Eastern Henan

Kaifeng, Shangqiu and Zhoukou: a cultural corridor of the Huang–Huai Plain, with the grandeur of the Northern Song capital, Shangqiu Ancient City, and relics of Fuxi and Laozi.

This region corresponds to "Eastern Henan" among Henan's five regions and includes Kaifeng, Shangqiu and Zhoukou. It lies on the Huang–Huai Plain and is dense with cultural remains. Kaifeng was the site of Dongjing, capital of the Northern Song. Qingming Shanghe Park recreates Song-era street life after the painting "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" and stages numerous performances. Longting, the Iron Pagoda, Daxiangguo Temple, Lord Bao's Shrine and the night markets around Bookstore Street and the Drum Tower are all classic stops, and the immersive shows at Wansui Mountain Martial Arts City have been very popular in recent years. The Chrysanthemum Cultural Festival each autumn is Kaifeng's traditional highlight. Shangqiu is one of the cradles of Shang culture; its ancient city is the Ming–Qing prefectural city of Guide, with the city wall and moat layout well preserved. Yingtian Academy was a famous ancient academy, and Mangdang Mountain in Yongcheng is tied to the Western Han Liang royal tombs and the legend of Liu Bang, the founder of the Han, slaying the serpent to launch his uprising. In Zhoukou, the Taihao Fuxi Mausoleum in Huaiyang holds a grand temple fair every second lunar month, and the Taiqing Palace in Luyi is regarded as Laozi's hometown, making it a good place for tracing cultural roots. The classic route: two days in Kaifeng (Song-culture sights and night markets), one day in Shangqiu Ancient City, and depending on interest a day in Zhoukou or at Mangdang Mountain, for 3–4 days in all; it can also serve as an extension of a Zhengzhou trip. For transport, the Zhengzhou–Kaifeng intercity railway links Zhengzhou and Kaifeng, the Zhengzhou–Xuzhou high-speed line passes through Kaifeng North and Shangqiu, the Beijing–Hong Kong high-speed line also meets at Shangqiu, and flights can use Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport. The sights are mainly cultural; summers are hot, so guard against heat. On holidays Kaifeng's night markets are packed, so go off-peak and keep an eye on your belongings.

Destinations

Itineraries