City Prefecture of Anyang - 7,355 km2 (2,840 square miles).
Urban - 543.5 km2 (209.8 square miles); city limits metropolitan area: 1,739.5 km2 (671.6 sq miles).
Population: With a reported total population of just under 800 thousand (792.000) in the year 2007, the city of Anyang has been undergoing a massive transformation. With 20 years of increasingly accelerated developement in its recent past, the population currently stands at roughly 2 million (2,025,811 in the 2010 National census). In total some 5 million people live within the prefecture of Anyang, which includes its 4 urban districts as well as the surrounding rural and mountainous territories.
The Total Urban Population of Anyang City is around 2,025,811 with an additional 3 million living in the rural counties and area's of the City Prefecture.
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The most renowned and widely heard of tourist landmark of Anyang is not found in downtown Anyang but at a considerable distance from the city proper. This is the legendary ”Red Flag Canal” which was carved with explosives through the granite of the Taihang Mountains in order to alleviate water shortages on the eastern, Henan side of the mountains. The Red Flag Canal was once a pet propaganda project of the 1950's era, when it was Nationally known as a place of Revolutionary action and achievements. Its name appared on many posters, National Postal stamps and the like. Today, although the Revolutionary years seem to have been entirely forgotten, the Red Flag Canal is still a popular destination for those looking for a getaway in the mountainous but rural countryisde. It also still serves as a place of pilgrimmage for a younger generation who have been enthralled and inspired by the tales from Communist Past.
The Red Flag Canal and its modern day Taihang Skyway can be found in Linzhou (County) City (林州市) of Anyang Prefecture, which lies at exactly 50 kilometers due east of the city center of Anyang.
Among Chinese Nationals, the second noteworthy landmark of Anyang that must be mentioned is the Mausoleum of (General) Yuan Shikai (Life: 1859 AD - 1916 AD) Although noted as the traitor of all traitors among the Chinese Revolutionaries of the first half of the 20Th Century, today Yuan Shikai is mostly remembered as the man who achieved the peaceful abdication of the (foreign) Sovereign of the Manchu Qing Dynasty, thereby initiating a brandnew Era in Chinese history. Eventually, the fall of the Manchu Emperor led to the rise of the Communist Party in China, which may be one of the reasons that the Mausoleum has survived to this day in Anyang.
Other Anyang landmarks and monuments are far less heard of but nevertheless can be interesting. There is a choice of Pagoda Temples and museums to visit in Anyang. Listed in short these are:
TEMPLES & PAGODA'S IN ANYANG:
* Tianning Temple and Pagoda of Anyang. The stone pagoda of the Temple of Heavenly Rule (Tianning) was originally built during the Zhou Dynasty (1121 BC - 255 BC). Older than the stone Pagoda of the same name in Beijing, it ranks among the oldest stone Pagoda's still standing in China today. Needless to say it is worthwhile to pay a visit and explore this age old stone structure.
*Wenfeng Pagoda of Anyang.
*Hanqi Temple.
* Baofeng Pagoda of Anyang County. This stone Pagoda stands in the rural lands outside of Anyang. Previously also known as the Zhongle Pagoda it was originally built during the Song Dynasty (960 AD -1279 AD) and renovated in Ming Dynasty (1368 AD –1644 AD)These are the excavated ruins of the ancient Capital of the . As one of the ancient relics in the region of Anyang city it has received very little attention. Eventhough officially protected as a National Relic, the stone pagoda had reportedly fallen into disrepair by Februari of 2015.
MUSEUMS IN ANYANG:
* Yin Dynasty Ruins and archeological site.
These are the ruins of the Capital City (town) and Royal Tombs of the ancient Shang Dynasty (1766 BC - 1121 BC) known as the city of Yin. After their initial finds in the year 1899, the oracle bones and later on the burial treasures of the Shang Kings found in this location just a few kilometers from downtown Anyang became world renowned. The immaculate bronze ritual items but also items of every day use found at Anyang rank among the most precious cultural treasures in the Nation, hence many of the relics can now be found on display in the National Museum at Tian'Anmen Square in Beijing as well as the Palace Museum (Forbidden City) also in the Capital Beijing. The City and Shang Dynasty museum site is considered a must visit for anyone interested in the history of the city as well as Chinese Civilization as a whole.
