Kaifeng 2025 Guide: Must-see attractions, local cuisine, and practical tips! | Trip.com

Explore Kaifeng's Rich History by Visiting the Dragon Pavilion Park

Explore Kaifeng's rich history by visiting the Dragon Pavilion Park, Iron Pagoda, Prime Minister's Temple, and Kaifeng Museum. These sites offer a glimpse into ancient architecture and the Song Dynasty's legacy.

Experience the Qingming River Park

Immerse yourself in the recreated scene of 'Along the River During the Qingming Festival' at Qingming River Park. Enjoy traditional performances, interact with costumed characters, and savor authentic snacks.

Uncover the Legacy of Jewish Merchants

Discover the history of Kaifeng's Jewish community at the Kaifeng Jewish Descendants Experience Center. Explore the remnants of the synagogue and learn about their cultural practices.

Explore the Ancient City Wall

Walk along the ancient city wall of Kaifeng for panoramic views and a glimpse into the city's rich past.

Stroll through Millennium City Park

Experience the grandeur of the Song Dynasty at Millennium City Park, which recreates the famous painting 'Along the River During the Qingming Festival.' Enjoy traditional performances and cultural activities.

Explore Kaifeng Fu

Kaifeng Fu, the ancient government office, provides insight into the administrative structure of the Song Dynasty with its well-preserved buildings and exhibits.

Delve into the World of Bian Embroidery

Admire the intricate needlework and vibrant colors of Bian embroidery at the Kaifeng Bian Embroidery Research Institute, a treasured tradition for centuries.

Experience Traditional Shadow Puppetry

Attend a shadow puppetry performance in Kaifeng to see intricate puppets and captivating storytelling, a traditional Chinese art form practiced for centuries.

Watch a Henan Opera Performance

Enjoy a live Henan Opera performance to experience the unique music, costumes, and storytelling of this traditional Chinese opera style.

Visit the Kaifeng Museum

The Kaifeng Museum showcases the city's rich history and culture through exhibits of ancient artifacts, calligraphy, and traditional crafts.

Savor the Flavors of Kaifeng Cuisine

Indulge in Kaifeng's unique culinary delights, including steamed buns, carp noodles, and five-spice donkey meat, each offering a delicious taste of the region's heritage.

Find Treasures at the Drum Tower Night Market

Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of the Drum Tower Night Market, offering local handicrafts, souvenirs, clothing, and a wide array of specialty street food.

Take a Boat Ride on the Bian River

Experience Kaifeng from the water with a boat ride on the Bian River, enjoying scenic views and capturing the city's historic landmarks from a unique perspective.

Respect Local Religious Sites

When visiting significant religious sites in Kaifeng, such as the Daxiangguo Temple and various mosques, dress modestly and follow local customs to show respect for religious practices and cultural heritage.

Kaifeng, a city rich in Song Dynasty heritage, offers visitors a compelling, cultural experience through its various attractions such as Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden, Kaifeng City Hall Theme Park, Kaifeng Museum, and the historically significant Daxiangguo Temple, each providing an immersive glimpse into ancient Chinese traditions, architecture, and history.

Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden in Kaifeng offers an immersive experience of the Song Dynasty through its recreation of the "Riverside Scene at the Qingming Festival" painting. Visitors can explore the park's architecture and engage in traditional activities like folk acrobatics and ceremonies. It hosts cultural events like the Lantern Festival and a chrysanthemum flower show, enhancing the visitor's interaction with historical traditions and authentic experiences depicted in the scenic painting.

Kaifeng City Hall Theme Park, or Millennium City Park, immerses visitors in the vibrant culture of the Northern Song Dynasty. The park features authentic Song-style architecture and hosts live-action performances like "The Great Song Dynasty-Kaifeng Menghua", rich in historical narratives and acrobatics. Staff members in traditional costumes enhance the experience by reenacting Song Dynasty social customs and folktales, providing both entertainment and a deep cultural insight.

Located in a distinctive hill-shaped building, Kaifeng Museum houses an extensive collection of over 80,000 cultural artifacts like rare porcelains and bronzes, with a special highlight being the "Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival" boxwood carving. This comprehensive museum features seven themed exhibition halls, providing a deep dive into different facets of Chinese history and culture, from ancient times through the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Daxiangguo Temple, one of China's most revered Buddhist sites, has a profound historical legacy dating back to 555 A.D. It emerged as a pivotal Buddhist center influencing cultural dialogues during the Song Dynasty. Notable architectural marvels, like the Arhat Hall with its unique Avalokitesvara statue, highlight its spiritual significance. Additionally, it organizes cultural festivities such as lantern and chrysanthemum exhibitions which attract many visitors.

