Zhengzhou Attractions Guide 2026

Top attractions

The most popular and significant attractions in Zhengzhou.

1. 1

   Henan Museum

   museumAdult Free; advance real-name reservation required via the museum's official WeChat account, and foreign visitors bring their passport to register at the entrance · Child Free3-4 hours

   One of China's oldest provincial museums, holding Shang bronzes, jade, and Central Plains ceramics and relics.

   Tip: Reserve a slot several days ahead through the museum's official WeChat account · Bring a passport; foreign visitors register with it at the entrance · Arrive at opening on a weekday to avoid school groups and queues · Allow three to four hours and last entry before 4:30 PM in summer · The museum is closed on Mondays except public holidays · Use a translation app for detailed Chinese-language panels

2. 2

   Zhengzhou Shangdu Site Museum (Shang City Site Museum)

   museum/archaeological siteAdult Free with reservation (verify current booking rules on the museum's official WeChat account; carry a passport) · Child Free1.5-2 hours

   Museum devoted to the 3,600-year-old Shang capital found beneath old Zhengzhou, with bronzes and a model of the ancient city.

   Tip: Reserve through the official WeChat account and carry a passport · Last reservation is at 3:50 PM and last admission at 4:00 PM · The museum is closed on Mondays · Visit the museum first, then walk the Shang wall for context · Weekday mornings are the quietest time · Use Amap and search 郑州商都遗址博物院 for the entrance

3. 3

   Shang City Ruins (Zhengzhou Shang Dynasty City Wall Ruins Park)

   archaeological ruin/parkAdult Free · Child Free1-1.5 hours

   Rammed-earth walls, up to 9 m high in places, of the Zhengzhou Shang city thought to be the capital Ao or Bo, dated to about 1600-1400 BC.

   Tip: Visit the Shangdu Site Museum first for context · Go early morning or late afternoon for cooler weather and better light · Stay on paths and do not climb fragile earthen slopes · Bring water and sun protection, as shade is limited · Search 商城遗址 in Amap to find wall sections · Signage is mostly Chinese, so use a translation app

4. 4

   Erqi Memorial Tower

   landmark/memorialAdult Free to enter the square; a small fee of about CNY 20-30 ($3-$4.50) applies to climb the tower · Child Free1 hour

   A 63 m twin-tower memorial to the 1923 railway workers' strike, and the city's central landmark in Erqi Square.

   Tip: Entering the square is free; climbing the tower costs about CNY 20-30 · Verify opening hours on Amap before visiting · Visit in the evening to see the lit tower · Metro Lines 1 and 2 stop at Erqi Square Station · Combine with Zijingshan Park behind the tower · Exhibition text is mostly Chinese, so use a translation app

5. 5

   Yellow River Scenic Area (Huanghe Fengjingming Shengqu)

   river scenic areaAdult Roughly CNY 60-100 ($9-$15) for the main gate; extra fees for cable cars, cruises and statues (verify at the ticket office) · Child Reduced fares for children under 1.2 m; verify at the gateHalf day to full day

   A hillside park on the southern bank of the Yellow River, with statues of the Yan and Yellow Emperors and views over the wide silt-heavy river.

   Tip: Main gate ticket is roughly CNY 60-100; extras cost more · Take a DiDi from Zhengzhou, about CNY 70-100 each way · Wear comfortable shoes for steps and slopes · Go on clear days in spring or autumn · Arrange a return ride in advance, as taxis can be scarce late in the day · Verify seasonal hours on Amap

6. 6

   Zijingshan Park

   parkAdult Free · Child Free1-2 hours

   Central park favoured for morning tai chi, singing groups and lake strolls, a good place to see everyday Zhengzhou life.

   Tip: Arrive around 6:30-8:00 AM to see the most activity · Ask before photographing people up close · Combine with the Erqi Memorial Tower next door · Metro Line 1 to Erqi Square Station, then walk 10-15 minutes · Bring small change for drinks and boat rentals · Avoid holiday afternoons when paths are crowded

7. 7

   Chenghuang Temple (Zhengzhou City God Temple)

   templeAdult About CNY 30-40 ($4.50-$6); verify at the gate · Child Reduced or free for children under 1.2 m1 hour

   A Ming-era Taoist temple dedicated to the city guardian deity, rebuilt several times, noted for its glazed-tile roofs and stone carving.

   Tip: Admission is about CNY 30-40; verify at the gate · Visit on weekday mornings for quiet · Show drivers 郑州城隍庙 when taking DiDi · Dress modestly and keep voices low · Check for statue photography restrictions · Consider visiting during a Lunar New Year temple fair

8. 8

   Zhengdong CBD and Greenland Central Plaza (Big Corn)

   urban landmarkAdult Free to walk the area; observation decks cost extra (verify on site) · Child Free1-2 hours

   The modern Zhengdong skyline, ringed by lakeside gardens, including the 'Big Corn' Greenland Central Plaza tower.

   Tip: Visit at dusk for the illuminated skyline · Observation decks charge extra; verify on site · Take DiDi for about CNY 25-35 from the station · Bring sun protection in summer, as shade is limited · Avoid flying drones, since local restrictions apply · Eat at nearby malls after a lakeside walk

9. 9

   Shaolin Temple

   temple/martial artsAdult Around CNY 80-100 ($12-$15) for the temple and pagoda forest area (verify at the gate) · Child Reduced or free for children under 1.2 mHalf day to full day

   The famed Chan Buddhist and kung fu temple founded in 495 AD, with the Hall of Thousand Buddhas and martial arts shows.

   Tip: Arrive at opening to beat the tour buses · Ticket is around CNY 80-100; verify at the gate · Dress modestly and stay quiet in the halls · Coach from Zhengzhou Bus Station takes 90-120 minutes · Treat unofficial guides and lesson offers with caution · Allow extra time to combine with the Pagoda Forest and Mount Song sites

10. 10

    Shaolin Pagoda Forest

    historic siteAdult Included in the Shaolin scenic area ticket · Child Reduced or free for children under 1.2 m1 hour

    More than 200 brick and stone burial pagodas of Shaolin abbots and monks from the Tang to Qing dynasties.

    Tip: The ticket is shared with Shaolin Temple, so keep it for entry · Go in the morning for the best light and fewer groups · Wear sturdy shoes for uneven paving · Do not climb on or touch the pagodas · Walk from the temple gate or use the scenic area shuttle · Bring a hat in summer for sun protection

Attractions by category

Explore by your interests.

Practical information

What you need to know before you go.

Hours

Museums (Henan Museum, Zhengzhou Shangdu Site Museum) close on Mondays; parks open most of the day. Day-trip sites near Dengfeng, Luoyang and Kaifeng usually open about 8:00 AM-5:30 PM.

Fees

Central Zhengzhou museums are free with a passport and reservation; Erqi Tower climbing, temples and the Yellow River Scenic Area cost about CNY 20-100 ($3-$15). Longmen Grottoes cost about CNY 90 ($13.43). Rate used: 1 USD = 6.70 CNY.

Best Times

April-May and late September-October for mild weather; avoid 1-7 October and 1-5 May, when Henan Museum and Shaolin are extremely crowded.

Booking

Book Henan Museum free slots several days ahead through its official WeChat account; foreign visitors register with a passport. Buy high-speed rail tickets on the 12306 app or Trip.com, and carry the passport used to book.

Tips for visiting attractions

Make the most of your sightseeing time.

Frequently asked questions