* Anyang City Museum.
*Anyang Chinese Character Museum.
* Folk Art Museum of Anyang.
* Yidu Museum.
Public Transport in Anyang
RAIL CONNECTIONS IN ANYANG:
Anyang has long been connected to the Chinese National Railway grid as part of the Beijing to Zhengzhou railroad. Main rail connections are to: Zhengzhou and Luoyang.
The train from Anyang to Zhengzhou travels via the city of Xianyang and makes a crossing of the Yellow River. Travel time to Zhengzhou is two hours, however speedier connections are under development throughout northern China.
Outside of the Province destinations include Shijiazhuang and Beijing to the north.
Anyang has a Railroad Station but no airport. As always, there is a regional bus transfer station.The main regional bus station of Anyang is found at the end of Yingbin Road (Yingbin Lu) in Anyang.
AIR CONNECTIONS IN ANYANG:
Anyang has no airport. The nearest National Level Airport can be found at Kaifeng. Secondaty options in Henan Province are Zhengzhou National Airport or the smaller Luoyang National Aiport which lies at 1 hour additional traveling distance.
There is no information available on Kaifeng National Airport at this Time.
There is no information available on the ethnic minorities of Anyang City.
As one will find, none of the cities or villages in Henan Province are listed as official ethnic minorities destination on Chinese Government created information websites such as China.Org.Cn and ChinaHighlights.com. Although the National Government duly notes that according to their census (last in 2010) members of 51 out of 56 Ethnic Minority Groups in China live in Henan Province, there are no clusters of ethnic groups or ethnic minorities in Henan Province.
Overal the Han (Chinese) people make up 98.8 percent of the population in Henan Province. The ethnic minorities, among whom officially Hui, Mongolians, Manchu, Zhuang, Miao, Tibetan, Uygur, Yi, Korean (Chaoxian), Tujia from Central China, and Bai comprise only a meager 1.2 percent of the entire population of Henan Province.
For best overal information on ethnic minority members in Henan Province and how to find them on your journey about, please refer to:
There is currently no information available on the History of Anyang.
The modern day city of Anyang is an urban sprawl of considerable size. The city itself is sub-divided into four districts. Clockwise around these are; the northern central Beiguan District, central Wenfeng District, and further the Long's An and Yidu Districts to the west of center. The town of Baibi (Baibi Zhen)
As for air quality in Anyang, it may be noted that the most air polluted city in China in the year 2014 was Baoding, which lies at only about 200 Kilometers north of Anyang. Situated in the North China Plain and surrounded by the heavily industrialized provinces of Shanxi and Hebei, the first noted for its coal industry and abundant powerplants, the latter noted for its oversized stell industry and according mining, overal air quality in Henan Province is marginal at best. No twitter channel is available to pass out updated information on air quality in Anyang or any other city in Henan.
No detailed information is available on the state of the local environment in Anyang and Prefecture.
There is no information available on the Hotels in Anyang City.
Overview of the North China Plain and Central and Southern Regions of the Peoples Republic of China showing the location of Anyang City and other important population centers.
YouTube Video: Travel to Anyang the 1st Ancient Capital of China and learn about early Chinese Civilization and Yellow River Culture.
* Mausoleum of ”Traitor General” Yuan Shikai, former General of the Manchu Qing Army and Commander of the Peiping Garrison. Yuan Shikai was the man responsible for the plot that ended the Qing Dynasty in 1910/1911. He subsequently stood behind Sun Yat-Sen in the establishment of first Republic of China, however betrayed all by taking over the Kuomintang Party, forcing Sun aside and eventually even attempting to have himself crowned Emperor. Yuan Shikai died in 1916 soon after his failed attempt to rise to Supreme Power in China, the Nation shared, Yuan Shikai was quietly interned in Anyang, his ambitions roiled as had been those of the last Qing Emperor, Aisin-Gioro Pu Yi.
*Gaoge Pavilion
* Buddha Caves of Anyang
RURAL AND MOUNTAIN SCENERY:
* 10 thousand Buddha Ravine.
