商丘市

Why this place

Shangqiu is where the Shang dynasty's ancestors are said to have been enfeoffed, which makes it the origin point of the dynasty that produced China's earliest writing. It is also the home of the Chinese fire-making tradition and of the philosopher Zhuangzi.

What to see

• The Shang-dynasty origin sites and the Sui-dynasty canal heritage
• Zhuangzi's temple and tomb at Mengzhuang
• The old city wall and the lakes around the Ming-era city

What to eat

• Henan noodles and the local mutton dishes
• Shangqiu is known for its 'Gui German' pastries and its sesame cakes

Best time

April–May and September–October