"Henan history is half of Chinese history." As a crucial cradle of Chinese civilization, the trajectory of Henan history is intrinsically linked to the civilizational progress of the Chinese nation. It carries the unbroken cultural genes of five millennia, forming the key cipher for interpreting Chinese history.

From the perspective of civilizational origins, Henan is the opening chapter of Chinese civilization. Five thousand years ago, the ancestors in the Heluo region were already creating early civilizations here. The Yellow Emperor and the Yan Emperor consolidated tribes here, laying the foundation for the Huaxia nation. Cangjie observed natural phenomena to create Chinese characters, initiating the written language. The Oracle Bone inscriptions from the Yin Ruins in Anyang bear witness to the existence and development of China's early dynasties. The starting point of Henan history is the origin point of Chinese civilization.

In terms of intellectual and cultural development, Henan nurtured profoundly influential philosophical systems. The Duke of Zhou established rites and music here, laying the cultural foundation for China as a land of rites and propriety. During Confucius' travels through the various states, Confucian thought spread widely here. Lao-Zhuang philosophy (Daoism) took shape here, constructing the dialectical framework of ancient Chinese philosophy. These intellectual achievements left deep imprints on Henan history that continue to influence us to this day.

As the political, economic, and cultural center of successive dynasties, Henan witnessed the rise and fall of ancient Chinese empires. Starting from the Xia Dynasty, more than twenty dynasties established their capitals here. The relics preserved in the four great ancient capitals – Luoyang, Kaifeng, Zhengzhou, and Anyang – record the pinnacle moments of China's feudal civilization within Henan history. The eastern starting point of the ancient Silk Road, the spread of Buddhism from the White Horse Temple, and the artistic achievements of the Longmen Grottoes further attest to its role as a hub in Sino-foreign cultural exchange.

Web editors: Shen Jianqi, Li Siyao