Shangqiu is located in eastern Henan Province, on the Huanghuaihai Plain. It has a warm temperate monsoon climate with four distinct seasons and an average annual temperature of about 14°C. It borders Anhui to the east and Shandong to the north, serving as a transportation hub at the junction of Henan, Shandong, Jiangsu, and Anhui provinces.
Shangqiu is one of the important birthplaces of the Chinese nation, known as the 'Origin of Three Shang'—the origin of merchants, commerce, and Shang culture. As early as the Shang Dynasty, Shangqiu was one of the capitals; during the Zhou Dynasty, it was the capital of the Song State; in the Qin and Han dynasties, it was the Liang State; and in the Tang and Song dynasties, it was Yingtian Prefecture. With a civilization history of over 5,000 years, it is a famous historical and cultural city in China.
Shangqiu is the birthplace of fire culture, where Suirenshi drilled wood to make fire. There are many historical sites such as the Shangqiu Ancient City, Yingtian Academy, and Mulan Temple. The local cuisine is based on Henan cuisine, with specialties like Shangqiu Duozi Mutton, Xiayi Skewers, and Zhecheng Chicken Claw Fried Dough Twists, featuring salty and fresh flavors and rich pasta dishes.
Modern Shangqiu is an important industrial city and regional central city in Henan Province, with pillar industries such as equipment manufacturing, textile and garment, and food processing. The completion of Shangqiu High-Speed Railway Station and Airport has made it a key node city in the Central Plains Economic Zone, and it is vigorously developing its cultural tourism industry.
The best time to visit 商丘 is Spring (March-May) and Autumn (September-November) are the best times to visit Shangqiu, with pleasant weather and beautiful scenery..
Spring (March-May): The temperature rises, flowers bloom, especially the peony fair in April attracts many tourists. Suitable for visiting the ancient city and surrounding natural landscapes.
Autumn (September-November): Clear and crisp autumn weather, moderate temperature, a good time for outdoor activities and climbing. You can enjoy fresh fruits and autumn cuisine.
Summer (June-August) is hot, winter (December-February) is cold and dry, but there are fewer tourists, allowing you to experience different seasonal charms.
Shang Tang established the Shang Dynasty in Shangqiu, making it one of the early capitals of the Shang Dynasty, the second dynasty in Chinese history.
After King Wu of Zhou overthrew the Shang, he enfeoffed Weizi Qi, the elder half-brother of King Zhou of Shang, in Shangqiu, establishing the Song State, with Shangqiu as its capital.
Recommended places to visit
The Ancient City of Shangqiu is one of the four best-preserved ancient cities in China, built in the Ming Dynasty. It features a unique integration of city walls, moats, and lakes. There are many ancient buildings and historical relics inside, such as Yingtian Academy and Zhuanghui Hall.
Yingtian Academy is one of the four great ancient academies in China, built in the Northern Song Dynasty. Fan Zhongyan once taught here. The academy's architecture is simple and elegant, an important site for studying ancient Chinese education.
Explore rich intangible cultural heritage and traditional crafts
The Shangqiu Fire God Temple Fair is a traditional folk activity held to commemorate the Fire God Ebo. It takes place from the 7th day of the first lunar month to the 2nd day of the second lunar month, featuring sacrifices, opera, acrobatics, etc. It is a national intangible cultural heritage.
The Legend of Mulan is a folk literature spread in Yucheng County, Shangqiu, telling the story of Hua Mulan disguising herself as a man to join the army in place of her father. It has been included in the national intangible cultural heritage list.
Must-know transportation for exploring the city
Shangqiu Station is the intersection of the Xuzhou-Lanzhou High-Speed Railway and the Beijing-Kowloon High-Speed Railway, providing direct access to major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, and Zhengzhou. It takes about 1 hour from Zhengzhou.
Second-class seat from Zhengzhou to Shangqiu is about 80 yuan
Shangqiu Guantang Airport is located in Liangyuan District, Shangqiu. It currently operates flights to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, etc. The airport is about 20 km from the city center, accessible by airport bus or taxi.
Airport bus ticket is about 20 yuan
City bus routes in Shangqiu cover the main urban areas and attractions, with fares of 1-2 yuan. Alipay or WeChat Pay is accepted. There are also tourist shuttle buses connecting major scenic spots.
Taste the most authentic and popular local specialties
Shangqiu Duozi Mutton is a traditional delicacy. It uses local high-quality mutton, which is marinated, stewed, and pressed into a block, then sliced. The meat is tender and flavorful, a great dish for banquets.
Xiayi Skewers are a specialty snack from Xiayi County, Shangqiu. Various ingredients are skewered on bamboo sticks, cooked in a special broth, with a spicy and savory taste, very popular among locals.
During the Northern Song Dynasty, Shangqiu was elevated to Yingtian Prefecture, becoming an auxiliary capital, later renamed Nanjing, an important political, economic, and cultural center at that time.
Suihuang Mausoleum is the tomb of Suirenshi, the inventor of fire drilling, revered as the 'Ancestor of Fire'. The mausoleum is solemn and majestic, an important memorial site for fire culture.
Mangdang Mountain is located in Yongcheng, Shangqiu, where Liu Bang, the first emperor of Han, beheaded a snake and started his uprising. It features the royal tombs of the Liang State from the Han Dynasty, grand in scale, with many precious artifacts unearthed, such as the jade burial suit.
Mulan Temple is a shrine built in memory of the heroine Hua Mulan, located in Yucheng County, Shangqiu. Legend has it that Mulan was from Yucheng. The temple houses a statue of Mulan and displays related historical materials.
Fare 1-2 yuan
Zhecheng Chicken Claw Twist is a specialty pastry from Zhecheng County, Shangqiu, named for its chicken claw-like shape. The twist is crispy, sweet, and melts in the mouth, a traditional tea snack.
Yucheng Scallion Pancake is a specialty pastry from Yucheng County, Shangqiu, made mainly with flour and scallions, pan-fried until golden and crispy, with distinct layers and rich scallion flavor, a common breakfast choice.
Suizhou Roast Chicken is a specialty dish from Sui County, Shangqiu. It uses local free-range chicken, marinated with various spices and then roasted. The color is red and bright, the meat is tender and flavorful.