Zhengzhou - Main Sights

Main Sights

As an ancient Chinese capital and a traditional trading center, Zhengzhou maintains abundant cultural heritage that reflects its glorious history as well as the culture of Henan Province. Zhengzhou Confucius Temple, initially built in the Eastern Han Dynasty 1,900 years ago, is one of the oldest Confucius Temples in China. Other important architectural heritage in the city includes the Remains of the Shang Dynasty, Town God Temple, and Erqi Memorial Tower. There are the remains of the Shang Dynasty capital city (3,600 years ago) in Zhengzhou's east side located around Shangcheng lu (商城路).

The best known tourist attraction is the Shaolin Temple (少林寺), which is more than 50 miles southwest of downtown Zhengzhou. The Shaolin Temple is not only known as one of China's important Buddhist shrines, but also as the ancient center of Chinese Kung-fu.

Zhengzhou's most notable cultural institution is the Henan Museum (河南省博物院), one of China's most important museums which includes exhibits from prehistoric times, including dinosaur fossils, prehistoric human remains, up through the Modern Eras.

Zhengzhou Zoo (动物园, Dong Wu Yuan) is located on Hua Yuan Lu (花园路). The newly built Zhengzhou Botanic Garden is at the western edge of Zhengzhou city.

Other attractions of Zhengzhou include

• the Song Mountain (Song Shan, now is a World Geopark where Shaolin Temple is located, also recognised by UNESCO)
• the Yellow River
• the birthplace of Huangdi, recognized as the ancestor of Chinese people.
• Shaolin Monastery, a Buddhist Monastery
• Henan opera
• Zhongyuan Tower