kaifeng tourist attractions

• Attractions

Kaifeng Attractions - Things to Do

Top things to do.

North route: Iron Pagoda – Dragon Pavilion – Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden – Imperial Street of Song Dynasty

South route: lord bao temple - kaifeng yamun - xiangguo temple - kaifeng museum.

Kaifeng Travel Guide - How to Plan a Trip to Kaifeng

With a history of over 2,700 years, Kaifeng is a city with great historic and cultural significance being the most important metropolis in the world at the peak of its glory. It is famous for being one of the seven ancient capitals of China . From setting the precedent for education and science to introducing several new styles of calligraphy, the contribution of Kaifeng to the development and cultural heritage and of China cannot be underestimated.

Kaifeng is located in the East of Henan Province 72 kilometers from Zhengzhou, It has served as the capital intermittently for seven dynasties in history, including the state of Wei of the Warring States Period, the later Liang Dynasty (907-923), the Later Jin Dynasty (936-947), the Later Han Dynasty (947-951), the Later Zhou Dynasty (951-960), the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) and the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234).

The glory of Kaifeng was at its peak when it was the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). Being the political, economic and cultural center, it boasts of being the then most prosperous metropolis in the world where a host of renowned historical figures emerged, including the upright Bao Zheng, loyal generals of the Yang Family and the national hero, Yue Fei. It was also a time that science and education flourished, not only benefitting that era, but the policies of the time set the precedent for the later dynasties.

The prosperous era of Kaifeng is interestingly exhibited in the Riverside Scene at the Pure Moon Festival drawn by Zhang Zheduan from the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). The Kaifeng Museum displays the rich history of the city and is worth a visit.

Highlights of Kaifeng

With an area of 6,444 square kilometers (2,488 square miles), Kaifeng is located at the south of the Yellow River to the north, and faces the Huanghuai plain to the south. It has about Traveling in Kaifeng highlights the characteristics of the Song Dynasty (960-1279), during which you can appreciate the colorful folk customs such as lion dancing and stilt walking performances . There are many attractions to explore, some of which are given below:

• Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden , a large park themed on the history and culture of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), situated in the west bank of the Dragon Pavilion Lake.
• Kaifeng Iron Tower , a 13-storied octagonal tower of 55.88 meters (183 feet) in height, which is praised as the first iron tower in the world, built in 1049.
• Greater Xiangguo Temple , a magnificent Buddhist temple built in the North Qi Dynasty (550-577) and rebuilt in 1992.
• Memorial Hall of Bao Zheng , a memorial hall to commemorate Bao Zheng for his clear and upright acts during his tenure as Kaifeng's governor.

Kaifeng's city flower is the chrysanthemum, and its Chrysanthemum Flower Fair has been famous since the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). It became a tradition for the scholars to grow chrysanthemums in the Ming and Qing dynasties, and since then, the Chrysanthemum Flower Fair has been regularly held at Dragon Pavilion Park by the later generations in Kaifeng from about October 18 to November 18 each year, where over 1,000 kinds of chrysanthemums are exhibited.

Kaifeng is the cradle of Chinese calligraphy and the Henan Opera, where the four famous calligraphic schools (Sushi Calligraphy School, Huang Tingjian Calligraphy School, Mi Fu Calligraphy School and Cai Xiang Calligraphy School) were produced, and the Henan Opera and Henan Zhuizi (ballad singing to the accompaniment of a bowed musical instrument) also originated in Kaifeng.

Accommodation

The hotels of Kaifeng are mainly concentrated in the Drum Tower area (the traditional city center) and Jinmin Square area (the new city center), of which the famous ones are listed as follows:

• New Century Grand Hotel Kaifeng Location: 1 Zhengkai Avenue East, Kaifeng New District, Kaifeng
• Kaifeng Tianfu International Youth Hostel Location: 30 Yingbin Road, Gulou District, Kaifeng
• Kaiyuanmingdu Hotel Location: 1 Zhengkai Avenue, Kaifeng New District, Kaifeng

Food and Restaurants

Kaifeng food culture has a long history and Kaifeng food is quite famous, with the popular Yu Cai ( Henan dish), one of the ten major cuisines in China, originating from here. Kaifeng can be called the cradle of Henan cuisine, featuring wheaten food as the popular item widely eaten by the locals. The famous Henan dishes include Carp with Noodles in Sweet and Sour Sauce, Spring Chicken in Salt, Small Steamed Buns, Chinese Rice Puddings, Mutton Broth, Almond Tea and Scrambled Agar-Agar Jellies. Here's a list of famous restaurants in Kaifeng.

Mayuxing Restaurant

Founded in the third year (1864) of Emperor Tongzhi's reign in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Mayuxing Restaurant specializes in making grilled chicken and Spring Chicken in Salt. Location: south of Drum Tower Square, Kaifeng

Daoxiangju Restaurant

Daoxiangju Restaurant specializes in making fried dumplings and wontons with shredded chicken. It was established in the eighth year (1882) of Emperor Guangxu's reign in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Location: west Songdu Imperial Street, Kaifeng

The Sha's Sauced Beef Restaurant

Opened in the 23rd year (1897) of Emperor Guangxu's reign in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the Sha's Sauced Beef Restaurant specializes in making spiced and sauced beef. Location: near Dongda Temple, Kaifeng

Shopping in Kaifeng

Shopping in Kaifeng can reward you with a rich experience as some local specialties are must-buys. Bian embroidery has the reputation of being a national treasure as it is one of the most famous genres of embroidery in China.The straw weaving is also very popular since the Bei Song Dynasty. The simple and plain straw is turned into all kinds of beautiful pieces of art, woven by the skillful craftsmen.

Best Time to Visit Kaifeng

Kaifeng has a temperate monsoon climate with four clearly distinct seasons, featuring a cold winter, a warm spring, a hot summer and a cool autumn. The annual mean temperature is 14.5°C and the annual mean precipitation is a moderate 622 millimeters. The ideal time to visit the city is October/November , when the weather is neither too cold nor too hot, and you can also attend the Chrysanthemum Flower Fair. 

For more details see weather info for nearby Luoyang .

Transportation

Kaifeng is conveniently located with good transportation facilities, and direct trains and buses to and from Beijing, Zhengzhou and Luoyang are available at Kaifeng (Railway) Bus Station. It takes about an hour from Kaifeng to Xinzheng International Airport. There's now a 3-hour high-speed train from Beijing to Kaifeng and can be even better for getting to Kaifeng than a flight to Zhengzhou.

The starting price of a ticket in the downtown area of Kaifeng is 5 yuan for the first three kilometers (1.9 miles), and you'll be charged 1 yuan per kilometer later. The bus fare is just 1 yuan within Kaifeng city center. See Kaifeng Transportation .

Nearby Ancient Capitals

Kaifeng is midway between Beijing and Xi'an and part of a Yellow River triangle of ancient capitals, the other two being Luoyang and Anyang.

Get the Best Out of Your Kaifeng Tour with our Tailor-Made Services

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Kaifeng and nearby ancient capitals could be tailored into our 7-day Golden Triangle (Beijing-Xi'an-Shanghai) itinerary between Beijing and Xi'an .

