Zhengzhou travel guide
郑州
Zhengzhou arguably has the strongest claim to being the “Hometown of the Dragon.” A number of sites of major importance in the history of Chinese culture,…
10 places · In the guidebook: pages 2070–2084
Zhengzhou, Henan Province · AI illustration for China Trip
Quick itinerary
Zhengzhou in 3 days
- Day 1
- Yellow River Scenic Area→
- Shang City Ruins→
- Zhengzhou Chenghuang Temple
- Day 2
- Henan Museum→
- Mount Song (accommodation)
- Day 3
The feel of the place
- Hometown of the Dragon
- Zhengzhou arguably has the strongest claim to being the “Hometown of the Dragon.” A number of sites of major importance in the history of Chinese culture, art and metallurgy confirm Zhengzhou's status as the earliest settlement of the Chinese people and the birthplace of Chinese civilization.
- Ancient Capital
- From the era of the legendary Five Emperors through the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, Zhengzhou, at the heart of the Central Plains, was consistently a capital or part of the royal domain. It is generally held that Zhengzhou served as the capital of five dynasties or states: the Yellow Emperor, Xia, Shang, Zheng and Han. Though history has grown hazy, the faded glory has left this former capital with many weathered sites worth exploring.
Yan-Huang Culture Tourism Festival
On the third day of the third lunar month, a worship ceremony is held at the Yellow Emperor's Great Paulownia at Mount Juci in Xinzheng, the Yellow Emperor's hometown. Visitors then pay homage at Xuanyuan Temple and Leizu Cave, visit the Huagai Child site and Fengho City, and enjoy folk performances.
Buses and Taxis
In Zhengzhou, bus routes beginning with “1” are electric trolleybuses, and those beginning with “2” are minibus express routes. Buses are unattended. Fare is ¥1, or ¥2 on air-conditioned buses.
Taxis: flag fall ¥10, then ¥2 per kilometre after the first 3 kilometres.
Preparation and Information
Language
The Zhengzhou dialect belongs to Northern Mandarin and is fairly close to Standard Mandarin, so there are no communication barriers.
Climate and Travel Season
Zhengzhou has distinct four seasons and a mild climate, with most of its rainfall concentrated between July and September. July is the hottest month, with an average temperature of 27.3°C; January is the coldest, with an average of 0.7°C.
Things to see
Erqi Square
Located in the city centre, this is one of Zhengzhou's busiest districts, home to major shopping malls and clothing wholesale markets. You could say that if you haven't visited Erqi Square, you haven't really been to Zhengzhou. The Erqi Memorial Tower on the square is one of the city's landmarks. Visitors can go inside, and the night view is beautiful.
1 hour · Erqi Square is open-air and Erqi Memorial Tower is free, but visitors must carry identification documents to enter
Henan Museum
If you know more about the cultural history of the Shang and Zhou dynasties and the origins of civilisation along the Yellow River, your visit will be all the richer. The museum holds a collection of 170,000 cultural relics and sets, with particular strengths in prehistoric artefacts, Shang and Zhou bronzes, ceramics and porcelain from successive dynasties, jade, and stone carvings. Among its ancient treasures, the more weathered a piece, the more it deserves respect, as it may have "witnessed" the very beginnings of Central Plains culture. The "cabbage" and "radish" on display are carved from ivory, a feat that amazes visitors. Their carving and colouring techniques are said to remain a mystery to this day.
2–4 hours · Free
Century Joyland
This park is themed around railway culture. Its grounds include a circular railway line over 3,000 metres long and six station zones: Industrial London Station, South American Rainforest Station, Arabian Castle Station, Dutch Style Station, Western Cowboy Station and Century Centre Station. It displays a large number of real locomotives and models, which is truly breathtaking.
3–5 hours; 1–2 hours · ¥160; night session ¥40; free
Getting there & around
Getting In and Out
Zhengzhou is one of China's comprehensive transport hubs, combining road, rail and air links.
By Air
Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport, located in Xinzheng City, is referred to as Xinzheng Airport and lies 30 kilometres from downtown Zhengzhou. It is a 4F-class international civil airport, with flights to more than 50 major and mid-sized cities across China. It also operates charter services to Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Russia and other destinations, and is one of China's eight regional hub airports.
