The history of Henan is reawakened in the intertwining of camel bells and train whistles.

In early 2026, a camel team reenacted the "entry through the pass" scene in front of the Han Hangu Pass, as if pressing the rewind button of time—under the weathered gate tower, camel bells chimed, travel permits were exchanged, entry wine was drunk, dust was brushed from clothes, and with one step, it felt like entering Luoyang from a thousand years ago.

This scene took place at the Han Hangu Pass in Xin'an, Luoyang, Henan. It is not only a vital testament to the Silk Road heritage but also embodies the profound depth of Henan history. Together with the Qin Hangu Pass in Lingbao, it narrates the evolution of frontier passes and transportation from the Warring States period to the Han Dynasty. The Han Hangu Pass itself was a complete frontier fortress system, once controlling the Xiaohan Ancient Road and the Yellow River water transport, witnessing the bustling Silk Road prosperity of "countless merchants gathering."

As the camel team slowly passed through the gate, a freight train on the nearby Longhai Railway rushed by, with camel bells and train whistles blending into a symphony—a dialogue across millennia. Henan history is never a dusty relic of the past but a vivid, ongoing story.

Visiting Xin'an is like opening a three-dimensional book of Henan history. You can touch the words and feel the history of the Tang Dynasty through epitaphs at the "Qiantangzhizhai" museum, experience the breathtaking landscapes carved by nature and time at Longtan Grand Canyon, savor a bite of the intangible cultural heritage snack—scalded-dough dumplings with thin skin and flavorful fillings—and take home a piece of Xin'an purple clay pottery, born from the local soil. Here, history is something to hear, see, taste, and feel.

Come to Henan and walk across this ancient land, where every step may bring you face-to-face with the history of Henan. Now, Henan awaits more visitors with its warmest hospitality, ready for exploration and discovery.

Web editors: Shen Jianqi, Zhang Rui