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Kaifeng travel guide

Kaifeng, also known as Dongjing, Bianjing (and Daliang, Bianliang), is nicknamed the "Capital of Ten Dynasties" and "Metropolis of Seven Dynasties". It is the only city in the world whose central axis has never shifted, making its layered city ruins truly unique in world archaeological and capital city history.

As the Northern Song Dynasty capital Dongjing Kaifeng, it was once the most prosperous, largest, and most populous metropolis in the world.

Kaifeng lies on the eastern Central Plains along the mid-lower reaches of the Yellow River, southeast of the Taihang Mountains range, in east-central Henan Province. It borders Shangqiu to the east, provincial capital Zhengzhou to the west, Xuchang and Zhoukou to the south, and the Yellow River and Xinxiang to the north.

Kaifeng administers 5 counties - Weishi, Qi, Tongxu, Lankao, and Kaifeng - and 5 districts - Gulou, Longting, Yuwangtai, Shunhe Hui and Jinming.

Strong Marketplace Culture

Stroll down Madao Street in Kaifeng after dusk and witness the lively night market scene brimming with local character. Middle-aged women in flowery outfits, young girls with blunt bangs, and edgy youths roll up makeshift stalls from the backs of tricycle carts, as if conjuring a market from thin air. They transform the pedestrian street into an emporium of inexpensive dresses, stockings, slippers, baked gluten, and cooling herbal jelly drinks. Each vendor arranges their wares with familiar ease, focused sincerity across their faces as they harmonize with the hardscrabble rhythms of daily life. Immersing in the bustling night market, interact with Kaifeng's proud grassroots culture that perseveres generation after generation. Taste the resourcefulness, resilience, and warmth of this hardworking community that epitomizes the salt-of-the-earth spirit of China's heartland.

Enthusiastic and graceful nightlife

As dusk settles over Kaifeng, the night springs to life with charming local flavor. Well before sunset, the clatter of woks and sizzle of grills herald preparations for the bustling night markets. Under the moon and lantern light, Kaifeng transforms into a lively communal gathering place. Against backdrops of rivers and ancient architecture, people spontaneously break into rousing revolutionary songs or soulful erhu melodies that conjure feelings of North Song history and culture. Stroll narrow alleys perfumed with mouthwatering aromas drifting from late-night stalls dishing up every snack imaginable. Immerse in the informal conviviality of the markets where families and friends laugh and chat long into the evenings. Kaifeng's spirited yet refined nightlife promises warm hospitality and nonstop enjoyment from dusk to dawn.

Full of Gold Armor

Every fall, Kaifeng blossoms into a city of gold during the lively chrysanthemum festival. Dating back to the Northern Song dynasty, Kaifeng's "city of chrysanthemums" tradition peaks when lush blooms ignite Dragon Pavilion, Wansui Mountain, and countless gardens and parks. The joyous festival honors the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, a time to appreciate chrysanthemum flowers and brew aromatic chrysanthemum tea. Meander narrow alleys and scenic riversides carpeted in a patchwork of golden yellow blossoms. Their sweet fragrance infuses the crisp autumn air. Marvel at diverse chrysanthemum varieties cultivated for this occasion. From dainty single-petaled types to lush overflowing blooms in dynamic colors, Kaifeng's chrysanthemums are bred to impress. Lose yourself in floral splendor during this jubilant harvest festival.

Opening on the tip of the tongue

Foodies visiting Kaifeng must indulge in the city's scrumptious local delicacies. Make your way to the bustling Xisi Night Market to soak up Kaifeng's down-to-earth charm while sampling bucket chicken, juicy soup dumplings, and cooling stir-fried Kaifeng rice noodles. Savor the rich nutty flavor of locally grown almond tea. For breakfast, join the crowd at a corner stall for hot sesame cakes just plucked from the griddle, served in flax leaf wraps with pickled vegetables. Let your tastebuds lead the way through this edible wonderland and try tantalizing snacks like red bean pancakes, shredded tofu salad, and mung bean jelly. With culinary delights from street food to fine dining, Kaifeng's diverse flavors offer a tasty introduction to the city's culture and history with every bite. Leave your food GPS on and let your appetite dictate your Kaifeng explorations.

Archaeological evidence confirms human activity in Lianyungang's ancient Mount Qushan and present-day Mount Jinping area as early as 10,000 years ago. In 1959 and 1978, the oldest Paleolithic sites in southeast China were discovered at Erjian and Daxian Village with clear stratigraphic layers. Mount Jinping has 19 Neolithic sites, with Erjian being one of China's earliest farming areas.

The 20-meter long, 10-meter wide "General Cliff Painting" discovered in 1979 was appraised by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage as "an extremely important cultural relic and rare major discovery, the earliest 'book' in China."

The Donghan era art treasure "Kongwang Mountain Grottoes Statues" are the earliest Buddhist grotto statues in China, 100-200 years earlier than the Dunhuang Grottoes, and protected at the national level.

The area is also steeped in history, with attractions related to Confucius' sea gazing, Emperor Qin's inspections, and famous poets and officials like Tao Yuanming, Li Bai, Su Dongpo, Shen Kuo, Li Qingzhao, Wu Cheng'en, Li Ruzhen, Wu Jingzi, Lin Zexu, Zhu Ziqing and more.

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Medical treatment, safety considerations.

When at crowded places like train stations, bus terminals, and metro stations, keep a close eye on your belongings to prevent theft. Areas with high tourist traffic like Tiananmen Square also attract scammers, so tourists should be wary of unlicensed guides demanding money upfront. Avoid handing over any cash to solicitations on the street. Use registered taxi companies like the red Beijing taxis whenever possible. Keep valuables secured and hidden, avoid carrying large amounts of cash, and be alert in public transportation hubs and tourist sites. When needing assistance, go to authorized help points like the Beijing Tourist Information booths rather than individuals roaming the streets. Beijing is a generally safe city if simple precautions are taken. Report any incidents or suspicious activities immediately to the nearest police officer. They can also provide directions and other help. Enjoy sightseeing, but remain aware of the surroundings.

Kaifeng Surrounding Cities

Popular tourist cities in China

• 1.1 History
• 2.1 By plane
• 2.2 By train
• 3.1 By taxi
• 3.3 By rickshaw
• 4.1 Landmarks and buildings
• 4.2 Parks and nature
• 4.3 Museums
• 5.1 Festivals
• 6.1 Local products
• 6.2 Markets and shopping streets
• 7.2 Mid-range
• 7.3 Splurge
• 9.2 Mid-range
• 9.3 Splurge

Kaifeng (开封; Kāifēng ) is on the southern bank of the Yellow River in east Henan Province.

Understand [ edit ]

History [ edit ].

Kaifeng is one of the oldest cities in China, with a history more than 4,100 years long. It was the capital of several dynasties. Around 1,000 years ago, when it was the capital of the Song Dynasty, Kaifeng was the largest, most prosperous and busiest city in the world, and was the site of the creation of the painting "Along the River During the Qingming Festival". During that period, it was visited by Marco Polo . Countless expats immigrated to Kaifeng, especially Arabians and Persians, who afterwards formed a new ethnic group in China, the Hui (回族). Jews also settled in Kaifeng in the Bible Hutong (教经胡同; Jiaojing Hutong). Kaifeng has been reborn repeatedly, as newer incarnations of the city were built on top of the ruins of earlier ones.

