé nán jiē cūn): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(郑州黄河游览区; zhēngzhōu huánghé yóulǎn qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(关林景区; guān lín jǐngqū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(济源王屋山风景名胜区; jǐyuán Wáng Wūshān fēngjǐngmíngshèng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(新郑黄帝故里; xīnzhèng Huáng Dìgù lǐ): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(洛阳白马寺院; luòyáng báimǎsìyuàn): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(信阳鸡公山风景名胜区; xìnyáng jī gōngshān fēngjǐngmíngshèng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(开封铁塔公园; kāifēng tiěda gōngyuán): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(平顶山石人山风景名胜区; píngdǐngshān shí rén shān fēngjǐngmíngshèng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(洛阳市洛宁县神灵寨风景区; luòyángshì luòníng xiàn shénlíng zhài fēngjǐngqū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(鹤壁淇县云梦山风景名胜区; hè bì qíxiàn yúnmèng shān fēngjǐngmíngshèng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(商丘古文化旅游区; shāngqiū gǔwén huà lǚyóuqū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(新乡八里沟; xīnxiāng bā lǐ gōu): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(洛阳嵩县白云山国家森林公园; luòyáng sōngxiàn báiyúnshān guójiā sēnlín gōngyuán): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(清明上河园; qīngmíngshàng hé yuán): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(登封中岳庙; dēngfēng zhōng Yuè Miào): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(永城市芒砀山文物旅游区; yǒngchéng shì máng dàngshān wénwù lǚyóuqū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(汤阴县岳飞庙景区; tāngyīn xiàn Yuè Fēimiào jǐngqū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(开封包公祠; Kāifēng Bāogōng Cí): On bus route No.20. This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale. Open 08:00 to 17:30. Entry costs 20 RMB.

(林州红旗渠游览区; Lín Zhōu hóngqí qú yóulǎn qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(信阳南湾湖风景旅游区; xìnyáng nán wān hú fēngjǐng lǚyóuqū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(新乡京华园景区; xīnxiāng jīng 华yuán jǐngqū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(卢氏县豫西大峡谷风景区; lúshì xiàn yù xī dàxiágǔ fēngjǐngqū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(焦作沁阳神农坛风景名胜区; jiāozuò qìnyáng shén nóng tán fēngjǐngmíngshèng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAAA on China's national tourism scale.

(郑州金鹭鸵鸟园; zhèng zhōu jīn lù tuó niǎo yuán): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.

(安阳岳飞庙; ān yáng yuè fēi miào): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.

(许昌灞陵桥; xǔ chāng bà líng qiáo): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.

(许昌春秋楼; xǔ chāng chūn qiū lóu): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.

(南阳云华蝙蝠洞景区; nán yáng yún huā;huá biān fú dòng jǐng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.

(南阳桐柏淮源风景区; nán yáng tóng bǎi huái yuán fēng jǐng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.

(南阳龙潭沟景区; nán yáng lóng tán;dǎn gōu jǐng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.

(南阳社旗山陕会馆; nán yáng shè qí shān shǎn huì guǎn): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.

(潞王陵景区; lù wáng líng jǐng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.

(新乡辉县百泉景区; xīn xiāng huī xiàn bǎi quán jǐng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.

(新乡比干庙园林景区; xīn xiāng bǐ gàn miào yuán lín jǐng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.

(濮阳毛楼生态旅游区; pú yáng máo lóu shēng tài lǚ yóu qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.

(三门峡大坝风景区; sān mén xiá dà bà fēng jǐng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.

(三门峡函谷关古文化旅游区; sān mén xiá hán gǔ guān gǔ wén huà;huā lǚ yóu qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.

(三门峡甘山森林公园; sān mén xiá gān shān sēn lín gōng yuán): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.

(濮阳世锦园; pú yáng shì jǐn yuán): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.

(商丘永城芒砀山文物旅游区; shāng qiū yǒng chéng máng dàng shān wén wù lǚ yóu qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.

