Puyang

Located in northeastern Henan Province (河南省) on the northern side of the Yellow River (黄河), Puyang (濮阳) is a historic city where prehistoric civilization, Yellow River culture, ancient state heritage, traditional acrobatics, and modern urban leisure come together. The discovery of a shell-mosaic dragon at Xishuipo Site (西水坡遗址) dating back more than 6,000 years earned Puyang its reputation as the “Dragon Capital of China,” while its long history as an important settlement of the Central Plains gives the city considerable archaeological and cultural depth.

Why Visit Puyang?

Xishuipo Site: Xishuipo Site (西水坡遗址) is one of Puyang’s most important prehistoric archaeological sites and the place where the famous shell-mosaic dragon known as the “First Dragon of China” (中华第一龙) was discovered in 1987. The find has become the defining symbol of Puyang’s dragon culture and provides an important window into prehistoric beliefs and early civilization in the Central Plains.

Qicheng Cultural Relics Scenic Area: Qicheng Cultural Relics Scenic Area (戚城文物景区, 4A) is built around the ancient Qicheng Site (戚城遗址), an important city of the State of Wei during the Spring and Autumn period. Ancient city remains, historical exhibition halls, the alliance platform, traditional-style architecture, and cultural layers extending back thousands of years make it one of the best places to understand Puyang’s long urban history.

Cangjie Mausoleum: Cangjie Mausoleum Cultural Tourism Area (仓颉陵文化旅游景区) in Nanle County (南乐县) is associated with Cangjie (仓颉), the legendary inventor of Chinese characters. Together with Nanle’s historic Confucian heritage, it forms an important cultural destination for travelers interested in the origins of Chinese writing, traditional education, and ancient legends.

Dongbeizhuang Acrobatics: Dongbeizhuang (东北庄) is one of Puyang’s most famous centers of traditional acrobatics and an important symbol of the city’s identity as a “Hometown of Chinese Acrobatics.” Acrobatics performances, village traditions, training culture, and modern stage productions such as the Water Show series give visitors an opportunity to experience one of Puyang’s most distinctive living arts.

Puyang Museum: Puyang Museum (濮阳市博物馆) introduces the city’s archaeological discoveries, dragon culture, ancient history, and regional heritage. It is a useful starting point for understanding the connections among prehistoric Puyang, ancient Central Plains civilization, and the city’s later historical development.

Pushang Garden: Pushang Garden (濮上园) is one of the city’s major ecological leisure areas, combining lakes, greenery, walking spaces, recreational facilities, and family-friendly outdoor activities. Together with the surrounding urban parks and waterfront areas, it provides a relaxed contrast to Puyang’s archaeological and historic attractions.

Yellow River Landscapes: The Yellow River is central to Puyang’s geography and cultural identity. River embankments, ecological corridors, rural landscapes, historic flood-control heritage, and sites associated with major events along the river create opportunities for sightseeing, photography, cycling, and cultural study.

Culture & Experiences

Dragon Culture: The discovery of the ancient shell-mosaic dragon at Xishuipo made dragon heritage one of Puyang’s strongest cultural symbols. Museums, archaeological sites, public art, festivals, and newly developed cultural attractions continue to build on the city’s identity as a major source area for early Chinese dragon imagery.

Acrobatics Culture: Puyang has a long tradition of folk acrobatics, particularly around Dongbeizhuang and neighboring villages. Traditional village performances and contemporary stage productions make acrobatics one of the city’s most recognizable intangible cultural experiences.

Yellow River & Ancient Heritage: From prehistoric Xishuipo and Spring and Autumn-period Qicheng to Cangjie legends and Yellow River communities, Puyang combines archaeology, folklore, river culture, and living traditions in a compact destination that rewards travelers interested in the deeper history of Henan and the Central Plains.