Get in [ edit ]

By plane [ edit ]

The nearest airport is in Zhengzhou Xinzheng Airport (FTAT Code:CGO), an hour away and ¥160 by taxi or ¥30 by high-speed train (see below). An alternative way from the airport to Kaifeng is to take a shuttle bus from just outside the arrival gate to Civil Aviation Hotel (民航大酒店) in Jinshui Road (¥15), then walk east for around 20 minutes to the mini bus station Deyi Bus Station (德亿汽车站) from where you can take a bus to near Kaifeng Railway Station (¥7).

By train [ edit ]

By bus [ edit ]

There are buses to Kaifeng from other places in Henan, including from Zhengzhou Long-Distance Bus Station and Luoyang Long Distance Bus Station. There is also long-distance bus service to major cities like Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou.

• 34.7732 114.3493 4 Kaifeng Central Bus Station ( 开封汽车中心站 ). The main bus terminal is near Kaifeng Station. ( updated Apr 2018 )

Get around [ edit ]

By taxi [ edit ].

The starting price of a taxi in Kaifeng is ¥8. In this ¥8, the mileage charge of 2 kilometres is included. Anything beyond 2 kilometres will be billed at ¥1.8/km.

Local buses go everywhere within the city and cost ¥1. Bus 20 is a sightseeing bus going to all the major sights.

There is a bus stop at the corner of the carpark in front of the train station. From here bus no 9 and bus no 1 will take you into town - fare ¥1.

By rickshaw [ edit ]

One very good way to get around Kaifeng and see the sites is to take what the locals call "bengbeng"; essentially a tuktuk or motorised rickshaw. 6 kuai will take you from the train station to Henan University's old campus, essentially the length of the city. Short trips should be two or three kuai.

See [ edit ]

Landmarks and buildings [ edit ]

• The Site of Kaifeng Synagogue , 21 South Jiaojing Hutong 南教经胡同21号 , ☏ +86 13781152704 , [email protected] . Esther Guo Yan is a descendant of Kaifeng Jews, who moved from to Kaifeng via India in the Northern Song Dynasty around 1,000 years ago. She is a former Chinese teacher who now works full time at the Kaifeng Jewish History Memorial Center, to preserve and restore Jewish culture in the city. Listen to her stories on how her ancestors came to China, the current presence of Jews in Kaifeng, her sense of Jewish identity and her plans to restore the ancient synagogue buried under the ground. Just give her a call on her mobile — she is very passionate about her cause and eager to share her stories. All contributions go towards her cause. ¥50 .  
• 34.7983 114.3501 2 Shudian Jie ( 书店街, Bookstore Street ). Running north from Gulou Square this busy street is lined with a mix of old wooden and newer concrete buildings in various styles. Originally called Big Store Street in the Ming Dynasty it was renamed Bookstore Street in the Qing Dynasty when it became the center for shops selling books, paper and pens. Carved doors, shuttered windows and painted roof beams peek out from between oversized billboards but there is still plenty of facade remaining visible to give a feeling of the old street.  

• 34.7939 114.333 6 Baogong Memorial Temple ( 包公祠 ) ( on the shore of Baogong Lake, buses 1 and 20 ). 08:00-17:30 . Temple built to honor Lord Bao. ¥20 .  
• 34.7931 114.3403 7 Yanqing Taoist Temple ( 延庆观 ), Western end of Dazhifang Street . A small temple containing a two-story pagoda with a beautiful blue glazed tile balcony and painted carvings on the front gate. ¥15 .  
• The city wall . Surrounding the city is the old city walls punctuated at various points with gates. Of most interest are the North gate and Little South gate on either end of Jiefeng Road that resemble the arched gates in Xi'an. The other gates are merely gaps in the wall.  
• Kaifengfujian Street ( Kaifeng Tourist Theme Park ). Set on the edge of Baogong Lake this new construction is supposed to be a recreation of old Kaifeng and is of little interest unless you are into hourly parades of people dressed up like Song dynasty officials. ¥50 .  

Parks and nature [ edit ]

• Banjiang Park , Next to Xinkai Gate . Just outside the city walls at XinKai Gate, a large statue of a heroic looking Mao fronts this unremarkable park. Inside are various gardens, statues and a rusting ferris wheel. ¥10 .  
• 34.8096 114.3342 8 Millennium City Park ( 清明上河园; Qīng​míng​shàng​hé​yuán​ ), 5 Longting West Road, Longting District (龙亭区龙亭西路5号; Lóng​tíng​qū​ Lóng​tíng​xī​lù​) ( Bus 1, 15, 20 ), ☏ +86 378 5663819 . 09:00-22:00 . This park is based on a Song Dynasty painting called Going Upriver for Qingming Festival . It illustrates Song Dynasty daily life, shops and workshops. The original painting can be seen the Forbidden City in Beijing. Copies can be bought in the park. ¥80 .  

Museums [ edit ]

• 34.804568 114.247806 9 Kaifeng Museum ( 开封博物馆; Kāi​fēng​ Bó​wù​guǎn ), Intersection of 6th Street and Zhengkai Avenue, Longting District (龙亭区郑开大道与六大街交叉口) ( bus nos. 36, 44, 57 and K101 ), ☏ +86 371 23299192 . 09:00-17:00, no entry after 16:00, closed on Mondays . Huge museum in the new part of Kaifeng with exhibitions of paintings, stelae and bronze. There is an exhibition on Song technology including a life-size copy of water-powered observatory and a room dedicated to the painting Along the River During the Qingming Festival showing Song-era Kaifeng. The original is not in Kaifeng but there are several old copies and a well-made multimedia version. Kaifeng Jews stelae are not on display as of April 2018. Free . ( updated Apr 2018 )
• Cooking Museum ( On the West Gate ).  

Do [ edit ]

• Walk inside the wall . Take a walk along the inside of the wall between Xinkai Gate and Song Gate to see houses made from bricks scavenged from the wall.  

Festivals [ edit ]

• China Kaifeng Chrysanthemum Cultural Festival . 28 October-28 November . The chrysanthemum is the city flower of Kaifeng, and 1,200 varieties are planted there. ( updated Nov 2023 )

Buy [ edit ]

Local products [ edit ].

• Embroidery — dates back to the Northern Song Dynasty
• Fighting Kites
• New Year Posters — originally made in nearby Zhuxianzhen and dates back to the Tang Dynasty, shows rural scenes with persons from famous legends.
• Watermelon — the local watermelons are considered especially tasty
• Spiced Bean Curd — the local tradition for spiced bean curd dates back at least 2000 years
• Peanut Cake — has been made here for more than 1000 years

Markets and shopping streets [ edit ]

• Shidun Street Market . Great varitey of products for sale including clothes, cosmetics and kitchenware.  
• Daxiangguo Temple Market , Ziyou Road ( just outside Daxiangguo Temple ). The largest market in town, offering clothes, electronics and much other.  
• Song Street . Tourist shops selling souvenirs.  
• Sihou Street . The main shopping street in town.  

Shops [ edit ]

• Renmin Department Store , 23 Madao street . State-owned department store offering clothes and other merchandise.  
• Kaifeng City Antiques Store , Zhongshan Street .  

Eat [ edit ]

Budget [ edit ].

