The Cradle of Chinese Civilization
Henan Province, located in central China, is often called the “heartland of China” — both geographically and historically. It is one of the birthplaces of Chinese civilization, home to ancient capitals, the Yellow River, and cultural treasures that have shaped China’s identity for over 3,000 years.
🏛️ Formation & Historical Background
Henan’s name means “south of the river” (the Yellow River). As the core of ancient China, it hosted numerous dynasties, innovations, and philosophies that laid the foundation of Chinese culture.
Key Historical Timeline:
| Period | Major Event |
|---|---|
| 21st century BCE | Xia Dynasty — China’s first dynasty founded near Luoyang |
| 1600–1046 BCE | Shang Dynasty — early writing and bronze civilization in Anyang |
| 1046–256 BCE | Zhou Dynasty — Confucian and Taoist traditions emerge |
| Han–Tang Eras | Luoyang and Kaifeng flourish as major capitals |
| Song Dynasty (960–1279) | Kaifeng becomes one of the world’s largest cities |
| 1949 | Henan becomes part of the People’s Republic of China |
| 2020s | Modern development as a central logistics and manufacturing hub |
Henan is known as “The Center of Heaven and Earth” — the spiritual and cultural heart of the Chinese nation.
🧭 Basic Provincial Information
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Henan Province (河南省) |
| Provincial Capital | Zhengzhou |
| Largest Cities | Zhengzhou, Luoyang, Kaifeng, Nanyang, Xinxiang |
| Governor (2025) | Wang Kai |
| Area | ~167,000 sq km |
| Population (2025 est.) | ~99 million |
| Major Rivers | Yellow River, Huai River |
| Climate | Temperate continental; hot summers, cold winters |
| Time Zone | China Standard Time (UTC +8) |
| Dial Code | +86 (037x prefixes) |
| Top-Level Domain | .cn |
| Provincial Motto | “Origin of Civilization, Center of Progress” |
⚖️ Government and Administration
| Position | Current Officeholder (as of 2025) |
|---|---|
| Party Secretary | Lou Yangsheng |
| Governor | Wang Kai |
| Legislature | Henan Provincial People’s Congress |
| Judiciary | Henan High People’s Court |
| Administrative Divisions | 17 Prefecture-level cities, 159 counties & districts |
Henan’s government focuses on industrial modernization, agricultural innovation, and heritage preservation.
🗺️ Administrative Structure
| Level | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Provincial Capital | Zhengzhou | Economic and transport hub |
| Historic Cities | Luoyang, Kaifeng | Ancient capitals with rich cultural legacy |
| Major Prefecture-level Cities (17) | Zhengzhou, Luoyang, Kaifeng, Pingdingshan, Anyang, Hebi, Xinxiang, Jiaozuo, Puyang, Xuchang, Luohe, Sanmenxia, Nanyang, Shangqiu, Zhoukou, Zhumadian, Jiyuan | Centers of agriculture, manufacturing, and culture |
Henan has 17 prefecture-level cities and 1 sub-provincial city, further divided into districts, counties, and county-level cities.
- Zhengzhou (郑州市) – Provincial Capital
- Districts: Zhongyuan (中原区), Erqi (二七区), Guancheng (管城区), Jinshui (金水区), Shangjie (上街区), Huiji (惠济区)
- Counties: Zhongmu (中牟县)
- County-level Cities: Xingyang (荥阳市), Xinmi (新密市), Xinzheng (新郑市), Dengfeng (登封市)
- Kaifeng (开封市)
- Districts: Longting (龙亭区), Shunhe (顺河回族区), Gulou (鼓楼区), Yuwangtai (禹王台区), Xiangfu (祥符区)
- Counties: Weishi (尉氏县), Tongxu (通许县), Kaifeng County (开封县), Lankao (兰考县)
- Luoyang (洛阳市)
- Districts: Xigong (西工区), Laocheng (老城区), Jianxi (涧西区), Chanhe (瀍河回族区), Luolong (洛龙区), Yanshi (偃师区)
