Kaifeng

Kaifeng is more comfortable to visit in spring and autumn, while summers are hot and rainy.

Kaifeng was the capital of eight dynasties. Its city character is closely tied to Northern Song culture, and it also has a rich range of everyday street snacks. Below is a 3-day, 2-night itinerary suitable for general travelers.

Classic 3-Day, 2-Night Itinerary

• Day 1: A Dreamlike Journey into the Great Song
  • Morning: Arrive in Kaifeng and check in at your hotel, leaving some time to rest and adjust.
  • Afternoon: Visit Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden. You can try on Hanfu to experience the atmosphere of a Northern Song market street. Focus on watching the live performances “Yue Fei Spears Little Prince Liang” and “The Great Song: Defense of Dongjing.”

• Evening: Stay in the park to enjoy the night lighting, then head to Gulou Night Market or Xisi Night Market to try Kaifeng snacks.

• Day 2: Martial Arts World and History
  • Daytime: Visit Wansui Mountain · Great Song Martial Arts City to watch martial arts-themed dramas scheduled throughout the day. You can also interact with NPCs to collect “silver notes” and experience the jianghu-themed setting.

• Evening: Watch the datiehua, or molten iron fireworks, performance. Advance booking is required. Afterward, you can go to Laoheda Night Market for relatively affordable late-night food.

• Day 3: Historic Sites and Local City Life
  • Morning: Tour Kaifeng Prefecture and watch the “Opening of the Office Ceremony” and the live performance of Bao Gong judging cases. Then take a walk at Bao Gong Temple to experience its mix of garden scenery and commemorative architecture.

• Afternoon: Visit Daxiangguo Temple or Iron Pagoda Park to appreciate well-preserved historic architecture. Finally, go for a stroll along Bookstore Street, buy some souvenirs, and return home.

Main Attractions

• Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden: A 5A-rated theme park centered on a bustling Northern Song market scene. There are many live performances inside the park, and the evening show “The Great Song · Dream of Dongjing” is large in scale. Allow 4–6 hours.

• Wansui Mountain · Great Song Martial Arts City: Tickets allow repeated entry within 3 days. There are multiple martial arts-themed dramas during the day, molten iron fireworks at night, and a wide range of NPC interactions.

• Kaifeng Prefecture: Themed around a Northern Song government office residence, with daily “Opening of the Office Ceremony” and Bao Gong case-judging live performances. It is suitable for bringing older family members and children to learn about ancient government office culture.

• Iron Pagoda Park: The park has a Northern Song glazed-brick pagoda with finely carved details. It has good greenery and also includes a deer garden where visitors can get close to deer. It is suitable for taking photos in a traditional Chinese style.

• Daxiangguo Temple: A historic royal Buddhist temple associated with the story of Lu Zhishen uprooting a willow tree. The four-sided Thousand-Hand Guanyin in the Octagonal Glazed Hall is a highlight. It is a quiet temple in the middle of a busy urban area.

Food List

• Soup Dumplings: When lifted, they look like lanterns; when placed down, they resemble chrysanthemums. The proper way to eat them is to first make a small opening, then drink the soup. Options include Huangjia Old Restaurant, Songyuan Soup Dumplings, and Yanji Soup Dumplings.

• Carp with Baked Noodles: Sweet-and-sour carp served with crispy dragon-whisker noodles. The flavor is sweet and tangy, and Huangjia Old Restaurant’s version is fairly representative.

• Night Market Snacks: Xisi Night Market has many local diners. Try Zhouji Almond Tea and Ersao Lamb Kangmo. Laoheda Night Market is relatively affordable, with options such as Majia Braised-Roasted Chicken Legs and Zhang Dafei Teppan Chicken Frames. Gulou Night Market has a livelier nighttime atmosphere and is good for experiencing the city’s nightlife if it is on your route.

• Specialty Meals: Huasan Donkey Meat Soup serves flavorful donkey meat soup with shredded flatbread. Xingjia Pot Stickers is a century-old brand, known for its golden, crisp wrappers. Zhaojia Four-Flavor Stew costs around 20+ yuan per person and is suitable for an everyday meal.

• Souvenirs: Peanut Cake is available in lower-sugar versions and has a crisp, fragrant texture. Tongzi Chicken has crispy skin and firm meat, becoming more flavorful as you chew. Xingshengde Peanuts come in many flavors and also work well as a snack with drinks.

Accommodation and Transport Tips

• Where to Stay: You can stay near Gulou/Bookstore Street, where transport is convenient and it is easy to visit night markets in the evening. You can also choose the area around Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden/Longting, where attractions are relatively concentrated and some major sites are within walking distance. If your itinerary focuses on Wansui Mountain, consider staying near the east gate of the scenic area.

• Getting Around: Kaifeng’s urban area is not large, and many attractions are only two or three kilometers apart. For short trips, electric scooters are a convenient first choice. You can also take taxis, ride three-wheelers, or use bicycles. If arriving by high-speed rail, Kaifeng North Railway Station is closer to the city center. Self-driving visitors can park at scenic area parking lots.

Travel Tips

• Ticket Planning: Consider buying a Kaifeng combined ticket or a Zhengzhou-Kaifeng tourism annual pass. Some attractions offer discounts or free entry. Some scenic areas also have discount policies for students and gaokao graduates.
• Performance Reservations: Popular performances at Wansui Mountain, such as molten iron fireworks and “Three Attacks on Zhujiazhuang,” should be booked in advance to avoid disrupting your plans.
• What to Wear: There is a fair amount of walking between attractions, so wear comfortable shoes. If you plan to take traditional-style photos, you can prepare Hanfu in advance, though styling and makeup shops are also available inside scenic areas.
• Night Market Tips: Night markets offer many types of snacks, so it is best to buy small portions of several items. Xisi Night Market and Laoheda Night Market are better for experiencing everyday local spending. Around scenic areas, it is a good idea to confirm prices before ordering.