Kaifeng

Kaifeng is an ancient capital of eight dynasties, filled with the lively everyday atmosphere of the Great Song. It is perfect for slowing down and immersing yourself in the prosperity of the Northern Song dynasty and authentic local street food. Here is a detailed 3-day, 2-night travel guide you can follow directly!

Classic 3-Day, 2-Night Itinerary

• Day 1: A Dreamlike Journey Through the Great Song
  • Morning: Arrive in Kaifeng, check in to your hotel, and take a short rest.
  • Afternoon: Head to Millennium City Park, change into Hanfu, and immerse yourself in the Northern Song street life depicted in *Along the River During the Qingming Festival*. Do not miss the live performances Yue Fei Spears Prince Xiaoliang and The Great Song: Defense of Dongjing.

• Evening: Enjoy the park’s nighttime lights, then head to Gulou Night Market or Xisi Night Market to try authentic local snacks.

• Day 2: Martial-Arts Adventure and History
  • Daytime: Go straight to Wansui Mountain · Great Song Martial Arts City to experience all-day martial-arts themed dramas, interact with NPCs to earn silver notes, and soak up the atmosphere of the jianghu.

• Evening: Watch the spectacular Molten Iron Fireworks performance (advance reservation required), then go to Old Heda Night Market for affordable late-night eats beloved by students.

• Day 3: Tracing Historic Sites and Local Life
  • Morning: Check in at Kaifeng Prefecture, watch the Office-Opening Ceremony and the live performance of Judge Bao hearing cases, then stroll through Bao Gong Temple to enjoy its elegant garden atmosphere.

• Afternoon: Visit Daxiangguo Temple or Iron Pagoda Park to admire thousand-year-old architecture, then browse Bookstore Street and buy souvenirs before heading home.

Must-Visit Attractions

• Millennium City Park: A 5A-rated theme park that recreates the bustling street markets of the Northern Song dynasty, with many live performances throughout the day. The evening show The Great Song · Dream of Dongjing is truly spectacular. Plan to spend 4-6 hours here.

• Wansui Mountain · Great Song Martial Arts City: Excellent value for money. A ticket allows repeated entry over 3 days, with martial-arts themed dramas all day, an incredible nighttime molten iron fireworks atmosphere, and highly interactive NPC experiences.

• Kaifeng Prefecture: A Northern Song government office complex, with daily office-opening ceremonies and live performances of Judge Bao hearing cases. It offers an immersive look at ancient government life and is suitable for visiting with older family members and children.

• Iron Pagoda Park: Home to a thousand-year-old Northern Song glazed-brick pagoda with exquisite carvings and lush vegetation. There is also a deer garden where you can get close to the deer, making it great for ancient-style photos.

• Daxiangguo Temple: A thousand-year-old royal Buddhist temple, known as the setting of Lu Zhishen uprooting a willow tree. The four-sided Thousand-Hand Guanyin in the Octagonal Glazed Hall is impressive, and the temple offers a peaceful retreat in the middle of the city.

Must-Eat Food List

• Soup Dumplings: Lift one up and it looks like a lantern; set it down and it resembles a chrysanthemum. First make a small opening, then drink the soup. Recommended spots include Huangjia Old Restaurant, Songyuan Soup Dumplings, and Yanji Soup Dumplings; they are fresh, savory, and delicious.

• Carp with Baked Noodles: Sweet-and-sour carp served with crispy dragon-whisker noodles. It is tangy, sweet, and satisfying, and Huangjia Old Restaurant makes it in a very authentic style.

• Night Market Snacks: Xisi Night Market (popular with locals; recommended: Zhouji Almond Tea, Ersao Lamb Kangmo), Old Heda Night Market (student-friendly prices; recommended: Majia Braised and Roasted Chicken Legs, Zhang Dafei Sizzling Chicken Racks), Gulou Night Market (great for photos, with a lively atmosphere).

• Specialty Meals: Huasan Donkey Meat Soup (donkey meat soup with shredded flatbread is especially flavorful), Xingjia Potstickers (a century-old brand, golden and crisp), Zhaojia Four-Flavor Stew (about 20+ yuan per person, excellent value).

• Souvenirs: Peanut Cake (choose the reduced-sugar version; crisp, fragrant, and tasty), Tongzi Chicken (crisp skin and firm meat, more flavorful the longer you chew), Xingshengde Peanuts (many flavors, good with drinks).

Accommodation and Transport Tips

• Where to Stay: Staying near Gulou/Bookstore Street is recommended (convenient transport and easy night-market access in the evening), or near Millennium City Park/Longting (many attractions are clustered nearby and major sights are within walking distance). If your focus is Wansui Mountain, you can stay near the east gate of the scenic area.

• Getting Around: Kaifeng is not large, and attractions are usually only two or three kilometers apart. Electric scooters 🛵 are the top choice, followed by taxis, pedicabs, or bicycles. For high-speed rail, Kaifeng North Railway Station is closer to the city center. If driving, you can park in scenic-area parking lots.

Travel Tips

• Save on Tickets: Consider buying a Kaifeng combo ticket or the Zhengzhou-Kaifeng annual tourism card, which offers discounts or free admission to multiple attractions. Some scenic areas offer discounts for students and gaokao graduates.
• Performance Reservations: Popular performances at Wansui Mountain, such as the molten iron fireworks and *Three Attacks on Zhujia Village*, should be reserved in advance to avoid missing out.
• What to Wear: There is quite a bit of walking between attractions, so comfortable shoes are recommended. If you want ancient-style photos, prepare Hanfu in advance; makeup and styling shops are also available inside the scenic areas.
• Night Market Strategy: Do not buy too much at once. Ordering small portions of many things makes it easier to try more foods. Prioritize Xisi Night Market and Old Heda Night Market, which locals often visit, and avoid overpriced shops near scenic areas.