In Anyang (安阳), the air hums with stories older than Singapore’s colonial shophouses. This unassuming city in Henan Province (河南省) is where Chinese civilization took its first breath—a place of oracle bones, Shang Dynasty tombs, and fiery street food that ignites the senses. For Singaporeans seeking a journey beyond skyscrapers and sanitized history, Anyang offers raw authenticity: a chance to walk where emperors ruled, artisans crafted, and flavors were forged over 3,000 years.
Singapore thrives on modernity, but Anyang thrives on memory. As the final capital of the Shang Dynasty (商朝, 1600–1046 BCE), it’s the birthplace of Chinese writing (甲骨文) and astronomy. Unlike Xi’an’s Terracotta Army or Beijing’s Forbidden City, Anyang feels undiscovered—a place where history isn’t curated but lived.
Getting There (From Singapore):
- Fly to Zhengzhou (郑州): Direct 6-hour flights via Singapore Airlines or Scoot.
- High-Speed Rail: A 1.5-hour bullet train from Zhengzhou East Station (郑州东站) to Anyang (¥120/$22 SGD).
- Alternative Route: Fly to Beijing (北京), then a 2.5-hour train ride south.
Unmissable Historical & Cultural Treasures
1. Yinxu Ruins & Museum (殷墟遗址博物馆)
- Why Visit: Walk among 3,600-year-old royal tombs and sacrificial pits at this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The museum’s oracle bones (甲骨文)—etched with the earliest Chinese script—reveal questions posed to gods about harvests and wars.
- Iconic Artifact: The Simuwu Ding (司母戊大方鼎), an 875 kg bronze cauldron, stands as a testament to Shang Dynasty metallurgy.
- Singaporean Hook: Imagine Fort Canning Park, but with 3,000-year-old chariots and divination rituals.
2. Museum of Chinese Writing (中国文字博物馆)
- Why Visit: Trace the evolution of Chinese script from oracle bones to modern typography. Interactive displays decode ancient texts like bronze inscriptions (金文) and bamboo slips (简牍).
- Contrast: As engaging as Singapore’s ArtScience Museum—but with 2,000 extra years of history.
3. Wenfeng Pagoda (文峰塔)
- Why Visit: Climb this 1,000-year-old Tang Dynasty pagoda for panoramic views where ancient city walls fade into modern apartments.
- Singaporean Parallel: Unlike Marina Bay Sands’ sleek symmetry, Wenfeng’s tilted eaves and weathered stones whisper of impermanence.
4. Red Flag Canal (红旗渠)
Singaporean Take: Pulau Ubin’s rawness meets Marina Barrage’s ambition.acle bones to modern typography. The museum houses rare artifacts like bronze inscriptions (金文), bamboo slips (简牍), and Tang Dynasty calligraphy.
Why Visit: A 1960s engineering marvel where villagers hand-carved a canal through mountains. Fading Mao-era slogans juxtapose wild poppies—a metaphor for China’s evolution.
Culinary Odyssey: Flavors Singaporeans Will Crave
1. Bian Fen Cai (扁粉菜)
- What It Is: Thick sweet potato noodles in pork bone broth, topped with cabbage, wood ear mushrooms, and chili oil.
- Why Try: Locals swear by its restorative powers—think laksa stripped of coconut milk, earthy and deeply comforting.
- Where: Guo’s Bian Fen Cai (老郭扁粉菜) near Wenfeng Pagoda. Arrive early—it sells out by mid-morning.
2. Neihuang Sausage (内黄灌肠)
- What It Is: A 500-year-old delicacy of pork blood, meat, and spices steamed in casings.
- Singaporean Hook: Bold and earthy, like bak chang’s rebellious cousin.
3. Hu La Tang (湖辣汤)
- What It Is: A fiery soup of black pepper, vinegar, and shredded vegetables, paired with crispy dough sticks (油条).
- Why Try: Bak kut teh’s tangy, pungent counterpart—unapologetically bold.
Anyang won’t dazzle you with neon or luxury. It’s a city that asks you to sit, sip bitter tea, and listen. For Singaporeans—always racing toward tomorrow—this ancient cradle is a rare invitation to pause, reflect, and taste the weight of time.