* Taihang Linlu Scenic Area.
(* Red Flag Canal)
Click through below button to find a Full listing of Anyang City Landmarks, Monuments, Hotspots and other sites of importance in alphabetical order. Search through the list to find your Full Report and Photo-Virtual Tour of each monument or landmark within the City, or Region of Anyang in Henan Province of China (PRC).
BUS CONNECTIONS IN ANYANG:
There is no information available on Bus Travel in Anyang and Prefecture at this Time.
SHORT INTRODUCTION TO ANYANG:
Although not counted as one of the main tourist destinations within North China, Anyang is certainly an interesting city and destination to explore. With a lengthy and very rich history almost too long to get one's head around Anyang is mostly known as the location of the Ancient Capital of the Shang Dynasty (1766 BC - 1121 BC), which so far has been the earliest recorded and described Dynasty in (traditionally held views of) Chinese History.
In the 19th century, the Shang were known to be the predecessors of the better known Zhou Dynasty (Era) (1121 BC - 255 BC) however they were believed to be a mostly legendary early Chinese form of Empire. Yet, after the find of bones and other artifacts inscribed with what seemed a primitive form of Chinese script led to the rediscovery of the ruins of the ancient Shang Capital city of Yin (-- ; Yin Xu) in a field just outside of Anyang in the year 1899, an entirely new chapter of Chinese history was discovered.
Although archeological excavations were hampered many times in the 20th century, they have been ongoing at Anyang since.
The first discoveries and identification of an abundance of Shang Dynasty relics found at Anyang in China sent shockwaves of excitement around the world in early 20th century and even today the finds done at Anyang, and later at various other locations, remain stunning. As such, the Yin City excavation site at Anyang is legendary in China and around the world.
With a history of having been the Capital of early China before and during the Shang Dynasty, and a further legacy of importance during the Zhou Dynasty, there are various other unique historical relics and monuments found in- and around the city. In addition there is the more modern monument of the so named Red Flag Canal. The Red Flag Canal, which is situated in the Taihang Mountains due west of Anyang City was a spectacular achievement of the 1960's. Opened in 1970 it carries water from the Sanggan River in Shanxi Province through tunnels to the other side of the mountains in Linzhou County (now District), where it has since been used for the use of irrigation in agriculture. It was the closing piece of a massive project to tame the once wild Yellow River that had begun in the 1950's with the opening of the ”People's Victory Canal” more to the south on the Qin and Wei Rivers. For anyone none too interested in the ancient feudal history of early Chinese Civilization, the Red Flag Canal is the other must see sight with Anyang Prefecture.
(For more information, see below: ”Landmarks & monuments of Anyang City and Prefecture”.
Although in the modern times of the Peoples Republic of China since 1949, Anyang as a city has reverted to the level of B or C rank city, an out of the way backwater of a million inhabitants, recently Anyang has been losing its mixed industrial rural atmosphere, quickly transforming into a modern style city. Although doubled in size and citizenry over the last decade, Anyang remains fairly uninteresting, especially to travelers who have already visited the grand Imperial and National Capital Beijing, golden Shanghai or cities such as Guangzhou and Hong Kong.
Apart from the various Museums and small but interesting collection of historical sites, there are few things worth mentioning in the city of Anyang today. Only very limited parts of the old city of Anyang remain visible. The city Government is attempting to raise the appeal of the city by building various objects of modern architecture which may be of interest to travelers passing through.
LOCAL GEOGRAPHY:
The City Prefecture of Anyang lies in the North China Plain in the north eastern extremes of Henan Province near the provincial border with Hebei Province. It lies some 460 kilometers (285 miles) southby southwest of the city of Beijing.
Anyang lies north of the current day flow of the Yellow River (Huang He), however the North China plain in which it is situated was shaped by the same Yellow River which in the past (19th century) had a more northernly trajectory which led it past the city of Anyang.
The city of Anyang was named after its main river, the Anyang which today runs roughly west to east through the center of town. Another large stream is the Hong He (Red River) which flows through the southern extenses of the city of Anyang.
A variety of streams and canals can be found due west of Anyang City where the XiaoNanhai Reservoir and Zhangwu Reservoir collect the waters of the Huan River (Huan He), making them available to industries and citizenry of the city.