(洛阳花果山; luò yáng huā guǒ shān): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.

(洛阳民俗博物馆; luò yáng mín sú bó wù guǎn): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.

(洛阳博物馆; luò yáng bó wù guǎn): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.

(洛阳八路军驻洛办事处; luò yáng bā lù jūn zhù luò bàn shì chù): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.

(洛阳千唐志斋; luò yáng qiān táng zhì zhāi): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.

(洛阳王铎故居; luò yáng wáng duó gù jū): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.

(洛阳龙马负图寺; luò yáng lóng mǎ fù tú sì): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.

(洛阳汉光武帝原陵; luò yáng hàn guāng wǔ dì yuán líng): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.

(郑州黄帝故里; zhèng zhōu huáng dì gù lǐ): This tourist attraction is rates as AAA on China's national tourism scale.

(洛阳偃师商城博物馆; luò yáng yǎn shī shāng chéng bó wù guǎn): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.

(焦作群英湖风景区; xī;jiāo zuò qún yīng hú fēng jǐng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.

(三门峡荆州黄帝铸鼎塬旅游区; sān mén xiá jīng zhōu huáng dì zhù dǐng yuán lǚ yóu qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.

(许昌禹州均官窑址博物馆; xǔ chāng yǔ zhōu jūn guān yáo zhǐ bó wù guǎn): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.

(三门峡鼎湖芦苇荡风景区; sān mén xiá dǐng hú lú wěi dàng fēng jǐng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.

(济源市济渎庙风景区; jǐ;jì yuán shì jǐ;jì dú miào fēng jǐng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.

(许昌市紫云山景区; xǔ chāng shì zǐ yún shān jǐng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.

(新乡潞王陵; xīn xiāng lù wáng líng): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.

(新乡京华园; xīn xiāng jīng huá yuán): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.

(新乡百泉景区; xīn xiāng bǎi quán jǐng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.

(郑州花园口景区; zhèng zhōu huā yuán kǒu jǐng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.

(新郑博物馆; xīn zhèng bó wù guǎn): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.

(新乡世纪青青生态度; xīn xiāng shì jì qīng qīng shēng tài dù): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.

(新乡愚公泉景区; xīn xiāng yú gōng quán jǐng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.

(鹤壁三兴集团淇滨康乐村; hè bì sān xìng;xīng jí tuán qí bīn kāng lè cūn): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.

(中牟雁鸣湖景区; zhōng móu yàn míng hú jǐng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.

(鹤壁淇县灵山风景区; hè bì qí xiàn líng shān fēng jǐng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.

(长葛中州人文纪念园; cháng;zhǎng gé zhōng zhōu rén wén jì niàn yuán): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.

(南阳方城望花湖风景区; nán yáng fāng chéng wàng huā hú fēng jǐng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.

(河南省环翠峪风景名胜区; hé nán shěng;xǐng huán cuì yù fēng jǐng míng shèng qū): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.

(卫辉跑马岭休闲生态园; wèi huī pǎo mǎ lǐng xiū xián shēng tài yuán): This tourist attraction is rates as AA on China's national tourism scale.

History

Northern Henan, along the Yellow River, was the core area of ancient China for at least the first half of Chinese history. The two cities of Luoyang and Kaifeng each served as the capital city of a long list of dynasties.

Archaeological sites reveal that prehistoric cultures such as the Yangshao Culture and Longshan Culture were active in what is now northern Henan. The Erlitou culture, which has been controversially identified with the Xia Dynasty, the first Chinese dynasty as described in Chinese records, was also centered in Henan.

The first literate dynasty of China, the Shang Dynasty (16th-11th century BC), was centered in Henan. Their last capital, Yin, was located at the modern city of Anyang, Henan.

