Puyang

Spring and autumn bring comfortable weather for outdoor activities in Puyang.

With historic sites from China's Central Plains and the flavors of northern Henan, Puyang suits a relaxed weekend or short holiday.

• Qicheng Ruins: A nationally protected cultural heritage site dating back more than 6,000 years. You can see the alliance platform and surviving rammed-earth city walls. Admission is free, making it a good place to explore the ancient city's history.

• Puyang Museum: Admission is free with an ID card. Exhibits include a reconstruction of the shell-mosaic dragon and tiger known as “China's First Dragon.” The building's exterior takes the form of three overlapping jade discs, and the museum is well suited to educational family visits.

• Pushui Town: White walls and dark tiled roofs frame small bridges and waterways. Evening illuminations, folk performances and a range of snacks make this a good place to visit at night.

• Shuixiu International Grand Theater: Puyang is known as the “Home of Chinese Acrobatics,” and the theater's acrobatic production, *Shuixiu*, has appeared on the Spring Festival Gala. The stage can transform into a pool for a show combining acrobatics, diving and dance.

• Jindi River National Wetland Park: Henan's only wetland park centered on the Jindi River channel has reed beds, wooden boardwalks and peaceful surroundings for cycling, camping and enjoying nature.

• Dongbeizhuang Wildlife Park: A family-friendly attraction with a drive-through predator area, opportunities to feed small animals up close and circus performances.

• Sipailou and Old Cross Street: Sipailou is a Ming-dynasty structure built with mortise-and-tenon joints and no nails. Plaques on its four sides bear inscriptions including “Former Capital of Zhuanxu.” The surrounding streets retain the atmosphere of everyday life in the old town.

• Maolou Ecotourism Area, Fan County: Set at a 90-degree bend in the Yellow River, this area offers sheepskin-raft rides and expansive river views. It makes a good self-drive day trip.

Three-Day, Two-Night Itinerary

• Day 1: Explore the history of the Dragon City and local daily life
  • Morning: Start at Qicheng Ruins, climb the alliance platform and view the surviving rammed-earth walls to learn about the Spring and Autumn period.

• Lunch: Try Puyang zhuangmo, a large stuffed flatbread, and white pepper soup near the ruins for a taste of traditional local food.

• Afternoon: Visit Puyang Museum to see the reconstruction of “China's First Dragon” and trace Puyang's development.

• Evening: Head to Shuixiu Street for snacks, or watch an acrobatic show at Shuixiu International Grand Theater. Check performance times and buy tickets in advance.

• Day 2: Waterside scenery and wetland walks
  • Morning: Visit Hui Park to explore the heritage of the Zhang surname's founding ancestor, or head to the Chanyuan Treaty Memorial Hall to learn about Song and Liao history.

• Lunch: Try Pucheng braised goat, cooked until tender without feeling overly rich.
  • Afternoon: Walk along the wooden boardwalks at Jindi River National Wetland Park and enjoy the reed beds. Alternatively, visit West Lake Park for the sunset and black swans.
  • Evening: Explore Pushui Town, enjoy the illuminations, watch folk activities and sample street snacks.

• Day 3: Yellow River scenery or a family outing
  • Option A (Nature): Drive to Maolou Ecotourism Area in Fan County, about 70 km from the city center. Take a sheepskin raft on the Yellow River, try the traditional mud-pit method of fermenting watermelon sauce, recognized as intangible cultural heritage, and taste Yellow River fish.

• Option B (Family outing): Visit Dongbeizhuang Wildlife Park to drive through the predator area, feed small animals and watch circus performances. Allow a full day.

• Afternoon: Head home, or stop in the city to buy beef chili relish as a gift.

Must-Try Food in Puyang

• Puyang zhuangmo: This stuffed flatbread is recognized as provincial intangible cultural heritage. Nearly half a meter across, it has a golden, crisp crust and a juicy meat filling. Portions are generous and best shared. Try Liuji Zhuangmo or Fenghuo Zhuangmo.

• Liangpi wraps: A thin sheet of liangpi noodles is wrapped around shredded cucumber, wheat gluten, crushed peanuts, sesame paste and chili oil for a mix of textures. Try it at Liji Yijichang Liangpi.

• White pepper soup: Beef and lamb bones are simmered into a milky broth, then wheat gluten and glass noodles are added and seasoned with white pepper. Locals often have it for breakfast with jidan budai, fried dough pockets filled with egg.

• Pucheng braised goat: With a history of more than 200 years, this dish uses local goat simmered slowly until glossy and reddish, rich but not greasy.
• Pan-fried guanchang: Crisp on the outside and soft inside, this savory, spicy dish is usually served with garlic sauce and chili oil.

• Jiwo shaobing: These sesame-covered flatbreads are charcoal-baked in a clay hanging oven. Crisp outside, soft inside and distinctly layered, they can be eaten plain or filled with braised goat.
• Sanqiang pigeon: An intangible cultural heritage dish from Wuyang, made using a court cooking technique passed down for nearly 400 years. The braised young pigeon is tender, with a rich savory sauce flavor.

• Huaji soup: A specialty of Hongmiao Street in the old town, this soup combines pork-bone broth with strips of meat coated in sweet potato starch. It is seasoned with pepper and often eaten with fried dough sticks.

Accommodation and Transport Tips

• Accommodation: Stay in Hualong District or near Shuixiu Street, where there are plenty of business hotels within walking distance of night markets. Expect to pay around RMB 200–400 per night. For a taste of old-town life, consider a guesthouse in the old town of Puyang County.
• Transport:
  • High-speed rail: From Puyang East Railway Station, take a taxi or bus into the city.
  • Getting around: Taxi fares start at RMB 6. Many parking lots are free for the first two hours or entirely free, making driving convenient.
  • Car hire with a driver: Consider hiring a car with a driver for trips to Maolou in Fan County or Dongbeizhuang. Rates are around RMB 120–300 per day.

Travel Tips

• Tickets and reservations: Qicheng Ruins, Puyang Museum and Jindi River Wetland Park all offer free admission. Advance reservations using an ID card are recommended for the museum. Tickets for the Shuixiu acrobatic show cost around RMB 80–120. Performance times vary, so call ahead to confirm.
• Mosquito and sun protection: Qicheng Ruins and Jindi River Wetland Park have abundant vegetation. Bring mosquito repellent in summer and early autumn. Spring and autumn generally offer pleasant weather for sightseeing.
• Portion sizes: Puyang zhuangmo is large and filling. Share one with others to leave room for more local food.
• Parking: Parking is usually available near attractions such as Qicheng Park, Pushui Town and the museum. Most lots are free or offer two hours of free parking.
• Exploring and eating in the old town: Parking around Sipailou and Old Cross Street is limited. Take a taxi or electric scooter there, then explore on foot.