Kaifeng

The ancient city of Kaifeng (开封; Kāifēng) is on the southern bank of the Yellow River in eastern Henan Province. The capital of several dynasties, with a history of over 4,100 years, it is a vibrant city today.

History
Kaifeng is one of the oldest cities in China, and was the capital of China during several dynasties including the Xia, Song and Jin and is believed to have been the largest city in the world for most of the 11th century. Marco Polo visited in 1260. Kaifeng's central axis has never changed, and successive iterations of the city were built on top of the ruins of its previous versions.

Around 1,000 years ago, when it was the capital of the Song dynasty, Kaifeng was the most prosperous and busiest city in China and the world. Countless expats immigrated right here and lived their whole lives, especially Arabians and Persians, who afterwards formed a new ethnic group in China, named Hui (回族). Jews also settled in Kaifeng in the Bible Hutong (教经胡同; Jiaojing Hutong). Kaifeng is also famous in China because it is where the huge classic handscroll painting "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" was painted.

By plane
The nearest airport is in Zhengzhou Xinzheng Airport (FTAT Code:CGO), an hour away and ¥160 by taxi or ¥30 by high-speed train (see below). An alternative way from the airport to Kaifeng is to take a shuttle bus from just outside the arrival gate to Civil Aviation Hotel (民航大酒店) in Jinshui Road (¥15), then walk east for around 20 minutes to the mini bus station Deyi Bus Station (德亿汽车站) from where you can take a bus to near Kaifeng Railway Station (¥7).

By train

 * 20210902 Kaifeng Railway Station 01.jpg

By bus
There are buses to Kaifeng from other places in Henan, including from Zhengzhou Long-Distance Bus Station and Luoyang Long Distance Bus Station. There is also long-distance bus service to major cities like Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou.

By taxi
The starting price of a taxi in Kaifeng is 8 RMB. In this RMB 8, the mileage charge of 2 kilometres is included. Anything beyond 2 kilometres will be billed at RMB 1.8 per kilometre.

By bus
Local buses go everywhere within the city and cost ¥1. Bus 20 is a sightseeing bus going to all the major sights.

There is a bus stop at the corner of the carpark in front of the train station. From here bus no 9 and bus no 1 will take you into town - fare ¥1.

By rickshaw
One very good way to get around Kaifeng and see the sites is to take what the locals call "bengbeng"; essentially a tuktuk or motorised rickshaw. 6 kuai will take you from the train station to Henan University's old campus, essentially the length of the city. Short trips should be two or three kuai.

Landmarks and buildings








Do

 * Yellow River - panoramio.jpg
 * Yellow River - panoramio.jpg

Local products

 * Embroidery &mdash; dates back to the Northern Song Dynasty
 * Fighting Kites
 * New Year Posters &mdash; originally made in nearby Zhuxianzhen and dates back to the Tang Dynasty, shows rural scenes with persons from famous legends.
 * Watermelon &mdash; the local watermelons are considered especially tasty
 * Spiced Bean Curd &mdash; the local tradition for spiced bean curd dates back at least 2000 years
 * Peanut Cake &mdash; has been made here for more than 1000 years

Budget
You will find a lot of snack stands around, which include Sandao (made of flour, bee honey, sugar and stuff), peanut cake, sesame cake etc. There are also many other cheap options.



Drink
Taiwan style milk tea stands in Bookstore Street (Shudian Jie).



Go next
Small town with mainly Karaoke Bar and restaurant to hang out. You can get a taxi ride to the "Huang He" (Yellow River) which is quite near from Kaifeng.

By train or bus, the bus station is across the street from the train Station.