A bowl of lamb kangmo, a rickshaw, and the vicissitudes of a city tell the profoundness and warmth of the ancient capital of eight dynasties

【3 days 2 nights, about 2800 RMB per person! Kaifeng Guide: Millennium Imperial Capital, Dreaming Back to the Song Dynasty】

Day 1: Arrive at **Kaifeng North Station** by high-speed train (28 minutes from Zhengzhou, round-trip about 150 RMB), take a taxi to check in at a four-star hotel in the city center (such as Kaiyuan Mingdu, 400 RMB/night × 2 = 800 RMB). In the afternoon, visit 【Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden】 (ticket 120 RMB, the night show is even more spectacular), immerse yourself in the live scene of the "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" painting, watch live performances like "Yue Fei’s Spear Challenge against Xiao Liang Wang" and "Defense of Tokyo," and wear Hanfu to tour and take photos for great value!

Day 2: Get up early to climb 【Longting Park】 (60 RMB), overlook Pan and Yang Lakes, and feel the royal grandeur. Then visit 【Daxiangguo Temple】 (65 RMB) to listen to the Zen bell and drum sounds; walk to 【Shanshan-Gan Guild Hall】 (30 RMB) to admire the three exquisite carvings. In the evening, stroll through 【Drum Tower Night Market】, must-try dishes include fried cold noodles, bucket chicken, and almond tea; the bustling atmosphere is authentic and affordable.

Day 3: Explore 【Kaifeng Prefecture】 (65 RMB), check in at the "Judge Bao" case site, and experience Northern Song judicial culture; or choose to visit 【China Hanlin Academy Calligraphy and Painting Institute · Chrysanthemum Exhibition Area】 (seasonal) to appreciate chrysanthemums and practice Song-style calligraphy. In the afternoon, visit 【Bookstore Street】 and 【Shuanglong Alley】 to feel the cultural heritage of the ancient capital. Return before 3:00 PM.

💰Budget details:
Transportation 400 (including city taxis) + Accommodation 800 + Food 600 + Attractions + Performances about 350 + Miscellaneous 850 ≈ **2800 RMB**

📌Tips:
- The night light show at Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden is stunning; it is recommended to enter in the afternoon and enjoy the whole day;
- Drum Tower Night Market is crowded, watch your belongings carefully, ask prices before ordering;
- Spring and autumn are the best seasons, with the Qingming and Chrysanthemum Culture Festivals creating a full atmosphere.

⚠️Warnings:
❌ "Low-price one-day tours" at scenic spots are mostly shopping tours, be cautious;
❌ "Consecration and blessing" rituals outside temples are tricky, do not participate casually.

Three days and two nights, travel back to Northern Song Tokyo. Kaifeng is not overly commercialized; a bowl of lamb kangmo, a rickshaw, and the vicissitudes of a city all tell the profoundness and warmth of the "ancient capital of eight dynasties." Come here, don’t be a tourist, be a leisurely resident of Bianjing.

Post by Savor the Journey | Sep 30, 2025