- Counties: Mengjin (孟津县), Xin’an (新安县), Luoning (洛宁县), Yiyang (宜阳县), Yichuan (伊川县), Songxian (嵩县), Ruyang (汝阳县), Luanchuan (栾川县)
- Pingdingshan (平顶山市)
- Districts: Xinhua (新华区), Weidong (卫东区), Zhanhe (湛河区), Shilong (石龙区)
- Counties: Baofeng (宝丰县), Ye (叶县), Lushan (鲁山县), Jiaxian (郏县)
- County-level City: Ruzhou (汝州市), Wugang (舞钢市)
- Anyang (安阳市)
- Districts: Wenfeng (文峰区), Beiguan (北关区), Yindu (殷都区), Long’an (龙安区)
- Counties: Anyang (安阳县), Tangyin (汤阴县), Hua (滑县), Neihuang (内黄县)
- County-level City: Linzhou (林州市)
- Hebi (鹤壁市)
- Districts: Heshan (鹤山区), Shancheng (山城区), Qibin (淇滨区)
- County: Xun (浚县), Qi (淇县)
- Xinxiang (新乡市)
- Districts: Weicheng (卫滨区), Hongqi (红旗区), Fengquan (凤泉区), Muye (牧野区)
- Counties: Xinxiang (新乡县), Huojia (获嘉县), Yuanyang (原阳县), Fengqiu (封丘县), Changyuan (长垣市), Yanjin (延津县)
- County-level Cities: Weihui (卫辉市), Huixian (辉县市)
- Jiaozuo (焦作市)
- Districts: Jiefang (解放区), Zhongzhan (中站区), Macun (马村区), Shanyang (山阳区)
- Counties: Xiuwu (修武县), Wuzhi (武陟县), Bo’ai (博爱县), Wenxian (温县)
- County-level Cities: Qinyang (沁阳市), Mengzhou (孟州市)
- Puyang (濮阳市)
- Districts: Hualong (华龙区)
- Counties: Qingfeng (清丰县), Nanle (南乐县), Fan (范县), Taiqian (台前县), Puyang (濮阳县)
- Xuchang (许昌市)
- Districts: Weidu (魏都区), Jian’an (建安区)
- Counties: Yanling (鄢陵县), Xiangcheng (襄城县)
- County-level Cities: Changge (长葛市), Yuzhou (禹州市)
- Luohe (漯河市)
- Districts: Yuanhui (源汇区), Shaoling (召陵区), Yancheng (郾城区)
- Counties: Linying (临颍县), Wuyang (舞阳县)
- Sanmenxia (三门峡市)
- Districts: Hubin (湖滨区), Shanzhou (陕州区)
- Counties: Lushi (卢氏县), Mianchi (渑池县)
- County-level Cities: Yima (义马市), Lingbao (灵宝市)
- Nanyang (南阳市)
- Districts: Wancheng (宛城区), Wolong (卧龙区)
- Counties: Deng (邓州市), Nanzhao (南召县), Fangcheng (方城县), Sheqi (社旗县), Tanghe (唐河县), Xinye (新野县), Neixiang (内乡县), Xixia (西峡县), Zhenping (镇平县), Tongbai (桐柏县)
- County-level City: Dengzhou (邓州市)
- Shangqiu (商丘市)
- Districts: Liangyuan (梁园区), Suiyang (睢阳区)
- Counties: Ningling (宁陵县), Sui (睢县), Minquan (民权县), Yucheng (虞城县), Xiayi (夏邑县), Zhecheng (柘城县)
- County-level City: Yongcheng (永城市)
- Xinyang (信阳市)
- Districts: Shihe (浉河区), Pingqiao (平桥区)
- Counties: Luoshan (罗山县), Guangshan (光山县), Xinxian (新县), Shangcheng (商城县), Gushi (固始县), Huaibin (淮滨县), Xi (息县)
- Zhoukou (周口市)
- Districts: Chuanhui (川汇区)
- Counties: Fugou (扶沟县), Xihua (西华县), Shangshui (商水县), Shenqiu (沈丘县), Dancheng (郸城县), Huaiyang (淮阳区), Taikang (太康县), Luyi (鹿邑县)
- County-level Cities: Xiangcheng (项城市)
- Zhumadian (驻马店市)
- Districts: Yicheng (驿城区)
- Counties: Suiping (遂平县), Xiping (西平县), Pingyu (平舆县), Zhengyang (正阳县), Biyang (泌阳县), Queshan (确山县), Runan (汝南县), Shangcai (上蔡县), New Cai (新蔡县)
- Jiyuan Demonstration Zone (济源示范区) – Sub-provincial city directly under provincial control
Summary:
| Level | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Prefecture-level Cities | 17 + 1 sub-provincial |
| County-level Divisions | 160+ |
| Township-level Divisions | 2,300+ |
🌐 Geography & Environment
Location: Central China, on the North China Plain
Borders: Shanxi, Shaanxi, Hubei, Anhui, Hebei, and Shandong
Terrain: Mostly plains with mountains in the west and south
Major River: Yellow River — known as “China’s Mother River”
Climate: Four distinct seasons; fertile soil for farming
Natural Resources: Coal, bauxite, limestone, water, fertile land
Henan’s fertile plains have supported continuous human habitation for over 8,000 years.