You will find a lot of snack stands around, which include Sandao (made of flour, bee honey, sugar and stuff), peanut cake, sesame cake etc. There are also many other cheap options.

• Night Market , Gulou Square (Gulou Guangchang) ( in the center of the city ). Wonderful selection of foods.  
• Simen ( 四门儿 ). This is one of the many Muslim restaurants in the city. The mutton soup is just perfectly boiled, try it for breakfast during the winter.  
• Diyilou Restaurant . A famous place to get the Kaifeng specialty, baozi, in best quality. These baozi contains soup, so be careful when eating them.  
• Nanyangshi ( 南羊市 ) ( opposite No. 7 Middle School ). Serves hula soup, which is the main choice of breakfast for the locals (other similar food stands are almost everywhere). They only serve in the morning time should it be sunny.  
• No. 3 Chemical Factory ( 化三 ). This food might make you guys feel weird, but it is highly recommended. This is a donkey meat soup shop. Buy it, sit there, close your eyes if you really doubt its taste, and eat! Do not worry, the bosses of the soup shop and the chemical factory do not know each other.  

Mid-range [ edit ]

• Youyixin Restaurant , 23 Drum Tower street , ☏ +86 378 2552888 . Serves traditional local food.  

Splurge [ edit ]

Drink [ edit ].

Taiwan style milk tea stands in Bookstore Street (Shudian Jie).

• Hangtian Night Club . Karaoke, disco and billards.  
• Zuitaibei , Drum Tower Square , ☏ +86 378 5251619 . Soft music and dance. Warning: controlled by Hongmen.  

Sleep [ edit ]

• Kaifeng International Youth Hostel , 30 Ying Bin Road ( head towards the eastern part of Bao Gong Lake; 3 km (¥5 taxi) from the main bus/train station next to Bao Gong Lake ), ☏ +86 378-2231050 . Check-out: noon . The only real budget option in Kaifeng. Kaifeng's only YHA (run by a friendly Australian ex-pat) which brings with it all the usual things: cheap rooms that are clean and quiet, free fast internet, young local English-speaking staff, western kitchen (great pizzas), bar including espresso, wine & spirits, DVDs/BBC documentaries on a TV in the bar, train booking service, travel info, bike hire, and self-service laundry. dorm with western toilet/shower: ¥40-45, standard spacious en suite rooms with flat screen TV: ¥95-125, discount for YHA membership .  
• Jin Xue Hotel . A few doors south of the PSB on Zhongshan Lu. This old hotel is no-frills, no English-speaking staff. Standard ¥150-180 .  
• New Century Grand Hotel Kaifeng ( 开封开元名都大酒店 ), 开发区大梁路人民检察院对面 , ☏ +86 378 3399999 , fax : +86 378 3398888 . Five-star hotel with rooms with free internet. Listed rates for doubles ¥1,280-2,280, including breakfast .  

Go next [ edit ]

Small town with mainly Karaoke Bar and restaurant to hang out. You can get a taxi ride to the "Huang He" (Yellow River) which is quite near from Kaifeng.

By train or bus, the bus station is across the street from the train Station.

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Kaifeng City Walls

Kaifeng is ringed by a relatively intact, much-restored Qing dynasty wall, which you can climb up at various points. There's precious little to see from up top and it can be punishingly hot on a sunny day (bring plenty of water and a hat). In fact, the best way to appreciate the bastion is to walk alongside it at ground level, through various small parks and with plenty of local life to observe.

Today’s bastion was built on the foundations of the Song dynasty Inner Wall (内城, Nèichéng). Rising up outside was the mighty, now buried Outer Wall (外城, Wàichéng), a colossal construction containing 18 gates, which looped south of Po Pagoda.

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Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Temple of the Chief Minister

First founded in AD 555, this frequently rebuilt temple vanished along with Kaifeng in the early 1640s, when rebels breached the Yellow River’s dykes…

Iron Pagoda Park

Kaifeng's most iconic landmark is a magnificent 11th-century Iron Pagoda (55m tall) at the centre of a pleasant park. The gorgeous, glazed-brick edifice,…

This stumpy pagoda from 974 is the oldest Buddhist structure in Kaifeng and was originally a nine-storey hexagonal building, typical of the Northern Song…

Shanshangan Guild Hall

This tiny, elaborately styled guild hall was built as a lodging and meeting place during the Qing dynasty by an association of merchants from Shanxi (山西),…

This reconstructed site of the government offices of the Northern Song has daily theatricals commencing outside the gates – the doors are thrown open and…

Kaifeng Museum

Housed in a colossal fortress 10km west of town, the Kaifeng Museum contains a modest collection of archaeological finds, woodblock prints and historical…

Zhuxian Mosque

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Originally founded in the Northern Song dynasty, this mosque is housed in a traditional Chinese temple compound with a pretty rose garden. Examine the…

Yue Fei Temple

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Dedicated to the Southern Song military hero Yue Fei, this temple was first founded in 1478. The weatherbeaten temple hasn't seen much restoration, and…

Nearby Henan attractions

1 . Kāifēng Fǔ

2 . Temple of the Chief Minister

3 . Shanshangan Guild Hall

4 . Kaifeng Drum Tower

Built in 1379, Kaifeng's drum tower was originally located west of here and this site belonged to the bell tower. In the late Ming dynasty, a sickly…

5 . Longting Park

Site of the former imperial palace, this park is mostly gardens and a lake, into which hardy swimmers plunge in winter. Reached by a bridge, you can climb…

6 . Po Pagoda

7 . Iron Pagoda Park

8 . Kaifeng Museum

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• Millennium City Park
• Kaifeng Iron Tower Park
• Dragon Pavilion Park (Long Ting)
• Gulou Square
• Kaifeng House Scenic Resort
• Kaifeng Forest Park
• kaifeng Yuwangtai Park
• China Hanyuan
• Full-Day Private Kaifeng Highlight Tour from Zhengzhou
• Full-Day Private Tour of Kaifeng from Luoyang

• Destinations

Kaifeng may be one of China’s lesser-known cities, but it has a remarkable history with many important relics and historic sites. This has led to it becoming increasingly popular with tourists, and to begin to develop a more visitor-friendly outlook. Kaifeng is known as the ‘Northern Water Town’ and is home to colorful folk arts and opera, painting and calligraphy.

Tours and activities in Kaifeng

Kaifeng is a city steeped in history, with many important historical sites to take in while you’re there. It’s a good idea to arrange an organized tour of these sites to be sure you don’t miss anything! Our local guides will be able to help you maximize your experience in Kaifeng with organized, well-informed visits to all the best attractions.

They will be able to show you the local artisans where you can purchase souvenirs, help you to book the best places for dining and give you some all-important historical background on the many places you can visit while in the city. Whether you need a tour for two hours or two days, check out our offers below for more information.

Best time to visit

Kaifeng has a temperate continental monsoon climate, with warm, wet summers and pleasant autumn. It’s best to visit in September and October when the weather is best, and you have the opportunity to visit the Chrysanthemum Festival.

