Major city · China
Kaifeng开封
Make Kaifeng an overnight from Zhengzhou: one night and one full day covers the walled old city, and two nights only pays off if you add the Yellow River or the chrysanthemum festival. A same-day return is possible but tight.
Kaifeng was the Song-dynasty capital and probably the largest city in the world in the 11th century; its central axis has never moved and each city sits on the ruins of the last. Today it is a compact, low-rise old town inside a rebuilt wall, 30 minutes by high-speed rail from Zhengzhou. Come for one day of temples, pagodas and night-market food, not for a long stay.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot, wet), late Jan–Feb (cold, Spring Festival crowds)
- Airport
- CGO
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Kaifeng110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kaifeng, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetyKaifeng sees little violent crime and the old town is busy in the evening, but take the usual precautions: watch your bag in markets…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire · 120 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckCGO Zhengzhou Xinzheng International (About 1 h by taxi (¥160 (≈ US$25), check) or the airport shuttle to Zhengzhou East then high-speed rail to Songcheng Lu…
- Getting aroundThe old city is flat and walkable; most sights sit within 3 km (1.9 mi) of Gulou Square.The old city is flat and walkable; most sights sit within 1.9 mi (3 km) of Gulou Square.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealNight-market snack plate (baozi, peanut cake, sesame cake)¥10–30 (≈ US$2–5)
- Beerdraught in a bar / can at a convenience store¥15–30 (≈ US$3–5)¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi3.1 mi (5 km) taxiStarts at ¥8 for 2 km (1.2 mi), then about ¥1.8 per km.Starts at ¥8 for 1.2 mi (2 km), then about ¥1.8 per km.¥13–18 (≈ US$2–3)
- Metro or bus rideCity bus ride¥1 (≈ under US$1)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week¥50–100 (≈ US$7–14)
- Museum or sight ticketTemple or pagoda entry¥15–120 (≈ US$3–17)
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per personCN¥60 (≈ US$9)
- Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomCN¥300 (≈ US$45)
- High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomCN¥600 (≈ US$85)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥200 (≈ US$30) · Mid CN¥450 (≈ US$65) · High CN¥900 (≈ US$130)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CGO Zhengzhou Xinzheng International (About 1 h by taxi (¥160, check) or the airport shuttle to Zhengzhou East then high-speed rail to Songcheng Lu, about 30 min; a shuttle to the Civil Aviation Hotel plus a local bus is the cheap route (check current service))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid*
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Feb
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Mar
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Apr
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
May
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Dec
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: Apr–May, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C) low), wettest Jul (11 rain days), driest Jan (4). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Kaifeng: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
4 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
5 rd
Mar
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
6 rd
Apr
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
7 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6 rd
Nov
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
5 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
4 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The old city is flat and walkable; most sights sit within 3 km of Gulou Square. City buses cost ¥1 and bus 20 links the main sights. Motorised rickshaws (bengbeng) run short hops for ¥2–3 and the length of the city for about ¥6. Taxis start at ¥8 for the first 2 km, then about ¥1.8 per km. High-speed trains use Kaifeng North (long-distance) and Songcheng Lu (Zhengzhou shuttle), both well west of the wall.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Zhengzhou
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h (check)
High-speed rail from Kaifeng North or Songcheng Lu to Zhengzhou East, about 30 min (check)
Use it as the airport leg or a half-day for the Henan Museum; the Songcheng Lu shuttle runs roughly every 90 min (check).
Yellow River bank
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h (check)
Taxi, or bus 6 from near the north entrance of Iron Pagoda park (check)
The river runs above the city behind its dykes; there is little riverside infrastructure, so go for the view, not a full day.
Zhoukou
skipDoor to door: 3 h+ (check)
Long-distance bus or rail via Zhengzhou (check)
No direct fast link confirmed; not worth a day from a one-night Kaifeng stop.
Shangqiu
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5 h (check)
High-speed rail east on the Xuzhou line (check)
Only if you are heading east anyway; the old city here is the stronger half-day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Gulou Square and Shudian Jie
Centre of the old city, walkable to the night market, Daxiangguo Temple and the Drum Tower; best for a one-night stop.
