Kaifeng Travel Guide

Kaifeng, historically known as Dongjing and Bianjing (also referred to as Daliang and Bianliang), is a city in China with a rich heritage and historical significance. Abbreviated as Bian, it boasts the titles of “Ancient Capital of Ten Dynasties” and “Metropolis of Seven Dynasties.” Notably, Kaifeng is the only city in the world whose central axis has never changed throughout its history. The unique “city over city” archaeological layers in Kaifeng are unparalleled in the world’s archaeological and urban history, with six ancient cities buried beneath the current one due to repeated flooding by the Yellow River over two millennia.

With over 3,000 years of history and seven dynastic changes, Kaifeng’s legacy is vividly depicted in the famous painting “Along the River During the Qingming Festival,” illustrating the bustling prosperity of Bianjing during the Northern Song Dynasty. The book “Dream of the Eastern Capital” further evokes the grandeur of its imperial past. Today, the grandeur of Kaifeng’s ancient architecture stands in poignant contrast to its modern vibrancy.

In autumn, the city transforms into a golden sea of chrysanthemums, painting the town in rich hues. The ancient buildings take on an even more profound and venerable appearance under the setting sun. At night, the bustling Drum Tower night market offers a lively display of local life and culture. The contemporary city of Kaifeng, with its blend of historical depth and modern dynamism, continues to surprise and captivate visitors.

Most Popular Kaifeng Attractions

Qingming riverside landscape garden
Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden, Kaifeng - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden (清明上河园), located in Kaifeng City, Henan Province, is a theme park meticulously crafted to replicate the famous painting...
iron pagoda park kaifeng
Iron Pagoda Park, Kaifeng - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Iron Pagoda Park (铁塔公园), covering an area of 51.24 hectares, including 9.62 hectares of water area, is one of China’s top 100 famous gardens. The...
kaifeng fu (yamen of ancient kaifeng)
Kaifeng Fu (Yamen of Ancient Kaifeng) - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Kaifeng Fu (开封府) served as the administrative and judicial center of the government officials during the Northern Song Dynasty, hailed as the capital of...

Other Attractions in Kaifeng

bianjing park, kaifeng
Bianjing Park, Kaifeng - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Bianjing Park (汴京公园), established in 1962, covers an area of 14.3 hectares, with 1.5 hectares of water area. It stands as the only comprehensive park in...
Yue Fei Temple, Zhu Xian Town
Yue Fei Temple, Zhu Xian Town - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Yue Fei Temple (岳飞庙), originally built during the Ming Dynasty in the Chenghua era (either in 1470 or 1478, sources vary), has undergone several renovations...
Yuwang terrace, Kaifeng
Yuwang Terrace, Kaifeng - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
The history of Yuwang Terrace (禹王台) in Kaifeng City can be traced back to the Spring and Autumn Period when the famous musician Shi Kuang from the state...
Song Dynasty Imperial River, Kaifeng
Song Dynasty Imperial River, Kaifeng - Ticket, Opening Hours, and Highlights
The Song Dynasty Imperial River Scenic Area (大宋御河风景区) in Kaifeng City commenced operation in May 2013. Stretching over 2.5 kilometers, it traverses the...
Fanta Pagoda Kaifeng
Fanta Pagoda (Pota Pagoda), Kaifeng - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Fanta Pagoda (繁塔), originally named Xingci Pagoda or Pota Pagoda, is also known as Tianqing Temple Pagoda due to its location within the Tianqing Temple,...
tianbo yang house, kaifeng
Tianbo Yang House, Kaifeng - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Tianbo Yang House (天波杨府), originally the residence of the Northern Song Dynasty hero Yang Ye, was situated in the northwest corner of the capital of the...
yanqing taoist temple
Yanqing Taoist Temple, Kaifeng - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Yanqing Taoist Temple (延庆观), originally known as Chongyang Temple, was built in honor of the founder of Quanzhen Taoism, Wang Chongyang. Destroyed at the...
Wuxia City of Great Song Dynasty, Kaifeng
Wuxia City of Great Song Dynasty, Kaifeng - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
The Wuxia City of the Great Song Dynasty (大宋武侠城) in Kaifeng City is a themed scenic area established on the foundation of the former National Forest Park....
Baogong Lake, Kaifeng
Baogong Lake, Kaifeng - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Baogong Lake (包公湖), situated in the Gulou District of Kaifeng City, is a picturesque artificial lake constructed in 1954. Nestled in the southwest corner...
bianliang xiaosongcheng
Bianliang Xiaosongcheng, Kaifeng - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Bianliang Xiaosongcheng (汴梁小宋城), located in Kaifeng City, Henan Province, was transformed from the original “Dongjing Art Center”. Covering...
shanxi, shaanxi and gansu guild hall kaifeng
Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Gansu Guild Hall, Kaifeng - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
The Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Gansu Guild Hall (山陕甘会馆), located in Kaifeng City, Henan Province, was established in the 41st year of the Qianlong Emperor’s...
Kaifeng Museum
Kaifeng Museum - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Established on March 3, 1962, the Kaifeng Museum is a comprehensive local museum that integrates cultural relic collection, preservation, scientific research,...
drum tower kaifeng
Drum Tower, Kaifeng - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
The Drum Tower in Kaifeng City (开封鼓楼), initially constructed in the 12th year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1379), used to be the commercial and...
dragon pavilion park, kaifeng
Dragon Pavilion Park (Longting Park) - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Dragon Pavilion Park (Longting Park, 龙亭公园), located in Kaifeng City, Henan Province, is a historic architectural complex modeled after the layout of the...
iron pagoda in kaifeng
Kaifeng Iron Pagoda - First Pagoda in the World
The Iron Pagoda in Kaifeng (开封铁塔) is located in the eastern part of the Iron Pagoda Park on Beimen Street in Kaifeng City, Henan Province. It stands as...
Daxiangguo Temple
Daxiangguo Temple, Kaifeng - Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights
Daxiangguo Temple (大相国寺, or Grand Xiangguo Temple), originally named Jianguo Temple, was established in the sixth year of the Tianbao era (555 AD) during...
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