郑州市

Why this place

Zhengzhou is the transport hub of the middle of China — two of the country's main rail lines cross here — which makes it the practical base for the ancient capitals around it: Luoyang, Kaifeng, Anyang and Dengfeng. The city itself was a Shang-dynasty walled town, and its museum holds the early bronze and oracle-bone material that makes that argument.

What to see

• Henan Museum, one of the best provincial museums in China, with Shang bronzes, oracle bones and Tang sculpture
• The Shang city wall in the city centre, still standing as an earth rampart
• Dengfeng, 1.5 hours away — the Song Mountain area with the Shaolin Temple and the oldest observatory in China
• The Yellow River scenic area north of the city

What to eat

• Hui mian — Henan's thick lamb-and-noodle soup, the regional staple
• Zhengzhou is known for its braised noodles and its 'three-steamed' dishes
• Peanuts and dates from the surrounding plain

How to plan

Use Zhengzhou as a base: one day for the Henan Museum and the city, one for Dengfeng and Shaolin, one each for Luoyang and Kaifeng.

Best time

April–May and September–October

Practical tips

• Zhengzhou is on every high-speed line — it is the easiest place in central China to start from