Henan, Province in central China
Henan is an administrative division in central People's Republic of China, stretching between mountain ranges in the west and flat plains in the east. The Yellow River crosses the territory from west to east, dividing the landscape into two different halves with varying terrain and vegetation zones.
The territory served as a seat of government for numerous Chinese ruling dynasties over many centuries, starting with the Shang period in the 16th century before the common era. Luoyang and Kaifeng functioned successively as capitals for different kingdoms, shaping the political development of the entire country for more than two millennia.
The name means south of the Yellow River and refers to the province's location below this major waterway. Many towns along the river still show traditional architecture with multi-story pagodas and temple courtyards that visitors can explore when walking through older neighborhoods.
Zhengzhou serves as the capital and a main hub for travel within the region, with rail connections to all major cities across the country. The best time to visit is during spring and autumn when the weather is moderate and suitable for day trips to surrounding rural areas.
During the war with Japan in 1938, Chinese troops intentionally flooded the river by breaching dikes near Zhengzhou to stop the enemy advance. This flooding permanently changed the river's course and still influences the landscape and settlement patterns along its bed today.
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