In the 11th century BC, the Zhou Dynasty arrived from the west and destroyed the Shang Dynasty. Their capital was located initially in Hao (near present day Xi'an in Shaanxi province). In 722 BC, it was moved to Luoyang, Henan. This began the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, a period of warfare and rivalry. What is now Henan was divided into a variety of small states, including Hua (destroyed by Qin in 627BC), Chen, Cai, Cao, Zheng, Wei (衛), and powerful Jin from Shanxi to the north. Later on these were replaced with Han and Wei (魏). Throughout this period the state of Chu also held much of what is now southern Henan.

In 221 BC, the state of Qin from what is now Shaanxi completed the unification of China, establishing the first unified Chinese state, the Qin Dynasty. They were followed by the Han Dynasty in 206 BC, which initially put its capital in Chang'an (now Xi'an, Shaanxi). The second half of this dynasty (the Eastern Han Dynasty) moved its capital to Luoyang.

The late Eastern Han Dynasty saw war and rivalry between regional warlords. Henan was the power base of Cao Cao, who was based in Xuchang and eventually succeeded in unifying all of northern China under the Kingdom of Wei. Wei then put its capital in Luoyang. The Western Jin Dynasty that followed also put its capital at Luoyang.

In the 4th century, nomadic peoples from the north invaded northern China. Henan then came under the rule of many successive regimes, including the Later Zhao, the Former Yan, the Former Qin, the Later Yan, and the Later Qin. The Northern Wei Dynasty, which unified North China in 439, moved its capital to Luoyang in 493.

Northern Wei splintered in 534 and would not be restored until 589, when the Sui Dynasty reunified China. Sui Emperor Yang's costly attempt to relocate the capital from Chang'an to Luoyang contributed to the downfall of Sui. The Tang Dynasty that followed kept its capital in Chang'an (modern Xi'an, Shaanxi). The Tang lasted for three centuries, but eventually succumbed to internal strife.

In the Period of Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms that followed, Kaifeng was the capital of four dynasties: Later Liang Dynasty, Later Jin Dynasty, Later Han Dynasty, and Later Zhou Dynasty. The Song Dynasty that reunified China in 982 also had its capital at Kaifeng. Under Song rule, China entered a golden age of culture and prosperity, and Kaifeng was the largest city in the world. In 1127, however, the Song Dynasty succumbed to Jurchen (Jin Dynasty) invaders from the north, and in 1142 had to cede away all of northern China, including Henan. By this point, cultural and economic development in the Yangtze River delta Jiangnan region (modern southern Jiangsu, northern Zhejiang, and Shanghai) had made that area into the new economic and cultural center of China, instead of Henan. Henan would forever lose this pre-eminent position.

Kaifeng served as the Jurchen's "southern capital" from 1157 (other sources say 1161) and was reconstructed during this time. But they kept their main capital further north, until 1214, when they were forced to move the imperial court southwards to Kaifeng in order to flee the Mongol onslaught. In 1234 they succumbed to combined Mongol and Song Dynasty forces. Mongols took control, and in 1279 they conquered all of China.

Mongol rule over China ended in 1368. The Ming Dynasty that followed set up the equivalent of modern Henan province, with borders extremely similar to modern ones. The capital was, however, at Kaifeng instead of modern Zhengzhou. The Qing Dynasty (1644–1911) did not make any significant changes to this arrangement; nor did the Republic of China in their rule over Mainland China (1911–1949).

The completion of the Pinghan Railway (Beijing-Hankou) made Zhengzhou, a previously unnoted county town, into a major transportation hub. In 1954, the new People's Republic of China government moved the capital of Henan from Kaifeng to Zhengzhou. The PRC also established a short-lived Pingyuan Province consisting of what is now northern Henan and western Shandong, with capital Xinxiang. This province was abolished in 1952.

In 1958, Yashan in Suiping County, Henan became the first people's commune of China, heralding the beginning of the "Great Leap Forward". In the subsequent famines of the early 1960s popularly attributed to the Great Leap Forward, Henan suffered terribly, with several million lives lost.

In 1975, the collapse of the Banqiao Dam and other dams in southern Henan, following a typhoon that caused extraordinarily high levels of rainfall, is estimated to have killed 230,000 people across several counties. This was the most deadly dam-related catastrophe in human history.

