Get to know Nanyang
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- Administrative area
- Prefecture-level city · 地级市
- Part of
- Henan
- Chinese name
- 南阳市
- Local areas
- 13 local areas
Area & population
- Area in the source
- 26,591.00 km²
- Population · 2020 census
- 9,713,112
- Administrative seat
- Wolong District
Source: cited geographic source, as of the dates shown.
Nanyang was the home of various important figures in Chinese history. It nurtured the "sage of science" Zhang Heng, "sage of medicine" Zhang Zhongjing, "sage of commerce" Fan Li, and "sage of intelligence" Zhuge Liang. It has also been home to contemporary celebrities such as philosopher Feng Youlan, military strategist Peng Xuefeng, novelist Yao Xueyin, inventor Wang Yongmin, and writer Er Yuehe.
Culture
The official language of Nanyang is Mandarin Chinese, but most locals speak the Henan dialect, with its easily identifiable features; this local dialect is known as Nanyang Hua (南阳话), and is spoken by about 15 million people in the area.
There are mainly Chu culture series, Han culture series, Three Kingdoms culture series, and various ancient architectural development and utilization series. The rare treasures unearthed from the Spring and Autumn tombs in Danyang, the capital of Chu, are well-known and the Chu Great Wall site, known as the "father of the Great Wall of China," has attracted attention. The Han cultural relics in Nanyang, represented by the "Three Wonders of Nanyang Han Culture" such as portrait stones, portrait bricks, and pottery dogs, rank first in the country in terms of quantity, scale, content, research, and tourism value discovered; There are also the largest ancient iron smelting workshop in the country - the Wafangzhuang site, the sizable Han Wancheng site, the medical saint temple where the famous Han Dynasty great medical expert Zhang Zhongjing's ancestral tomb is located, and the famous tomb of the Eastern Han Dynasty scientist and writer Zhang Heng at home and abroad. The historical influence of the Three Kingdoms period is profound, and the remaining relics mainly include the Wuhou Temple, Weigong Bridge, Fengchu Terrace, as well as the ancient battlefield of Huoshao Bowang in Fangcheng and the council stage in Xinye.
Explore Nanyang
Core places to explore, with English and Chinese names.
Wolonggang 卧龙岗
Official Residence of the Nanyang Prefect 南阳府衙
Xixia Laojieling 西峡老界岭
Xixia Dinosaur Relics Park 西峡恐龙遗迹园
Neixiang County Yamen 内乡县衙
Baotianman Scenic Area 宝天曼
Nanyang Han Dynasty Stone Relief Museum 南阳汉画馆
Wolonggang Wuhou Shrine 卧龙岗武侯祠
Tongbai Mountain Huai River Source 桐柏山淮源
Xiangyan Temple 香严寺
Danjiang Grand View Garden 丹江大观苑
Laojie Ridge 老界岭
Wancheng District 宛城区
Wolong District 卧龙区
Nanzhao County 南召县
Fangcheng County 方城县
Xixia County 西峡县
Zhenping County 镇平县
Neixiang County 内乡县
Xichuan County 淅川县
Sheqi County 社旗县
Tanghe County 唐河县
Xinye County 新野县
Tongbai County 桐柏县
Dengzhou 邓州市
Places to explore around Nanyang
The dragon screen at Wolonggang, originally from Nanyang Prefecture’s Confucian Temple · 卧龙岗龙门照壁 Photograph date recorded by the source: 4 October 2025, 18:00:18.Wolonggang卧龙岗
Wolonggang is a landscape of commemoration centred on Nanyang’s Wuhou Shrine to Zhuge Liang. Its courtyards, memorial buildings and inscribed stones developed over many centuries, giving the visit layers beyond the Three…
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Main gate of Nanyang Prefectural Yamen · 南阳府衙大门 Photograph date recorded by the source: 4 October 2025, 20:26:06.Official Residence of the Nanyang Prefect南阳府衙
Nanyang’s prefectural yamen is a sequence of courts in which official ceremony gradually gives way to working and residential space. The broad main hall was used for formal announcements and receptions; the second and third…
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AI illustration · AI 示意图（仅供参考，非该地点实拍）Xixia Laojieling西峡老界岭
Laojieling is a high mountain destination in the Funiu range, with forested ridges, unusual rock peaks and watershed scenery.