Another important reservoir is the Shangquan Reservoir situated at Shangquan Village due north-west of city center.
The Zhang River is by far the largest river in the vicinity of the city. Visitors to the city will however most likely not encounter the Zhang River as it runs at considerable distance due north of Anyang city in a west to east direction. A huge water reservoir has been created along the Zhang River. This reservoir is the Yuecheng Reservoir, a body of water of tremendous importance found at some 23 to 24 kilometers (14 to 15 Miles) due north west of downtown Anyang.
Accept for the Google supported AsiaReport.com Mastermap of sights in Asia and China there are no specific Maps available for Anyang City or its surrounding Prefecture.
which lies on the eastern flank of Anyang is in the process of integration with Anyang proper and already serves as an additional urban district.
In addition to the city districts of the city of Anyang proper, there are the further sub-divisions of Linzhou City at some distance due west of Anyang, and the rural counties of Anyang, Tangyin, Hua and Neihuang.
For travelers the main rural destinations of interest lie to the west of city center (Wenfeng and Beiguan District). These are first the Anyang rural County to the west of the old city districts and beyond Anyang Town and county Linzhou City as the main destination for sightseeing the ”Red Flag Canal” and Taihang Mountains that make up the natural border with neighboring Shanxi Province.
RURAL DISTRICTS AND COUNTIES OF ANYANG:
Apart for the old city districts which are naturally, the location of the main temples, museums and historical sights the main destination is Linzhou City and specifically the Red Flag Canal. Other historic remains and ruins exist, but have to be
found strewn around the city in various rural locations. Zhangwu Reservoir and a long stretch of the Huan River (Huan He). At least one Temple, apltly named the Old South Lake Temple (XiaoNanHai Si) can be found along the Huan He a few kilometers beyond the southern point of the Zhangwu Reservoir (at Yangjiaping Cun), and further up the river a large dam creates the XiaoNanHai Reservoir, a fairly spectacular sight. Some additional scenic sights may be found in the mountainous terrain of the county.
(For details see: ”Landmarks, Monuments and Hotspots of Anyang”.).
Neihuang County:
Neihuang County is the rural administrative area centered on the town of Neihuang, which lies at a distance of some 50 kilometers (30/31 Miles) from downtown Anyang (central Wenfeng District). To get there follow S22 Nanlin Expressway eastward out of Anyang, and find the town at a few kilometers south of this road. Neihuang Town has little of interest to offer to the average traveler, however one may find the towns Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery a location worth paying a visit to.
Tangyin County:
Clockwise around the next rural county of Anyang is the Tangyin County which covers the land found south of Anyang City proper. The county town of Tangyin is mostly known for its so called Youli Castle Site (羑里城遗址), a fairly unqiue Daoist Temple of considerable interest. In addition, Tangyin Town is home to the Yue Fei Temple, a spiritual getaway dedicated to the memory of Yue Fei, a General and Chinese Patriot of the Song Dynasty which had an important powerbase in Anyang City and its initial Capital in nearby Kaifeng.
Hua County:
Finally, the fourth rural county is Hua County. Hua County forms an oddly shaped outcropping of Anyang Prefecture which extends quite some ways southward of Neihuang Town and County. As a result, the main town of Hua (Hua Xian) lies some 27 kilometers (17 Miles) due south west of Hebi City in the prefecture neighboring Anyang Prefecture to the south. The distance from Anyang to Hua Xian is about 60 kilometers (37 miles) which is more than the distance to Puyang City.
All of this is however of little importance to most travelers as there are no known Temples of renowned historical sites to visit in Huaxian Town. Far more interesting as a destination is Xunxian Town which is a thoroughly off the beaten path location in Hua County very worth worth mentioning. Although still mostly unknown to foreign travelers, the peculiar ”Fuqiu Mountain (浮丘山)” sits perched along the Wei River in a hilly rural setting, the Fuqiu Mountain provides for s scenic overview of the surroundings. The town is further enriched by its very own ”Great Buddha Tower (大佛楼)” on Tianzhuang Mountain in the eastern district.
. Please check adjacent video for a good tourist introduction to Anyang.
