Zhengzhou | Zhongyuan Tower | A Breathtaking Marvel of Sky Walking
The Zhongyuan Tower in Zhengzhou, a 388-meter-tall all-steel TV tower, stands like a giant pencil on the Central Plains, becoming Zhengzhou's new landmark with its breathtaking sky-walking experience. The tower houses the world's largest hand-painted oil painting "Splendid Central Plains," and features a high-altitude glass walkway and revolving restaurant, allowing visitors to enjoy panoramic city views between thrills and romance.
🎨Must-Do Activities and In-Depth Experiences
Architectural Beauty:
• Hyperbolic Paraboloid Design: The tower body resembles a five-petal plum blossom, symbolizing "five blessings of the plum," and at night, its illumination resembles a pagoda from Dunhuang murals.
• Panoramic Gallery: The Guinness-certified 3,012㎡ hand-painted oil painting "Splendid Central Plains" features a 180° circular screen showcasing scenery from Henan's 18 cities, with sound and light effects creating an immersive time-traveling experience.
High-altitude Adventures:
• Sky Walk: A fully transparent glass walkway at 281m high, featuring a 106m long barrier-free challenge for heart-racing thrills.
• Glass Slide: Plunge down from 268m high through a 37m long slide weaving through the steel jungle with unobstructed panoramic views.
Cultural Experience:
• Revolving Restaurant: "Central Plains No. 1" revolving restaurant at 250m high completes one rotation in 60 minutes, offering seafood buffet with Japanese teppanyaki while enjoying city lights.
• Surname Wall and Celebrity Garden: Second floor base features 14 mythological reliefs including Pangu Creating the World, and 36 statues of historical figures like the Yellow Emperor and Zhang Zhongjing on the circular platform.
🍜Dining Guide and Accommodation Recommendations
• Must-Try Dishes:
◦ Yujun Stone Pot Fish (Shangying Street Branch): Tender spicy stone pot fish, around ¥80 per person.
◦ Ayong Ecological Fish Restaurant: Charcoal-grilled Yellow River carp, around ¥70 per person.
◦ Shangaoxing Meatball Soup: Popular stall on Beixia Street, meatball soup with shredded pancakes, ¥12 for a filling meal.
• Accommodation Options:
◦ High-end Business: Zhengzhou Courtyard by Marriott (from ¥500/night on Trip.com), near Zhengzhou East Station.
◦ Artistic Design: Manhattan Plaza Hotel (from ¥350/night with breakfast for two on Trip.com), 10-minute walk to tower.
💰Tickets and Opening Hours
• Adult: ¥98 (indoor observation + panoramic gallery), extra fees for Sky Walk and other high-altitude activities.
• Student/Senior: ¥58 (ID required), package tickets (including high-altitude activities) from ¥178.
• Hours: 9:30-19:00 (extended to 22:00 in summer), last entry at 18:30.
🚌Transportation Guide
• Subway: Exit C of Zhongyuan Tower Station on Line 5, 5-minute walk.
• Driving: Navigate to "Zhongyuan Tower Parking Lot," ample parking available, arrive before 9:00 AM recommended.
• Bus: Take B17, Route 35, etc. to Hanghai Road Highway Exit Station, 10-minute walk.
Zhongyuan Tower is not just an excellent viewpoint but an immersive experience combining history, technology, and art. Whether for business executives' sky-high meetings or artistic souls seeking poetic dwelling, the tower offers insights into Zhengzhou's "concrete jungle" and "cultural roots." This spring, let the tower be your eyes to understand Zhengzhou's past, present, and future.