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A sunlit paved plaza at the entrance of the Xixia Dinosaur Relics Park: a huge green sauropod statue with a raised neck on the left and a white one on the right, a pink stone wall lettered 中国西峡恐龙遗迹园 between them, a white picket fence, trees and a blue sky; a parked car and a kiosk sit at the left edge.Xixia Dinosaur Relics Park西峡恐龙遗迹园
Xixia Dinosaur Relics Park in Danshui Town focuses on dinosaur eggs and the geological setting in which they were found.
Read the place guide →The 'Jutan Guzhi' memorial archway leading into the Neixiang County Yamen Museum · 内乡县衙博物馆入口“菊潭古治”牌坊 Source-recorded photograph date: 2010-11-21 10:32:37.Neixiang County Yamen内乡县衙
Qing county government compound in Neixiang, Henan, rebuilt in 1894 and a museum since 1984, with its halls, gates, jail and couplets.
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Baotianman Scenic Area · 宝天曼Baotianman Scenic Area宝天曼
UNESCO biosphere reserve in the Funiu Mountains of Neixiang, Henan: transition-zone forest, the Tuan River's source and gorge rafting.
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The exterior of the Nanyang Museum of Han Dynasty Stone Carving (Nanyang Han Hua Guan) · 南阳汉画馆外观 Source-recorded photograph date: 2026-09-04 14:58:37.Nanyang Han Dynasty Stone Relief Museum南阳汉画馆
Nanyang museum of Han-dynasty tomb reliefs, founded in 1935, holding over 2,500 carved stones, with the best shown by theme in nine galleries.
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Wolonggang Wuhou Shrine · 卧龙岗武侯祠Wolonggang Wuhou Shrine卧龙岗武侯祠
The Wuhou Shrine at Wolong Gang (卧龙岗武侯祠) stands on a low ridge in the western outskirts of Nanyang, in Wolong District, Henan, and is the temple where successive dynasties made offerings to the Three Kingdoms statesman Zhuge Liang.
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Tongbai Mountain Huai River Source · 桐柏山淮源Tongbai Mountain Huai River Source桐柏山淮源
Tongbai Shan Huaiyuan (桐柏山淮源) is a scenic area on the middle northern flank of the Tongbai range in Tongbai County, Nanyang, Henan, about three kilometres from the county town, taking in the accepted source of the Huai River.
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Xiangyan Temple (香严寺), Xichuan County. Photograph: "Hnxcxys (3)".Xiangyan Temple香严寺
Xiangyan Temple (香严寺) stands on Baiya Shan in Cangfang Town, Xichuan County, Nanyang, Henan, a Tang foundation whose surviving Ming and Qing halls keep a large set of Ming wall paintings.
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AI illustration · AI 示意图（仅供参考，非该地点实拍）Danjiang Grand View Garden丹江大观苑
Island park on the Danjiangkou Reservoir in Xichuan County with a rebuilt temple, a large Guanyin statue and a herb plantation.
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Laojie Ridge · 老界岭Laojie Ridge老界岭
Laojieling (老界岭) is a high ridge in Xixia County, Nanyang, Henan, forming the core of the Funiu Shan UNESCO Global Geopark and a national nature reserve, and marking the watershed between the Yangtze and Yellow River basins.
Read the place guide →Local life & food
Nanyang local specialties
南阳市特色美食 · 10 specialties to discover
Nanyang Beef Soup 南阳牛肉汤Reference photo of a similar dish · 同类菜品参考照片
Nanyang Beef Soup (南阳牛肉汤) is a clear beef soup that Dahe (大河网), the Henan Daily group's news site, calls a well-known breakfast of Nanyang (南阳), Henan, and one of the city's signature foods.
Read the dish guide →
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Fangcheng Huimian Noodle Soup 方城烩面Reference photo of a similar dish · 同类菜品参考照片
Fangcheng Huimian Noodle Soup (方城烩面) combines hand-stretched wheat noodles, goat broth and greens in Fangcheng (方城), Nanyang (南阳).
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Tanghe Mung Bean Jelly 唐河凉粉
Tanghe Mung Bean Jelly (唐河凉粉) is a set jelly made from mung beans in Tanghe County (唐河县), Nanyang (南阳), Henan, which the Nanyang city government lists as a speciality snack of the county.
