Take the off-beaten path: A visit to Henan in China promises a unique experience

If you haven't heard of Henan, blame it on the enormity of China or on other great cities that have overshadowed it. Located in central China, Henan is an ancient gem not to be overlooked. Once upon a time it was China's cultural, economical, and political capital. Deemed as the 'Cradle of Chinese Civilization', the remains of some of the earliest human settlements have been unearthed here, some of which date over 8000 years back!

Henan, also known as the 'Cultural and Natural Museum of China' has over 1.3 million pieces of relics that are housed in the national museum in Henan. Of the 45 world heritage sites to date, three can be found in Henan Province: the Longmen Grottoes, Yin Xu and the "Historic Monuments of Dengfeng." Four of the Eight Great Ancient Capitals of China, Luoyang, Anyang, Kaifeng, and Zhengzhou are also located in Henan. Xi'an which houses the tens of thousands of life-sized terracotta soldiers and horses; as well as the mysterious Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor is less than a two hours train journey from Henan.

Home to the world's most famous Buddhist monastery, Henan's Shaolin Temple established in 495 A.D. is the birthplace of Chinese Kung Fu and has been recognised as the origin of Chan Buddhism.


Luoyang Shui Xi.

World over, multiple movies have been produced with Kung Fu warriors engaging in spectacular fighting skills, however the beginnings of Shaolin stem from a far more tranquil resplendence.

The first version of Kung Fu was merely a form of calisthenics to refresh the bodies and minds of the Shaolin monks. But from these beginnings, the infusion of the monks' devotion transcended their simple exercises into one of the most formidable martial art the world has ever seen. Today, it is a pilgrimage site for martial arts clubs across the globe.

Food is an integral part of any travel experience and Henan caters to all genres of foodies - including vegetarians! Did you know the monks at the Shaolin monastery are vegetarians and that there is a cuisine known as Shaolin vegetarian food that combines seasonal produce with staples such as bamboo shoots, mushrooms, soybean products and fresh fruit? Other popular vegetarian dishes to try in Henan are Kaifeng Chao Liang Fen and Mashed Sweet Potato.

For those who prefer alternatives to vegetarian food, the Yellow River Croaker is a popular seafood item. Another delicacy to try here is the Kaifeng Tao Si Bao - a traditional poultry dish, commonly referred to as “Four Treasure,” uses chicken, duck, pigeon and quail. The quail is stuffed in the pigeon, which is stuffed in the chicken and then stuffed in the duck!

If you want to go traditional, try the Luoyang Shui Xi (literally means the water banquet), a traditional feast served over a thousand years ago. One third of the courses consist of soup, hence the name. First called Wu Empress Banquet, the name was changed during the Song Dynasty to Water Banquet. The Tang court astrologer, Yuan Tiangang, had foresaw Wu Zetian becoming the empress.

However, unable to divulge this prediction, he created the 24 course Water Banquet to symbolize a different part of Wu Zetian’s life. Each dish is served one after the other, symbolizing the water flowing.

With breath-taking landscape, rich cultural and historical heritage and great food options in Henan, tourists are in for a wholesome treat