Kaifeng City Travel

Henan Kaifeng — an ancient capital of eight dynasties, the Eastern Capital of the Northern Song Dynasty, featuring famous attractions such as Millennium City Park, Dragon Pavilion Park, Kaifeng Prefecture, and Great Xiangguo Temple. It is a tourist destination integrating Song culture, Lord Bao culture, and Yellow River culture.

2700+
Years of City History
8
Dynasties as Capital
13.8
sq km Ancient City Area
4.82M+
Resident Population

Kaifeng City Districts & Counties Travel

Kaifeng City Three-Day Song Culture Experience Tour

Visit Millennium City Park to dream of Bianjing, climb Dragon Pavilion to enjoy panoramic views of the ancient city, tour Kaifeng Prefecture to feel Lord Bao's righteousness, explore the night market for authentic local cuisine

Duration
3 Days / 2 Nights
Main Destinations
Millennium City Park, Dragon Pavilion Park, Kaifeng Prefecture, Great Xiangguo Temple
Suitable For
Culture enthusiasts, history buffs, food explorers, family travelers
Budget Per Person
¥1200-¥2500
01
Dream of Bianjing
Song Dynasty Cultural Experience Tour
Highlights

In the morning, visit Millennium City Park to experience Song Dynasty street life. In the afternoon, tour China Hanlin Garden and Yang Family Mansion. In the evening, explore Drum Tower Night Market and taste Kaifeng snacks.

Attractions
Millennium City Park
A large-scale Song Dynasty cultural theme park built based on the painting Along the River During the Qingming Festival by Northern Song painter Zhang Zeduan, recreating the bustling scenes of the ancient capital Bianjing, featuring various Song Dynasty folk performances and interactive experiences.
China Hanlin Garden
China's first private forest of steles, integrating calligraphy art, stone carving art, and garden art, housing over 3,800 calligraphy steles from various dynasties.
Practical Info
Recommended Accommodation
  • Boutique hotels in Longting District
  • Characteristic guesthouses in Gulou District
  • Inns near Millennium City Park
Recommended Food
  • Soup Dumplings
  • Carp Baked with Noodles
  • Barrel Chicken
  • Stir-fried Bean Jelly
Travel Tips
  • Millennium City Park recommended 6 hours
  • Check performance schedule
  • Night market is most lively after 18:00
02
Ancient City Exploration
Historical Relics Discovery Tour
Highlights

In the morning, visit Dragon Pavilion Park and Kaifeng Prefecture to experience Song Dynasty court culture and Lord Bao culture. In the afternoon, tour the Iron Pagoda and Shaanxi-Gansu Guild Hall. In the evening, enjoy the live performance of Dongjing Dream of the Great Song.

Attractions
Dragon Pavilion Park
A large scenic area built on the ruins of six imperial palaces. The main building, Dragon Pavilion Hall, sits on a 13-meter-high blue brick platform, serving as the symbol of the ancient capital Kaifeng.
Kaifeng Prefecture
The administrative and judicial government office of the Northern Song capital, known as the Premier Prefecture Under Heaven. Famous Song officials such as Lord Bao, Ouyang Xiu, and Fan Zhongyan once served here.
Practical Info
Transportation Guide
  • Attractions concentrated in the ancient city area
  • Tourist shuttle buses available
  • Walking or cycling is best
Ticket Info
  • Millennium City Park: 120 yuan
  • Dragon Pavilion Park: 35 yuan
  • Kaifeng Prefecture: 60 yuan
  • Dongjing Dream show ticket extra
Tour Tips
  • Kaifeng Prefecture has Lord Bao trial performance
  • Dragon Pavilion Park offers panoramic city views
  • Iron Pagoda is the oldest surviving glazed pagoda
03
Zen Charm & Ancient Rhyme
Religious Culture Experience Tour
Highlights

In the morning, visit Great Xiangguo Temple and Yanqing Temple to experience Buddhist and Taoist culture. In the afternoon, tour the Shaanxi-Gansu Guild Hall and Kaifeng Museum to learn about guild hall culture and Kaifeng's history.

Attractions
Great Xiangguo Temple
A famous Buddhist monastery in China, first built in the sixth year of Tianbao of the Northern Qi Dynasty. During the Northern Song period, it became the largest temple in the capital and the national center of Buddhist activities. Lu Zhishen once became a monk here.
Shaanxi-Gansu Guild Hall
A Qing Dynasty guild hall for merchants from Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Gansu provinces, renowned for its exquisite wood carving, stone carving, and brick carving. It is the best-preserved Qing Dynasty commercial guild hall in the Central Plains.
Practical Info
Return Advice
  • Kaifeng North Station to city center: about 30 minutes
  • To Zhengzhou Airport: about 1.5 hours
  • Recommended to start return journey before 4:00 PM
Food Map
  • Diyi Lou Dumplings
  • Huangjia Dumplings
  • Pangji Barrel Chicken
  • Shajia Sauced Beef
Souvenir Recommendations
  • Kaifeng Bian Embroidery
  • Zhuxian Town Woodblock New Year Prints
  • Official Porcelain Replicas
  • Peanut Cake

Must-Try Foods in Kaifeng City

Kaifeng Soup Dumplings

Kaifeng's representative delicacy, thin-skinned with generous filling, soupy and oily. Lifted like a lantern, set down like a chrysanthemum. Over a hundred years of history, with Diyi Lou and Huangjia being the most famous.

Carp Baked with Noodles

A traditional Kaifeng famous dish combining sweet-and-sour carp and baked noodles into one. The fish meat is tender, the noodles are crispy, with a balanced sweet and sour flavor and beautiful presentation.

Barrel Chicken

A Kaifeng specialty braised meat made from plump young hens simmered in a century-old broth. Golden in color, salty and fragrant, tender yet crisp, rich but not greasy, becoming more flavorful the more you chew.

Stir-fried Bean Jelly

A classic Kaifeng night market snack made by stir-frying mung bean jelly with bean paste, scallions, ginger, garlic, and other seasonings. Soft, fragrant, and tender, charred without being burnt.

Kaifeng City Travel Tips
Best Time to Visit
  • April-May: Pleasant spring climate, blooming season
  • September-October: Clear autumn skies, Chrysanthemum Culture Festival
  • July-August: Bustling summer night markets, experience nightlife
  • November-March: Fewer winter visitors, discounted tickets
Must-Do Experiences
  • Watch Dongjing Dream of the Great Song at Millennium City Park
  • Taste Kaifeng snacks at Drum Tower Night Market
  • See Lord Bao trial performance at Kaifeng Prefecture
  • Overlook the ancient city panorama at Dragon Pavilion Park
  • Wear Hanfu and stroll along Song Capital Royal Street
Budget Reference
  • Tickets: approx. 400-600 yuan
  • Accommodation: 300-600 yuan/night
  • Meals: 150-300 yuan/day
  • Transportation: approx. 200 yuan
  • Total: 1200-2500 yuan
FAQ
  • How much time is needed for Millennium City Park? → Recommended 6-8 hours
  • Where to find Kaifeng specialty snacks? → Drum Tower Night Market, Xisi Night Market
  • When is the Chrysanthemum Culture Festival? → October 18 to November 18 annually
  • What must-buy specialties does Kaifeng have? → Bian Embroidery, Peanut Cake, Bianliang Eight Scenes