Read the dish guide →Photo adjustments
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Xinye Board-Stretched Noodles 新野板面AI illustration · AI 示意图（仅供参考，非实拍）
Xinye Board-Stretched Noodles (新野板面), also called Zhang Fei noodles (张飞板面), come from Xinye County (新野县) in Nanyang (南阳), Henan.
Read the dish guide →Sheqi Sweet Potato Noodles, Sheets and Starch 社旗三粉AI illustration · AI 示意图（仅供参考，非实拍）
Sheqi Sweet Potato Noodles, Sheets and Starch (社旗三粉) are the 'three starches' of Sheqi County (社旗县) in Nanyang (南阳), Henan: dried noodles (粉条), starch sheets (粉皮) and the starch itself (粉面), all made mainly from sweet potatoes.
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Zhenping Fried and Braised Chicken 镇平烧鸡Reference photo of a similar dish · 同类菜品参考照片
Zhenping Fried and Braised Chicken (镇平烧鸡), also called Hou family chicken (侯氏烧鸡), is a whole bird from Zhenping County (镇平县) in Nanyang (南阳), Henan, that is glazed with honey water, fried and then simmered for hours in an aged brine.
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Tongbai Stewed Pork with Tofu Skin Sticks 桐柏豆筋炖肉AI illustration · AI 示意图（仅供参考，非实拍）
Tongbai Stewed Pork with Tofu Skin Sticks (桐柏豆筋炖肉) is listed among the local specialties of Nanyang, Henan. 炖 describes slow simmering.
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Neixiang Jar-Oven Sesame Flatbread 内乡缸炉烧饼Reference photo of a similar dish · 同类菜品参考照片
Neixiang Jar-Oven Sesame Flatbread (内乡缸炉烧饼) is a round, sesame-topped wheat flatbread from Neixiang County (内乡县), Henan, brushed with malt syrup and baked on the wall of a charcoal oven; the county government says it is known far and wide for being flaky, crisp, fragrant, sweet and savoury.
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All dish names · 全部菜名 (10)
- Nanyang Beef Soup · 南阳牛肉汤
- Fangcheng Huimian Noodle Soup · 方城烩面
- Tanghe Mung Bean Jelly · 唐河凉粉
- Xinye Board-Stretched Noodles · 新野板面
- Sheqi Sweet Potato Noodles, Sheets and Starch · 社旗三粉
- Zhenping Fried and Braised Chicken · 镇平烧鸡
- Tongbai Stewed Pork with Tofu Skin Sticks · 桐柏豆筋炖肉
- Neixiang Jar-Oven Sesame Flatbread · 内乡缸炉烧饼
- Dengzhou Wozi Dressed Noodles · 邓州窝子面
- Nanzhao Hand-Pulled Noodles · 南召扯面
More dishes from across Henan are in the Henan food guide.
Counties & districts in Nanyang
13 areas belong directly to Nanyang.
13 areas
Wancheng District 宛城区
Wancheng District (simplified Chinese: 宛城区; traditional Chinese: 宛城區; pinyin: Wǎnchéng Qū) is one of two districts of the city of Nanyang, in the southwest of Henan province, People's Republic of China.
Explore the area →DistrictWolong District 卧龙区
Wolong District (simplified Chinese: 卧龙区; traditional Chinese: 臥龍區; pinyin: Wòlóng Qū) is a District in the center part of Nanyang, in the southwest of Henan province, People's Republic of China.
Explore the area →CountyNanzhao County 南召县
Nanzhao County is a county under the jurisdiction of Nanyang City, in the southwest of Henan province, China, has an area of 2,946 km² (1,137 sq mi) and a population of 600,000 as of 2002.
Explore the area →CountyFangcheng County 方城县
Fangcheng is a county in the east of Nanyang City's administrative area, in the southwest of Henan province, China. It has an area of 2,542 km² (981 sq mi) and a population of 970,000 as of 2002.
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Xixia County 西峡县
Xixia County (simplified Chinese: 西峡; traditional Chinese: 西峽; pinyin: Xīxiá; postal: Sisia) is a county in the southwest of Henan province, China, bordering Shaanxi province to the west.
Explore the area →CountyZhenping County 镇平县
Zhenping County (simplified Chinese: 镇平县; traditional Chinese: 鎮平縣; pinyin: Zhènpíng Xiàn) is a county in the southwest of Henan province, China.
