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Longting Park龙亭公园
Longting Park sits at the heart of Kaifeng's old city, a Qing-dynasty imperial garden laid out on the ruins of the Northern Song palace. Its glittering Dragon Pavilion hall is the symbol of Kaifeng and the main venue of the city's annual chrysanthemum festival.
Kaifeng · Visitor Guide2026-10-19
Quick Answer
Is Longting Park worth visiting?
Qing-dynasty imperial garden on the site of the Northern Song palace in Kaifeng, its 30-metre hall of 1692 rising above 72 steps; entry 50 yuan, students 25 yuan, open 7:00-19:00.
Quick facts
| Ticket | Adults ¥50; students and seniors ¥25 |
|---|---|
| Hours | 07:00-19:00 (may extend in summer) |
| Recommended duration | 1.5-2.5 hours |
| Best time to visit | April-June (spring); October-November (chrysanthemum festival) |
| How to get there | Buses 1 or 15 from Kaifeng railway station to the Longting stop; taxi about 15 yuan |
| English signage | Partial |
| Wheelchair accessible | Partial |
| Historical layers | Northern Song palace site under Qing architecture |
| Built | Pavilion raised in 1692 (31st year of Kangxi) |
| Hall height | About 30 m, atop 72 steps |
| Foundations | Site of the Song palace's Vermilion Bird Gate |
| Status | Landmark sight of Kaifeng |
| Chrysanthemum festival | Held every October-November |
What to expect
Longting Park lies on Kaifeng's old north-south axis, on the site of the Northern Song imperial palace — a spot that saw six dynasties of palace-building. The present Dragon Pavilion is a Qing structure; climb the 72 steps to its resplendent hall.
The hall, about 30 m tall, is a Qing-era building in Song style and displays a model of the Northern Song palace along with historical artifacts. From the top you get a full panorama of the old city and a sense of the grandeur Dongjing, the Song capital, once projected.
Each October-November the park hosts the Kaifeng chrysanthemum culture festival, with thousands of varieties in bloom — the city's most important floral event. In spring, willows along the twin lakes make the park a pleasant stroll too.
How to get there
Buses 1, 15, and 20 from Kaifeng railway station stop at Longting Park; from Kaifeng North (high-speed) station take bus 47 and transfer to bus 1. A taxi from downtown takes about 20 minutes.
Best photo spots
- Panorama of the Dragon Pavilion hall from the foot of the 72 steps
- Reflections in Pan Family Lake and Yang Family Lake
- The chrysanthemum displays during the festival
- Roof-ridge ornaments of the hall
- Locals doing morning exercise
Tips
- Go early or late in the day for good light and thinner crowds
- The festival draws huge crowds — book accommodation well ahead
- The hall steps are steep; take care on the climb
- Combines well with Millennium City Park and Kaifeng Prefecture in one day
Scams to avoid
- Fortune-tellers nearby use superstition ploys to extract money
- Mobile vendors at the gate shortchange on weights; buy from proper shops
Frequently asked questions
How is Longting different from Millennium City Park?
Longting is a real historical site (a Qing imperial garden), while Millennium City Park is a Song-theme recreation modeled on the painting Along the River During the Qingming Festival. Different styles, and easy to visit together.
How long does a visit take?
The park itself takes about 1.5-2 hours; longer if you add boating on Pan Family Lake and Yang Family Lake.
When is the chrysanthemum festival?
Mid-October to mid-November every year; Longting Park is one of the main venues of the Kaifeng chrysanthemum culture festival.
Read next
Other things to do in Kaifeng
Kaifeng City Wall
One of China's best-preserved ancient city walls, running 14 km; the southeastern section is open for walks along the top.
Bao Zheng Temple
Memorial temple to Song-dynasty judge Bao Zheng in Kaifeng, first built in the Jin dynasty 800 years ago and rebuilt in 1984; entry 30 yuan, students 15 yuan, open 8:00-18:00.
Fan Pagoda
Kaifeng's oldest surviving building, begun in 976 — a hexagonal six-story brick pagoda about 36 m tall and a treasure of Song architecture. Grounds free; the relics office charges CNY 10.
Kaifeng Prefecture
Rebuilt in 2003 as a replica of the Northern Song's chief prefecture in Kaifeng, covering about 2.6 hectares; entry 65 yuan, students 35 yuan, open 08:00-18:30.
Yanqing Temple
One of the three ancestral Quanzhen Taoist temples, founded around 1242 in Kaifeng; entry 30 yuan, students 15 yuan, open 08:00-18:00, its halls blending Taoist and Mongolian yurt styles.