Golden Autumn Chrysanthemum Viewing | The romantic chrysanthemum exhibition in Kaifeng has started, hurry up!

Don't forget the exhibition period from 10.18 to 11.17! Avoid the crowded weekends at all costs. I went to Longting at 9 AM on Monday and had the entire Jiulong Chrysanthemum Sea all to myself. The morning mist mixed with the scent of chrysanthemums was so comforting!

Transportation: Take the high-speed train to Kaifeng North Station, then scan the Qingju electric bike QR code. For just 2 yuan, you get 30 minutes to reach Longting directly, much faster than taking a taxi! A reminder: don’t hail a taxi at Gulou, or you might get taken to a fake Bao Gong Temple! Be sure to check the official combo ticket mini-program in advance. The Longting + Hanyuan + Tianbo Yang Mansion ticket is only 76 yuan, and the money saved is just enough to buy a cup of almond tea—super cost-effective!

I’ve tested the best photo spots for you: Go to the main hall of Longting at 7 AM. When climbing the 36 steps, the vermilion palace walls paired with chrysanthemums in the mist give off a vibe like a Song Dynasty noble consort. Don’t miss the 12-Nation Chrysanthemum Exhibition at Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden. Wear Song-style Hanfu and interact with the Flower Goddess, who will even hand you small chrysanthemums as props. At night, the newly added Chrysanthemum Fairy Dance in "The Great Song: Dream of Tokyo" shines lights on the chrysanthemum sea—absolutely stunning! For the iron flower show at Wanshan Martial Arts City, stand to the side! At first, I squeezed to the front and only saw heads, but moving to the side, thousands of golden sparks splashed over the chivalrous chrysanthemum formation—an incredible visual impact!

Avoid eating at the popular Gulou restaurants! I followed locals to try Ma’s Braised Roasted Chicken Leg Pancake—crispy outside, tender inside, bursting with juice in every bite. Paired with osmanthus-scented almond tea and cold stir-fried noodles covered in sesame paste, all three only cost 20 yuan, filling me up so much I could barely walk. The intangible cultural heritage market’s Bian embroidery patterned peanut cake is 30 yuan per box, perfect as a souvenir. My friends all praised how exquisite it is.

Oh, and a tip to avoid trouble: the temperature difference between day and night is huge! I was sweating in Hanfu during the day but shivering cold at night, so be sure to bring a light jacket.

Hidden experience: Use AR to scan chrysanthemums in Iron Pagoda Park to unlock Song Dynasty poetry. The water chrysanthemum viewing route on the Great Song Imperial River, accompanied by a guzheng version of "Shui Diao Ge Tou," blends technology with ancient style—super unique!

Post by 234Jasper~Mitchell@ | Oct 25, 2025