Zhengzhou, at the junction of the Beijing-Guangzhou and the Lianyungang-Lanzhou railways, is the capital of Henan Province and the hub of China's railways. A modern city now with a population of 1.02 million, it has its origin in a small city that began to take shapes as early as in the Shang Dynasty some 3,500 years ago.
  In the Western Zhou (c.11th century--221 B.C.), it was called the state of Guan; and in 559 during the Southern and Northern Dynasties, it was named Zhengzhou. A strategic point contended by military forces in history, Zhengzhou stands magnificently on the Central China Plains, in a position to control the routes to other parts of the country.

  Major tourist attractions are Shang Dynasty ruins to be identified as the remains of an important city of the early Shang (c.16th--11th centuries B.C.); Han tombs at Dahuting known for having a large collection of painted stones and murals; the Scenic Area of Mangshan Mountain with its summit to afford view of rolling Yellow River; and Dengfeng, 80 kilometres southwest of Zhengzhou, having a concentration of ancient pagodas along with the oldest Taoist temple of China, Central Mountain Temple at the southern foot of Mt. Songshan, which used to be the place where emperors offered sacrifices to the God of Mountains, and Songyang Academy of Classical Learning west of Central Mountain Temple which is one of the four ancient academies in China.

  In addition, Shaolin Monastery, built in 493, is most famous among the Buddhist circles in China and abroad, with its holding of ancient weaponry and murals depicting 500 arhats or monks doing boxing. In the west of Shaolin Monastery is the Pagoda Forest with 220 memorial pagodas. A cemetery of monks of Shaolin Monastery since the Tang Dynasty (618--907), it is the largest pagoda forest in China.

  To the southeast of Central Mountain Temple sits the ancient Star Observatory. Legend goes that it was the place where Western Zhou Emperor's younger brother Ji Dan had observed stars.
  To serve tourists coming to Zhengzhou there are the International Hotel, Zhengzhou Hotel, Lijing Hotel, Central China Mansion, Songshan Hotel and February 7th Hotel. Famous local products include Xingyang's Maojian Tea, Dukang Spirit and Yuxian County's Jun porcelain. Favoured by developed highway and rail traffic, Zhengzhou has direct flights to Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Lanzhou and Shenyang.

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