Henan

Written by Anthony
Last update April 25, 2026

The China Journey - China -

Henan, located in central China, is the historical core of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties, rich in cultural heritage and significant archaeological sites. Explore Henan's legacy!

About Henan

Henan Province, located in central China, is a historic region with a rich cultural heritage.

Spanning 167,000 square kilometers, it is home to nearly 99 million people.

The province, known as the birthplace of Chinese civilization, was the cradle of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties.

Its capital, Zhengzhou, serves as the political and economic center.

Henan’s terrain features plains, mountains, and basins, with a climate that ranges from subtropical to temperate.

The province boasts numerous historical sites, including 5A and 4A tourist attractions, with 27 outstanding tourism cities.

It is also known for its diverse population, including Hui, Mongolian, and Manchu communities.

Henan’s history spans thousands of years, playing a crucial role in China’s development.

If you want help choosing routes, trip length, and the best places to combine on a first visit, see our Henan Travel Guide.

Category	Detail	Category	Detail
Nickname	Zhongyuan, Zhongzhou, Zhongtu	Area	167,000 km²
Administrative Code	410000	Population	98.15 million (as of 2023)
Region	Central China, southern Yellow River basin in the North China Plain	Government Location	Zhengzhou, Jinshui District, East Jinshui Road 22
Capital	Zhengzhou	Climate	Continental monsoon climate
Famous Attractions	Shaolin Scenic Area, Longmen Grottoes, Yellow Emperor’s Hometown, Mount Yuntai, Qingming Riverside	GDP	6.3589 trillion CNY (2024)
Airport	Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport, Luoyang Beijiao Airport, Kaifeng South Airport	Train Stations	Zhengzhou Station, Zhengzhou East, Zhengzhou West, Luoyang Station, Kaifeng Station
Car Plate Code	Yu A to Yu V	Province Flower	Wintersweet
Province Tree	Osmanthus tree	Public Brand	“Walking Henan, Understanding China”, “Henan Chain”, “Beautiful Henan”
Population	Han, Hui, Mongolian, Manchu, and other ethnic groups	GDP per Capita	60,073 CNY (2023)
Cultural Brands	Book Aroma Henan, Henan Link, Famous Henan Products	Provincial Planning	Henan Design, Zhengzhou Design, City of Design

Henan Administrative Divisions Overview

Henan Province, located in central China, consists of 17 prefecture-level cities, 21 county-level cities, 82 counties, and 54 urban districts.

Zhengzhou, the provincial capital, is situated in the central-north part of the province, and it serves as a major economic and transportation hub.

Henan’s administrative divisions also include 1 county-level city, 1192 towns, and 7589 communities.

The province has a rich historical and cultural heritage, with major cities like Kaifeng and Luoyang contributing to its deep-rooted traditions.

Henan continues to develop rapidly, with a growing population of over 98 million people.

Cities in Henan (Ranked By GDP)

Scenery in Henan

Henan Province is home to 4 world geoparks, including Yuntaishan, Songshan, Wangwushan-Daimeishan, and Funiushan.

The province boasts 15 national geoparks, such as the Shaolin Scenic Area in Songshan and Yellow River in Zhengzhou.

It also has 17 provincial geoparks and 13 national nature reserves, including the Nanyang Dinosaur Egg Fossil Group.

With 35 national wetland parks, Henan features several national ecological tourism demonstration zones like the Yao Mountain Buddha Scenic Area.

As of August 2024, Henan has 724 A-level tourist attractions, including 16 5A-level and 233 4A-level sites.

The province also hosts 27 outstanding tourist cities, 1,486 travel agencies, and 348 star-rated hotels.

In 2023, Henan welcomed 99.5 million tourists, generating 964.6 billion yuan in tourism revenue.

Food in Henan

Henan’s food culture dates back to the Song Dynasty, with Henan cuisine being known for its “quality ingredients, meticulous pairings, and fragrant, rich soups.”

