SONG DU HE YUAN

The soup dumplings are freshly made and steamed, so the waiting time is not very long. There are 10 dumplings in a basket, which is enough for two people. The skin is thin and the filling is large. There are shrimps in each one. Take a small bite, pour the juice in the spoon first, and drink it. It is really delicious.

There are all kinds of food, both lunch and dinner.

The dishes are freshly made, and the soup dumplings are always delicious and often ordered for takeout.

Outbound: Beijing Fengtai - Kaifeng K1305 22:11 - 07:56 the next day. Tickets were hard to get; I waited a long time on the waitlist before finally getting a hard sleeper upper berth. If you have enough time, you could consider transferring in Zhengzhou. Return: Transfer in Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou - Beijing West K180 22:03 - 06:04. I stayed near Bao Gong Temple, which was very convenient for transportation, especially for taking a boat trip on the Bian River. The main idea was to be spontaneous and have no plans. After exiting the station, I went to the hotel first, followed the navigation, took a random bus, and walked to the hotel. After checking in, I had breakfast nearby—spicy soup and steamed buns for less than ten yuan. Kaifeng doesn't seem very big; you can use shared electric bikes to get around to various attractions. However, there's a problem: you have to stop at designated "P" points (points of interest), otherwise you have to pay a 15 yuan dispatch fee. I'd rather walk more than pay that fee; otherwise, I'd just take a taxi. In the afternoon, we went to Wansui Mountain, entering from the city wall entrance, thus covering the entire city wall scenic area. Wansui Mountain was incredibly crowded! After walking a short distance, we felt like we couldn't move anymore, so we returned the way we came without seeing much. The cultural and creative shops at the Iron Pagoda Park are truly excellent value; refrigerator magnets are only 9 yuan each and are very pretty. Don't miss them! I've never found anything so cheap anywhere else! In the evening, everyone visiting Kaifeng should definitely experience the boat tour. I took my mother on the boat, and she absolutely loved it. You can see the exterior of Hanyuan Stele Forest, Tianbo Yang Mansion, Bao Gong Temple, and Longting. The tour includes a guided tour explaining Kaifeng's history, which is very meaningful and comfortable. We arrived at the local night market to try the local snacks! On the way back, we had a layover in Zhengzhou and made a quick stop at the Henan Museum. It has so many treasures; the bronze dog is so lifelike! After leaving the museum, we ate some braised noodles by the roadside, which were surprisingly delicious. I made sure to remember the name: Yu Dong Lai Liu Ji Whole Lamb Fresh Soup Braised Noodles Restaurant (Jingqi Road Branch). Speaking of which, I have to complain about almost eating a counterfeit xiaolongbao (soup dumpling) in Kaifeng. Heyuan Guantangbaozi (Hanxing Road Direct Store) was trying to piggyback on the success of Songdu Heyuan Guantangbaozi (Hanxing Road Direct Store). The two stores are less than 100 meters apart, making it easy for out-of-towners to get lost using navigation. #KaifengTravelGuide

📅 Trip Highlights: Immersive Song Dynasty Cultural Experience (Qingming Shanghe Park, Great Song Dynasty Martial Arts City) A Taste of Kaifeng (Night Market Snacks, Traditional Henan Cuisine) Combining History and Art (Museum, Iron Tower Light and Shadow Show) 🗓️ Day 1: Journey Through the Flourishing Northern Song Dynasty 🌞 Morning 📍 Qingming Shanghe Park (Admission: 120 RMB, Opens at 8:30 AM) ✅ Must-See Activities: 9:00 AM Opening Performance (Hongqiao Square) 10:10 AM Yue Fei Challenges the Young King of Liang (Parasite Horseback Battle) 11:00 AM Experience Song Dynasty Costumes (Hanfu rentals within the park: 50 RMB/hour) 🍜 Lunch: Enjoy soup dumplings and baked carp noodles at the "Tokyo Food Square" within the park 🌙 Afternoon to Evening 📍 Longting Park (Admission: 35 RMB) Admire the ruins of the Six Dynasties Imperial Palace and ascend the Longting Hall for a panoramic view of the Pan and Yang Lakes 📍 Great Song Dynasty Martial Arts City (Night Tour Ticket 60 Yuan, Entry After 5:00 PM) ✅ Must-Sees: 7:30 PM: The Three Attacks on Zhujiazhuang (Live Horse Battle) 8:40 PM: Iron Flower Show (Amazing!) 🍢 Dinner: Xisi Night Market (Braised Fish and Fried Jelly are recommended) 🗓️ Day 2: History and Art Journey 🌞 Morning 📍 Kaifeng Museum (Free, Reservations Required) Highlights: The Song Dynasty History and Culture Exhibition (1st Floor) and the Qingming Festival Along the River Exhibition 📍 Tianbo Yang Mansion (Ticket 30 Yuan) Live Performance of the Story of the Yang Family Generals (10:30 AM/3:00 PM) 🌙 Afternoon to Night 📍 Iron Tower Park (Ticket 30 Yuan) Climb the Millennium Glazed Tower (Limited Opening Hours), and enjoy the stunning evening light and shadow show! 📍 Drum Tower Night Market (opens at 6:00 PM) ✅ Must-try: First Floor Soup Dumplings (a time-honored brand) Almond tea, mutton steamed buns 🗓️ Day 3: In-depth, off-the-beaten-path experiences 🌞 Morning 📍 Fan Tower (admission 15 yuan) Kaifeng's oldest building, climb the tower to see Song Dynasty brick carvings of Buddha statues 📍 Zhuxian Town Qifeng Ancient Garden (40 minutes from the city center, admission 60 yuan) Experience woodblock New Year painting making and pray at Yue Fei Temple 🌙 Afternoon, before returning home 📍 Bookstore Street Search for ancient books and cultural products, and enjoy a "Song Dynasty"-themed coffee 🍜 Food Hits and Hits ✅ Recommended: Soup Dumplings (First Floor, Huang's Old Shop) Baked Carp Noodles (sweet and sour, a must-try Henan cuisine) Night Market Snacks: Mutton steamed buns, fried jelly, almond tea ❌ Avoid: Packaged snacks sold as "Kaifeng specialties" at the entrance to scenic spots (not authentic). 🚗 Transportation Tips Within the city: Taxis start at 7 yuan, and shared electric bikes are available throughout the city. Between scenic spots: Buses run along dedicated tourist routes (Line 1 connects major attractions). 🏨 Accommodation Recommendations High-end: Pullman Jianye (next to the Qingming Riverside Park). Value: B&Bs near the Drum Tower (100-200 yuan/night). 💡 Tips: Wear comfortable shoes! Most of Kaifeng's attractions are paved with cobblestones. Combo tickets are more cost-effective (e.g., the "Kaifeng Annual Pass" includes 10 attractions for 80 yuan). Autumn is the best time to visit (the Chrysanthemum Culture Festival in October and November is stunning). #KaifengTourism #KaifengTravelStrategy #KaifengTravel