Cradle of China
Yongcheng — Han-dynasty cliff tombs with painted chambers you can walk into.

Yongcheng永城

Han-dynasty cliff tombs with painted chambers you can walk into.

Plan from here

Suggested stay

1 days

Editorial guides

1

Arrive at

Yongcheng North railway

Best season

Mar–May, Sep–Nov

Why stop here

Three reasons to get off the train

  • 01

    Heritage

    Imperial capitals, grottoes and excavated cities

  • 02

    Bring these together

    Mangdang Mountain

In motion

Down into the Liang king's tomb

Down into the Liang king's tomb

Mangdang Mountain · 1:28

What to see in Yongcheng

1 editorial guides

History & people

What happened here

Full timeline
209 BCEEventsQin & Han

The snake at Mangdang

A local magistrate's runner turned rebel after a night on Mangdang Mountain; the story became the founding legend of Han.

Local food

What to eat in Yongcheng

Food guide

Food notes for this county are still being gathered. The provincial food index covers the wider region.

Notes from the field

“The scale underground is hard to believe: halls cut into rock, painted ceilings, no crowds.”

Owen Clarke · Archaeology notes
Mangdang Mountain

Getting here

Arrive, then move slowly

Gateway
Yongcheng North railway
Rail access
Direct high-speed rail
Time needed
1 days · 3.5 h of site time

Rail times below are planning estimates, not timetable data. Confirm departures before booking.

Nearby by rail

CityDistanceEst. rail
Luyi 鹿邑89 km1h 1m
Shangqiu 商丘91 km1h 1m
Huaiyang 淮阳146 km1h 19m
Zhoukou 周口165 km1h 25m