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July 25, 2025
Romantic 7-Day Luxury Getaway in Kaifeng: Ancient Charm & Modern Elegance
Explore UNESCO sites, savor Song Dynasty flavors, and unwind at boutique heritage hotels with your partner
Couples TravelAncient TownsLuxury Travel
Quick Overview
Chinese Name: 开封
Location: Henan Province, Central China
Famous For: Song Dynasty heritage,Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden,Iron Pagoda,Ancient capitals culture
Daily Cost: $250-350 per couple
Best Season: March-May, September-October
Introduction: Why visit Kaifeng?
Step into a living museum where ancient Chinese imperial glory meets modern sophistication. Once the capital of seven dynasties including the illustrious Song Dynasty, Kaifeng offers couples a unique blend of meticulously recreated historical landscapes and contemporary luxury. Wander hand-in-hand through the world's largest reconstruction of ancient Chinese urban life at Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden, savor rare Song Dynasty-inspired cuisine at heritage restaurants, and stay in boutique hotels that blend traditional architecture with modern amenities. From the iconic Iron Pagoda to the atmospheric Guxuancheng Ancient Culture Block, every corner tells a romantic story of China's golden age.
Best time to visit Kaifeng
Ideal Seasons: Spring (March-May) for mild temperatures and cultural festivals, Autumn (September-October) for harvest celebrations and comfortable weather
🌱Spring: Marvel at cherry blossoms in Tie Da Park during the Qingming Festival (April 4-6), when the city hosts traditional tea ceremonies and calligraphy workshops perfect for romantic outings.
☀️Summer: Escape the heat with evening cruises on the Dragon Pavilion Lake and enjoy seasonal delicacies like lotus-flower infused fish at riverside restaurants.
🍁Autumn: Experience the Mid-Autumn Festival (September/October) with lantern-lit garden tours at Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden and mooncake tasting sessions in historic teahouses.
❄️Winter: Warm up with traditional Huangmen chicken hotpot at Da Song Huangmen Lao Restaurant while admiring snow-covered ancient architecture, particularly picturesque at Kaifeng City Wall
Arriving and leaving Kaifeng
Luxury car rentals from brands like Mercedes-Benz (800 RMB/day) available at airport. Private guided tours with air-conditioned minivans recommended for couples (600 RMB/half-day).
Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport [Recommended]
45-minute express train connection to Songcheng Lu Station (30 RMB/couple), or 1-hour private transfer (400 RMB) to city center. Offers international connections to 30+ countries.
Kaifeng Railway Station
Regional train hub connecting to major cities. 20 RMB taxi ride (15 minutes) to central districts. Less convenient for international arrivals.
Where to stay in Kaifeng: Best Neighborhood
Songcheng District
Adjacent to Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden, offering heritage hotels with Song Dynasty aesthetics and easy access to nightlife and dining.
Chuanguo New District
Modern luxury hotels with spas and fine dining, 15-minute drive to major attractions with excellent transport connections.
Top Things to do in Kaifeng
Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden
Step into a living Song Dynasty painting at this 500-acre cultural park. Explore reconstructed ancient streets, enjoy traditional tea houses, and watch daily performances of Chinese opera and acrobatics.
Iron Pagoda
Marvel at this 1000-year-old glazed brick tower, a masterpiece of Song Dynasty architecture. Book a private evening tour to see the pagoda illuminated against the night sky - perfect for romantic photos.
Kaifeng Museum
Discover the city's imperial past through rare artifacts including Song Dynasty porcelain and ancient city maps. The interactive exhibits allow couples to experience traditional crafts together.
Tips
Book early for major cultural performances. Dress comfortably for walking tours through ancient gardens.
What to eat: Kaifeng food Guide
Recommended Restaurants
1. Songcheng Yuyan Restaurant
Luxury dining in Song Dynasty pavilions, offering multi-course imperial tasting menus. Private rooms available with traditional Chinese musicians providing live accompaniment.
2. Kaifeng Mansion Hotel Restaurant
Contemporary take on classical Henan cuisine inside a restored 1920s building. Try their modernized Bianjing duck rolls and Song-inspired desserts.
3. Guxuancheng Riverside Terrace
Open-air dining with views over the ancient moat. Specializes in seasonal dishes using local ingredients, particularly excellent for summer meals with chilled noodle dishes and lotus tea.
Signature Dishes
1. Song Dynasty Imperial Feast
Experience a 12-course meal recreating dishes from the Song Dynasty court, featuring delicacies like lotus-seed paste with silver ear fungus and vinegar-cooked carp. Available at select heritage restaurants like Songcheng Yuyan with private dining pavilions.
