Zhengzhou

No reviews yetCity Henan, China

Kang Baiwan's Mansion 20160925, Zhengzhou, Henan, China

About Zhengzhou

Few travellers linger in Zhengzhou, yet the capital of Henan province sits at the heart of the region the Chinese call the Central Plains, a cradle of early Chinese civilisation. Stretches of rammed-earth wall from a Shang dynasty city some 3,600 years old still run through its streets, and the Yellow River flows just to the north.

Today it is a vast, fast-growing city and one of the country's busiest railway hubs, where major north-south and east-west high-speed lines cross. The Henan Museum holds treasures spanning thousands of years, the Erqi Memorial Tower marks the old commercial centre, and the futuristic Zhengdong district rises around Ruyi Lake.

Zhengzhou is also the natural base for the Song Mountains and the Shaolin Temple, home of Shaolin kung fu, about 80 kilometres to the southwest. Local food is hearty: try huimian, wide hand-pulled noodles in a rich mutton broth. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons, as summers are hot and winters cold and dry.

Best seasonApril to May and September to October

Ideal stay2-3 days, including a day at the Shaolin Temple

ArrivingZhengzhou East Railway Station for high-speed trains, or Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport

10 Best Things to Do in Zhengzhou

Museums 1

Henan Museum

One of China's major provincial museums, the Henan Museum displays finds from a region that was home to several ancient capitals....

History 2

Zhengzhou Shang City Ruins

Long sections of rammed-earth wall from a Shang dynasty city about 3,600 years old survive in the Guancheng district, some of them...

Kang Baiwan Manor

In Gongyi, west of the city, this sprawling estate was home to the Kang family, merchants whose fortune lasted through many genera...

Landmarks 1

Erqi Memorial Tower

Rising above Erqi Square, the bustling commercial heart of the old city, this twin-towered pagoda-like building from 1971 commemor...

Nature 1

Zhengzhou Yellow River Scenic Area

On the southern bank of the Yellow River northwest of the city, this scenic area of hills and parkland gives wide views over the b...

Neighborhoods 1

Zhengdong New District CBD

East of the old city, the Zhengdong New District was planned from scratch as Zhengzhou's modern business district, a ring of tower...

Arts 1

Henan Art Center

Close to Ruyi Lake in the Zhengdong district, this cultural complex brings together a grand theatre, concert hall and art museum i...

Temples and Shrines 2

Zhengzhou City God Temple

Tucked into the old city near the Shang wall remains, this City God Temple has roots in the Ming dynasty and preserves traditional...

Shaolin Temple

In the Song Mountains about 80 kilometres southwest of the city, this Buddhist monastery founded in the late fifth century is know...

Entertainment 1

Only Henan Theater of Dreams

Built on open land in Zhongmou County east of the city, this walled theatre park opened in 2021 and is made up of many separate th...

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Photo credits

Photo: Windmemories, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: 燚惪, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Windmemories, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Nishino Asuka, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: xiquinhosilva, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Photo: Gary Todd from Xinzheng, China, Wikimedia Commons, CC0

Photo: 夏至远行, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Qingwu Zhou (周庆武), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Photo: Windmemories, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: 来斤小仓鼠吧, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: xiquinhosilva, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Photo: Pattharapong Sittirach™, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Photo: xiquinhosilva, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Photo: Windmemories, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Hillocks, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Windmemories, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Petter Griffin, Wikimedia Commons, CC0

Photo: Windmemories, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Gary Todd from Xinzheng, China, Wikimedia Commons, CC0

Photo: Windmemories, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0