In Chinese, Henan means "south of the river", indicating Henan's location in relation to the Yellow River. The province has also been called the Mid Land or the Mid Plain because Henan is located right in the center of China, far from the inhospitably cold north and the scorching western deserts.

The Yellow River is said to have been the cradle of the Chinese people. The history of Henan dates back to the oldest human civilization known today. For 1000 years, tens of dynasties and kingdoms had their capital in Henan, either in Luoyang or in Kaifeng, and both of these cities are ranked today as members of the elite "seven ancient capitals".

This rich historic heritage has endowed the province with numerous historic treasures. The Shaolin Monastery, origins of the art of Kungfu, and the Baima Temple are the highlights of this small province.