Anyang (安阳) is located in the northernmost part of Henan Province, at the junction of Henan, Shanxi, and Hebei provinces. As one of China’s Eight Ancient Capitals, Anyang is famous for Yinxu (殷墟), oracle bone inscriptions (甲骨文), and the Red Flag Canal Spirit (红旗渠精神). The city covers an area of approximately 7,413 square kilometers and has developed a diversified administrative structure combining urban districts, counties, and a county-level city.
At present, Anyang administers 1 county-level city, 4 counties, and 4 municipal districts: Linzhou City (林州市), Anyang County (安阳县), Huaxian County (滑县), Neihuang County (内黄县), Tangyin County (汤阴县), Wenfeng District (文峰区), Beiguan District (北关区), Yindu District (殷都区), and Long’an District (龙安区).
The city has formed a regional administrative system with 48 subdistricts, 71 towns, and 16 townships, covering ancient urban areas, historical counties, mountain regions, and agricultural plains. The different administrative areas have developed distinctive cultural and tourism characteristics, ranging from Shang Dynasty civilization and Chinese character culture to Taihang Mountain landscapes, red tourism, rural tourism, and traditional villages.
Tourism Resources by Districts and Counties
Yindu District (殷都区): Core Area of Shang Dynasty Civilization
Yindu District is the historical and cultural center of Anyang and the core area of Shang Dynasty civilization. It is home to Yinxu (殷墟), the archaeological site of the late Shang Dynasty capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The district represents the origin of oracle bone inscriptions and ancient Chinese writing culture.
The area focuses on archaeological tourism, museum experiences, and cultural heritage exploration. Major cultural resources include Yinxu Museum (殷墟博物馆), the Yinxu archaeological area, and cultural tourism projects along the Huan River (洹河). It is the key destination for visitors exploring the origins of Chinese civilization.
Linzhou City (林州市): Red Flag Canal Spirit and Taihang Mountain Scenery
Linzhou City is located in the western mountainous area of Anyang and is famous for the Red Flag Canal (红旗渠), one of China’s most representative modern engineering achievements. The Red Flag Canal Spirit has become an important symbol of perseverance and innovation.
The city also features spectacular Taihang Mountain landscapes, including Taihang Grand Canyon (太行大峡谷), Shibanyan Cultural Tourism Area (石板岩旅游度假区), and Linlü Mountain outdoor sports resources. Linzhou has developed a tourism model combining red education, mountain adventure, ecological sightseeing, photography, and rural tourism.
Wenfeng District (文峰区): Ancient City Culture and Chinese Character Heritage
Wenfeng District is the traditional urban center of Anyang and preserves important historical buildings and cultural streets. It represents the integration of ancient city culture, traditional architecture, and modern cultural tourism.
The district contains historic areas such as Anyang Ancient City, Cangxiang Street (仓巷街), County Front Street (县前街), Tianning Temple (天宁寺), and Gao’ge Temple (高阁寺). The National Museum of Chinese Writing (中国文字博物馆) is also located here, making it an important destination for learning about the evolution of Chinese characters.
Beiguan District (北关区): Historical Figures and Museum Culture
Beiguan District is an important cultural area featuring historical sites, museums, and memorial architecture. The district contains Anyang Museum (安阳博物馆) and Yuan Shikai’s Tomb (袁林), which reflects the historical transition period of modern China.
Tourism in Beiguan District focuses on historical research, cultural exhibitions, and exploration of important figures in Chinese history.
Tangyin County (汤阴县): Hometown of Yue Fei and Zhouyi Culture
Tangyin County is famous as the hometown of Yue Fei (岳飞), a legendary patriotic general of the Southern Song Dynasty. The county preserves strong traditional Chinese cultural elements related to loyalty, education, and philosophy.
Important cultural resources include Yue Fei Temple (岳飞庙), the birthplace of Zhouyi (周易) culture at Youli City (羑里城), and ecological landscapes such as Tanghe National Wetland Park (汤河国家湿地公园). The county combines historical education, traditional culture, and ecological tourism.
Anyang County (安阳县): Rural Culture and Red Tourism
Anyang County surrounds the urban area and contains important historical, agricultural, and revolutionary heritage resources.
The county is known for Machi Manor (马氏庄园), Anyang Anti-Japanese Democratic Government Former Site (安阳县抗日民主政府旧址), and Yuejin Canal Memorial Area (跃进渠纪念馆). Tourism development focuses on red education, rural experiences, traditional architecture, and cultural research tours.
Neihuang County (内黄县): Red Culture and Ancient Rural Heritage
Neihuang County is located in the eastern part of Anyang and has a strong agricultural tradition. The county preserves revolutionary historical sites and rural cultural resources.
Its tourism features include the Red Sand Area Revolutionary Heritage (红色沙区), Wenxinggou Peasant Uprising Site (温邢堌农民革命起义旧址), traditional villages, and ecological agriculture experiences.
Huaxian County (滑县): Canal Culture and Ancient Town Traditions
Huaxian County is one of the important agricultural counties in northern Henan and has a long history connected with the ancient Yellow River and canal transportation.
The county’s cultural tourism resources include Daokou Ancient Town (道口古镇) and the Grand Canal cultural heritage area. Traditional food culture, ancient streets, and local folk customs form the main tourism characteristics.
Administrative Division Table of Anyang
| Administrative Area |
Type |
Main Towns / Administrative Features |
Tourism and Cultural Characteristics |
| Wenfeng District (文峰区) |
Municipal District |
Central urban district with historical streets and cultural areas |
Ancient city culture, Chinese character culture, traditional architecture |
| Beiguan District (北关区) |
Municipal District |
Urban district with museums and historical areas |
Museum tourism, historical figures, modern heritage |
| Yindu District (殷都区) |
Municipal District |
Core area of Shang Dynasty cultural heritage |
Yinxu, oracle bone inscriptions, archaeological tourism |
| Long’an District (龙安区) |
Municipal District |
Western urban-rural transition area |
Mountain ecology, rural tourism, cultural landscapes |
| Linzhou City (林州市) |
County-level City |
Towns and villages in Taihang Mountain region |
Red Flag Canal, Taihang Mountain tourism, outdoor recreation |
| Anyang County (安阳县) |
County |
Rural towns surrounding Anyang urban area |
Manor culture, red tourism, agricultural tourism |
| Huaxian County (滑县) |
County |
Large agricultural county with traditional towns |
Daokou Ancient Town, Grand Canal culture, folk customs |
| Neihuang County (内黄县) |
County |
Eastern agricultural county |
Red culture, rural heritage, ecological agriculture |
| Tangyin County (汤阴县) |
County |
Historical county south of Anyang |
Yue Fei culture, Zhouyi culture, wetland tourism |
Administrative Structure Summary
| Level |
Number |
Administrative Units |
| County-level City |
1 |
Linzhou City (林州市) |
| Counties |
4 |
Anyang County, Huaxian County, Neihuang County, Tangyin County |
| Municipal Districts |
4 |
Wenfeng District, Beiguan District, Yindu District, Long’an District |
| Subdistricts |
48 |
Mainly located in urban districts |
| Towns |
71 |
Distributed across counties and county-level city |
| Townships |
16 |
Mainly rural and mountainous areas |
Anyang’s administrative divisions reflect the city’s unique geographical and cultural structure: the urban districts preserve ancient civilization and modern cultural heritage, Linzhou represents the Taihang Mountain and red tourism resources, while the counties maintain traditional villages, agricultural landscapes, folk culture, and historical memories. Together, these areas form a complete tourism system covering civilization exploration, cultural heritage, ecological landscapes, rural experiences, and educational travel.