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Kaifeng — China travel

3 Days in Kaifeng

Three days of the old Song capital: the scroll brought to life at the 1998 park, the 555-year temple, the 1049 Iron Pagoda and the 14.4-km wall over six stacked cities.

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Best time: April-May or September-October (chrysanthemum weeks)Budget: mid-range

Quick Answer

Is 3 days enough for Kaifeng?

3 days covers Kaifeng's top highlights but you'll move fast. Add 2 days if you want a slower pace or a day trip.

Source: NihaoVisit Kaifeng guide

3-day Kaifeng itinerary at a glance

Use our full Kaifeng travel guide as the base and adapt it to 3 days. Keep the city's three signature attractions as the backbone; fill the rest with neighborhood walks, food markets, and an easy day trip.

Millennium City ParkLongting ParkDaxiangguo Temple & Kaifeng FuZhou Bridge excavation siteIron Pagoda & city wall
1
Day 1

Longting lakes & the scroll in 3D

Morning between the Pan and Yang lakes at Longting, over the buried Song palace of the 960-1127 capital; afternoon and evening inside the 1998 park that stages Zhang Zeduan's 5.28-metre scroll, with costumed parades and a lake show.

Scenes from Kaifeng, China
  1. kaifeng longting park
  2. kaifeng millennium city park
2
Day 2

Temple, magistrate's court & night market

The temple founded in 555 and renamed in 712 keeps its 7-metre sandalwood Guanyin; the rebuilt Kaifeng Fu court of Bao Zheng (999-1062) runs case re-enactments; the 2022-excavated Zhou Bridge shows Song-to-Ming strata under glass; then the night market's soup dumplings.

Scenes from Kaifeng, China
  1. kaifeng daxiangguo temple
  2. kaifeng fu
  3. kaifeng zhouqiao site
  4. kaifeng drum tower night market
3
Day 3

Iron Pagoda, wall & departure

The glazed-brick pagoda of 1049 rises 55.88 metres over 13 storeys; the Qing wall runs about 14.4 km over six stacked cities; a slow Shudian Street ends the trip before the HSR from Kaifeng North.

Kaifeng City Wall, Kaifeng, China
  1. kaifeng iron pagoda
  2. Kaifeng City Wall
  3. kaifeng shudian street

Budget for 3 days in Kaifeng

TierPer day3 days total
BackpackerUSD $50–$80USD $150–$240
Mid-rangeUSD $100–$200USD $300–$600
LuxuryUSD $300+USD $900+

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Frequently asked questions

What is the daily budget for Kaifeng?
Budget travelers: USD $50–$80/day. Mid-range: $100–$200/day. Luxury: $300+/day. These cover hotel, three meals, transit, and one paid attraction per day.
Do I need a visa to visit Kaifeng?
It depends on your passport — see our <a href="/china-visa-2026/">China visa guide</a> for the latest country-by-country list. Most Western passport holders can enter visa-free for 30 days as of 2026.
How do I get from the airport to the center of Kaifeng?
Kaifeng's main airport connects to the city center via airport bus, taxi, or metro where available. See the airport transfer section of our Kaifeng guide.
Can I use 3 days for both Kaifeng and a side trip?
Tight. With only 3 days, focus on Kaifeng proper; save side trips for a future trip.
Is Kaifeng safe for tourists?
Yes. Kaifeng has very low violent crime rates and is widely considered safe for foreign tourists. Standard petty-theft precautions apply. See our <a href="/is-china-safe-2026/">is China safe</a> page.

See also: Kaifeng travel guide, China visa 2026, China trip cost.