Travel | A Dream of the Great Song Dynasty Across a Thousand Years! Unlock the Vibrant Life of Bianliang City in 3 Days and 2 Nights

When the boats and bustling markets from the "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" scroll come to life, Kaifeng, the ancient capital of eight dynasties, becomes a collective memory for the Chinese people. From the Northern Song capital to a modern city full of life, this place weaves a time tunnel through 168 cultural relic sites, allowing every step on the blue bricks to touch the warmth of a millennium-old civilization. 🌆 3 Days and 2 Nights Immersive Experience Day 1: Travel Through the Painting and Experience Song Dynasty Trends Take the intercity railway from Zhengzhou early in the morning, arriving in Bianliang in 25 minutes. Head straight to Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden, change into Song-style Hanfu to start a magical journey: watch the horse battle smoke of "Yue Fei Snatching the Little Liang King" at Rainbow Bridge, take a rowing boat through the misty "Bian River," and enjoy the free night live show "Great Song · Dream of Tokyo"—thousands of actors recreate the bustling day and night scenes of "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" with water screens and light effects. In August, you can also experience the water park and intangible cultural heritage market. Stay at Haitang Huayu Hotel, where opening the window reveals the brightly lit Song dynasty buildings. Day 2: Decode the Legend of Judge Bao and a Feast for the Taste Buds Walk 10 minutes to Kaifeng Prefecture, watch the "Judge Bao’s Case" performance under the "Gong Sheng Ming" archway, and listen to the guide tell the story of the name Bao Zheng, whose name on the "Kaifeng Prefecture Title Record" stele has been worn smooth by touch. In the afternoon, stroll by Baogong Lake and tear into Dongxiang lamb at "Yibula Boutique Hand-grab" shop for 45 yuan per jin, paired with salted garlic slices and chilled Yellow River beer. At dusk, climb the 64-meter-high Iron Pagoda, where glazed bricks reflect colorful halos in the sunset. Don’t miss the Song dynasty underground palace relic exhibition in Iron Pagoda Park. Day 3: Touch the Frozen Historical Poems At Kaifeng Museum, see the treasure of the museum: the "Kaifeng Prefecture Title Record" stele documenting the ups and downs of 183 prefects’ careers, the bronze patterns of the Dasheng chime bells hiding Emperor Huizong’s elegant music dream, and the kiln-varied glaze color of the Song Jun kiln rose-purple porcelain bowl that no one has been able to replicate to this day. Before returning, be sure to check out the Old River Big Night Market, where Ma’s braised roasted chicken leg pancake costs 11 yuan each, sweet and spicy and satisfying, paired with a bowl of almond tea for 6 yuan, and pack 20 yuan per jin of fried cold noodles as a souvenir. If time allows, rent an electric bike to ride along the ancient city wall and overlook the blue waters and sky of Longting Lake from the Jinyao Gate section. 📌 Local Insider Tips ✅ Pitfall Avoidance: Check the Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden show schedule on the official WeChat account, prioritize watching "Yue Fei Spear-challenging the Little Liang King" (10:00/15:00); the interactive "Catching a Groom in Front of the List" show at Kaifeng Prefecture is strong, single travelers beware (laughs). ✅ Hidden Photo Spots: On the second floor of "Sun Yang Zheng Shop" in Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden, you can shoot a panoramic view of Rainbow Bridge; the "City upon City" relic exhibition on the basement floor of Kaifeng Museum uses a glass walkway to restore the wonder of eight layers of ancient city stacking. ✅ Gear Tips: August in Kaifeng averages 32°C daily, breathable Hanfu and sun-protective ice sleeves are recommended; the museum’s air conditioning is strong, bring a light jacket. 🍜 Taste of Bianliang Besides night market snacks, recommended dishes include: • Huang Family Old Shop’s Carp Baked Noodles: sweet and sour crispy fish with dragon beard noodles • Xisi Night Market’s Lamb Stuffed Flatbread: freshly baked bread stuffed with minced lamb, 5 yuan each, very filling • Daoxiangju’s Vegetarian Potstickers: tofu and vermicelli filling, fragrant and not greasy, 10 yuan per basket 🚗 Practical Tips 📍 Transportation: Zhengzhou East Station → Songcheng Road Station intercity train takes 25 minutes direct; within Kaifeng, shared bikes and Didi rides are more flexible 📍 Tickets: Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden 120 yuan (including show), Kaifeng Prefecture 65 yuan, Museum free (reservation required) 📍 Accommodation: Atour Hotel near Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden is a 5-minute walk to the park and includes Hanfu experience; budget options include Moshang Qingju near Drum Tower, 200 yuan per night When you watch painted boats glide by the Imperial River and hear the melody of "Shui Diao Ge Tou" drifting over, you suddenly understand why Kaifeng locals always say "Every brick and tile tells a story." Here, there is no rigid history lecture, only the vibrant atmosphere and vivid memories crossing a thousand years—this is the ultimate romance of travel.✨