In recent years the prevalence of "blood selling" (blood donation with pay) among poor villagers has put Henan in the spotlight of the nation. It was exposed that AIDS villages, where most of the population is HIV positive, have resulted because of poor sterilization techniques. The initial cover up of the crisis by local officials, followed by the national exposure, has put Henan in a somewhat negative light.

In November 2004, martial law was declared in Zhongmou county, Henan, to quell deadly ethnic clashes between Han Chinese and the Muslim Hui Chinese. The reported number of deaths ranged between 7 and 148.

People and Culture

Henan is the most populous province of China, with a population of 97,170,000 in 2004. If it were its own country, it would be the twelfth most populous, just behind Mexico. However, Sichuan used to be more populous before Chongqing city was carved out of it. Also, when considering migrants, Guangdong has the highest population in China, despite Hainan being splintered off of it.

Just under 99% of Henan's population is Han Chinese, while Hui account for virtually all the remaining 1%. It is the third most populous sub-national division in the world, after Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra of India.

Industry

Although in absolute terms, Henan's GDP ranks fifth in the country, it is a relatively poor province and given its large population of almost 100 million people, its GDP per capita is only US$2,820. Since undergoing reforms, however, the speed of economic development has increased by an average of about 10% each year for the past twenty years. In 2008, Henan's nominal GDP was 1.84 trillion RMB (US$265 billion), a year-on-year rise of 12.1%. In 2008, Henan's primary, secondary, and tertiary industries were worth 265.9 billion RMB (US$38 billion), 1.048 trillion RMB (US$151 billion), and 527.1 billion RMB (US$76 billion), respectively. Its per capita GDP reached 19,593 RMB (US$2,820) in 2008. An industrial system of light textiles, food, metallurgy, petrol, building materials, chemical industry, machinery and electronics has been formed. Nearly one hundred products, such as coal, industrial cord fabrics, fridges, aluminium, color glass cases, gold, meat products, tires, chemical fibers, glass, cement, generated energy, and others are an important part of the national market. Industrial sales reached 2.53 trillion RMB in 2008.

Henan is actively trying to build an open economy. In 2008, the total trade volume (import and export) was US$17.5 billion, including US$10.7 billion for exports. Since 2002, 7,111 foreign enterprises have been approved, and foreign funds (FDI) of US$10.64 billion have been used in contracts with a realized FDI of US$5.3 billion. Foreign exchanges are increasing continuously. Friendly provincial relationships have been established with 16 states (districts) in the United States, Japan, Russia, France, Germany, and others. Some cities of Henan have established friendly relationships (sister city) with thirty-two foreign cities.

Henan is an agricultural province, leading the provinces of China in wheat and sesame production, and is third place overall in terms of total grain output. Cotton, rice, and maize are also important crops in Henan.

There are several important centers of coal production in Henan, including Pingdingshan, Yima, and Jiaozuo. Luanchuan County in western Henan is an important center of molybdenum extraction. Electricity generation is another important industry of Henan.

Geography

Henan is flat in the east and mountainous in the west and extreme south. The eastern and central parts of the province form part of the North China Plain. To the northwest the Taihang Mountains intrude partially into Henan's borders; to the west the Qinling Mountains enter Henan from the west and end about halfway across Henan, with branches (such as the Funiu Mountains) extending northwards and southwards. To the far south, the Dabie Mountains separate Henan from neighbouring Hubei province.

The Yellow River passes through northern Henan. It enters from the northwest, via the Sanmenxia Reservoir. After it passes Luoyang, the Yellow River is raised via natural sedimentation and artificial construction onto a levee, higher than the surrounding land. From here onwards, the Yellow River divides the Hai He watershed to the north and the Huai He watershed to the south. The Huai He itself originates in southern Henan. The southwestern corner of Henan, around Nanyang, is part of the drainage basin of the Han Shui River across the border in Hubei.

