Zhengzhou sits just south of the majestic Yellow River, in the centre of China. It is the capital of Henan province, acting as a hub for the area's transportation, economy and culture. It is one of the oldest capitals in China, linked to the legendary figure of China's Yellow Emperor. It was chosen to be the capital city of several ancient Chinese dynasties and today the city considers itself to be at the forefront of China's economic development.

It is often overlooked as a tourist destination: though it has a long history, the crowded modern streets have not retained the same level of local charm that cities such as Beijing and Shanghai have managed, but nevertheless, Zhengzhou can be an interesting place to spend a few days.

The Shaolin Monks and the secular practitioners of Shaolin Wushu have made the Shaolin Monastery (''Shaolin Temple'') the most widely recognized site around Zhengzhou. The temple is on the slopes of Song Mountain, one of the five sacred mountains of China. Daily exhibitions of martial arts are one of the main attractions at the temple, but the temple also boasts paintings and statues reflecting the Zen Buddhism still practiced at the temple, as well as numerous pagodas, towers and halls.

This is by no means the only ancient attraction in Zhengzhou: the twin Han Dynasty Tombs, the Songyang Academy, established during the Northern Wei Dynasty, Dahechun Village which dates from the Neolithic Era and the Shang Dynasty City Ruins can all give visitors a glimpse into the long history of the region. Excavations of the Shang Dynasty City Ruins, have uncovered workshops, ancient wells and silos as well as numerous small artifacts and grave goods, which have helped archeologists move toward a clearer understanding of the period. Of course traveling out to one of these ancient sites is not the only way of exploring the region's history: visiting the Henan Provincial Museum to view its superb collection of art and ancient artefacts is far simpler, and the city also has a smaller museum - the Zhengzhou Museum - which has a notable collection of Shang and Zhou Dynasty Bronze Wares.

A boat trip along the Yellow River from Zhengzhou or an afternoon spent climbing up to the top of Five Dragons Peak complements a stroll around Zijingshan Park or Zhengzhou National Forest Park and provides nature-loving visitors with all the scenery and greenery they could ask for. Visitors particularly interested in rare plants should take a trip to the Zhengzhou Rare Plants Botanical Garden where the largest greenhouse in China has been used to cultivate over 3500 varieties of plant, many of which are on the verge of extinction.

The city does not have a wild nightlife, though there are enough KTV boxes and bars to keep most visitors occupied. The most interesting entertainment is the city comes from the traditional operas performed in the city's theatres, or local impromptu singing performances in one of the city's squares. Visitors should also be sure to sample local cuisine, which include Mutton Braised Noodles, Tube Chicken, and a fish dish known as Liyu Sanchi. Of course visitors may want to take some local products home with them, and are recommended to browse for jade sculptures, Huanghe Ink stones and herbal medicines, which are grown and produced in the city.

Warning：The use of any news and articles published on eChinacities.com without written permission from eChinacities.com constitutes copyright infringement, and legal action can be taken.