2. Huangmeng Chicken
Kaifeng's signature stewed chicken, slow-cooked for 12 hours until the meat falls off the bone. Best enjoyed at Huangmen Old Restaurant, a family-run establishment since 1840 that has served generations of locals and visiting dignitaries.
3. Steamed Bun with Soup
Delicate dumplings filled with hot broth and pork, served with vinegar dipping sauce. Try the premium version at Yuebin Lao Restaurant where each bun is handcrafted using a 24-step process.
Kaifeng itinerary 7 Days & 7 Nights
DAY 1
Check-in at Mansion Hotel:Arrival at your 5-star heritage hotel housed in a beautifully restored Qing Dynasty mansion with private garden access
Explore Guxuancheng Ancient Culture Block:Stroll through the restored ancient quarter filled with traditional teahouses, craft workshops, and street performers
🍽️Dinner at Songcheng Yuyan:Enjoy a private 8-course imperial feast while watching traditional Chinese musical performances
DAY 2
🍳Breakfast at hotel:Traditional Song Dynasty-style breakfast including steamed buns and herbal tea
Visit Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden:Spend the morning exploring this massive open-air museum recreating 10th-century urban life with over 100 historical buildings
🥗Lunch at Yuebin Lao Restaurant:Try the famous Huangmen chicken and steamed buns while admiring the antique-filled dining hall
Afternoon at Kaifeng City Museum:Learn about the city's 7 dynasties through interactive exhibits and rare artifacts
Romantic cruise on Dragon Pavilion Lake:Private boat tour with champagne as the sun sets behind the historic Dragon Pavilion
DAY 3
🍳Breakfast at hotel:Healthy modern breakfast with traditional touches
Visit Iron Pagoda:Explore China's tallest glazed-brick pagoda and the surrounding classical garden
🥗Lunch at Tie Da Tea House:Tea-pairing lunch featuring dishes inspired by the pagoda's history
Calligraphy workshop at Chenji Ci Printing Museum:Learn traditional woodblock printing together and create your own Song Dynasty-style art piece
Private tea ceremony at Kaifeng Mansion Hotel:Experience a traditional Song Dynasty tea ritual performed by a master tea artist
DAY 4
🍳Breakfast at hotel:Early breakfast before heading out
Drive to Zhu Xian Town:40-minute private car journey to China's birthplace of woodblock New Year pictures
🥗Lunch at Zhu Xian Ancient Restaurant:Try local specialties like steamed lamb and sesame oil chicken
Visit Zhu Xian Woodblock Museum:Try your hands at creating traditional New Year prints to take home as a memento
Stroll through ancient town streets:Explore preserved Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture and small family-owned craft shops
Return to Kaifeng:Relaxing evening back at your hotel's rooftop bar with panoramic views
DAY 5
🍳Breakfast at hotel:Western and traditional options available
Visit Daxiangguo Temple:Explore this 1400-year-old temple famous for its exquisite Maitreya statue and daily Buddhist chanting
🥗Vegetarian lunch at temple restaurant:Sample creative meat-free dishes made with seasonal temple ingredients
Afternoon at Tie Da Park:Enjoy the peaceful gardens and watch locals practicing tai chi together
Private calligraphy class:Learn the art of traditional Chinese brush writing with a master calligrapher
🍽️Dinner and Song Dynasty show at Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden:Enjoy a lavish dinner while watching traditional performances of acrobatics, opera, and martial arts
DAY 6
🍳Breakfast at local markets:Sample traditional morning snacks like scallion pancakes and soybean milk with youtiao
Cooking class at Kaifeng Culinary Academy:Learn to prepare classic Kaifeng dishes with a professional chef, focusing on Song Dynasty-inspired recipes
🥗Lunch featuring your creations:Enjoy the dishes you prepared with wine pairing suggestions
Visit Kaifeng Liquor Museum:Discover the history of traditional Chinese brewing and sample local rice wines
🍽️Private wine-pairing dinner at Kaifeng Mansion Hotel:A curated 6-course meal matching local wines with traditional dishes
DAY 7
🍳Breakfast at hotel:Final breakfast with panoramic city views from the rooftop restaurant
Relax at hotel spa:Enjoy a couple's massage using traditional Chinese herbal treatments
Checkout and transfer to station/airport:Private transfer with luggage assistance to begin your journey home with cherished memories
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