🏘️ Local Government Structure
Municipal administrations emphasize:
Urban renewal in Zhengzhou, Luoyang, and Kaifeng
Agricultural modernization and flood control
Industrial and high-tech park development
Cultural tourism infrastructure
🧩 Leadership & Development Focus
Key development priorities:
Central Transportation Hub: Zhengzhou Airport Economic Zone & Belt and Road logistics
High-tech manufacturing: Electronics, automotive, aerospace
Cultural revival: Promotion of historical tourism in Luoyang and Kaifeng
Rural revitalization: Agriculture, e-commerce, and education access
Henan serves as a bridge between China’s northern and southern economies.
🛡️ Law Enforcement & Safety
| Department | Function |
|---|---|
| Henan Public Security Bureau | Provincial policing and community safety |
| Emergency Management Bureau | Flood, drought, and disaster response |
| Cultural Heritage Bureau | Protection of ancient sites and relics |
The province is known for its efficient emergency management, especially for Yellow River flood control.
🕊️ Religion, Language & Culture
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Major Religions | Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Christianity, Folk Beliefs |
| Official Language | Mandarin (Henan dialect) |
| Ethnic Composition | Predominantly Han with Hui and Manchu minorities |
| Cultural Identity | Birthplace of Chinese martial arts and Confucian philosophy |
Henan is home to the legendary Shaolin Temple — the cradle of Kung Fu — and several of China’s oldest Buddhist and Taoist temples.
📈 Economy & Key Sectors
| Sector | Description |
|---|---|
| GDP (2025 est.) | ~ $1.4 trillion USD |
| Main Industries | Manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, energy, food processing |
| Top Exports | Automobiles, machinery, electronics, agricultural products |
| Major Partners | Beijing, Shanghai, ASEAN, Europe |
| Key Zones | Zhengzhou Airport Economic Zone, Luoyang Industrial Park, Kaifeng Cultural Zone |
Henan’s economy combines ancient agriculture with modern industry and technology.
🎓 Education & Healthcare
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Literacy Rate | ~99% |
| Top Universities | Zhengzhou University, Henan University, Henan Normal University |
| Education Focus | Engineering, medicine, and cultural studies |
| Healthcare | Advanced provincial hospitals and expanding rural health programs |
| Life Expectancy | ~78 years |
Henan is an educational center for both historical research and modern innovation.
✈️ Transport & Infrastructure
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Major Airports | Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport, Luoyang Beijiao Airport |
| High-Speed Railways | Beijing–Guangzhou, Zhengzhou–Xi’an, Zhengzhou–Hangzhou |
| Highways | G4 Beijing–Hong Kong Expressway, G30 Lianyungang–Urumqi Expressway |
| Ports | Zhengzhou Inland Port – a major Belt and Road logistics hub |
| Energy Projects | Clean coal, solar energy, and smart grids |
Henan is one of China’s most important transport and logistics crossroads.
🏞️ Tourism & Attractions
Top Destinations:
Shaolin Temple (Dengfeng): UNESCO World Heritage Site and birthplace of Kung Fu
Longmen Grottoes (Luoyang): Thousands of Buddhist carvings
Yellow River Scenic Area (Zhengzhou): Cultural symbol of Chinese heritage
Kaifeng Ancient City: Former capital with Song Dynasty relics
Mount Song: Sacred mountain in Chinese philosophy
White Horse Temple: China’s first Buddhist temple
Yuntai Mountain: National Geological Park
Henan offers visitors a journey through 5,000 years of Chinese civilization.
🌍 Global Role & Relations
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Cultural Diplomacy | Promotes Shaolin culture, martial arts, and Buddhist heritage worldwide |
| Economic Role | Central hub in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) |
| Sister-City Partnerships | Collaborations with cities in Europe, Japan, and the U.S. |
| Tourism Promotion | “Beautiful Henan – Ancient China, New Vitality” campaign |
Henan’s influence extends from culture and trade to innovation and education.
📝 Summary
Henan Province stands as the soul of Chinese civilization — where the Yellow River flows, dynasties were born, and culture thrives. From the ancient city of Luoyang to the modern skyline of Zhengzhou, Henan bridges China’s glorious past and its bright, innovative future.
📢 News & Articles
“The Shaolin Legacy: Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern World”
“Zhengzhou: China’s Central Economic Powerhouse”
“Luoyang’s Longmen Grottoes: Stone Stories of Buddhism”
🎯 Our Mission
This profile is part of the AFP Global Knowledge Hub, dedicated to sharing verified educational insights about every province and region — promoting knowledge, heritage, and sustainability.
📬 Contact Us
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