Kaifeng – Capital of the Northern Song Dynasty
Kaifeng is a small city to the south of the Yellow River and to the east of the much larger city of Zhengzhou. Kaifeng was the capital of various dynasties throughout history, but perhaps most notably it was the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty.
Being so close to the Yellow River means Kaifeng is prone to flooding. Unfortunately when I visited the city in 2021, the province was hit with heavy rains. Zhengzhou was hit worse (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_Henan_floods), but after the worst of the rains passed I was able to see some of Kaifeng. As it’s quite a small city there isn’t a massive amount to see, but there are still some historical sites worth visiting for anyone interested in the history of China.
Things to do In Kaifeng
Dragon pavilion and Longting Park
Longting Park stands on the grounds of the former imperial palace, dating back to the time of the Northern Song Dynasty which ruled from 960-1127. Most of that palace has been destroyed or lost over time, but the Dragon Pavilion remains (as a reconstruction).
The Dragon Pavilion is an impressive building, sitting on a tall terrace with 72 steps leading up to it.
Being fairly tall, the pavilion would normally give great views of Kaifeng. Just be sure not to visit in torrential rain.
Leading into Longting Park from the south you’ll see a pavilion sitting in Yangjia Lake. I’m including the photos of it so you can see the extent of the flooding. Check the weather forecast before visiting Kaifeng!
Iron Pagoda
The Iron Pagoda of Kaifeng is so called not because it is made from iron, but because the bricks used in its construction resemble the colour of iron. The Iron Pagoda was built in 1049, and unlike many historical sites in China, this one is the original having survived the Chinese Civil War and subsequent Cultural Revolution, as well as countless storms, floods and earthquakes.
Surrounding the pagoda is the Iron Pagoda Park featuring a large Buddhist hall. The park is worth exploring to learn about the history of this longstanding pagoda.
Gulou Tower and Night Market
Gulou Street is pretty central in Kaifeng. In the middle of the road sits, Gulou Tower, or the drum tower of Kaifeng. This itself is pretty amazing to see, but come back at night and off to the north side you’ll find the night market. Here you can sample lots of the delicious local cuisine while taking in the nightlife of Kaifeng.