Longting (Dragon Pavilion area)
North of the centre, next to Dragon Pavilion and Qingming River Garden; quieter, 10–15 min by taxi from Gulou.
Kaifeng Station area
Cheapest beds and the main bus terminal; 15–20 min by bus or bengbeng into the old city, useful for early trains.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥150–300 (≈ US$25–45) excl. bed (2026 estimate, check)
- Mid
- ¥300–600 (≈ US$45–85) excl. bed (2026 estimate, check)
- High
- ¥600 (≈ US$85)+ excl. bed (2026 estimate, check)
Trip budget
| Mid-range double room1 × 1 night × CN¥300 | CN¥300 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × CN¥450 | CN¥900 |
| High-speed rail Zhengzhou East ↔ Kaifeng, both ways2 × CN¥60 · 2026 estimate, check | CN¥120 |
| City bus rides, one day2 × CN¥4 · 2026 estimate, check | CN¥8 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × CN¥70 · 2026 estimate, check | CN¥140 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥147 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥808 per person per day, bed included | CN¥1,615≈ US$250 |
2026 estimate, check
2026 estimate in yuan, all figures check; long-distance transport excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Night-market snack plate (baozi, peanut cake, sesame cake) | ¥10–30 (≈ US$2–5) |
| Noodle or mutton soup bowl | ¥15–35 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Beer: draught in a bar / can at a convenience store | ¥15–30 (≈ US$3–5) / ¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2) |
| 5 km taxiStarts at ¥8 for 2 km (1.2 mi), then about ¥1.8 per km.Starts at ¥8 for 1.2 mi (2 km), then about ¥1.8 per km. | ¥13–18 (≈ US$2–3) |
| City bus ride | ¥1 (≈ under US$1) |
| Bengbeng rickshaw, short hop | ¥2–3 (≈ under US$1) |
| Temple or pagoda entry | ¥15–120 (≈ US$3–17) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ¥50–100 (≈ US$7–14) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Two rail stations serve different lines: Kaifeng North for long-distance high-speed trains, Songcheng Lu for the Zhengzhou shuttle — check your ticket before you leave.
- Songcheng Lu is 15–30 min from the old city by bus or taxi (¥20–25 (≈ US$3–4)); allow time on the return leg.
- Some sights are reconstructions built for coach groups; decide per site rather than buying every ticket.
- Summer is hot and humid with most of the year's rain in July–August; winter is cold and dry.
- Temple halls often post a no-photo rule that is loosely enforced; follow the posted sign.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
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Kaifeng开封
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
No embassies in Kaifeng; most countries keep embassies in Beijing and consulates-general in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu. US citizens: American Citizen Services in Beijing.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Songcheng Lu → old city, taxi: ¥20–25 (≈ US$3–4), 15–30 min
- Kaifeng → Zhengzhou East, high-speed rail: about ¥30 (≈ US$5), 30 min
- Taxi start, first 2 km: ¥8 (≈ US$2), then about ¥1.8 (≈ under US$1) per km
Say or show
- 你好 — Hello (nǐ hǎo)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xiè xie)
- 多少钱？ — How much is it? (duō shao qián)
- 要这个 — This one, please (yào zhè ge)
- 可以刷卡吗？ — Can I pay by card? (kě yǐ shuā kǎ ma)
- 洗手间在哪里？ — Where is the toilet? (xǐ shǒu jiān zài nǎ lǐ)
Alipay or WeChat Pay linked to a foreign card covers almost everything; keep a few ¥10 and ¥20 notes for market stalls and bengbeng.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kaifeng. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–May, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (hot, wet), late Jan–Feb (cold, Spring Festival crowds) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for CGO: last high-speed departure to Kaifeng North field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Gulou and Shudian Jie, Daxiangguo Temple, Dragon Pavilion and Qingming River Garden, Iron Pagoda.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Iron Pagoda, Daxiangguo Temple, Kaifeng Museum, Dragon Pavilion) and eat pages with night-market hours.
- Festival and hostile-weather fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialKaifeng municipal government
- officialKaifeng Museum
- officialQingming River Garden
- secondaryWikivoyage: Kaifeng, revision 5216364 (CC BY-SA 4.0)