Xinyang

Located in southern Henan Province (河南省), Xinyang (信阳) lies between the Dabie Mountains (大别山) and the Huai River (淮河), where northern and southern Chinese landscapes and cultures meet. Often described as a place of “northern landscapes with southern charm,” Xinyang is especially known for green mountains, lakes, forests, Xinyang Maojian Tea, revolutionary heritage, and a mild ecological environment. Its combination of tea culture, summer resorts, wetlands, mountain scenery, and red tourism makes it one of southern Henan’s most distinctive destinations.

Why Visit Xinyang?

Jigong Mountain: Jigong Mountain (鸡公山) is Xinyang’s best-known mountain destination and one of China’s historic summer resorts. Forested peaks, waterfalls, cloud seas, cool summer temperatures, and an unusual collection of historic international-style villas give the mountain both natural and architectural appeal. Baoxiao Peak (报晓峰) is one of its signature viewpoints.

Nanwan Lake: Nanwan Lake (南湾湖) combines clear water, forested islands, tea-growing hills, and peaceful lakeside scenery close to downtown Xinyang. Boat trips, island sightseeing, waterside recreation, and surrounding tea landscapes make it especially attractive for relaxed nature trips and summer escapes.

Xinyang Maojian Tea: Xinyang Maojian (信阳毛尖) is one of the defining cultural symbols of the city. Tea gardens spread through the hills around Shihe District (浉河区) and Nanwan Lake, where visitors can walk through plantations, learn about tea picking and processing, taste freshly brewed green tea, and experience Xinyang’s long-established tea culture.

Huangbaishan National Forest Park: Huangbaishan National Forest Park (黄柏山国家森林公园, 4A) in Shangcheng County (商城县) lies deep in the Dabie Mountains near the Henan–Hubei–Anhui border. Dense forests, waterfalls, mountain streams, cool summer weather, and colorful autumn scenery make it one of Xinyang’s major destinations for hiking, forest wellness, and photography.

Lingshan Scenic Area: Lingshan Scenic Area (灵山风景区) in Luoshan County (罗山县) combines forested mountains, religious heritage, streams, and traditional cultural landscapes. It forms part of Xinyang’s major ecological tourism belt and can be combined with nearby nature reserves and red-history sites for a broader Dabie Mountain experience.

Xinxian Red Heritage: Xinxian County (新县) is one of the most important centers of revolutionary tourism in the Dabie Mountains. Major sites include the Capital Revolutionary Museum of the Hubei–Henan–Anhui Soviet Area (鄂豫皖苏区首府革命博物馆), former revolutionary sites, and the hometown of General Xu Shiyou (许世友将军故里), preserving the history of the revolutionary base areas in this region.

Culture & Experiences

Tea & Mountain Culture: Xinyang’s travel identity is closely tied to tea plantations, forest mountains, lakes, villages, and the transitional culture between Henan, Hubei, and Anhui. Tea picking, tea-making experiences, forest hiking, camping, lake recreation, and countryside stays provide a slower and greener alternative to the historic-city tourism found elsewhere in Henan.

Red & Ecological Tourism: The combination of revolutionary heritage in Xinxian, Dabie Mountain landscapes, Jigong Mountain, Nanwan Lake, and extensive tea-growing areas has created Xinyang’s distinctive “red + green” tourism character, linking cultural education with nature, wellness, and outdoor travel.