Anyang

Anyang is one of China's Eight Ancient Capitals, the home of oracle bone inscriptions and the birthplace of Shang culture. With a history spanning 3,000 years, relatively little commercialization and low everyday costs, it suits trips focused on historic sites and local life.

• Yinxu Museum: China's first major national archaeological museum to present a comprehensive picture of Shang culture houses numerous original oracle bones, bronze objects and displays related to chariot-and-horse burial pits, offering an introduction to Shang civilization.

• National Museum of Chinese Writing: The world's only museum devoted to writing traces its evolution from oracle bone inscriptions to regular script. Admission to the permanent exhibition is free, but advance reservations are required.

• Wenfeng Pagoda: Built during the Five Dynasties period, this Anyang landmark is wider at the top than at the base, with intricate brick carvings on its exterior. Its evening illumination makes it a good subject for viewing and photography.

• Youli City: This is the birthplace of the *Book of Changes* and China's first state prison documented in written records. Visitors can explore the Eight Trigrams maze and learn how King Wen of Zhou developed his interpretations of the Changes.

• Cao Cao's Gaoling Mausoleum: This burial site of Cao Cao has a relatively small collection of excavated artifacts. Messages on the walls and offerings left by visitors also show the different ways later generations have understood and commemorated this historical figure.

• Cangxiang Street: This neighborhood features Ming- and Qing-style buildings, with gray walls and dark roof tiles. It is a good place to stroll and take photos in hanfu. You can also plan a separate evening visit when the lights come on.

Two-Day, One-Night Highlights (Ideal for a Weekend Trip)

• Day 1: Arrive in Anyang in the morning and start at Yinxu Museum. Allow about 3 hours, and consider hiring a guide or joining other visitors for a volunteer-led tour. In the afternoon, head to the Yinxu Palace and Ancestral Temple Site to see the oracle bone storage pit and Fu Hao's tomb. For dinner, try local snacks at the Beidajie or Shuguang Street night market.
• Day 2: Try bianfencai for breakfast, then visit the National Museum of Chinese Writing to trace the development of Chinese characters. In the afternoon, climb Wenfeng Pagoda for views of the old town, or visit Yuan Lin, with its blend of Chinese and Western architectural elements. Finish the trip in the early evening.

Three-Day, Two-Night Extended Itinerary (History and Nature)

• Day 1: Follow Day 1 of the two-day itinerary, then add an evening visit to Cangxiang Street.
• Day 2: Head to Tangyin County in the morning to visit Yue Fei Temple followed by Youli City, including its Eight Trigrams maze. Return to central Anyang in the afternoon and learn more about local history at Anyang Museum. For dinner, try jar-cooked chicken at Jiafeng Lao Guanzi.
• Day 3: If time allows and you enjoy mountain scenery, hire a car with a driver or drive to Linzhou to see the streams and waterfalls of Taihang Grand Canyon. Alternatively, visit the Red Flag Canal to learn about this man-made water diversion project. Begin your return journey in the afternoon.

Local Food Guide

Food in Anyang is relatively inexpensive, with predominantly savory flavors, plenty of starchy dishes and frequent use of chili. A little over RMB 20 per person is usually enough for a filling meal.

• Bianfencai: A common local breakfast of wide sweet potato noodles, pork blood, tofu and greens in a rich bone broth. Tear a freshly fried flatbread into small pieces and soak them in the soup to absorb the broth.

• Fenjiangfan: Made by simmering fermented mung bean slurry with peanuts, soybeans and greens, this dish has a distinctly tangy flavor and suits those who enjoy sour foods.

• Daokou Braised Chicken: This traditional Henan dish features crisp skin, tender meat and softened bones, making it easy to pull apart by hand. It can also be bought as a food gift to take home.

• Pan-Fried Guanchang: Pork casings filled with starch and seasonings are pan-fried until browned and fragrant outside while remaining soft inside. Serve with garlic sauce.

• Fried Blood Cake: Pork blood and buckwheat flour are mixed and steamed, then cut into pieces and fried to create a crisp exterior and soft center. This is a common street snack in Anyang.

Other local snacks to look for include Xi'an Juanmo wraps and Wu Ji Osmanthus Soup at Beidajie Night Market, as well as Guo Ji Fresh Pea-Starch Noodles, tucked into a residential neighborhood. Work them into your sightseeing route.

Accommodation and Transport

• Accommodation: Consider staying near Beidajie in Wenfeng District or Anyang Old Town. Cangxiang Street, Wenfeng Pagoda and the main night markets are within walking distance, with convenient dining and sightseeing and good-value accommodation.
• Transport: Take a high-speed train to Anyang East Station, then a taxi into the city center, about 20 minutes away. The central sights are fairly close together and can be reached by shared bicycle or bus. For Cao Cao's Gaoling Mausoleum, Youli City and Linzhou, consider hiring a car with a driver, driving yourself or taking a dedicated tourist bus.

Visiting and Dining Tips

• Reservations and opening hours: Yinxu Museum and the National Museum of Chinese Writing are both closed on Mondays, so plan accordingly. Yinxu Museum offers 2,000 free places for its evening session, which must be booked in advance through official reservation channels. If you cannot secure a free place, you can buy an all-access ticket.
• Guided visits: At Yinxu and the National Museum of Chinese Writing, consider hiring a guide or joining other visitors for a volunteer-led tour to understand the exhibits' background and historical significance.
• Combined tickets: A RMB 130 combined ticket covers Yinxu Museum, the Palace and Ancestral Temple Site, and the Royal Tombs Site, including transport between sites. It costs less than buying individual tickets. A free shuttle also runs between the three locations.
• Portion sizes: Local restaurants generally serve generous portions, so order moderately. Even two dishes may be more than two people can finish.