Posted 2017/3/15
Kaifeng is located in the east of Henan Province. It is one of the 24 famous historical and cultural cities in the list released by the State Council. Kaifeng covers an area of 6444 square kilometers (644400 hectares), with a population of 5 million. The district number here is 0378, the post code 475000. 72 kilometers from Zhengzhou which is the capital city of Henan Province, it is about a 45-minute drive from Kaifeng to Zhengzhou.
Kaifeng is the among the seven historical capitals of China. It is called “Metropolis of Seven Dynasties”. As early as in Northern Song Dynasty, Kaifeng has been the political, economic and cultural center of China. It was also one of the most developed and prosperous cities at that time, known as “International Metropolis”. Each dynasty left rich historical and cultural heritage. For example, there are a variety of architectural styles in the ancient buildings in Kaifeng, with characteristics of different period such as Song Dynasty, Yuan Dynasty, Ming Dynasty, Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China. Apart from historical sites like Long Ting (Dragon Pavilion), Tie Ta (Iron Tower Park), Xiang Guo Si (Shokokuji), Song Du Yu Jie (Imperial Street of Song Dynasty) and Qing Ming Shang He Yuan (Millennium City Park or Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden) represent the old glory of Kaifeng, capital city of Northern Song Dynasty.
Kaifeng is also famous as “City of Calligraphy and Traditional Chinese Painting” and “City of Traditional Opera”. Four famous Calligraphy styles “Su” (initiated by Su Shi), “Huang” (initiated by Huang Tingjian), “Mi” (initiated by Mi Fu) and “Cai” (initiated by Cai Xiang) originated here. Kaifeng is the birthplace of Xiang Fu Yune in Yu Ju (Henan Opera) and Henan Zhuizi. When traveling in Kaifeng, people can have a tour to the Painting and Calligraphy Institutes and some theaters. They may gain some serendipity.
