Henan Province is one of the fastest growing in China. The fertile and green land has long been a source of pride for the people who live there. However, the population growth of this little visited province might be its downfall. China-watchers wonder if the land will be able stand up to the development and the construction and pollution that come with it. Still, there are charms to be found in Henan, both in the land itself, and in the people who call it home.

Zhengzhou and Luoyang are two of the major cities in Henan Province. Though these places lack the built in sights of some larger Chinese metropolises, they are suitable bases for exploring the province, which is rich in history. Some historians claim that the area around Zhengzhou has been inhabited since pre-historic times.

Zhengzhou is a dusty city whose best tourist attraction is the Henan Province Museum. There are some very old and unique artifacts displayed in the museum, some dating back to Neolithic times. There are several night markets of note in the city. Food vendors set up shop in the evening as well, making a shopping and eating excursion worthwhile.

Outside Zhengzhou, the world famous Shaolin Monastery provides a look at the famous fighting monks. There are several pagodas on the temple’s grounds. Aside from a rather nifty wax museum, the temple has performances showcasing the unbelievable skill of the monks. The Shaolin temple is about an hour and a half outside Zhengzhou.

Luoyang is a historic city about 4 hours from Zhengzhou by rail. The three thousand year history of Luoyang is on display at The Ancient Tombs Museum. Also, the sight of the oldest Buddhist temple in China is at the White Horse Temple. Though the temple itself has been destroyed and subsequently rebuilt several times, it is the legendary spot where the first Buddhist scriptures were allegedly brought from India. Finally, the Dragon Gate Grottoes are an un-miss able sight. There are several thousand Buddhist statues carved on the mountainside overlooking the river. Though a lot of the statues have been harmed over the years (by weather and enthusiastic collectors), the area is not destroyed, and it is something to see so many of these thousand year old statues in one place.

Henan does not have the overwhelming amount of sights that some Chinese provinces offer, but it does have enough of interest to make a trip enjoyable. Kung Fu enthusiasts, those interested in Buddhism and history, and anyone looking for a less-crowded tourist destination will find what they are looking for in Henan Province.