The Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden is located in Longting District, Kaifeng City, Henan Province, and is a national 5A-level tourist attraction. The park is based on the famous painting "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" by Northern Song Dynasty artist Zhang Zeduan, recreating the prosperous scene of Bianliang (now Kaifeng) during the Northern Song Dynasty at a 1:1 scale. The garden covers an area of over 600 mu (about 100 acres), including 180 mu of water area and 300,000 square meters of building space. Its unique feature lies in the perfect reproduction of the social life, urban customs, and city layout of the Northern Song capital, earning it the reputation of "a living Qingming Riverside Painting."
History and Culture
The Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden was built in 1992 and officially opened to the public in 1998. The park is based on the famous painting "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" by Northern Song Dynasty artist Zhang Zeduan, recreating the prosperous scene of the Northern Song capital Dongjing Bianliang (now Kaifeng).
"Along the River During the Qingming Festival" is one of China's top ten famous paintings, vividly recording the urban landscape of Bianjing (Kaifeng) during the Northern Song Dynasty and the living conditions of people from all walks of life. The painting is 24.8 cm wide and 528.7 cm long, depicting 814 figures, over 60 livestock, 28 boats, more than 30 buildings, over 20 carts, 8 sedan chairs, and more than 170 trees.
The Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden not only reproduces the architectural scenes in the painting but also allows visitors to experience the urban life and cultural atmosphere of the Northern Song Dynasty through live performances and folk customs shows.
Main Attractions
Rainbow Bridge
The Rainbow Bridge is the iconic structure of the Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden, built according to the wooden arch bridge in "Along the River During the Qingming Festival." The bridge is 30 meters long, 8 meters wide, and 5 meters high, constructed using traditional techniques without a single nail. The bridge often features performances by folk artists showcasing traditional skills like acrobatics and storytelling.
Xuande Hall
Xuande Hall is the largest building in the park, modeled after the main hall of the Northern Song imperial palace, with a construction area of 2,000 square meters. The hall displays many replicas of Song Dynasty cultural relics and materials related to "Along the River During the Qingming Festival," making it an important place to learn about Song Dynasty court culture.
Bian River
The Bian River is the main water system running through the park, about 2 kilometers long and up to 80 meters wide at its widest point. Visitors can take antique-style cruise boats to tour the Bian River, enjoying the Song Dynasty architecture and folk performances along the banks, experiencing the prosperous water transport scene of Bianjing during the Northern Song period.
Market Street
Market Street recreates the commercial district of the Northern Song period, with shops lining both sides of the street, including teahouses, taverns, pawnshops, and pharmacies. Staff dressed in Song-style costumes recreate the lively scene of urban life during the Northern Song. The street area also features various traditional handicraft demonstrations and folk skill shows.
Dongjing Wharf
Dongjing Wharf is an important attraction by the Bian River, showcasing the busy water transport scene during the Northern Song Dynasty. The wharf is docked with several antique-style boats, including passenger ships, cargo ships, and official vessels. There are scheduled "grain transport performances" daily, recreating the spectacular scene of ancient grain transportation.
Cuisine
Kaifeng Steamed Soup Dumplings
Kaifeng Steamed Soup Dumplings are a famous local snack, featuring thin skin, generous filling, and rich soup. There are several shops in the park serving authentic Kaifeng Steamed Soup Dumplings, with "Di Yi Lou" being the most famous. The dumpling-making process is meticulous, requiring 18-22 pleats per dumpling. The filling is mainly pork with aspic, which turns into delicious soup after steaming.
Barrel Chicken
Barrel Chicken is a traditional Kaifeng dish made from local high-quality chicken, marinated in special brine and then stewed in a wooden barrel. The chicken is tender and juicy with a rich aroma. "Ma Yuxing" in the park is the best place to taste authentic Barrel Chicken.
Stir-fried Liangfen
Stir-fried Liangfen is a Kaifeng specialty snack made mainly from mung bean starch jelly, stir-fried with garlic paste, chili, and other seasonings. It has a smooth texture and spicy, delicious taste, making it an excellent summer refreshment. Several stalls in the park's snack street serve this dish.
Surrounding Cuisine
The Drum Tower Night Market near the scenic area is Kaifeng's most famous food gathering place, offering various Henan specialties like Spicy Soup, Stewed Noodles, and Mutton Pancake. The night market operates until late, making it a great place to experience Kaifeng's nightlife.
Ticket Information
The ticket price for Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden is 120 yuan per person. Students with valid IDs can enjoy a half-price discount of 60 yuan, and children under 1.2 meters are free. The park also offers various package options, including ticket + performance packages and annual passes. It is recommended to purchase tickets in advance through the official website or formal travel platforms for certain discounts.
Opening Hours
The Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden is open year-round, with operating hours from 8:30-22:00 (summer) and 8:30-21:00 (winter). Various performance projects in the park have fixed schedules, so visitors are advised to check the latest performance schedule in advance to better arrange their tour route.
Recommended Tour Route
Recommended tour route: Enter from the South Gate → Rainbow Bridge → Market Street → Xuande Hall → Bian River Cruise → Dongjing Wharf → North Garden Scenic Area → Folk Performance Area → Exit. The entire tour takes about 4-6 hours. It is recommended to visit the main architectural attractions in the morning, watch various performances in the afternoon, and enjoy the night view and the "Great Song Dynasty: Dream of the Capital's Splendor" live performance in the evening.
Transportation
- Bus: Take Kaifeng bus routes 1, 15, 20, 30, etc. directly to Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden
- Taxi: About 15-20 yuan from downtown Kaifeng to the garden
- Self-driving: The scenic area has a large parking lot with a fee of 10 yuan per day
- High-speed rail: Take the high-speed rail from Zhengzhou East Station to Kaifeng North Station, then transfer to a bus or taxi (about 20 minutes)
Must-See Attractions
- Rainbow Bridge: Iconic structure showcasing Northern Song bridge architecture
- Bian River Cruise: Experience Northern Song water transport culture on antique boats
- "Great Song Dynasty: Dream of the Capital's Splendor" live show: Large-scale water performance recreating Northern Song prosperity
- Market Street: Experience Northern Song urban life and traditional crafts
- Xuande Hall: Learn about Song Dynasty court culture and architecture
Travel Tips
- Arrive at opening time (8:30) to avoid crowds
- Check performance schedules in advance for better planning
- Wear comfortable shoes as the park is large with much walking
- Sun protection in summer and warm clothing in winter
- Try renting Song-style costumes for fun photos
- Allocate sufficient time for the "Great Song Dynasty" performance
Precautions
- Smoking is prohibited in certain areas
- Protect cultural relics - no touching or climbing
- Follow performance etiquette - no unnecessary movement during shows
- Keep personal belongings safe, especially in crowded areas
- Cash or mobile payments accepted within the park
- Contact staff or emergency numbers if needed