# Northern and Southern Henan travel guide (豫北与豫南) Henan Province · Central China, China · 17 places Canonical: https://cnatrip.com/en/destinations/henan/northern-and-southern-henan ## The feel of the place Starting in Anyang, Henan, and following the Beijing–Guangzhou Railway down to Xinyang, this north–south route traces China's ancient cultural footprints across the province, and each city has its own distinct history and stories. Anyang's Yinxu ruins and oracle bone script, Xuchang's city walls linked to scenes from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Xinyang's Maojian tea, and the scenic landscape of Jigong Mountain will all give you a fresh understanding of this route. ### Anyang Local Snacks Deep-fried blood cake (zha xue gao), Sanbunian, fenjiang rice, chousi huoshao (shredded-dough flatbread), donkey meat shaobing, Linzhou hawthorn cake, etc. ### Hebi Local Snacks Mung bean sheet jelly, Xunxian pu rou (pork cutlets), five-spice peanuts, etc. ### Xinxiang Local Snacks Luoguo pork, Changyuan tofu brain, Niuzhongxi shaobing, etc. ## Getting there & around ### Getting In and Out Because this route runs north and south along the Beijing–Guangzhou Line, rail is the main way to travel between these cities. By road, you can follow National Highway 107 alongside the railway, or take the expressway from Anyang to Zhumadian, which offers even more flexibility and convenience than the train. ## Shopping Each city along the north–south route has its own famous local specialties, so consider buying one or two during your visit. ### Recommended Shopping ### Luohe Local Snacks Fancheng oil-crisp huoshao, etc. ### Xuchang Local Snacks Xueligun, Xudu roast catfish, Dongpo Xie Minqing, Wanmin Le, etc. - **Anyang** — Walnuts, chestnuts, red dates, and “Da Hong Pao” Sichuan peppercorns, etc. - **Xuchang** — Jun ware, produced in Yuzhou and first made in the early Song dynasty, was an imperial product, and the Jun kiln site still survives. Other local specialties include dried tofu skin and tobacco leaves. - **Luohe** — Yancheng drawn-thread work, a long-established craft that is exquisitely fine. - **Xinyang** — Xinyang Maojian tea was ranked among China's eight famous teas even before the Sui and Tang dynasties. Other specialties include Miaogao Temple tiankuizi (a medicinal herb), Huainan duck, Luoshan leather suitcases, and seaside bamboo mats. ## Where to stay Hotels and guesthouses at every price level are available in all cities along the north–south route, so accommodation is not a problem. ## Things to see - **Yinxu (Ruins of Yin)** (★★★★): Admission ¥70; Time needed 2–4 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/yinxu-ruins-of-yin - **Youli City Site** (★★★): Admission ¥38; Time needed 2–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/youli-city-site - **Red Flag Canal** (★★★): Admission ¥80; Time needed 0.5–1 day — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/red-flag-canal - **Taihang Grand Canyon** (★★★★): Admission ¥140 (includes shuttle bus); Opening hours 8：00—16：30; Time needed 1–2 days — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/taihang-grand-canyon-northern-and-southern-henan - **Chinese Characters Museum** (★★★★): Opening hours 9:00–17:00 (closed Mondays); Time needed 2–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/chinese-characters-museum - **Dapi Mountain Scenic Area** (★★★): Admission ¥50 (includes Fuqiu Mountain); Time needed 3–5 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/dapi-mountain-scenic-area - **Qihe River Natural Tai Chi Diagram** (★★★★): Admission ¥30; Time needed 3–5 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/qihe-river-natural-tai-chi-diagram - **Wanxian Mountain Scenic Area** (★★★★): Admission ¥107; included in the Wanxian Mountain Scenic Area ticket; Time needed 1–2 days — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/wanxian-mountain-scenic-area - **Guoliang Village** (★★★★): Admission Included in the Wanxian Mountain scenic area ticket; Time needed 2–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/guoliang-village - **Baligou Scenic Area** (★★★★): Admission ¥160 (admission + round-trip shuttle bus); Opening hours 8：00—18：00; Time needed 4–5 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/baligou-scenic-area - **Shenhou Ancient Town** (★★★): Time needed 1–2 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/shenhou-ancient-town - **Shiren Mountain (Yaoshan)** (★★★): Admission ¥65; cable car up ¥80, down ¥60, return ¥120; Shiren and Hongfeng cable cars up ¥40, down ¥30, return ¥60; toboggan slides ¥30 for four sections; Opening hours 8:00–18:00 (March–November); 8:00–17:00 (December–February); Time needed 5–6 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/shiren-mountain-yaoshan - **Jigong Mountain Scenic Area** (★★★★): Admission ¥60; Time needed 0.5–1 day — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/jigong-mountain-scenic-area - **Nanwan Lake** (★★★): Admission ¥60; boat ticket ¥40; Time needed 3–4 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/nanwan-lake - **Seventy-Two Pools Scenic Area** (★★★★): Admission ¥55; Opening hours 8：00—18：00; Time needed 2–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/seventy-two-pools-scenic-area - **Wuhou Shrine** (★★★): Admission ¥60; Time needed 3–4 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/wuhou-shrine-northern-and-southern-henan - **Neixiang County Government Office Museum** (★★★): Time needed 1–2 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/neixiang-county-government-office-museum --- Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), pp. 2133–2146. Prices, hours and transport details are as printed in the August 2024 edition and may have changed. Always confirm with the venue before you travel.