Central Plains

Henan Museum Travel Guide

Nine Major Treasures of the Town Hall · Lotus Crane Square Pot · Jiahu Bone Flute

The Henan Museum is the most important comprehensive museum in the Central Plains region, and its treasures include nine pieces such as the Lotus Crane Square Hu, the Jiahu Bone Flute, and the Cloud Pattern Bronze Censer. It clearly explains the question of 'why the Central Plains is the main root of Chinese civilization' through actual artifacts.

Customized according to this destination View related routes

This site only handles information compilation and itinerary design; prices and bookings are based on final confirmation.

Destination Details

Key facts

Best seasonAll year round, indoors

Suggested stay3–4 hours

Key highlightsLotus Crane Square Pot · Jiahu Bone Flute · Cloud Pattern Bronze Censer · Ancient Chinese Music Ensemble

Admission ticketBasic display is free, real-name reservation required

LocationNongye Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou City

The Henan Museum is located on Nongye Road in Zhengzhou. The shape of the main exhibition hall symbolizes the idea of "stabilizing the Central Plains with nine tripods." The permanent exhibitions are divided into several halls under the theme "The Light of Ancient Civilization in the Central Plains," covering the period from Peiligang and Yangshao cultures through to the Song and Yuan dynasties, with a focus on the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties — the earliest dynasties in China which centered their core regions here.

Highlights

Lotus Crane Square Vessel

A bronze vessel from the Spring and Autumn period of the Zheng state, featuring a crane with outstretched wings on the lid and coiled dragon patterns across the body. It is regarded as a symbol of the aesthetic shift from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age and is the top treasure of the museum.

Jiahu Bone Flute

A bone musical instrument dating back about 8,000 years, made from the wing bone of a red-crowned crane, with seven holes, still playable. It pushes back the starting point of Chinese musical history by several thousand years.

Cloud-patterned Bronze Gui and Ancient Chinese Music Ensemble

The cloud-patterned bronze gui is a Spring and Autumn period bronze created using the lost-wax casting method, featuring extremely complex craftsmanship. The museum also hosts live performances by an ancient Chinese music ensemble using reconstructed instruments, with the schedule announced separately.

Recommended Visit Duration

3 hours: go through the main exhibition hall once.
4 hours: include the special exhibition halls and ancient music performance.

Local Tips

Closed on Mondays, appointment required in advance.
Flash photography is prohibited inside the museum.
Can combine with visits to the Zhengzhou Shang City ruins and Shaolin Temple on the same day.