Top Attractions in Kaifeng

Though the city is not much popular still, it offers a lot of amazing attractions and visitors can spend a great time here. People will surely love to pay a visit to natural beauty, architectural amazes and historical spots which the city of Kaifeng offers

The Iron Pagoda is probably the most well-known landmark in the city. Standing over 55 meters tall, the Pagoda is not, in fact, made of iron, but from glazed brick. The name derives from the colors of the bricks, which look like iron from a distance. The Pagoda uses a unique construction – brickwork that is constructed in a similar way to wooden pagodas, but with an intricate series of apertures, tendons and slots on the bricks that enable them to fit together securely.

Also important to the city is the Daxiangguo Temple, a complex of 64 temples dating back to the Qi Dynasty. Three main halls mark the main tourist area, including the Tathagata Hall where monks chant each in front of three gigantic Buddhas. The octagonal Arhat Hall houses a huge golden Avalokitesavara who it is said was carved from one single tree over a period of 50 years.

Dragon Pavilion (Long Ting) is the main attraction in the center of Dragon Pavilion Park. An imperial pavilion constructed in the Qing Dynasty and built on the site of a series of previous palaces, this is a must-see.

It contains cultural and historical relics and displays intricate carvings of dragons inlaid with pearls. There is also a nearby Waxwork Hall exhibiting important events and costumes through history.

Also in Dragon Pavilion Park, you’ll find the Millennium City Park or the Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden. This spectacular garden allows you to walk back through history, with a replica of an ancient bridge known as the Rainbow Bridge and a series of pavilions to walk through.

You’ll also find performances with traditional costume, acrobats, puppet shows and plays. You can also see folk customs exhibited and can purchase souvenirs.

This spectacular garden allows you to walk back through history, with a replica of an ancient bridge known as the Rainbow Bridge and a series of pavilions to walk through.

It’s also worth visiting the waxwork museum in Dragon Pavilion Park – likenesses of prominent historical figures are on display in sumptuous period dress.

What Kaifeng lacks in the modern shopping experience, it more than makes up for in local arts and crafts. There are many areas in the city where you can see artisans at work and purchases local products, including paintings and calligraphy.

The city also has a thriving opera scene, where you can watch shows based on important historical events.

A unique festival in Kaifeng is its annual Chrysanthemum Festival. The Chrysanthemum is the city flower of Kaifeng and cultivation of the flower dates back 1600 years. Hundreds of different types of the flower are displayed at a variety of sites across the city, with beautiful colors to behold. The festival takes place between October and November every year.

Getting here and getting around

Kaifeng has no airport, but the nearest airport, Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport, is only 70km away. From here, travel is convenient for destinations all over China, as well as some key international locations including Thailand, Japan, UAE, and Canada.

The City Railway Station provides daily services to cities such as Zhengzhou, Luoyang, and Xian, with a long-distance bus service also providing easy travel.

Local buses are plentiful and travel across the city. Be aware that these are usually self-service, so make sure to carry change when you’re planning to take the bus.

Taxis are also easy to flag down in Kaifeng. For travel across the city, fares start at ¥5 with an extra ¥1 for each kilometer after the first 2kms. Taxis usually charge a flat rate of ¥7 for journeys to many of the attractions in the downtown of the city.

For a more fun way to get around, you can take a rickshaw, or as the locals call it a ‘bengbeng.’ It’s a great way to see the sights and can be very inexpensive, but do agree with a price first.

Eating and drinking

Kaifeng has a number of local delicacies that are worth sampling during your visit. Locally produced foods like Bianliang Watermelon, Peanut Cake, Spiced Dried Bean Curd, and Pickled Radish are all popular and well worth trying.

The most well-known restaurant is Di Yi Lou which sells Xiao Long Bao (steamed small meat dumpling in basket). However, it’s very popular with tourists, meaning there’s often a long wait for a table.

You can also sample local snack at the night fairs that run in the city, starting at 5 pm every evening. The best of these is Gu Lou Night Fair (Drum Tower Night Fair), where you can sample local snacks and delicacies from around the Henan region. In the south of the fair, you can also sample Islamic style cooking.

Getting a good night's sleep

One of the best accommodations in Kaifeng is the Pullman Kaifeng Jianye, which has rooms overlooking the lake or gardens, an on-site bar, and sports and bike hire. Rooms are air-conditioned and well-appointed, with flat-screen TVs.

A tremendous mid-priced hotel is Sunshine Nali Boutique Inn which is rated the excellent value for money. Rooms come equipped with everything you need for your stay, and the décor is in a charming traditional style. There are a sun terrace and garden that visitors can relax in.

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Kaifeng Travel Guide

The city of Kaifeng, formerly known variously as Bianliang, Bianjing/ Dongjing, Daliang, and simply Liang, is located near the entranceway to Henan Province's "panhandle", the northern chunk of the province that is wedged between Shanxi Province to the west, Hebei Province to the north, and Shandong Province to the east, is also located some 50 kilometers due east of the provincial capital city of Zhengzhou. Kaifeng is one of "twenty-four historical and cultural cities" announced by the Chinese Government, and one of the seven ancient capitals of China.

Under various names and construction vintages, the city was the capital of several dynasties, beginning with the tiny state of Wei (BCE 445-225) during the Warring States (BCE 475-221) Period, and ending with the overthrow of the Song (CE 960-1279) Dynasty by invading Jurchens (forebears of the Manchus), who established the Jin (CE 1115-1234) Dynasty. However, the city served as the "second capital" to the Jurchens, and in fact, both Ming (CE 1368-1644) and Qing (CE 1644-1911) Dynasty emperors recognized the cultural importance of Kaifeng, and took steps to rebuild or restore the city.

Present-day Kaifeng, a prefecture-level city of some 800,000 residents, offers both cultural-historical highlights as well as a rare natural beauty. The city is laid out in a pattern typical of the ancient cities of Han China, with a central axis that has been preserved in spite of successive rounds of urbanization over the past 2700 years. It is also a city that incorporates water, both for good and for bad (there was much flooding in the city's past, notably by overflows from the nearby Huang He (" Yellow River ")), being a part of the Yellow River flood plain, to which the city also owes its lush greenery.

The city's rich cultural history lies buried in successive layers below present-day Kaifeng, occasionally coming to light when new construction projects permit archeological excavations. Among the many sightseeing highlights of the city of Kaifeng are Dragon Pavilion Park, Da Xiangguo Temple, the Yang Family Mansion, Yanqing Temple, Temple of Lord Bao, Kaifeng Synagogue and the Iron Pagoda.

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Kaifeng Attractions include a list of top things to do and must-see attractions in Kaifeng. The scenic spots in Kaifeng are relatively concentrated, mainly distributed in Longting District . And these scenic spots are very close to each other. Kaifeng, which has always been famous for its historical scenic spots, is one of China's seven major ancient capitals. Various cultural relics and historic sites are still preserved in Kaifeng. Visitors to Kaifeng will have a lot to see and do. Daliang Road, which runs from east to west, divides the urban tourist area into north and south parts.

Top Attractions in Kaifeng 

Kaifeng's scenic spots mainly exist in the form of architecture. Ancient buildings of different times can be seen everywhere in the back streets of the city. To explore the historical charm of Kaifeng city, you can go to many famous scenic spots, among which Millennium City Park and Iron Pagoda Park are the necessary places for your trip to Kaifeng. 

• Dragon Pavilion Park
• Iron Pagoda Park
• Millennium City Park
• Daxiangguo Temple

Museums in Kaifeng

Most of the Kaifeng city's historical relics are preserved in the Museums. Whether you're interested in local history or art, a museum is a great way to kill your time on a miserable day.