Kaifeng is celebrated for its culinary scene, featuring both traditional dishes and street snacks. Signature treats include the sweet and creamy mashed sweet potatoes, a distinctive date-red baked carp with noodles, the deliciously savory and crispy barrel chicken, and the silky stir-fried cold noodles. Each dish is a vital part of the local culinary heritage.

Sweet potato puree is a renowned traditional snack from the Han Chinese community. The process involves selecting high-quality sweet potatoes, mashing them into a puree, and then stir-frying them in a heated pan with peanut oil. To enhance the flavor, white sugar, hawthorn, and osmanthus are mixed in. This results in a dish with a rich, brownish-red color and a pleasantly sweet, soft, and sticky texture.

Baked Noodles over Carp is a classic dish from Kaifeng, composed of two renowned dishes: sweet and sour fish and baked noodles. The dish is characterized by its deep red hue, the fish being fragrant and tender, and the noodles, which are hair-thin, soft and crisp. Available across various restaurants in Kaifeng, this dish is a must-try for its delightful flavors.

'Bucket chicken' is a renowned dish from Kaifeng, crafted by slow-cooking select aged hens in a rich, carefully prepared broth. Once cooked, the hens are deboned and sliced into pieces, delivering savory, tender, and crispy meat with a golden hue.

Stir fried liangfen is a popular snack in Kaifeng, crafted from either sweet potato or mung bean starch. The dish is stir-fried with soybean paste and scallions, using sesame oil which brings out its translucency and gives it a fresh, fragrant, and tender texture, making it extremely delicious.

Kaifeng's transportation network is primarily centered around its railway stations and long-distance bus services, as the city does not have an airport.

Kaifeng Railway Station, situated on Longhai railway, is a historical station that has been operational since 1907 and underwent a significant renovation with a new station building opened in 2003. It is well-connected to major cities across China, including Xi'an, Luoyang, Zhengzhou, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. To reach the city from Kaifeng Railway Station, passengers can take local buses such as No.1, 18, and 31 to the Train Station - Passenger Terminal Bus Stop.

Kaifeng North Railway Station, which started operation in 2016, is part of the Xuzhou–Lanzhou high-speed railway and features a design inspired by the Northern Song Dynasty architecture. It serves high-speed trains to destinations like Xi'an, Luoyang, Zhengzhou, Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. To access the city from Kaifeng North Railway Station, passengers can use buses 8, 21, 35, 47, 52, or 53.

For air travel, the nearest major airport is Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport, located 98 km from Kaifeng. Travelers can take a shuttle bus from the airport to Zhengzhou and then transfer to a bus or taxi to reach Kaifeng.

Kaifeng's public bus system is well-developed, with buses connecting most tourist attractions within the city. Notable routes include Bus No. 1, 15, and 28, which cover many attractions, and Bus No. 20, which is a tourism line that directly reaches all in-city attractions. The buses operate with a pay-to-the-driver system, and the fare is generally 1 RMB per person. Intercity buses between Kaifeng and Zhengzhou are also available, departing every 10-20 minutes.

Taxis in Kaifeng offer a convenient and reasonably priced option for getting around, with a starting price of 5 RMB within 3 kilometers and 1 RMB for each additional kilometer. Generally, a taxi ride to any in-city scenic spot will not exceed 20 RMB. Taxi rides within the city typically do not exceed 10 RMB.

For a more traditional and unique experience, rickshaws are a popular choice among visitors. They are especially useful for short distances between attractions located in the downtown area. The charge is around 1 RMB per kilometer, and a full-day hire can cost about 60 RMB.

Kaifeng is a city with a rich historical background and diverse tourist attractions, making it an appealing destination for travelers. The city offers a variety of accommodation options distributed across distinct regions, each with its own unique characteristics.

Millennium City Park, located in the eastern part of Kaifeng, is notable for combining historical sites with scenic beauty. This area features ancient architectural ruins set among gardens, lakes, and trees, which make it a peaceful and picturesque place to stay. The park’s proximity to the central city ensures easy access via road, with several transportation links connecting it to major cities and attractions. The park itself is a cultural heritage site, providing a tranquil atmosphere that contrasts with the busy urban surroundings, making it ideal for visitors who appreciate both history and natural beauty.