The cooking techniques, including braising, roasting, frying, and quick stir-frying, are diverse, with braised dishes particularly noted for their natural, thick sauces.

Wheat is the main crop in Henan, and noodles form the backbone of daily meals.

From spicy soup and fried dough at breakfast to noodle soups at dinner, noodles dominate every meal.

Traditional hand-pulled noodles like steamed dumplings and braised noodles reflect the local mastery of simple ingredients.

In festivals and ceremonies, dishes like longevity noodles, dumplings, and various steamed foods symbolize prosperity and family unity.

The food in Henan is influenced by the region’s historical ethnic migrations and cultural exchanges, incorporating flavors from diverse ethnic groups.

Intangible Cultural Heritage in Henan

As of April 2024, Henan Province boasts four UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage items, including Tai Chi, the 24 Solar Terms, shadow puppetry, and the craft of making Xinyang Maojian tea.

The province has 125 national-level intangible cultural heritage projects, 1,030 provincial-level projects, and 9,908 county-level projects.

Additionally, Henan is home to 127 national-level inheritors and 11,042 county-level inheritors.

Henan also has two of China’s 23 national-level cultural ecological protection experimental zones, ranking third in the country.

Notable intangible cultural heritage includes the Xuanzang Legend, Shaanxi Drum Opera, and the traditional crafts of Luoyang and Baofeng.

China Province Basic Info

Anhui

Fujian, Home to Mazu Beliefs, Nanyin, and Hakka Tulou

Gansu

Guangdong, the Starting Point of the Maritime Silk Road

Guangxi, Ba Gui Culture & Iconic Guilin Mountain Views

Guizhou Province: Basic Info, Culture & Food

Hainan

Hebei

Heilongjiang, Best China’s Ice-Snow Tourism Destination

Hubei

Hunan, Heart of Chu-Han Culture and Red Culture

Inner Mongolia, Kingdom of Grasslands, Ocean of Songs, Homeland of Wine

Jiangsu, a land of Wu charm and Han elegance

Jiangxi

Jilin, Snow Paradise, Changbai Mountain, and Winter Fishing

Liaoning

Ningxia

Qinghai

Shaanxi, A Birthplace of Chinese Nation & Civilization

Shandong, Land of Qi and Lu, Hometown of Confucius

Shanxi

Sichuan, Land of Shu Civilization, Hotpot, and Pandas

Taiwan, a Cultural Blend of Hakka, Indigenous, and Western Influences

Tianjin

Tibet/Xizang

Xinjiang, Ethnic Customs of the Western Regions

Yunnan, A Cultural and Natural Paradise with Scenic Wonders

Zhejiang, A Timeless Land of Jiangnan Charm

FAQs About Henan

What is Henan China famous for?

Henan is famous for its deep historical significance, being the birthplace of Chinese civilization, and landmarks like the Shaolin Temple, home of Kung Fu.

Is Henan same as Hunan?

No, Henan is located in central China, while Hunan is in the south-central region. They differ in culture, cuisine, and geography.

What is the famous food in Henan?

Famous foods in Henan include Henan Stewed Noodles, spicy Hulatang, and savory Kaifeng Soup Dumplings, representing the region’s rich culinary heritage.

What language is spoken in Henan?

In Henan, people mainly speak the Henan dialect, a variant of Mandarin with distinct local pronunciation and vocabulary.

What is the ethnicity of the people in Henan?

Henan’s population is primarily Han Chinese, with smaller groups of ethnic minorities, including the Hui, contributing to the region’s cultural diversity.

What is the main industry in the Henan?

Henan’s key industries are agriculture, especially wheat cultivation, and manufacturing sectors like textiles and automobiles, playing a vital role in the economy.

Anthony

I’m Anthony, the founder and editor of The China Journey. I create practical, experience-based guides covering travel, food, and culture across China, with a focus on helping international travelers make clear planning decisions.