Shuttle buses to and from the airport
By Rail
Zhengzhou has long been known as the “heart” of China's railway network. The Beijing–Guangzhou and Longhai trunk lines intersect here, and the Jingjiu, Jiaoliu, Yueshi and Pingfu lines also pass through, forming a framework of three north–south and three east–west main lines. More than 600 train services running north and south stop here, and rail links to many cities are very convenient. Zhengzhou has three rail special-class stations, and Zhengzhou Railway Station is one of the largest passenger stations in China, with direct services to 25 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities.
By High-Speed Rail
The Zhengzhou–Xi'an high-speed railway starts at Zhengzhou East Station and runs west through Luoyang, Sanmenxia, Weinan and Xi'an. Both Zhengzhou East Station and Zhengzhou Station are served by high-speed trains. The shortest journey from Zhengzhou to Xi'an takes just 1 hour 48 minutes, and the shortest from Zhengzhou to Beijing takes only 2 hours 25 minutes.
By Road
Zhengzhou is one of seven major highway hubs in China. The city has national highways 107 and 310 along with 18 highway trunk routes radiating to surrounding provinces and municipalities. During the Eighth Five-Year Plan period, expressways from Zhengzhou to Beijing, Kaifeng, Luoyang and Luohe were completed, along with key projects such as the West Ring Road and North Ring Road.
Long-distance bus stations and destinations
Getting Around the City
Continuous construction and upgrades are making Zhengzhou's urban transport ever faster. Metro Lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, the suburban line and Line 14 are in operation. Bus fares are unified at ¥1. Taxis charge the same rate for all vehicle types: ¥10 for the first 3 kilometres, then ¥2 per kilometre beyond that.
Zhengzhou Airport Ticket Office
Zhengzhou Airport Ticket Office- Address:
- 1st floor, Civil Aviation Hotel
- Phone:
- 0371-58518036
Zhengzhou Airport Information Desk
Zhengzhou Airport Information Desk- Address:
- East Suburb Airport
- Phone:
- 0371-96666
Airport shuttle to the Civil Aviation Hotel downtown
Airport shuttle busesShuttle buses run from Zhengzhou Long-Distance Bus Station, the west square of Zhengzhou Railway Station and Longyuan Hotel, ¥20 per person.
- Phone:
- 0371-68519508
Zhengzhou Railway Station
Zhengzhou Railway Station- Address:
- 82 Erma Road, Erqi District, Zhengzhou
- Getting there:
- Reachable by many bus routes, including 50, 176, 210, 981, B60, Y17 and S165, or by Metro Line 1
Zhengzhou Long-Distance Bus Station
Zhengzhou Long-Distance Bus Station- Address:
- Opposite the railway station
- Phone:
- 0371-66768364
- Getting there:
- Buses to various destinations in and beyond Henan Province
Zhengzhou Passenger Transport Hub
Zhengzhou Passenger Transport Hub- Address:
- 50 Hanghai Middle Road
- Phone:
- 0371-68728294/68731286
- Getting there:
- Buses to destinations across the province and beyond; sightseeing charters also available
Zhengzhou East Bus Station
Zhengzhou East Bus Station- Address:
- Intersection of Shangdu Road and Dongfeng East Road
- Phone:
- 0371-65936629/5921705
South Long-Distance Passenger Station
Zhengzhou East Bus Station- Address:
- Intersection of Jingguang Road and South Third Ring Road, Zhengzhou
- Phone:
- 0371-66322269
- Getting there:
- Buses to various destinations in and beyond Henan Province
Eat & drink
As the capital of Henan Province, Zhengzhou naturally centres its cuisine on Henan dishes. Crispy Noodles with Carp, Barrel Chicken and the Four Treasures Combo are dishes with local character, and you can find them in most restaurants across the city.
Henan Hui Noodles
Noodles are the food where flavour truly comes through, and people who eat them regularly often have smooth skin. Henan hui noodles are not only chewy and refreshing but also have a certain nourishing effect, fitting well with today's dietary standards. When well made, a bowl of hui noodles is typically a single continuous strand.
Specialty Restaurants
Zhengzhou's Top Ten Local Specialties
Zhengzhou lotus root, Xinzheng jujubes, Xingyang persimmons, Heyin pomegranates, Zhongmu watermelon, Zhengzhou cherries, Songshan mianzao, Yellow River carp, Zhongmu and Chaohua garlic, Xinmi honeysuckle.
A Wu Yellow River Big Carp (Longhai West Road branch)
Specialty RestaurantsSpecialises in modernised Henan cuisine. Business is very brisk, and the setting and service match the style of contemporary Henan dining. Recommended dishes include crispy noodles with carp, A Wu tofu and milk fried rice.
