Holiday in Shangqiu

About Shangqiu

Shangqiu in the province of Henan is one of the oldest cities in China and is considered the cradle of Chinese civilization: Here was the legendary capital of the Shang Dynasty (ca. 1600-1046 BC), which gave its name to the entire dynasty. The city combines 4,000 years of history with vibrant everyday culture and is a hidden gem for travelers who want to experience authentic China away from the large tourist crowds. The Old City of Shangqiu (Guicheng) is a fully preserved Ming Dynasty city complex with 3.6 kilometers of walls, four city gates, and a water-filled moat. Within the walls, traditional life has been preserved: narrow alleys with courtyard houses, small temples, craft businesses, and street markets offer an authentic picture of pre-modern China. The Huai River Cultural Zone connects the old city with modern parks and promenades. Mangdang-Shan (Mangshan), a low mountain range south of the city, houses one of the largest ancient burial sites in China: Here, over centuries, nobles and high officials of the Han Dynasty were buried. The tomb chambers with their murals, jade offerings, and terracotta figures provide fascinating insights into the afterlife beliefs of the ancient Chinese. The Fire God Temple (Huoshenmiao) commemorates Sui Ren, the mythical inventor of fire, who, according to legend, originated from Shangqiu. The Sui-Huang Mausoleum (Tomb of the Fire Emperor) is a significant memorial for this cultural ancestor. Shangqiu is also considered the home of the poet Zhuangzi, one of the greatest Daoist philosophers, whose teachings are still studied worldwide today. The Yingtian Shuyuan (Yingtian Academy) was one of the four great academies of the Song Dynasty and a center of Confucian scholarship. The restored complex with lecture halls, a library, and gardens conveys the atmosphere of a Chinese scholar's life a thousand years ago.