Zhongyuan
中原 Central Plain | |
|---|---|
 Map showing the province of Henan and two definitions of the Central Plain or Zhongyuan | |
| Country | China |
| Province | Henan |
| Major cities | Zhengzhou Luoyang Kaifeng Xinxiang |
| Population | |
| • Metro | ~24,170,000 |
Zhongyuan (Chinese: 中原), also called the Central Plain or Central Plains, is an area in central China. It is southwest of Beijing. The Yellow River flows through the area. Zhongyuan is often described as one of the places where Chinese civilization began.
It is part of the North China Plain.
Since early recorded history, the Central Plain has been an important area in China. Several ancient Chinese capitals were located in or near the region.
The area was traditionally seen as the center of Chinese civilization and was connected with the idea of Sinocentrism. Places in the region were important during the Xia dynasty and later Chinese dynasties. Early symbols found at Jiahu and ancient oracle bone writing were also found in what is now Henan.
The word Zhongyuan is sometimes used in a broader way to refer to the central area of traditional Chinese civilization.