There are many reservoirs in Henan. Major ones include the Danjiangkou Reservoir on the border with Hubei, the Sanmenxia Reservoir, the Suyahu Reservoir, the Baiguishan Reservoir, the Nanwan Reservoir, and the Banqiao Reservoir.

Henan has a temperate continental climate, with most rainfall in summer. Temperatures average about 0°C in January, and 27 to 28°C in July.

Zhengzhou is the province's capital and most populous city. Other major cities include Kaifeng, Luoyang, Xinxiang, Anyang, Luohe, and Xuchang.

Henan is divided into seventeen prefecture-level divisions – all prefecture-level cities – and one directly administered county-level city.The prefecture-level cities are:

Map # Name Hanzi Hanyu Pinyin Type
1 Zhengzhou 郑州市 Zhèngzhōu Shì Prefecture-level city
2 Anyang 安阳市 Ānyáng Shì Prefecture-level city
3 Hebi 鹤壁市 Hèbì Shì Prefecture-level city
4 Jiaozuo 焦作市 Jiāozuò Shì Prefecture-level city
5 Kaifeng 开封市 Kāifēng Shì Prefecture-level city
6 Luohe 漯河市 Luòhé Shì Prefecture-level city
7 Luoyang 洛阳市 Luòyáng Shì Prefecture-level city
8 Nanyang 南阳市 Nányáng Shì Prefecture-level city
9 Pingdingshan 平顶山市 Píngdǐngshān Shì Prefecture-level city
10 Puyang 濮阳市 Púyáng Shì Prefecture-level city
11 Sanmenxia 三门峡市 Sānménxiá Shì Prefecture-level city
12 Shangqiu 商丘市 Shāngqiū Shì Prefecture-level city
13 Xinxiang 新乡市 Xīnxiāng Shì Prefecture-level city
14 Xinyang 信阳市 Xìnyáng Shì Prefecture-level city
15 Xuchang 许昌市 Xǔchāng Shì Prefecture-level city
16 Zhoukou 周口市 Zhōukǒu Shì Prefecture-level city
17 Zhumadian 驻马店市 Zhùmǎdiàn Shì Prefecture-level city

The directly administered county-level city (more accurately described as a sub-prefecture-level city) is Jiyuan (济源市 Jǐyuán Shì).

News About Henan

A Land Grab Epidemic: China's Wonderful World of Wukans
by Elizabeth C. Economy Farmer Xiang Wen Jiang stands in front of his house, surrounded by newly constructed residential buildings in the town of Gushi, Henan Province on March 28, 2010. (David Gray / Courtesy of Reuters) A few days ago, ... »Council on Foreign Relations (blog)

Massive Baby Sets Record!
COM - A 15.5-pound baby born in the city of Xinxiang in China's Henan Province has set the record for the heaviest baby born in China, the Times of India reports. Chun Chun was born in a caesarean section which lasted around 20 minutes on Saturday. »

Easou Releases Chinese Mobile Internet Report
Guangdong province led among China Mobile subscribers with 15.87% of China's mobile internet users, followed by Henan, Hebei, Shandong, and Jiangsu, each of which accounted for roughly 7% of users - though Guangdong's share of users is displaying a ... »

Chun Chun: Biggest baby ever born in China weighs in at 15.52lbs
Mother and baby are both in good condition in a local hospital in Xinxiang city, Henan province. The arrival was auspiciously timed, just after the start of the lunar new year, the Year of the Dragon. His delighted father told local TV: 'My wife was ... »Daily Mail

China's biggest bundle of joy is born
Chun Chun tipped the scales to a whopping 15.5lbs when he was born on Saturday in the Henan province of China, making him China's heaviest baby on record. Chun Chun's 29-year-old mother gave birth to her record-breaking son just after the start of the ... »The Sun

Shaolin Temple visitor number drops in C China's Henan Province
Staff members of the Shaolin Temple are left idle outside a scenic spot at the Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng City, central China's Henan Province, Jan. 31, 2012. The number of visitors to the famous Shaolin Temple during the Spring Festival starting from ... »

