In 1987, Wang Renmin, a key figure at a Zhengzhou City tourist attraction, was inspired during visits to Singapore and the United States, where he encountered strong support for the concept of Yan and Huang Emperors' descendants. This inspired him to propose building a sculpture of the emperors by the Yellow River. On October 15, 1987, Wang Renmin announced plans for the sculpture and initiated a global donation campaign. Over the next five years, he lobbied extensively. In 1988, the Yanhuang Emperor Giant Sculpture Preparatory Committee was formed in Beijing, followed by the establishment of the national Chinese Yanhuang Culture Research Association on May 10, 1991. The foundation for the sculpture was laid on September 12, 1991, and construction began in September 1994 but faced funding issues. In 2004, the project was handed over to the Zhengzhou Municipal Government and became a key city project. With government and investment support, construction progressed smoothly, culminating in the statue's inauguration on April 18, 2007.