Nanyang

Lying in the southwest of Henan Province, Nanyang is a famous historical and cultural city. Ever since the primitive time, the Nanshao Ape-man started to inhabit here. Nanyang was the iron smelting and founding center of the nation in the Warring States Period (475-221BC), and one of the six capitals of China in the Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD). Nanyang is the birthplace of many famous persons, such as Fan Li, the well-known business sage; Zhang Heng, the great scientist; Zhang Zhongjing, the medical sage; Zhuge Liang, the outstanding politician and military scientist.

The fame of Nanyang is attributed to the splendid culture as well as the remarkable natural beauty. Now, the typical Nanyang landscape mainly includes two mountains, two rivers and one city.

The two mountains are Funiu Mountain and Tongbai Mountain. Funiu Mountain is famous for the Baodaman Natural Reserve with various birds and animals, while Shiren Mountain is surrounded by many peculiar peaks. The Longtangou Waterfall is unique with both stones and water. Tongbai Mountain is where the Huaihe River originates. On the top of the Taibai Peak, one can listen to the whisper of the forests and appreciate the view of both the hills and the river.

The two rivers are the South-North Water Diversion Project and the Danjiang River. The former is one of the big four projects of China in the 21st century. The Danjiang River runs through vast areas. When night comes, songs are blowing out from the fishing boats. With the glory of the sunset, it is a wonderful picture one can ever imagine. About 40 kilometers north of Nanyang is the Yahe Reservoir, which has become a good choice for people to spend their holiday.

The one city refers to Nanyang, one of the 62 historical and cultural cities of China. Lots of relics of historical interest can be found here. The over 2,000 portrayal stone carvings of the Han Dynasty clearly reflect the lives of that time; the memorial temple in the northern city is the tomb of the medical sage Zhang Zhongjing; 20 kilometers away from the city is the tomb and museum of the paramount scientist Zhang Heng; on Wolong Hill in the west of the city is the memorial temple for Zhuge Liang. In addition, Nanyang is the hometown of many famous writers, and the birthplace of Chinese folk vocal art. The Baihe Scenic Spot, surrounded by green river and colorful flowers, is as beautiful as the on-water city of Europe and watery regions south of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River.