Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden, Kaifeng
清明上河园 · Kaifeng, Henan, China
A Song-dynasty market town rebuilt from the scroll 'Along the River During the Qingming Festival', bringing the splendours of Dongjing back to life.
Know before you go
- During performances don't wander about or block others' view
- look after rented Song costumes and don't wear them to play in the water.
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
The Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden is a Song-culture theme park based on Zhang Zeduan's Northern Song scroll 'Along the River During the Qingming Festival' and built according to the Song building manual Yingzao Fashi; work began in 1992 and it opened in October 1998, rated a national 5A scenic area. Its Rainbow Bridge, city gate towers and entertainment quarters are rebuilt from the painting, and Song street performances such as 'Squire Wang Chooses a Son-in-Law' and 'Judge Bao Tours Bianjing' are staged daily; at night the water spectacle 'Great Song: Dream of Dongjing' strings together the glories of Bianjing through eight Song lyrics. Note that it is a replica theme park built in 1998, recreating the Northern Song of the painting rather than a genuine Song-dynasty site.
Local customs
- Kaifeng people call a visit 'strolling the Song capital', and whole families come out for the Spring Festival and Lantern Festival lanterns
- you can rent Song costumes to wander the park, and 'time-travel' photos are popular with young people
- Kaifeng's night market shares its heritage with the Song-style snacks in the park — soup dumplings and fried bean jelly are must-tries.
Religion & beliefs
- A secular theme park. Wenshu Temple and other buildings in the park are scenery, with no religious activity
- visit as normal.
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Rules that apply here
China: don't get physical in a dispute
- Walk away from an argument and call the police if needed
- Pushing, shoving or fighting
Whoever starts it, taking part in a fight can bring a fine or detention, and the injured party usually demands compensation.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: China travel advice
China: carry your original passport
- Foreign visitors should carry their original passport
- Carrying only a copy or photo of your passport
Police make random ID checks and do not accept printouts; if you cannot show your passport, you may be fined or detained.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: China travel advice
Don’t DON'T
- During performances don't wander about or block others' view
- look after rented Song costumes and don't wear them to play in the water.
Locals appreciate DO
- Kaifeng people love their nightlife, and the Drum Tower night market is busy from dusk until late
- locals like to take visiting friends to see 'Great Song: Dream of Dongjing' first and then have a Kaifeng meal.
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- See the street performances by day and 'Dream of Dongjing' at night, so allow a whole day
- shows run to a fixed schedule, so pick up a programme when you arrive and plan your route
- bring insect repellent for summer evenings. Check tickets and show times on the official website.
Eat nearby
What to eat nearby
Must-try
- Soup dumplings (guantang bao)
- Sweet-and-sour carp with fried noodles
- Tongzi chicken
Soup dumplings (thin skins, lots of soup — a Kaifeng speciality), carp with fried noodles (sweet-and-sour carp with fine noodles), tongzi chicken (savoury braised chicken), mutton kangmo flatbread, almond tea / fried liangfen (night-market snacks)
| Where to eat | The Song-style snack street inside the park, Xisi night market, Drum Tower night market, Diyilou dumpling restaurant |
|---|---|
| Dining etiquette | Some stalls are halal; be mindful |
| Typical price per person | CNY 40–80 |
| Tips | Night markets have the fullest choice once stalls set up in the early evening; with soup dumplings, bite a small hole and sip the soup first to avoid scalding. |
Prices are typical rates as of October 2026, not exact quotes; CNY equivalents are approximate where exchange rates fluctuate.
Windmemories · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photos
Photos
Gary Todd · CC0
w:en:Jps3 (talk | contribs) · Public domain
Gary Todd · CC0
Sources & verification notes
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