Top Kaifeng Attractions: Best Things to Do in Kaifeng

Written by Veronica | Updated February 20,2026

Kaifeng is located in Henan Province, with 4100 years of history. As the “Ancient Capital of the Eight Dynasties”, Kaifeng boasts rich historical heritage. Kaifeng is also famous for the Henan Opera, making it an important cultural tourism city in China.

It’s the best place for people who want to go deeper into the Song dynasty cultural heritage, gardens, palace reconstructions, and its association with Judge Bao (Bao Zheng).

Here are the top Kaifeng attractions that you can explore during your China history tour to Kaifeng of Henan. And this guide will provide detailed information on things to do in Kaifeng.

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• 1. Millennium City Park
• 2. Kaifeng City Wall
• 3. Iron Pagoda
• 4. Dragon Pavilion
• 5. Kaifeng Fu (Kaifeng Government Official)
• 6. Kaifeng Museum
• 7. Xiangguo Temple
• 8. Bianjing Park
• 9. Kaifeng Night Market
• Essential Tips for Visiting Kaifeng
• How Long to Stay & Sample Itineraries
• FAQs about Visiting Kaifeng
• Plan Your Kaifeng Tour with China Xian Tour

1. Millennium City Park

Visiting Millennium City Park is one of the top things to do in Kaifeng. Millennium City Park is a large theme park on the history and culture of the Song Dynasty. Stroll through the park to enjoy the views of the magnificent royal buildings and gardens.

Watch many performances that show the culture and life of the Northern Song Dynasty. Also explore traditional handicrafts such as embroidery and tea ceremonies, as well as folklore like acrobatics. As one of the top Kaifeng attractions, you can experience the charm of Kaifeng culture and history here.

• Location: Longting West Road, Longting District, KaifengCity, Henan Province, China
• Opening time: 8:30-22:00
• Ticket price:120 yuan (free for children under 1.2 meters)

2. Kaifeng City Wall

The Kaifeng City Wall was built in the Tang Dynasty, with a total length of 14.4 kilometers. The existing Kaifeng City Wall still remains the architectural style and scale of the Yuan and Ming Dynasties. Choose to take a walk or rent a bicycle to explore the city wall.

Standing on the viewing point, you can overlook the lively Kaifeng cityscape. One of the best things to do in Kaifeng is to climb the Kaifeng City Wall to see the vibrant chrysanthemums, especially during the Kaifeng Chrysanthemum Festival.

• Location: Yingbin Road, Gulou District, KaifengCity, Henan Province, China
• Opening time:8:30-21:30
• Ticket price:40 yuan (free for children under 1.2 meters)

3. Iron Pagoda

The Iron Pagoda is one of the tallest and oldest glazed brick pagodas in China, with a height of 55.88 meters. Its exterior is covered with brown glazed bricks, making it look like an “iron tower”. The Iron Pagoda is a traditional Chinese wooden structure with exquisite carvings that reflects the art of ancient architecture.

The pagoda is also an important Buddhist building and enshrines many Buddhist statues and scriptures. The Iron Pagoda is one of the top Kaifeng attractions to learn about Buddhism. And visiting this temple is one of the top things to do in Kaifeng for Buddhists.

• Location: Iron Pagoda Park, Beimen Street, Shunhe Hui District, Kaifeng, Henan Province, China
• Opening time: 8:30-18:00
• Ticket price: 30 yuan(free for children under 1.4 meters)

4. Dragon Pavilion

The Dragon Pavilion was built in the early Qing Dynasty and now becomes one of the main attractions of Dragon Pavilion Park. The majestic building is a valuable relic for studying the history of the Song and Qing dynasties. Climb up the Dragon Pavilion to admire the beautiful lakes in the distance, as well as the gorgeous scenery of the Dragon Pavilion Park.

Every October, Dragon Pavilion Park displays thousands of chrysanthemums as the main venue of the Kaifeng Chrysanthemum Festival. So in fall, enjoying the chrysanthemums at the Dragon Pavilion is one of the top things to do in Kaifeng.

• Location: Dragon Pavilion Park, Longting District, KaifengCity, Henan Province, China
• Opening time: 8:00-18:00
• Ticket price: 45yuan per person for the park (free for children under 1.2 meters)

5. Kaifeng Fu (Kaifeng Government Official)

Kaifeng Palace is a themed scenic spot of Song culture, built on the model of the governmental office of Kaifeng during Song Dynasty. There are nine cultural displays, which shows scenes of officials dealing with government affairs in the Northern Song Dynasty.

Also watch various folk performances at the scenic spots to learn about famous Kaifeng historical stories. Besides, watching live shows at Kaifeng Fu is one of the best things to do in Kaifeng.

• Location: Baogong East Lake, Gulou District, KaifengCity, Henan Province, China
• Opening time: 7:00-19:00(in spring, summer, fall); 7:30-18:30 (in winter)
• Ticket price: 90 yuan (free for children under 1.2 meters)

6. Kaifeng Museum

For history lovers, visiting the Kaifeng Museum is one of the top things to do in Kaifeng. The architectural design of the museum highlights the features of the Kaifeng City in the Northern Song Dynasty, which consists of three parts.

There are more than 80,000 cultural relics from different historical periods, such as pottery, porcelain and bronze. You can explore various themed exhibitions to see the prosperous cityscape of Kaifeng during the Song Dynasty.

• Location: The Sixth Avenueof Zheng-Kai Wide Road, Kaifeng, Henan Province, China
• Opening time: 9:00-17:00 (closed on Monday)
• Ticket price: Free

7. Xiangguo Temple

Founded in 555 AD, the Xiangguo Temple is a famous Buddhist temple in China. During the Northern Song Dynasty, it became the center of Buddhist activities in the country. There are many well-preserved Buddhist architecture of Qing Dynasty, with glazed brick roofs and exquisite carvings.

