Things to do in Kaifeng

As night falls over the Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden, craftsmen raise their hands, sending molten iron soaring into the air. In an instant, golden light explodes, transforming into a shower of fireflies that rain down into the Bian River, reflecting a galaxy of stars on its shimmering surface. Along the riverbank, the lights of Song-style pavilions flicker, the golden blossoms vanishing in an instant, creating an atmosphere as if stepping into a radiant Song Dynasty night from the "Dongjing Menghualu" (Record of the Splendor of the Eastern Capital).

It's very worthwhile, but it's also very crowded, which might slightly detract from the overall experience. However, the people are incredibly welcoming, and there are many beautiful spots for taking photos. The food is also affordable and inexpensive, which kids enjoy. I'll definitely go back when it's less crowded.

This is my second visit to Wansui Mountain. Every time I visit Kaifeng, this is the only place I can explore because it's so much fun! Many of the popular NPCs can keep me there all day; there's just no room to move. The scenery is vast. There are people interacting with everything. You can play games from morning till night. Everyone, from NPCs to security guards, cleaners, and shopkeepers, is incredibly welcoming, making you feel happy. There are so many activities! Prices are cheap, and there are plenty of restrooms, so you don't have to worry about finding one. The cleaning is excellent; you won't feel uncomfortable at all. Every staff member is exceptionally nice; no wonder it's ranked number one in the country. It's all thanks to the hard work of every staff member. Kudos to the operations team and all the cultural and tourism professionals!

YYDS is a less-visited attraction with good sightseeing potential. While it can't compare to Qingming Festival or Wansui Mountain, it's still a good place to spend half a day strolling and eating. It would be even better if more performances were added. The best time to visit is from 4 pm to evening for a night tour, where you can climb Qingxin Tower for a panoramic view of the entire scenic area! Come to Kaifeng and visit Kaifeng Prefecture! 🫶

Kaifeng City Museum is located on Zhengkai Avenue, Sixth Street, Kaifeng City, Henan Province, east of Zhongyi Lake. It is a comprehensive local museum integrating cultural relic collection, preservation, scientific research, exhibitions, and public education. It is a unit under the Kaifeng Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism. The museum is a national first-class museum. Admission is free on weekdays. It is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and closed on Mondays (the schedule may be adjusted for public holidays). It is recommended to make a reservation in advance via the official WeChat account or mini-program using your real name. Entry is by presenting the reservation code and your ID card.

The banks of the Bian River are brightly lit at night, which is very beautiful. There are also many performances along the way. After dinner, you can take a boat to enjoy the scenery, which is perfect. It costs 50 yuan per person, which is not bad. After boarding the boat, you can stroll around the Xisi Night Market and have a late-night snack.

It's not very big inside. I thought the weather would be cooler in early September, but it was still very hot. I sat and strolled around, and finished exploring in a morning. The scenery was nice, and it was quiet.

The park is quite large, and its most famous feature is the 13-story octagonal iron pagoda built during the Northern Song Dynasty (named for its brown glazed bricks that resemble iron from a distance). A recommended way to visit is to join a free guided tour at the service station near the entrance. The tour will take you all the way to the iron pagoda, and then you can take the park shuttle bus (5 yuan per trip, from the iron pagoda to the main gate exit). This way, you can balance cultural learning with conserving energy to explore more areas.

I happened to be there during the chrysanthemum exhibition, so I bought a combined ticket for three attractions. The price wasn't expensive, but it was incredibly crowded. I went on a Monday, and the experience was quite unpleasant due to the crowds. The restrooms in the scenic area were also unsanitary. Longting Park, as the main venue, has a wide variety of chrysanthemums, and you can enjoy them as you walk around. If you go at the right time, you can even catch a performance. If you're interested, you can go.

The location is excellent; the Bao Gong Temple is built over a lake, and the elegant, Song Dynasty-style architecture creates a tranquil environment. Inside, you can learn about historical anecdotes related to Bao Gong. The bronze and wax statues are particularly interesting. The park isn't large; an hour is enough to stroll around at a leisurely pace, making it well worth a visit.