The laid-back former capital of the Song dynasty, with a reconstructed night market, Iron Pagoda and the epic Qingming scroll brought to life.
Kaifeng was China's capital under the Northern Song — a flat, friendly city whose Millennium City Park recreates the bustling world of the famous Qingming Scroll.
It keeps a Jewish-Chinese and Buddhist heritage, and a night-market culture that hasn't stopped for a thousand years.
Here are the highlights worth your time in Kaifeng.
A theme park recreating the Song-dynasty Qingming scroll.
¥120A 1,000-year-old glazed brick pagoda.
¥40A working Buddhist temple in the old city.
¥40Kaifeng has its own kitchen — here are the dishes to try.
Juicy steamed buns.
Henan braised noodle soup.
The famous night-market grills.
Tea-house culture.
The city's centrepiece after dark.
Themed drinking.
Millennium Park lit up.
Kaifeng North on the high-speed line; ~20min from Zhengzhou.
Zhengzhou (CGO) is the hub.
Buses and DiDi; compact city.
Easy half-day trip.
Where you stay shapes the trip. Three good bases:
Central, near the park.
Modern hotels by the station.
Themed stays.
History travellers and foodies on the Zhengzhou–Luoyang axis.