Also explore the majestic statues of Buddha and precious Buddhist scriptures. Wander around the temple, you can witness the Xiangguo Frosty Bell, one of the top Kaifeng attractions. The Xiangguo Temple has a profound Buddhist cultural heritage, so visiting the historic temple is one of the top things to do in Kaifeng for Buddhists.

• Location: No.36 Ziyou West Road, Gulou District, Kaifeng, Henan Province, China
• Opening time: 08:00 – 18:30 (March 11th – October 31st); 08:00 – 18:00 (November 1st – March 10th of the following year)
• Ticket price: 40 yuan (free for children under 1.4meters)

8. Bianjing Park

The Bianjing Park is the only Kaifeng attraction that combines leisure activities and animal watching. It has many recreational facilities that are great for families with children. The zoo is located in the northwestern part of the Bianjing park, where you and your kids can observe over 145 animals, including tigers, lions, bears and monkeys.

There are more than 200 kinds of flowers and trees, including a rich variety of chrysanthemums. In autumn, admiring the colorful chrysanthemums in Bianjing Park is also one of the top things to do in Kaifeng.

• Location: Bianjing Road, Shunhe HuiDistrict, Kaifeng, Henan Province, China
• Opening time: 08:30 – 22:00 (Entry will cease at 21:30)
• Ticket price: Free; the fee for the zoo is 20 yuan (free for children under 1.2 meters)

9. Kaifeng Night Market

Exploring the night markets must be one of the best things to do in Kaifeng. Night market culture flourished in Kaifeng during the Northern Song Dynasty. Now the largest night market in Kaifeng is Gulou Night Market. Wander around the night market to taste various Kaifeng cuisine, such as Fried Jelly, Soup with Pepper and Fish with Fried Noodles.

Laohe Da Night Market and Xisi Night Market are also famous Kaifeng attractions, where you can immerse in the lively local nightlife. And except for the foods, there will also be many performances in the evening, especially in Millennium City Park or Kaifeng Fu. You can choose the proper night market to explore according to your travel to Kaifeng.

• Location: Gulou Street, Gulou District, KaifengCity, Henan Province, China
• Opening time: 10:00-22:00‌‌
• Ticket price: Free

Essential Tips for Visiting Kaifeng

Transportation Advice

Kaifeng lies about 70 km east of Zhengzhou, and people who want to visit Kaifeng would often choose to fly to the Xinzheng International Airport in Zhengzhou. And once you arrived, you can continue your journey by high-speed train. And when traveling around Kaifeng, it normally won’t bother you too much to move between the attractions as they are quite close to one another. Taxis, local buses, or shared bicycles are all convenient for short-distance travel.

Best Time to Visit

The period from April to October is generally best, and try to plan your trip when there’s mild and pleasant weather brought by spring and autumn. And in October, you can join locals to celebrate Chrysanthemum Festival, when the city is filled with colorful blooms. Avoid the coldest winter months, as it will be less comfortable to see some outdoor exhibits.

Where to Stay

Staying in Gulou District or Longting District allow you to be quite near many key attractions — Dragon Pavilion, Millennium City Park, Kaifeng Museum, etc. Choose those include breakfast to ease your daily routine.

What and Where to Eat

Kaifeng has a rich snack culture which is rooted in Song dynasty traditions. So when visiting there, definitely try local specialties such as fried jelly (chao liangfen), Soup with Pepper (hu jiao tang), and Baozi (steamed buns). The Gulou Night Market, Laohe Street Night Market, and streets near Kaifeng Prefecture are some of the best places to sample local bites.

How Long to Stay & Sample Itineraries

One-Day History & Culture Immersion:

If you choose to have a one-day trip in Kaifeng, then start your morning at Millennium City Park to experience a moment in Song Dynasty. Continue to the Iron Pagoda and visit Kaifeng Prefecture to learn about Judge Bao’s legacy. In the afternoon, stroll or bike along the City Wall to enjoy the city’s old charm. And lastly, end your day at the lively Gulou Night Market with local flavors.

Two-Day Comprehensive Tour:

The first can be used to explore Millennium City Park, Dragon Pavilion Park, and the Kaifeng Museum and have a dinner at Laohe Street Night Market. On the second day, visit Xiangguo Temple in the morning, and spend some time in Bianjing Park when afternoon comes. In the end, savor some authentic Kaifeng cuisine before leaving the city.

FAQs about Visiting Kaifeng

How can I learn about Judge Bao while in Kaifeng?

You can visit Kaifeng Fu / Kaifeng Prefecture or the Memorial Temple of Lord Bao. These sites are specially dedicated to Bao Zheng, and there will be exhibitions, performances, and storytelling to tell visitors about his reputation for fairness.

How do I get between attractions in Kaifeng?

Most attractions are really close each other. So that you can take taxis, city buses, or just the shared bikes to travel between them.

Are there museums highlighting Kaifeng’s history?

Yes. You can visit Kaifeng Museum, there are over 80,000 artifacts telling stories of various dynasties. Exhibitions in Millennium City Park and Kaifeng Prefecture can also provide a rewarding experience, they show reconstructed historical scenes.

Do any attractions have free admission or discounts for children?

Yes, for example, Kaifeng Museum is free of charge. And also, many attractions offer free or discounted entry for children under certain height limits (e.g. under 1.2 m).

Plan Your Kaifeng Tour with China Xian Tour

It can be easy and worry-free to explore Kaifeng with China Xian Tour. Our travel experts can create fully personalized itineraries based on your preferences.And we’ll lead you to explore the most of the attractions’ rich cultural and historical heritage. While we taking care of every detail for you, your journey will be just smooth and enriching.