Huaiyang, Zhoukou

Said to be where Fuxi founded his capital: the Taihao Fuxi Mausoleum was upgraded to a 5A (top-tier national) scenic area in 2024, its second-lunar-month temple fair is the largest on the Central Plains, Dragon Lake encircles the old town, and the Pingliangtai site bears witness to early Chinese cities.

Huaiyang, part of Zhoukou, lies on the eastern Henan plain in the southeast of the province, in the Shaying River basin. Known in ancient times as Wanqiu and Chenzhou, Huaiyang is said to be where the mythical ruler Fuxi founded his capital; during the Spring and Autumn period it was the capital of the State of Chen, and it is regarded as an important birthplace of the culture of China's legendary ancestors. The main sights are concentrated in Huaiyang town: the Taihao Fuxi Mausoleum in the north of town (upgraded to 5A status in 2024) is a must-see, Dragon Lake wraps the old town in some 670 hectares of water, the Xiange Terrace and Huagua Terrace sit in and beside the lake, and Pingliangtai southeast of town is the site of a Longshan-culture walled city from around 4,600 years ago. In downtown Zhoukou (Chuanhui District) stands a Guandi Temple built by Qing-dynasty merchants from Shanxi and Shaanxi, while the Yuan Family Fortress in nearby Xiangcheng and the Ye Family Manor in Shangshui are signature traditional residences of eastern Henan. Spring is the best season: the Taihao Mausoleum Temple Fair, held from the 2nd day of the 2nd lunar month to the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month, is listed as national intangible cultural heritage and draws shoulder-to-shoulder crowds of pilgrims and visitors, who come to watch the danjing tiao ritual dance and buy nini gou clay toys; in Jun–Aug the lotuses on Dragon Lake are in full bloom. Getting there: the Beijing–Hong Kong and Zhengzhou–Fuyang high-speed railways meet at Zhoukou East Station, about 1 hour from Zhengzhou, and Huaiyang town is about 20 km from Zhoukou East Station; sights in town are close together and easy to reach by taxi or bike. Allow 1–2 days: on day one, see the Taihao Mausoleum, Huagua Terrace, a Dragon Lake boat ride and Xiange Terrace; on day two, visit the Pingliangtai site and head to downtown Zhoukou for the Guandi Temple. During the temple fair accommodation is scarce and traffic controls are in place, so book ahead. Local specialties include Huaiyang daylily and Xiaoyao Town hulatang (spicy pepper soup).

Top sights

• Taihao Fuxi Mausoleum – A temple-mausoleum honoring Fuxi, the mythical progenitor of Chinese culture. Its grand central-axis palace complex was upgraded to a 5A sc…
• Huaiyang Longhu National Wetland Park – A vast urban lake of around 10,000 mu wrapping the ancient city of Huaiyang, with lotus, reeds and waterbirds, where boat trips link sites…
• Pingliangtai Ancient City Site – A square walled city site from the Longshan culture about 4,600 years ago, whose gates, roads and pottery drainage pipes show early urban p…
• Xiange Terrace – A shrine commemorating Confucius, who kept singing and playing music even while trapped between the states of Chen and Cai, set on an islan…
• Huagua Terrace – Said to be where Fuxi gazed at the heavens and studied the earth to create the Eight Trigrams, this terrace features an Eight Trigrams alta…
• Zhoukou Guandi Temple – A guild-style Guandi Temple built by Shanxi and Shaanxi merchants in the Qing dynasty, notable for its exquisite wood, stone and brick carv…
• Yuanzhai Ancient Residence (Yuan Shikai's Hometown) – The late-Qing fortified manor of the Yuan family of Xiangcheng, surrounded by protective walls, a moat and watchtowers, offering insight in…
• Ye Family Manor – A Qing-dynasty landlord manor in Shangshui County, ringed by walls and a moat, with multiple well-preserved courtyards, known as a 'living…