• Memorial Hall of Jiaoyulu
• Kaifeng Exhibition Hall of Liu Shaoqi
• Kaifeng Museum
• Kaifeng New Year Paintings Museum

Historical and Cultural Sites in Kaifeng

The Iron Pagoda, Xiangguo Temple, Baogong Memorial Hall, Yanqingguan, Yuwangtai, Po Pagoda and other key cultural relics in Kaifeng have high research value, historical and cultural value and tourism value. Kaifeng is one of Henan's three major stone carving concentration areas. There are more than 1,000 stone carvings from Han Dynasty to Republic of China preserved and collected in the scenic spots and historic sites. They are valuable cultural relics for studying social economy, history and culture, science and technology and calligraphy.

• Yuefei Temple in Zhuxian Town
• Tomb of Zhang Liang in Kaifeng
• The City Wall of Kaifeng
• Po Pagoda (Fanta) in Kaifeng
• Yang Familys Mansion (Tianbo Yangfu)
• The Memorial Temple of Lord Bao
• Shanxi Shaanxi Gansu Guildhall

Parks in Kaifeng

• Bianjing Park
• Yuwang Tai Park
• Kaifeng City Hall Theme Park

Other Attractions in Kaifeng

• Gulou Night Market in Kaifeng
• Song Dynasty Imperial Street in Kaifeng
• Qishengjiao Commercial Street in Kaifeng
• Small Songcheng Old Town in Kaifeng
• Zhuxian Town in Xiangfu District
• Qifeng Guyuan Scenic Area in Zhuxian Town
• Yuhe River of Song Dynasty (Dasong Yuhe)
• Baogong Lake in Kaifeng
• Jinming Lake in Kaifeng
• The Song Dynasty Of Kungfu City
• Song Dynasty Dongjing Dream Performance

Kaifeng Attractions by Region

• Gulou District
• Longting District
• Yuwangtai District
• Shunhe Hui District
• Xiangfu District
• Weishi County
• Lankao County
• Qixian County
• Tongxu County

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Things to do in kaifeng, explore popular experiences, tours in and around kaifeng.

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Useful Travel Maps of Kaifeng: Updated & Free Downloadable 2024

With over 4,100 years of construction history, Kaifeng is a famous ancient capital of eight dynasties in China, which was the largest metropolis in the world during the Northern Song Dynasty. It is the real location of Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival - one of China’s top ten paintings, the only capital city whose city central axis never change and the birthplace of Yu (Henan) Opera. China Discovery here collect different maps of Kaifeng to help you better know its location, top attractions to visit, best traffic for arrival and getting around, and plan a Kaifeng tour efficiently. They are all recently updated and free to be downloaded.

Kaifeng Location Maps - Where is Kaifeng Located in China

Kaifeng (coordinates: 34°47′53″N 114°18′51″E) is a prefecture-level city in the east of Zhengzhou and Luoyang in Henan Province, the hinterland of Central Plains of China. The city borders Xinxiang to the north, Zhengzhou to the west and Xuchang, Zhoukou and Shangqiu of Henan Province to the south and Heze of Shandong Province to the east. Specifically, Kaifeng lies about 70 km, about 1.5 hours’ drive from Zhengzhou and 150 km, 2.5 hours’ drive from Shaolin Temple (Dengfeng) and 190 km and over 2.5 hours’ drive from Luoyang .

Popular Kaifeng Tours: 5 Days Henan Culture Tour to Luoyang and Kaifeng / 6 Days Henan Highlights Tour

Kaifeng China Map

Kaifeng Henan Map

Kaifeng Tourist Map - Top Kaifeng Attractions to Visit

Cultural and historical relics are the main attractions in Kaifeng, especially sites during the Song Dynasty. In Kaifeng, you can visit the Millennium City Park , Kaifeng Iron Tower Park , Dragon Pavilion Park (Long Ting Park), Gulou Square, Kaifeng House Scenic Resort, Prime Minister Temple, Kaifeng Museum, Kaifeng Ancient City Wall, Xiangguo Temple and many other ancient spots. Please click to enlarge the following travel maps.

Useful Link: Kaifeng Travel Guide

Millennium City Park Map

Millennium City Park Spots Map

The Memorial Hall of Lord Bao Tourist Map

Iron Pagoda Park Map

Daxiangguo Temple Tourist Map

Kaifeng Transportation Maps - Get to & around Kaifeng

Tourists usually start a Henan tour from Luoyang or Zhengzhou and get to Kaifeng from Zhengzhou nearby by private driving, or by bus, train . Driving from downtown Zhengzhou to Kaifeng takes about 1.5 hours , nearly 2.5 hours from Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng and around 2.5 hours from Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang. Besides, a high speed train from Luoyang to Kaifeng needs about 1 hour, while an intercity fast train from Zhengzhou to Kaifeng only takes 20 -30 minutes.

Zhengzhou to Kaifeng Transportation Map

Luoyang to Kaifeng Transportation Map

How to Plan Your Henan Kaifeng Tour

How to Get to Kaifeng: You can get to Kaifeng from Zhengzhou by private driving (about 1.5 hours), by intercity high speed train (about 20-30 minutes) and by bus (about 2 hour) or depart from Luoyang.

Best Time to Visit Kaifeng: April to May and September and October namely spring and autumn. when the temperature is comfortable, the precipitation is moderate and chrysanthemums festival will be held in annually in October.

Top Attractions to Visit in Kaifeng: Millennium City Park, Dragon Pavilion Park, Iron Pagoda Park, Ancient City Wall, etc. …

Travelers often tour Kaifeng with Shaolin Temple, Luoyang Longmen Grottoes and other top destinations in Henan for 5 to 6 days . After arrival from Zhengzhou, about 1.5 hours by private driving, you’re suggested to leave 1 day visiting the Millennium City Park (Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden), Iron Pagoda Temple, Dragon Pavilion (Longting) Park, the Ancient City Wall and other ancient sites in downtown area, learn the diverse culture and featured regional history and customs in Kaifeng. In autumn months, you may witness hundreds of species of beautiful chrysanthemums in the yearly festival.

And then, most tourists return to Zhengzhou and travel to Shaolin Temple , a dream place for worldwide Kung Fu fans. 1 day is enough to visit the ancient temple complex and watch a splendid Kung Fu show, get real contact with Chines Zen and martial arts culture. Luoyang with Longmen Grottoes is also worth your exploration. This giant Buddhist grottoes treasury presents China’s early Buddhist culture and carving craft. China’s oldest Buddhist temple - White Hose Temple and gorgeous Spring peony also attract numerous visitors.

If you are fond of Chinese characters, Yinxu of Anyang is an ideal place to know plentiful Oracle Bone Inscriptions . Moreover, Henan offers lots of awesome natural splendors where you can immerse in magnificent mountains, fresh air, powerful water and broad vision created by the magic of nature. Mount Song, Yuntai Mountain, Guoliang Village, Xiaolangdi Dam are top recommendations.

