Emperors Yan and Huang, Monumental sculpture in Zhengzhou, China

Emperors Yan and Huang is a monumental stone sculpture that rises from a mountainside along the Yellow River, featuring two identical faces carved into stone. The heads sit atop a massive platform structure that forms the architectural foundation of the entire monument.

Wang Renmin proposed the sculpture in 1987 and launched a global donation campaign. The foundation stone was laid on 12 September 1991, and work on the base began in September 1994 but stalled repeatedly for lack of funds. In 2004 the project passed to the Zhengzhou municipal government and was inaugurated on 18 April 2007.

The two figures are Yandi and Huangdi, mythical ancestors of the Chinese people, and the monument was raised through donations from Chinese communities worldwide after Wang Renmin's 1987 appeal. A national Yanhuang culture research association was founded in Beijing on 10 May 1991. The taller of the two carved heads is Yandi, the shorter Huangdi.

The site sits along the Yellow River and is surrounded by mountainous terrain, allowing visitors to combine sightseeing with natural walking routes in the area. Wear comfortable shoes and prepare for varying weather conditions when exploring the grounds around this landmark.

The two faces are identical in feature and size, together covering more than 1,000 square metres. The taller figure is Emperor Yan, the shorter Emperor Huang. The eyes measure 3 metres and the noses 8 metres, and the stone is granite from Taihang Mountain.