Runan County, China

Welcome to Runan County, a historic county located in the southeast of Henan Province, China. This charming county is under the administration of the prefecture-level city of Zhumadian and is home to some 770,000 people. Runan County has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. In fact, this area was once called the middle of the world (天中), since it was the center of government for Yu province and lay at the heart of the Nine Provinces. The Duke of Zhou (周公), the most influential statesman of the early Zhou dynasty, visited Runan many times and termed it as the center of the land.

During the Han dynasty, Runan County contributed the most officials to the central government of any commandery, and was ancestral home to the immensely influential Runan Yuan clan. In former times, Runan County was at various times called Ancheng County (安城县) and Ruyang County (汝阳县), and Caizhou (蔡州)., amongst others.

Runan County played a significant role in Chinese history. The town was the site of a major battle, the siege of Caizhou, in the war between the Mongol Empire and Jurchen Jin dynasty. Emperor Aizong, the Jurchen ruler, had fled to Caizhou after the Jin capital of Kaifeng was captured by the Mongols. He committed suicide in Caizhou and his successor, Emperor Mo, was killed in the besieged town. The Jin dynasty ended in Runan in 1234.

Today, Runan County is much smaller than it was in Chinese history, having surrendered a lot of its territories to the nearby city of Zhumadian and counties in recent centuries. However, many historical relics still can be found in the county seat and within its county boundary. Notably, the Nanhai Chan Temple is famous in the Buddhist world. The site where the Duke of Zhou visited became a historical site as well.

Runan County is divided into 4 subdistricts, 12 towns, and 2 townships. The county government is based in the town of Runing (Juning) (汝宁镇). The climate in Runan County is subtropical, with hot summers and mild winters.

If you’re looking for a unique and historic destination in China, Runan County is definitely worth a visit. With its rich history, cultural heritage, and beautiful landscapes, it’s a hidden gem that’s waiting to be discovered.