Kaifeng Drum Tower is a central hub that pulses with cultural activities and offers convenient amenities. Lying close to various landmarks such as the Daxiangguo Temple and surrounded by numerous dining and entertainment options, it represents the vibrant heart of Kaifeng. Kaifeng Drum Tower is easily accessible due to its central location, which is well-linked by public transport, making it an optimal area for travelers who wish to immerse themselves in the local lifestyle and enjoy the convenience of nearby facilities. The proximity to significant cultural sites and commercial streets further enriches the tourist experience in this district.

The best time to visit Kaifeng is during the autumn months, particularly from late October to late November. This season is celebrated for its pleasant weather and the renowned Chrysanthemum Festival, a cultural highlight that attracts visitors to the city.

Additionally, spring, specifically April, is also a favorable time to visit due to the comfortable temperatures and the Song Dynasty Culture and Art Festival, offering a glimpse into the local folklore and historical parks.

Kaifeng, a city with a history spanning over 4,100 years, is predominantly Chinese-speaking, with Mandarin being the official language. The city's historical interactions with various cultures have introduced multilingual elements, such as the Jewish community that once used Hebrew. While Mandarin prevails, visitors can utilize translation apps or local interpretation services for assistance. Effective communication for non-Mandarin speakers may involve gestures, maps, and facial expressions. The city's rich cultural tapestry, including the Hui ethnic group and historical Jewish presence, reflects its linguistic diversity.

Alipay: Ubiquitous in China, Alipay is used for various transactions and also facilitates easy public transportation and taxi services.

WeChat: Essential for communication and transactions, WeChat serves as a social platform and digital wallet across China.

DiDi Chuxing: Comparable to Uber, DiDi provides convenient ride-hailing services and can be used directly or through integration with Alipay.

MetroMan: This app aids in navigating the subway systems across major Chinese cities, making city exploration straightforward.

WAYGO: Useful for travelers, WAYGO translates Chinese, Japanese, and Korean text into English without needing an internet connection.

Trip.com: is a popular online travel platform that provides a comprehensive range of services including booking flights.

Mobile data packages for tourists in China are available through local carriers such as China Mobile and Unicom. China Mobile offers prepaid data SIM cards with unlimited text messages and calls within China, and high-speed connections, sometimes even 5G. Unicom provides SIM cards with data packs that include unlimited music applications, and both do not require long-term contracts. Prices for eSIMs with unlimited data start at just $6 for China.

Public WiFi in China is widely available in places like airports, restaurants, coffee shops, and malls. However, connecting to these networks often requires a Chinese phone number for text verification, which can be a challenge for travelers without a local SIM card. Global WiFi devices like Skyroam can be a convenient alternative, offering the ability to connect multiple devices and requiring no additional setup upon arrival in China.

Kaifeng experiences a warm temperate continental monsoon climate with four distinct seasons, moderate rainfall, and abundant sunshine. The annual average temperature is around 14℃, with the highest temperatures in July and the coldest in January. Travelers should pack a range of clothing suitable for varying conditions: light, breathable outfits for the hot summers, and warm layers including down coats for the chilly winters. It is advisable to carry sunscreen during sunny days, especially in summer, to protect against strong UV radiation. For those visiting in winter, additional precautions such as gloves and scarves are recommended to handle the cold.

* During traditional festivals in Kaifeng, such as the Ancient Capital Lantern Festival, avoid engaging in public gambling activities like cockfighting, which is part of the artistic lantern show but not suitable for visitor participation.

* Respect the cultural heritage of the Jewish community in Kaifeng by understanding their historical background and contributions without appropriating their religious expressions or entering private worship areas uninvited.

* When visiting places like Millennium City Park or Daxiangguo Temple, cultural performances like traditional skits and opera are respected arts, clapping loudly after performances is appreciated, whereas interrupting the performance is considered rude.

* Photography at culturally sensitive locations such as Millennium City Park should be conducted respectfully and discreetly to not disrupt the ongoing cultural activities or the privacy of participants in traditional events.

In Kaifeng, popular payment methods include WeChat Pay, Alipay, and various credit cards such as Mastercard, Visa, American Express, China Union Pay, Japan Credit Bureau, and Diners Club.

WeChat Pay and Alipay are widely used for a variety of services, including online purchases, e-commerce, retail, and personal transactions like transferring money and paying bills. Credit cards are accepted in establishments like hotels, with Shenzhen Haishu Kaifeng Hotel being an example of a place that accepts multiple types of cards.

Be mindful of the specific establishments’ acceptance of different credit cards and the availability of mobile payment options when traveling around the city.