As the provincial museum of the cradle of China's civilization, Henan Provincial Museum (henan sheng bowuguan) provides a great opportunity to grasp the basic understanding of China's culture and history.

The museum was recently renovated, (watch out as taxi drivers may try to take you to the old building, ask for the "Xinde Bowuguan"). The exhibits are now housed in a huge glass pyramid at the end of Jing Qi Lu and the modern facilities and technology used for many of the exhibits here is excellent.

There are seven permanent exhibitions here. Of particular interest are the Bronze Ware Hall and the Jade Ware Hall. An Audio Tour Guide is available in Chinese, Japanese and English and interactive video shows and computer consultancy services are also available. The museum also organise regular exchange programmes with foreign and domestic museums and some excellent temporary museums take place here.

There is also a permanent exhibition here on the February 7th revolt in 1923, a strike by workers building the railway from Wuhan to Beijing that was brutally suppressed.

Address: 8 Nongye Lu, Zhengzhou
How to get Henan Provincial Museum : The museum is located 3km north of the February 7th Square. Bus No.32, No.69 and No.2 all run to the museum.
Opening Hours: 8:30-18:00
Cost: RMB20, audio tour cost RMB30/each, Museum guide cost 50/person