Teeming with ancient stories

Editor's note: China Daily reporters leverage local expertise to devise diverse itineraries that showcase a blend of historical landmarks and natural wonders in highly recommended cities and sites, offering practical guidance to experience the country.

Located in China's Central Plains, present-day Henan province has been tenderly nourished by the Yellow River, serving as the main stage for the rise and fall of many dynasties throughout Chinese history. Like a giant book lying open on the ground, each page is inscribed with evidence of Chinese civilization.

This land is the cradle of over 20 dynasties, which ruled here and left numerous legends and relics. Among them are palaces and mausoleums built by the people of the Xia Dynasty (c. 21st century-16th century BC) at the Erlitou site in Luoyang and the Shang Dynasty (c. 16th century-11th century BC) at the Yinxu Ruins in Anyang.

Notably, the imperial academy and the White Horse Temple, dating back to the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220), as well as the Yingtian Gate, where Empress Wu Zetian of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) ascended the throne, are also located in Luoyang.

The Northern Song (960-1127) capital, Dongjing, in today's Kaifeng, was renowned for the bustling Hongqiao Bridge, teeming with endless streams of horses and carriages.

Today, rich historical legacies are being revitalized through immersive tourism experiences across the province. In many cities, ancient sites are being enhanced with interactive experiences, nighttime cultural performances, and digital reconstructions. Visitors can stroll through recreated Northern Song Dynasty streets in Kaifeng, attend Tang-style lantern festivals in Luoyang, or explore the Yinxu Ruins with guided tours using augmented reality, bridging millennia with modern technology while walking in history's footsteps.

These rich cultural legacies offer excellent opportunities for those who admire ancient stories and culture to embark on a journey through profound history and explore how their counterparts, spanning centuries, lived their lives.

In the following pages, China Daily will guide you through history-themed tourist attractions in Luoyang, Kaifeng, Zhengzhou and Anyang — significant ancient capitals of China — inviting you to experience the unique charm where the past and present intertwine.