✔ 5 Days Henan Cultural Tour to Luoyang and Kaifeng ✔ 6 Days Henan Highlights Tour

Planning a longer China trip to further explore ancient China? China Discovery is honored to offer you customized Kaifeng tour with Beijing, Xian and other prominent ancient capitals of China. Or, you can tell us your personal schedule and preference to make a unique China Henan trip.

✔ 8 Days China Ancient Capitals Tour with Shaolin Temple (Beijing/Luoyang/Xian) ✔ 11 Days Essence of China Culture Tour by High Speed Train ✔ 15 Days China Kung Fu Panda Family Tour

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China Discovery is an experienced, professional and reliable travel companion devoted to offering high-quality and the best tour services for all travelers to China. In order to have a hassle-free travel and focus on the trip itself, it’s highly recommended travelling with China Discovery. So, you can enjoy convenient airport pick-up and drop-off service and transportation to all scenic spots in a safe, clean, comfortable, air-conditioned and non-smoking vehicle. Also, we will arrange knowledgeable local tour guide, excellent accommodation and dining arrangements to ensure you rest well and get better understanding of Buddhism, Shaolin Zen and Kung Fu culture of Henan. You may select a favorite from our most popular Henan tours or contact us to design a unique itinerary according to your personal time and preference.

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Top 3 Kaifeng tours chosen by most customers to explore Kaifeng in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary,or tailor your own trip now with us.

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Use this interactive map to plan your trip before and while in Kaifeng. Learn about each place by clicking it on the map or read more in the article below. Here’s more ways to perfect your trip using our Kaifeng map:

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Top 10 Attractions in Kaifeng

Plan your Henan tour ?  Henan Province is situated in Central China. Henan literally means “South of the River”. Here “the River” refers to the Yellow River, the second longest river in China after Yangtze River.  This province  is an essential cradle of China’s civilization bestowed with long and thick Chinese history.

Henan Province often reminds us of such important places as Shaolin Temple   in Dengfeng , and Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang. Well, the ancient city of Kaifeng is not to be missed if you can afford one or 2 day to explore the city. Located approx. 80 km east of Zhengzhou, Kaifeng was once the capital city of Northern Song Dynasty (960-1126) and other 6 dynasties. Today Kaifeng still keeps its old glamour though the ongoing  massive city reconstruction is threatening its original appearance.

Getting to Kaifeng is relatively convenient. You may take a bus from Zhengzhou ( one and half hour ), Luoyang ( three hours). Or you may take an overnight train from Beijing West Tran Station (12 hours ), Shanghai ( seven hours).

The city of Kaifeng within the ancient city wall is compact and walkable. Like a grid pattern city of Xian and Pingyao, Kaifeng has its own axis of Zhongshan Road lined up with major attractions like Temple of the Chief Minister, Kaifeng Fu, Kaifeng Museum, Dongda Mosque, Former Site Kaifeng Synagogue, Shanshangan Guild Hall, Longting Park, Qingming Garden and City Wall.

I’ve rounded up the top 10 attractions in Kaifeng. September and October are the best time to visit Kaifeng with chrysanthemum blossoms everywhere,  the city flower in Kaifeng.

1. Temple of the Chief Minister 大相国寺 Originally built in 555 AD, the temple were rebuilt for many times in Tang Dynasty, Northern Song Dynasty, Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty. Fires and Yellow River breaches were the main causes for the fatal damages to the temple.  The present temple was renovated to a great extent in 1990s.

Temple of the Chief Minister was in its prime during Northern Song Dynasty (960-1126),  the monks totaling 10,000, 64 subordinate temples and an area of 540 mu ( 35 hectares ), an imperial temple for Northern Song Dynasty.

The present temple is mainly composed of the Heavenly Kings Hall, Mahavira Hall, the Octagonal Glazed Hall,  Sutra Depository Building and the Four-Faced Thousand Eye Guanyin within the Arhat Hall.

Entrance Fee: RMB 45 Opening Hour: 08:00 – 18:30 Add: 36 West Section of Ziyou Road, Gulou District, Kaifeng 鼓楼区自由路西段36号 Tel: 0378 – 5665090 How to get there Take Bus 1,2,5,8 or walk from Kaifeng Bus or Train Station ( 2. 5km).

2. Shanshangan Guild Hall 山陕甘会馆 Shanshangan Guild Hall was the former lodging and meeting place for the merchants from Shanxi Province, Shaanxi Province and Gansu Province. It was first built from the ruins of Xuda Palace in 1775 during the reign of Qianlong Emperor in Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Xuda was one of the founding fathers of Ming Dynasty ( 1368-1644). The name of the road where the present Guild is located is called Xuda Palace Road.

The past 200 years have seen Shanshaangan Hall going through numerous ups and downs. What we we see today is a small part of the orginal guild. Or more exactly it is the only remaining Guangdi Temple building inside the original guild hall. The whole temple architecture is rife with exquisite carvings out of stone, brick and wood, which vividly tell the Buddhist stories and folk tales with great artistic value.

The remaining Guangdin Temple is mainly composed of 7 parts- A huge screen wall, Opera Tower, Bell and Drum Tower, East Wing and West Wing Halls, Traditional Pailou (decorated archway), the Great Hall.

Entrance Fee: RMB 30 Opening Hour: 8:00 – 18:30 Add: Xufu Street, Kaifeng. 开封市内徐府街 How to get there Take Bus 1,13,18 and 31 or walk from Temple of the Chief Minister

3. Kaifeng Fu 开封府 Kaifeng Fu, literally Kaifeng Government Administration Area ( popularly known as South Yamen in Chinese ) , is a tourist site reproducing the government office for the Prefecture of Kaifeng in Northern Song Dynasty ( 960 – 1126 ). Historically,  Kaifeng Fu was originated in the later Liang Dynasty ( AD 907 ) with a history of over 1000 years. Kaifeng Fu went through Jin Dynasty, Yuan Dynasty, Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty. It was at its primary time in Southern Song Dynasty. So this replica of Kaifeng Fu is mainly built in light of the original buildings in Northern Song Dynasty.

Though Kaifeng Fu is a bit of historical kitsch, often packed with domestic tourist groups, it is still worth your experiencing Song Culture for a 40-minute short trip if you can have the time to spare. This Song Dynasty government office model takes an area of 4 hectares with 50 buildings and halls.  You can visit government offices, prisons, imperial examinations,  Taoism and imperial life.

Entrance Fee: RMB 60 Opening Hour: 8:00 – 18:30 Add: North Bankof Baogong Lake, Gulou District, Kaifeng 鼓楼区包公东湖北岸 How to get there Take Bus 1,9

4. Iron Pagoda Park  铁塔公园 Iron Pagoda is located in the same name park – Iron Pagoda Park in the northeast corner within the ancient city wall. The Iron Pagoda was originally built in 1049 AD with over 1000 years.

It elegantly stands on the park, slender, a 55m high brick tower coated with rust-color glazed tiles, hence the name of Iron Pagoda. There is an inside narrow stairs ascending to the top for entrance fee RMB 30.

Entrance Fee: RMB 40 Opening Hour: 9:00 – 20:00 Add: 210 Beimen dajie, Kaifeng 北门大街210号 How to get there Take Bus 1, 3, 6,20

5. Kaifeng Museum 开封博物馆 Kaifeng Museum is located by the south bank of Baogong Lake. Kaifeng Museum is housed in a magnificent Chinese traditional building with yellow glazed covers.

