As a major cradle of Chinese civilization, Henan culture forms an integral part of Chinese culture. Henan holds a unique position and bears significant responsibility in building China into a strong cultural nation—a mission bridging the past, present, and future.

Henan culture is preserved within its 65,519 immovable cultural relics and 17 national archaeological site parks, among other historical sites. Efforts to protect and restore these treasures never cease. On the 25th anniversary of the Longmen Grottoes' inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List, Henan leveraged technology to achieve qualitative improvements in monitoring methods, grouting materials, and construction techniques.

Furthermore, the opening of multiple site museums has transformed underground archaeological coordinates into aboveground urban landmarks, fueling a sustained "museum fever" as young people embrace "checking in" to millennia-old civilizations.

In cultural creation, Henan's writers and artists are highly active, with literature and theater entering the nation’s top tier. A number of masterpieces have gained nationwide acclaim. For instance, Yu Opera, as an emblematic representation of Henan's culture, is deeply beloved by the public, attracting over ten thousand spectators during a performance in Anhui.

Henan culture is deeply integrated with its economy. Its "Air, Land, Digital, and Maritime" Silk Roads connect it to the world, while its crisscrossing high-speed railway network weaves together ancient civilization and modern economic development. The "Hanfu economy" drives consumption; for example, the high density of Hanfu enthusiasts in Luoyang Ancient City generated 880 million yuan in consumption.

Additionally, three consecutive sessions of the "Contemporary Literature Awards" have drawn significant attention. The rise of the "slash generation" (young people with multiple careers) represents emerging cultural phenomena, while historical blocks like Shangqiu Ancient City have become popular locations for short dramas. These developments reflect the harmonious coexistence of culture and economy in Henan, alongside its culturally open, relaxed, free, respectful, and inclusive attitude and environment.

All in all, Henan culture has never been a museum specimen—it is living water flowing through the present. It lives in archaeological reports, in the integration of culture and tourism, and above all, in every Henan resident’s steadfast commitment to "passing civilization forward".

 Web editors: Shen Jianqi, Li Siyao