CITY · HENAN
Zhengzhou
郑州 · Zhèngzhōu
Overview
Capital of Henan, transport hub of central China, and gateway to the Shaolin Temple, the Yellow River, and the Buddhist cliff carvings of Longmen.
Zhengzhou is the rail crossing of central China — the Beijing-Guangzhou and Shanghai-Xi'an HSR lines meet here. Most travellers pass through. The city itself is a working modern megacity without much pre-1900 historic core (most of it was rebuilt after the Yellow River flooding and the WWII destruction). The reasons to stay are the day trips: the Shaolin Temple at Mt Song (90 minutes by car), the Longmen Grottoes outside Luoyang (40 minutes by HSR), the Yellow River Scenic Area on the city's edge.
What to see
- Henan Museum (one of China's premier provincial museums)
- Yellow River Scenic Area
- Shaolin Temple at Mt Song — half-day trip
- Erqi Memorial Tower (the city symbol)
What to eat
- Henan-style braised noodles (烩面)
- Stewed lamb soup with bread
Getting there
Zhengzhou Xinzheng (CGO) airport. Zhengzhou East HSR station: Beijing 2h 30m, Shanghai 4h, Xi'an 2h.
Getting around
Metro. Buses and tour-buses to Mt Song.
Where to stay
Near Zhengzhou East HSR for transport convenience.
We list neighbourhoods, not specific hotels — we don't endorse hotels.
When to go
April–May, September–October.
Budget guide (CNY per day)
| Backpacker | ¥240 |
| Mid-range | ¥520 |
| Comfortable | ¥1200 |
Itineraries visiting Zhengzhou
Food of Central China
- Chairman Mao's Red-Braised Pork毛氏红烧肉
Hunan-style slow-braised pork belly in soy, Shaoxing wine and chilli — the dish Mao Zedong reportedly ate weekly in Zhongnanhai.
- Doupi (Wuhan Tofu Skin)豆皮
Wuhan breakfast: layered pan-fried tofu skin and rice cake with mushroom, ham and bamboo shoots inside.
- Fish Head with Chopped Chilli剁椒鱼头
A whole silver carp head blanketed with fermented chopped red chilli and steamed until the flesh is silky and fiery.
- Hunan Chilli Fried Pork小炒肉
Thin-sliced pork belly wok-fried with fresh long green chillies and fermented black beans — Hunan's most-ordered everyday dish.
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