Step into a painting, dream for a thousand years! A 2-day, 1-night in-depth travel guide to Kaifeng

🌟 Step into a painting, dream for a thousand years! A 2-day, 1-night in-depth travel guide to Kaifeng
📌 Highlights: Experience the prosperity of the Northern Song Dynasty, explore the martial arts world, and enjoy the nightlife of Bianliang
🚩 Recommended itinerary:
Day 1: Cultural Immersion Journey

Morning: Kaifeng Prefecture (opens at 07:30)
Watch the live-action drama "Judge Bao's Court Case" and feel the judicial solemnity of the Northern Song Dynasty. The red walls and blue tiles make for great photos 📸
Afternoon: Millennium City Park (08:30-22:00)
Immerse yourself in the live scenes of "Along the River During the Qingming Festival": Rainbow Bridge Market, folk performances, and Tokyo Food Street snacks. Don’t miss the spectacular evening show "Yue Fei Defeats Little Liang King."
Night: Drum Tower Night Market
Try stir-fried cold noodles (crispy and tender), iced almond tea (refreshing), and lamb-stuffed flatbread (crispy and juicy), and soak up the lively atmosphere of this thousand-year-old night market.

Day 2: Ancient Capital Charm Journey

Morning: Dragon Pavilion Park (08:00-22:00)
Climb the Dragon Pavilion for a panoramic view of Pan and Yang Lakes, where the red walls and yellow tiles reflect beautifully on the water, creating a royal garden ambiance.
Afternoon: Wansui Mountain Martial Arts City (08:00-23:00)
Immerse yourself in the martial arts world: Watch the live horse battle "Three Attacks on Zhu Village" and experience the intangible cultural heritage of iron-flower fireworks (even more stunning at night).
Evening: Grand Song Imperial River Night Cruise
Take a painted boat to admire the Song-style architecture along the riverbanks, with dazzling lights that make you feel like you’ve traveled back to Bianjing.

🍜 Kaifeng Food Map | Taste the soul-stirring flavors of this ancient capital
Breakfast warm soups:
Four-Ingredient Soup (beef, meatballs, gluten, and daylily stew, served with flatbread) 👉🏻 Simen Liji
Spicy Soup (thick and fragrant) + fried dough sticks 👉🏻 Zhouqiao Spicy Soup

Main course: Hearty Henan cuisine
Soup Dumplings (thin skin, rich broth) 👉🏻 First Floor (old store on Sihou Street)
Carp with Baked Noodles (sweet and sour fish + crispy dragon beard noodles) 👉🏻 Huang Family Old Store
Barrel Chicken (savory, tender, and crispy) 👉🏻 Ma Yuxing

Desserts and snacks:
Century-old Bai’s Peanut Cake (intangible cultural heritage, crispy and not greasy)
Almond Tea (10 ingredients, imperial flavor) 👉🏻 Xisi Night Market Zhouji

⚡ Practical tips
Transportation:
Take the high-speed train to "Kaifeng North Station." Scan QR codes for bus payments (Alipay/WeChat). Shared bikes are recommended for getting around the concentrated scenic areas.

Ticket savings:
Combo tickets for Millennium City Park + Kaifeng Prefecture save ¥30. Book in advance on Ctrip.
"The Great Song·Dream of the Capital" show ticket includes admission to Millennium City Park, offering better value.

Accommodation recommendations:
Drum Tower District: Kaifeng New Century Grand Hotel (close to night markets, perfect for late-night snacks)
Dragon Pavilion District: Jinjiang Inn (next to Millennium City Park)

Avoid pitfalls:
Be cautious of night market snacks priced over ¥15! Almond tea should cost ¥8-12.
Don’t trust taxi drivers' recommendations for "specialty shops"—stick to established old brands.