- Address:
- Intersection of Longhai West Road and Yongqing Road
- Phone:
- 0371-68630555
Where to stay
As the capital of Henan Province, Zhengzhou has many star-rated hotels and guesthouses, so accommodation standards are quite good. Near the railway station there are plenty of budget hotels and guesthouses at moderate prices.
Henan Shengshi Civil Aviation Hotel
Recommended AccommodationThe hotel alone houses an air ticket sales hall and is the only hotel in Zhengzhou with scheduled shuttle buses to the airport.
- Address:
- 3 Jinshui Road
- Phone:
- 0371-65781111
Shopping
Zhengzhou's main shopping streets include Erqi Road, Taikang Road, Renmin Road and Jiefang Road, all clustered in the northeast of the railway station. For shopping, Zhenghong, Jinbeida and Danis are must-visit spots. In addition, thanks to the Zhengzhou Trade Fair, the city has many nationwide wholesale and trading markets where large-scale trading takes place every day. Spend some time there to buy famous local specialties with Henan character, such as Zhengzhou's Top Ten Local Specialties.
Day trips & beyond
Kang Baiwan Manor
"Kang Baiwan" ("Kang the Millionaire") was the title bestowed by Empress Dowager Cixi on the Kang Yingkui family. This manor is a representative example of fortified feudal architecture on the Loess Plateau in the 17th and 18th centuries. Its exterior is simple and solid, while its interior is lavishly decorated, combining features of North China and Loess Plateau residences. Its jade, wood and brick carvings are outstanding and are hailed as a wonder of Central Plains art.
2–4 hours
Shaolin Temple on Mount Song
The "step-by-step lotus" marks worn smooth at the temple gate testify to its popularity. To ordinary visitors this may seem like just a small temple, and the image of crowds of monks is more imagination than reality. But with the imaginative space opened up by tales of the Iron Palm and the Yijin Jing (Sinew Transformation Classic), it is well worth finding out for yourself. If you have time, do not miss Lixue Pavilion (Standing in Snow Pavilion), and ask your guide about the moving legend that took place there.
1–3 hours
Shaolin Temple Pagoda Forest
One of China's largest surviving groups of tomb pagodas, serving as the burial ground of monks through the ages. It contains tomb pagodas of brick, stone, and mixed brick-and-stone construction. The Tang-dynasty Tower of Master Fawan, located in the northwest of the forest, is the oldest in the Pagoda Forest. The Yugong Pagoda in the middle of the forest honours Fuyu, the only monk in Shaolin Temple's history to be granted the title of Duke (Guogong).
0.5 hours
Sanhuang Village Scenic Area
The travel writer Xu Xiake wrote: "Without reaching Sanhuang Village, one cannot call oneself a true Shaolin visitor." It is part of Mount Song Forest Park, and its main peak stands 1,512 metres above sea level, renowned for its natural beauty.
3–4 hours
Songyang Academy
One of China's earliest and most influential academies, founded during the Northern Wei dynasty. Famous scholars including Sima Guang, Fan Zhongyan, and the Cheng brothers Cheng Yi and Cheng Hao lectured here in succession. Part of Sima Guang's "Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government" was completed here. The General's Cypress at Songyang Academy is one of China's oldest cypress trees, known locally as the "Primordial Cypress".
1–2 hours
Mount Shaoshi
The main peak of Shaoshi Mountain, Lianantian Peak, stands 1,512 metres above sea level and is the highest peak of Mount Song. Climbing Shaoshi Mountain requires following a crevice in the cliff face barely a metre wide, grabbing iron rings and pulling on steel cables, and its steepness is intimidating. But once you reach the summit and look out over the green mountains and rolling forests, you will feel as though you have arrived in a fairyland, and every hardship will have been worth it.
1 day
Du Fu's Hometown
Courtyard houses in the scenic area display rare editions of Du Fu's poetry collections, picture-book biographies of his life, and other relics. For centuries, countless literati have come with reverence to pay tribute to the "Sage of Poetry", leaving a vast number of inscriptions and eulogies. The site also gathers calligraphy and paintings by famous artists from China and abroad, of exquisite artistry that is truly unrivalled.
2 hours
Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), pp. 2070–2084. Translated from the Chinese edition; names and prices follow the guidebook. · Plain text version