Heritage sites in Henan Province

China's Heritage Treasures

Henan province serves as a primary center of early Chinese civilization, containing multiple UNESCO World Heritage sites. This collection highlights the Longmen Grottoes' extensive Buddhist carvings and Yinxu, the final capital of the Shang Dynasty. It also features the historic monuments of Dengfeng, which include the Shaolin Temple and ancient astronomical observatories, alongside significant Neolithic sites like Yangshao, which are fundamental to understanding China's prehistoric development.

China's Heritage Treasures — Map

Anagoria / CC BY 3.0

A

Longmen Grottoes

The Longmen Grottoes or Longmen Caves are some of the finest examples of Chinese Buddhist art.

B

Yinxu

The archaeological remains of the Shang Dynasty's final capital and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is renowned for the discovery of oracle bone inscriptions, the earliest form of Chinese writing, and massive royal burial pits.

C

Historic Monuments of Dengfeng in “The Centre of Heaven and Earth”

A UNESCO World Heritage site at the foot of Mount Song, comprising eight clusters of monuments including the Shaolin Temple, the Songyue Pagoda, and the Gaocheng Observatory, representing ancient Chinese architectural and scientific achievements.

Rosemania / CC BY 2.0

D

Houmuwu ding

The Houmuwu ding, formerly called Simuwu ding, is a rectangular bronze ding of the ancient Chinese Shang dynasty.

tak.wing / CC BY-SA 2.0

E

Site of the Royal Tombs

Yinxu is the site of one of the ancient and major historical capitals of China.

F

Di shun gong

A palace complex dedicated to the legendary Emperor Shun, one of the Five Emperors of ancient China.

G

Meng lou cun

A historical village site in Henan province featuring traditional architectural remains and defensive structures.

H

Yang shao cun yi zhi

The primary archaeological site of the Neolithic Yangshao culture, dating from 5000 to 3000 BC. It is the location where China's distinctive painted pottery culture was first identified in 1921.

Other Lists

Henan Province: Essential Historical & Cultural Treasures China's Natural and Historic Wonders Sacred Sites of Significance Cultural Heritage Sites