Kaifeng is located in Henan Province, with 4100 years of history. As the “Ancient Capital of the Eight Dynasties”, Kaifeng boasts rich historical heritage. Kaifeng is also famous for the Henan Opera, making it an important cultural tourism city in China.
Here are the top Kaifeng attractions that you can explore during your China history tour to Kaifeng of Henan. And this guide will provide detailed information on things to do in Kaifeng.
1. Millennium City Park
Visiting Millennium City Park is one of the top things to do in Kaifeng. Millennium City Park is a large theme park on the history and culture of the Song Dynasty. Stroll through the park to enjoy the views of the magnificent royal buildings and gardens.
Watch many performances that show the culture and life of the Northern Song Dynasty. Also explore traditional handicrafts such as embroidery and tea ceremonies, as well as folklore like acrobatics. As one of the top Kaifeng attractions, you can experience the charm of Kaifeng culture and history here.
- Location: Longting West Road, Longting District, KaifengCity, Henan Province, China
- Opening time: 8:30-22:00
- Ticket price:120 yuan (free for children under 1.2 meters)
2. Kaifeng City Wall
The Kaifeng City Wall was built in the Tang Dynasty, with a total length of 14.4 kilometers. The existing Kaifeng City Wall still remains the architectural style and scale of the Yuan and Ming Dynasties. Choose to take a walk or rent a bicycle to explore the city wall.
Standing on the viewing point, you can overlook the lively Kaifeng cityscape. One of the best things to do in Kaifeng is to climb the Kaifeng City Wall to see the vibrant chrysanthemums, especially during the Kaifeng Chrysanthemum Festival.
- Location: Yingbin Road, Gulou District, KaifengCity, Henan Province, China
- Opening time:8:30-21:30
- Ticket price:40 yuan (free for children under 1.2 meters)
3. Iron Pagoda
The Iron Pagoda is one of the tallest and oldest glazed brick pagodas in China, with a height of 55.88 meters. Its exterior is covered with brown glazed bricks, making it look like an “iron tower”. The Iron Pagoda is a traditional Chinese wooden structure with exquisite carvings that reflects the art of ancient architecture.
The pagoda is also an important Buddhist building and enshrines many Buddhist statues and scriptures. The Iron Pagoda is one of the top Kaifeng attractions to learn about Buddhism. And visiting this temple is one of the top things to do in Kaifeng for Buddhists.
- Location: Iron Pagoda Park, Beimen Street, Shunhe Hui District, Kaifeng, Henan Province, China
- Opening time: 8:30-18:00
- Ticket price: 40 yuan(free for children under 1.4 meters)
4. Dragon Pavilion
The Dragon Pavilion was built in the early Qing Dynasty and now becomes one of the main attractions of Dragon Pavilion Park. The majestic building is a valuable relic for studying the history of the Song and Qing dynasties. Climb up the Dragon Pavilion to admire the beautiful lakes in the distance, as well as the gorgeous scenery of the Dragon Pavilion Park.
Every October, Dragon Pavilion Park displays thousands of chrysanthemums as the main venue of the Kaifeng Chrysanthemum Festival. So in fall, enjoying the chrysanthemums at the Dragon Pavilion is one of the top things to do in Kaifeng.
- Location: Dragon Pavilion Park, Longting District, KaifengCity, Henan Province, China
- Opening time: 8:00-22:00
- Ticket price: 45yuan per person for the park (free for children under 1.2 meters)
5. Kaifeng Fu (Kaifeng Government Official)
Kaifeng Palace is a themed scenic spot of Song culture, built on the model of the governmental office of Kaifeng during Song Dynasty. There are nine cultural displays, which shows scenes of officials dealing with government affairs in the Northern Song Dynasty.
Also watch various folk performances at the scenic spots to learn about famous Kaifeng historical stories. Besides, watching live shows at Kaifeng Fu is one of the best things to do in Kaifeng.
- Location: Baogong East Lake, Gulou District, KaifengCity, Henan Province, China
- Opening time: 7:00-19:00(in spring, summer, fall); 7:30-17:30 (in winter)
- Ticket price: 65yuan (free for children under 1.2 meters)
6. Kaifeng Museum
For history lovers, visiting the Kaifeng Museum is one of the top things to do in Kaifeng. The architectural design of the museum highlights the features of the Kaifeng City in the Northern Song Dynasty, which consists of three parts.
There are more than 80,000 cultural relics from different historical periods, such as pottery, porcelain and bronze. You can explore various themed exhibitions to see the prosperous cityscape of Kaifeng during the Song Dynasty.
- Location: The Sixth Avenueof Zheng-Kai Wide Road, Kaifeng, Henan Province, China
- Opening time: 9:00-17:00 (closed on Monday)
- Ticket price: Free
7. Xiangguo Temple
Founded in 555 AD, the Xiangguo Temple is a famous Buddhist temple in China. During the Northern Song Dynasty, it became the center of Buddhist activities in the country. There are many well-preserved Buddhist architecture of Qing Dynasty, with glazed brick roofs and exquisite carvings.
Also explore the majestic statues of Buddha and precious Buddhist scriptures. Wander around the temple, you can witness the Xiangguo Frosty Bell, one of the top Kaifeng attractions. The Xiangguo Temple has a profound Buddhist cultural heritage, so visiting the historic temple is one of the top things to do in Kaifeng for Buddhists.
- Location: No.36 Ziyou West Road, Gulou District, Kaifeng, Henan Province, China
- Opening time: 8:00-18:30
- Ticket price: 40 yuan (free for children under 1.4meters)
8. Bianjing Park
The Bianjing Park is the only Kaifeng attraction that combines leisure activities and animal watching. It has many recreational facilities that are great for families with children. The zoo is located in the northwestern part of the Bianjing park, where you and your kids can observe over 145 animals, including tigers, lions, bears and monkeys.
There are more than 200 kinds of flowers and trees, including a rich variety of chrysanthemums. In autumn, admiring the colorful chrysanthemums in Bianjing Park is also one of the top things to do in Kaifeng.
- Location: Bianjing Road, Shunhe HuiDistrict, Kaifeng, Henan Province, China
- Opening time: 06:00-21:00
- Ticket price: Free; the fee for the zoo is 20 yuan (free for children under 1.2 meters)
9. Kaifeng Night Market
Exploring the night markets must be one of the best things to do in Kaifeng. Night market culture flourished in Kaifeng during the Northern Song Dynasty. Now the largest night market in Kaifeng is Gulou Night Market. Wander around the night market to taste various Kaifeng cuisine, such as Fried Jelly, Soup with Pepper and Fish with Fried Noodles.
Laohe Da Night Market and Xisi Night Market are also famous Kaifeng attractions, where you can immerse in the lively local nightlife. You can choose the proper night market to explore according to your travel to Kaifeng.
- Location: Gulou Street, Gulou District, KaifengCity, Henan Province, China
- Opening time: 10:00-22:00
- Ticket price: Free
Recommended China Henan Tours:
- 6 Days Henan Tour: Zhengzhou, Kaifeng, Dengfeng, Luoyang
- 2 Days Best Luoyang Tour with Local Experts
- Luoyang Highlight Day Tour: Longmen Grottoes and Shaolin Temple
- 8 Days Beijing Luoyang Xian Cultural Tour