It has an display area of over 5000 square meters with 13 halls. It has a collection of over 50,000 artifacts and 50,000 professional books. Notably, you will see archaeological finds, woodblock prints and more.

Entrance Fee: Free ( closed on Monday ) Opening Hour: 9:00 – 17:00 Add: 26 Yingbin Road,Kaifeng How to get there Take Bus 1

6. Longting Park 龙亭公园 Dragon Pavilion is the main structure in the park for the same name sake with an  area of 83.13 acres half covered by two lakes – East Dad Lake (Pan Family Lake) ans West Good Lake (Yang Family Lake).  Dragon Pavilion is actually not a pavilion, but a palace built on the 13m-high blue brick terrace.

A flight of 72-steps leads up to the platform of the terrace with stone balusters on both sides. In the middle of the flight  of steps are cloud-dragons.  The Palace Hall atop the terrace is a wooden structure with double-gable roofs. The terrace is fenced with stone balusters. People have a good view of the surrounding scenery – the downtown, Qing-Ming Street and the two lakes.  The terrace is aperfect place to view the sunset with beautiful glows.

The building of the Dragon Pavilion dates back to to 1692, the 31th year during the reign of Kangxi Emperior in Qing Dynasty ( 1644-1911).  Originally known as Wanshou Pavilion, it was built on the coal hill of the former palace buildings of King Zhou in Ming Dynasty (1638-1644).  It housed the emperor tablets for the local officials to pray. Later the Coal Hill wad renamed Dragon Pavilion Hill, hence the name for Dragon Pavilion.

Kaifeng is the ancient capital city for  8 dynasties with their palaces successively built on the location of the present Dragon Pavilion and the two lakes. The first man who chose this place with fengshui that prospered for 0ver next 1200 years was Li Mian, the local governor in Tang Dynasty who had moved his office building from Shanqiu to the present Kaifeng in the year of 781 , thus starting the axis of the ancient Kaifeng for over 1200 years.

Entrance Fee: Free ( closed on Monday ) Opening Hour: 9:00 – 17:00 Add:  at the northern end of Zhongshan Road, Gulou District, Kaifeng 河南省开封市鼓楼区中山路北段 How to get there Take Bus 1,15

7. City Wall 开封古城墙 The present Kaifeng City Wall is almost the same length of Xian City Wall , 14,4 km long. Its original building goes back to 365 BC when Weihui King during Warring States Period moved his capital here and built a city wall known as Dalingcheng City Wall with a history of over 2300 years.

In 960, Kaifeng was dedicated as capital of Northern Song Dynasty which lasted 168 years with 9 emperors. The 168 years found the city wall in Kaifeng developed into Outer Wall, Inner Wall and Imperial Wall, massive and magnificent.  The present city wall was the remains of the city wall renovated in Qing  Dynasty featuring the building style of Ming and Qing dynasties.

Entrance Fee: Free Opening Hour: all day

8. Kaifeng Synagogue 开封犹太教堂 Almost nothing remains of Kaifeng Synagogue. The former synagogue site is located at Nanjiaojing Hutong on the east side of north section of Beitu Street, Kaifeng 南教经胡同（开封北土街北段东侧). The synagogue was originally built in 1163 at the end of Northern Song by  the Jewish Neighborhood in Kaifeng  who had come to Kaifeng in Northern Song Dynasty for trade. At their prime time in Ming Dynasty, there were over 3000 Jew residents in Kaifeng.

The synagogue was rebuilt in 1279 (Yuan Dynasty) and 1461 ( Ming Dynasty).  Li Zicheng ( 1606–1645), a Chinese rebel leader who overthrew the Ming Dynasty, led his army attacking Kaifeng. In 1642, his army made the breaches of the Yellow River dykes by both sides and had Kaifeng heavily flooded  and thus ended the siege of Kaifeng and killed over 300,000 residents in Kaifeng, destroying the Jewish neighborhood of Jewish people. Again in 1841, the synagogue was turned to be used to protect the city Kaifeng threatened by the the breaches of the Yellow River dykes. With the last chief Rabbi passed  away in 1905,  the synagogue gradually disappeared  from the world stage.

9 .   Tiancheng Woodblock New Year Painting Old Shop at Zhuxian Town  朱仙镇天成老店 An ancient town known as Zhuxian Town 23km south of Kaifeng. Zhuxian Town is notable for its over 1000 year-old craft of woodblock new year paintings.

Traditionally, when Chinese lunar new year ( Spring Festival ) comes, families would paste new year paintings on their door frames and houses with the prints of new year pictures. New year paintings represent a good luck and fortune to say goodbye to the past year and welcome the new year. New year pictures are kinda of unique Chinese traditional folk culture.

Today many people would buy the prints of mass-produced new year paintings from the factories. But still many people and collectors prefer to buy hand-made new year paintings. The Zhuxian Town woodblock new year paintings are one of the most famous man-made new year paintings in China.

The woodblock new year paintings in Zhuxuan Town is an untangible cultural heritage in China. It has been on the verge of extinction due to the new printing technology. Recently the governments at all levels have allocated funds to support and develop the craft of man-made new year paintings.

10. Xisi Night Market  西司夜市 Xisi Night Market is one of the two night markets on Kaifeng with the other being Gulou Night Market.  Xisi Night Market is at near No.88, Dingjiao Road, Kaifeng.  You will be bombarded with all kinds of snacks, local and from other provinces.

You may have a bite of Muslim kebabs, cold noodles, peanut cakes and sip almond tea, and the list could be much longer.

Any questions, just drop a line.

4 thoughts on “ Top 10 Attractions in Kaifeng ”

Hello ! Is somewhere in china a temple like Dragon Pavilion witch should have at the entry 2 lions like those ones at Kaifeng Fu entry.

As i was a kid i had a dream, over and over again, for years, how i did fight with a person in black dress with a sword in his hand and his face was always covered. I did always lost this fight but i woke up 🙂 The problem is just, as kid i called myself xing xang song or something like that. I’m 40 years now and still want to find out if this place i had in my dream exists. So, please, if you can help me to give me some names or pictures to similar places i would apreciate that. I do not know China . Thanks, greetings from Hungary.

Happy Holidays!

It is intersting to hear your childhood story. YOu check out the link below for more information:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_guardian_lions

Forbidden City in Beijing has beautiful lions at the entrance.

Wish your dream comes true!

Thank you Daniel.

I doesn’t look like that i had in my dreams coz the stairs arent’t that high but i fond something else even if i do miss the lions in that image but the place looks almost similar. The lions you did show me are very similar to what i have seen. The pictures i fond on the internet aren’t similar with that you can dream anyway. There is still that question whitch i can’t answer. Why did i dream about china and some Guardians of God or Four Guardians of the Four Compass Directions when i had no contact with any china civilisation as i was 7-8 years old. We did not learn anything about China as i was young. We had no internet and no pictures coz i’m birt in Romania in Ceausescu time.

Thank you for the answer and wish you and your team , happy new year 2017

A lot of chinese temples with traditional architectures have that kind of descriptions you saw in your dreams as a kid. You may have unconsciously got it from school lessons like social studies or history or saw it on TV. This may shed light to what you said about 4 guardians or so https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Heavenly_Kings

Best regards.

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