Explore the area →CountyNeixiang County 内乡县
Neixiang County (simplified Chinese: 内乡县; traditional Chinese: 內鄉縣; pinyin: Nèixiāng Xiàn) is a county under the jurisdiction of Nanyang City, in the southwest of Henan province, China.
Explore the area →CountyXichuan County 淅川县
Xichuan County is a county in the southwest of Henan province, China, bordering the provinces of Hubei to the south and Shaanxi to the northwest.
Explore the area →CountySheqi County 社旗县
Sheqi County is a county in the southwest of Henan province, China. It is under the administration of the prefecture-level city of Nanyang, and has an area of 1,203 km² (464 sq mi) and a population of 630,000…
Explore the area →CountyTanghe County 唐河县
Tanghe County is administered by the prefecture-level city of Nanyang, in the southwest of Henan province, People's Republic of China, bordering Hubei province to the south. Its ancient name was Tangzhou (唐州).
Explore the area →CountyXinye County 新野县
Xinye is one of the counties of Nanyang that lies in the southwest of Henan province, China. To the south lies the prefecture-level city of Xiangyang in Hubei province, to the east is Tanghe County and to the…
Explore the area →CountyTongbai County 桐柏县
Tongbai County is a county in the south of Henan province, China, bordering Hubei province to the south. The easternmost county-level division of the prefecture-level city of Nanyang, it has an area of 1,941…
Explore the area →County-level cityDengzhou 邓州市
Dengzhou (simplified Chinese: 邓州; traditional Chinese: 鄧州; pinyin: Dèngzhōu), formerly Deng County (邓县; 鄧縣; Dèng Xiàn), is a county-level city in Nanyang, Henan, China.
Explore the area →No areas match this name.
Plan your visit
Getting there
Search for 南阳市 in a map app to find stations and your accommodation.
Where to stay →Build your route
Wolonggang and Official Residence of the Nanyang Prefect are about 3 km apart in a straight line. The linked place guides have entrance and visit details.
Continue with Henan →More in Henan
Sources & geographic information
Administrative names and parent areas: Official geographic directory · Reference date 2026-09-06.
Background text adapted from Nanyang, Henan — Wikipedia contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Text has been shortened and reorganized; source revision 1370939262.
Photo: Wolonggang · Windmemories · CC BY-SA 4.0. Full frame retained; proportionally resized and converted to WebP. No retouching or changes to the photographed subject. Card displays may crop the view.
Photo: Official Residence of the Nanyang Prefect · Windmemories · Windmemories — 20251004_Nanyang_Fu_Yamen_01.jpg — CC BY-SA 4.0 · CC BY-SA 4.0. Full frame retained; proportionally resized and converted to WebP. No retouching or changes to the photographed subject. Card displays may crop the view.
Photo: Xixia Dinosaur Relics Park · Gary Todd · CC0. Full frame retained; proportionally resized and converted to WebP. No retouching or changes to the photographed subject. Card displays may crop the view.
Photo: Neixiang County Yamen · Gary Todd · CC0. Full frame retained; proportionally resized and converted to WebP. No retouching or changes to the photographed subject. Card displays may crop the view.
Photo: Baotianman Scenic Area · Source photographer · License not provided. EXIF orientation normalized; resized without changing aspect ratio; converted to WebP. No subject edits.
Photo: Nanyang Han Dynasty Stone Relief Museum · Windmemories · CC BY-SA 4.0. Full frame retained; proportionally resized and converted to WebP. No retouching or changes to the photographed subject. Card displays may crop the view.
Photo: Wolonggang Wuhou Shrine · Source photographer · License not provided. EXIF orientation normalized; resized without changing aspect ratio; converted to WebP. No subject edits.
Photo: Tongbai Mountain Huai River Source · Source photographer · License not provided. EXIF orientation normalized; resized without changing aspect ratio; converted to WebP. No subject edits.
Photo: Xiangyan Temple · 襄樊一夜 · CC BY-SA 3.0. Full frame retained; EXIF orientation normalized, proportionally resized to at most 800 pixels and converted to WebP. No generated pixels or subject changes. Cards may crop the display.
Photo: Laojie Ridge · Source photographer · License not provided. EXIF orientation normalized; resized without changing aspect ratio; converted to WebP. No subject edits.
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