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Kaifeng Travel Guide 2026

Capital of the Song dynasty. The Millennium City Park recreates Song-era China, with night markets that have run for 1,000+ years.

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Kaifeng travel photo

TL;DR

Kaifeng was the capital of the Northern Song dynasty (960-1127 AD) and one of the world's largest cities of its time, with a population of over 1 million. The Millennium City Park (清明上河园) is a Song-dynasty theme park built around the famous Qingming Shanghe Tu painting, with live performances, traditional architecture, and interactive workshops. Kaifeng's night market (鼓楼夜市) has been running for 1,000+ years. Plan 1-2 days. Easy high-speed rail from Zhengzhou (20 minutes) or Xi'an (3 hours).
Best time to visitApril-May and September-October; lantern festival in February is special
Daily budget$40 (backpacker) / $90 (mid-range) / $220+ (luxury)
CurrencyCNY (¥) — Alipay/WeChat Pay in most shops
LanguageMandarin (Henan dialect; English limited outside hotels)
Time zoneChina Standard Time (UTC+8)
Last updated2026-06-10

What is the Millennium City Park?

Millennium City Park (清明上河园) is a 600-acre Song-dynasty theme park built around the famous Qingming Shanghe Tu scroll (1080 AD, often called "China's Mona Lisa"). The park has 50+ live performances daily — Song-era street vendors, imperial guards, traditional archery, water puppet shows. ¥120 entry. Allow 4-5 hours. The park is busy but well-organized. Best photo spot: the Rainbow Bridge (虹桥).

Is Kaifeng worth a day trip from Zhengzhou?

Yes — Kaifeng is one of the best day trips from Zhengzhou (the Henan capital). High-speed rail from Zhengzhou to Kaifeng takes 20-30 minutes, with 50+ daily trains at ¥18-30. The Millennium City Park is the main attraction; combine with the Iron Pagoda and the night market. For more, stay 1-2 nights to include Dragon Pavilion and Xiangguo Temple.

What is the best Kaifeng food?

Kaifeng is famous for its soup dumplings (灌汤包, guantang bao) and a 1,000-year night market. Must-try: First Floor Soup Dumplings (第一楼灌汤包, founded 1922, the most famous), Kaifeng's signature peanut cake (花生糕), mutton soup (羊肉汤), night market kebabs, and the unique "fried dough twists" (麻花). The Gulou Night Market (鼓楼夜市) has 700+ stalls and is open until 11 PM.

How do I get from Xi'an to Kaifeng?

High-speed rail from Xi'an North to Kaifeng North takes 3-3.5 hours, with 20+ daily trains at ¥250-300. From Beijing, 3 hours via the G-train. From Shanghai, 4 hours. From Luoyang, 1 hour. Most trains go via Zhengzhou, which is 20 minutes from Kaifeng.

Is Kaifeng family-friendly?

Yes — Kaifeng is excellent for families. The Millennium City Park has interactive workshops (calligraphy, paper cutting, traditional toys) and 50+ daily performances that engage children. The night market is a kid favorite. The Iron Pagoda and Dragon Pavilion are educational. Kaifeng is much smaller and less crowded than Zhengzhou or Beijing, making it easier to navigate with kids.

Top attractions

Millennium City Park (清明上河园)

Song-dynasty themed park with live performances, traditional crafts, and reconstructed buildings. ¥120. Allow 4-5 hours.

Iron Pagoda Park (铁塔公园)

1,000-year-old glazed-brick pagoda, 56m tall, the oldest surviving major pagoda in China. ¥40.

Dragon Pavilion (龙亭)

Qing-dynasty imperial palace site, with a massive lake and 36m dragon pavilion. ¥55.

Kaifeng Night Market (鼓楼夜市)

Centuries-old night market, 700+ food stalls. Famous for soup dumplings, peanut cakes, and mutton kebabs. ¥0 entry, ¥5-30 per dish.

Xiangguo Temple (相国寺)

Northern Song Buddhist temple, with the famous thousand-hand Guanyin. ¥40.

Frequently asked questions

How much time do I need in Kaifeng?
1-2 days. Day 1: Millennium City Park (full day, 4-5 hours) + Iron Pagoda Park (1-2 hours) + Gulou Night Market (evening). Day 2 (if time): Dragon Pavilion (2 hours) + Xiangguo Temple (1.5 hours) + a Song-era cultural show.
What is the best time to see the Millennium City Park?
Arrive at opening (8:30 AM) to catch the morning performances. The park fills up by 10 AM. The evening "Dream of the Song Dynasty" performance (¥199 separate ticket) is a popular addition. Avoid weekends and Golden Week — crowds are extreme.
Can I do Kaifeng and Luoyang in one trip?
Yes — Kaifeng and Luoyang are 1 hour apart by high-speed rail and complement each other (both Song-era capitals, with different surviving heritage). A 3-4 day Henan trip covering Zhengzhou, Kaifeng, and Luoyang is a popular alternative to the Xi'an-focused central China itinerary.
Do I need a guide for Kaifeng?
Not strictly required — the Millennium City Park is walkable with English signage, and the night market is self-explanatory. A guide adds value for the historical context of the Song dynasty and the Qingming Shanghe Tu painting. For first-time visitors, the official Millennium City Park audio guide (¥30) is sufficient.
Is Kaifeng safe?
Yes — Kaifeng is very safe. Petty crime is rare. The main risks: pickpocketing in the night market (watch your wallet), uneven streets around the Millennium City Park, and traffic at the Gulou entrance. Most areas are pedestrianized and safe.

References

  1. UNESCO: Kaifeng tentative list
  2. Kaifeng Tourism (official)
  3. China Travel: Kaifeng guide

Written by

NihaoVisit Editorial Team

Travel research team · Regular policy and price audits

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