Large crowds are zoned pulp boat in Henan Hongxing
For this reason, on 8th April 2010, a vibrant spring day, Henan Hongxing Mining Machinery CO.,Ltd organized an internal training activity. In the multi-purpose function room of company headquarter located in Zhengzhou city, the trainees from all ... »

Expert denies hidden kitten in yuan banknote
But Yuan Yinlong, a banknote and coin expert in Central China's Henan province, said the figures are just the work of the imagination of Internet users. "Internet users purposely highlighted the lines to form the animal-like figure," he said. »China Daily

Air pollution levels in China
Indeed, much of the country's population endures air so foul that it registers above 30 on the PM2.5 scale, with Shandong and Henan provinces topping 50. Because these readings reflect the average pollution that a typical resident in a province is ... »

Zambia Captain Katongo Earns Army Promotion
Katongo, who has been a soldier since joining Zambia army club Green Buffaloes in 2001, currently plays for Henan Jiyanyi in China. Previous clubs include Jomo Cosmos, Brondby, Arminia Bielefeld and Xanthi. Zambia army spokesperson Christopher Musonda ... »

Tips to Anti-friction Material Development
Once Jiangxi Yadong Cement Company Limited chose hammer from other manufacturers, but it always malfunctioned and was easily wear and tear; later the company was introduced to the massive crusher hammer produced by Henan Hongxing Mining Machinery Co. »

Quality is Guarantee of Business Reputation.
It is located in Zhengzhou, Henan Province. RedStar has many years of manufacturing history and most of the products are produced with the introduction of foreign advance technology and the combination of domestic actual condition and some of them have ... »

China's heaviest new born baby weighs 7.04 kgs
BEIJING: A baby weighing 7.04 kilogrammes was born in central Henan Province, setting a new record for being the heaviest newborn in China, local media reported. The 29-year-old mother surnamed Wang gave birth to the super-size baby on Saturday through ... »

Different Driving Methods of Overflow Ball Grinder
Henan Hongxing Mining Machinery Co.,Ltd is a joint-stock enterprise that is specialized in manufacturing mining machinery, ore dressing machines, complete sets of powder-grinding equipment and other production lines. There are almost a thousand ... »

Shaolin Temple visitors drop after rating warning
The decline of the popular tourist attraction in Henan province over the seven day holiday period comes after it was warned it could lose its top rating for poor service and maintenance. The scenic spot received some 61000 people during the holiday. »

What is Happening to China's Economic Market?
Yang Xingguo, chairman of Henan Hongxing Mining Machinery Co.,Ltd, China's second-largest maker of crushing and grinding equipment, told Wen this month that a lack of access to credit was hurting customers and suppliers of hammer crusher and China ... »

Sparkling Fine Ball Grinding Machine.
Dedicated to the research of ball grinding machine for more than 60 years, Henan Hongxing Mining Machinery is specializing in the production. Many products are exported to all over the world. The production centralized lubrication oil and gear reducer ... »

China seeks energy-tech license from UTC
According to Pratt, all three companies will collaborate to design, construct and operate a commercial-scale advanced gasification demonstration plant in China's central eastern Henan Province. The agreement is a key step toward commercializing ... »

Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Signs Agreement for Commercial-Scale Gasification ...
Zhongyuan Da Hua Group Company Ltd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Henan Coal Chemical Industry Group Co. Ltd., a state-owned enterprise in China Henan Province. Henan Coal Chemical Industry Group Co. Ltd, the 2nd largest coal company in China and the ... »

AS FACTORIES MOVE INLAND FROM CHINA'S COASTAL AREAS, MORE WORKERS STAY HOME
Outside the factory of Foxconn — the world's largest contract electronics manufacturer — in suburban Zhengzhou, capital of central Henan Province, dozens of recruitment stands are nestled, bazaar-like, in prefabricated huts crammed along both sides ... »

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