A Romantic Secret Realm from the Book of Songs

Just 40 minutes from Zhengzhou! This water town straight out of the Book of Songs hides a millennium of romance and vibrant life Stop crowding into the water towns of Jiangnan! Near Zhengzhou lies a secret realm that went viral as soon as it opened—Qinwei Water City. Every breeze here carries the rhythm of the Book of Songs, every lamp reflects stories a thousand years old. Breathe fresh air in Hongyan Canyon in the morning, watch ancient court trials in the afternoon, be amazed by the light and shadow show at night, and late at night, feast on a plate of juicy stir-fried shrimp tails. This is what a truly healing weekend looks like! First, understand the origin of these two rare characters! "Qinwei" comes from two ancient rivers flowing through Xinmi. The romance in the Book of Songs · Zheng Feng, “The gentleman and the lady, holding peonies,” describes young men and women here exchanging peonies as tokens of love. Opened in 2025, Qinwei Water City blends the three themes of "Feng, Ya, Song" (Airs, Elegance, and Odes) into its streets, creating a time-traveling atmosphere in the very air. Best of all, it’s free to enter and just a 40-minute drive away—an essential weekend recharge spot for Zhengzhou workers! One-day legendary route: a perfect connection from nature to vibrant life Morning: Fuxi Mountain Grand Canyon—A natural oxygen bar for fresh air and lung cleansing Arrive before 8:30! Tested and proven, this is when there are the fewest visitors, and you can almost have the Hongyan cliffside plank road all to yourself. Walk along the canyon to see the four waterfalls—Hidden Dragon, Appearing Dragon, Alert Dragon, and Leaping Dragon—spraying cool water on your face. The reflection in Fuxi Lake captures the sky in the water, and the Three-Life Stone and Bagua Terrace make for photos with a Zen filter. Key tip: Hold a Zhengkai Tourism Annual Pass for free entry, saving money for delicious food! Be sure to leave before noon to make the most of the next stop’s prime time. Afternoon: Mixian County Government Office—Unlock the secrets of "China’s First Government Office" At 12:30, head straight to the core of the "Feng" theme area—the Mixian County Government Office, founded in the Sui Dynasty. Don’t just take photos of the ancient buildings; be sure to touch the Sui Dynasty roof beams and pillars, feeling 1,400 years of history under your fingertips. The highlight is the ancient prison here, which was in use until 2003. The worn iron bars tell a story more vivid than any explanation. Remember the 3:00 PM court trial performance—the magistrate’s lines are both adorable and hardcore, and the interactive segment lets you be part of the "audience," way more exciting than watching a costume drama. 🌟 Afternoon to night: Full immersive tour of Qinwei Water City 2:30 PM Start with Fahai Temple and the City God Temple. The ancient temple named by Song Emperor Zhenzong holds surprises, and the 11-meter-high Ming Dynasty glazed tile screen at the City God Temple shines like it’s studded with gems—every detail is exquisite. 3:30 PM Move to the "Ya" theme area, Zijingli. Rent a Hanfu outfit for 50 yuan and instantly transform into a classical beauty. The hairstylist’s peony hairpin costs only 10 yuan, instantly boosting the photo vibe. Don’t miss the Song Dynasty tea art at the nearby Yuzaoli, where the tea foam painting master will teach you to write the characters "Qinwei," giving a huge sense of accomplishment. 4:00 PM Must-visit: Book of Songs Shadow Pursuit Pavilion! Step on the "vine grass" patterned floor tiles to trigger poetry recitations. Take photos in front of the "Zijing Ripples" water curtain, where the water waves reflect your flowing robes—your social media grid will be the envy of all. Don’t miss the exquisite jade carvings at Xunchifang; the palm-sized jade pendants carved with Qinwei scenery make thoughtful gifts. 5:00 PM Climb the East City Gate for the best view! Enjoy the breeze while nibbling on pear syrup candy, watch the sunset dye the water city warm gold, and hear the wind chimes on Huizheng Bridge accompany the recitations of the Book of Songs. At this moment, you truly understand the meaning of "poetry and the distant place." 7:30 PM The climax of the light and shadow show! Thousands of lights project a dynamic Book of Songs scroll onto the city walls. The verse "Qin and Wei, gently flowing" moves with the lights, captivating even children. Afterwards, embark on the "Xuanggu Secret Scroll" adventure—ride the underground mine cart and solve puzzles with NPCs. For the timid, bring a companion for extra excitement. On Fridays and Saturdays, don’t miss the Long Street Banquet at East Gate Square! Reservations are required to enjoy twelve "Qin" flavors. The angelica black-bone chicken soup is so fresh it’ll make your eyebrows raise, and the saffron sushi reinvents medicinal cuisine. Diners even exchange peonies, recreating the romance of the Book of Songs. 🍴 Food Highlights: From ancient water city flavors to night market revelry ✅ Must-eat in the water city: Tiger Family braised beef—order half a pound, paired with imperial palace medicinal vinegar to cut the grease and whet your appetite; "Queyin" tea foam art is both edible and viewable, full of ritual; Mai Lang Restaurant’s Henan cuisine offers great value, with chewy and smooth acorn jelly and juicy Xinmi rolls. ✅ Night market options: Qiaotou Night Market’s Xinmi stir-fried shrimp tails are the soul! Spicy broth coats tender shrimp meat, even the shells are flavorful. Paired with iron plate shredded pancakes soaked in broth, it’s so good you’ll lick the plate clean; Qingping Square Night Market offers limited-time benefits before July—free cooling medicinal tea and acupuncture massage experiences, perfect for relaxing after shopping. ✅ Hidden gem: Don’t miss Xiao Dong BBQ inside the water city! Creamy butter skewers burst with juice, braised pork and chicken feet fall off the bone, and stinky tofu soaked in broth with pickles is a local secret show-off. ⚠️ Avoid pitfalls & ultimate money-saving tips ✅ Transportation: Drive and navigate to "Qinwei Water City East Gate," 40 minutes direct, free underground parking; by bus, take Zhengzhou Passenger Transport Terminal to Xinmi East Station, then a 15-yuan taxi ride—economical and hassle-free. ✅ Night tour tips: Arrive before 7:00 PM to secure front-row spots at East City Gate, or your view will be blocked; rainy days bring extra magic—black awning boats glide over emerald waves, misty rain feels like traveling to Jiangnan, just remember to bring an umbrella so you don’t end up with wet shoes like me. ✅ Hidden experiences: Wear light-colored clothes for better photos at the light show; tea foam art from Queyin can be taken home as a souvenir; don’t throw away the peony flowers from the Long Street Banquet—place them in your guesthouse vase and they’ll bloom for three days. From the greenery of Fuxi Mountain to the ancient charm of the county office, from the poetic atmosphere of the water city to the lively night market, the most touching thing about Qinwei Water City is how it weaves a thousand years of culture into everyday life. When you stand beneath the East City Gate, watching the illuminated Book of Songs scroll and savoring spicy shrimp tails, you suddenly realize: poetry and the distant place have always been this close to us.