Zhengzhou Travel Guide

Zhengzhou Maps

 Facts
Phone Code: 0371
Postal Code: 450000
Area: 7,446.2 Sq km (2,875 Sq miles)
Population: 8,627,000 (in 2010)
Nationalities: Han, Hui,
Neighboring Areas: Shandong, Anhui, Hubei, Shaanxi, Shanxi, and Hebei Provinces
Location: Located in the central part of China, Zhengzhou backs on the Songshan Mountain in the west, borders the yellow River in the north, and meets the Huanghuaihai Plain in the east and south, lying between 112°42' - 114°14' east longitude and 34°16' - 34°58' north latitude.

 Physical Features: Located at the transitional area between the second to the third terrace of China terrain, Zhengzhou has a complicated landform made up of mountains, hills, loess hills, inclined plains and alluvial plains.

 History: As early as 4,200 years ago, Zhengzhou was an important city of the Xia (21st - 17th Century BC) and Shang (17st - 11th Century BC) dynasties. In the later dynasties, Xingyang Shire, Beiyun State, Xing State, Guan State, Xifu Shire, Guancheng County and Zheng County were set up here one after another. In the early 19th century, the economy experienced rapid development along with the Pinghan and Longhai Railways gathering here. In 1954, it was upgraded as the capital city of Henan Province.

 Attractions: Zhengzhou, cradle of ancient Chinese civilization, is distributed with numerous historical and cultural sites such as Peiligang Site, Dahe Village Site and Yin Xu (Yin Ruins). Shaolin Temple, known as 'the No. 1 Temple in the World', is just located at the food of the Songshan Moutain. There are also the earliest astronomical architecture of China Zhougong Sundial Platform and Duke Zhou's Shadows Measuring Platform, the largest Daoist architecture Zhongyue Temple and Songyang Academy. The annual Ceremony of Offering sacrifices to the Ancestors at Xinzheng where was the hometown of Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan is fine spectacle. Additionally, the Yellow River flows through Zhengzhou in the north, forming the magnificent Yellow River Scenic Area.

 Transportation: Enjoying the fame as 'the thoroughfare of nine states' (nine states is an alternative name of China), Zhengzhou is the transportation and communication hub of China, playing a strategic function of joining up the east and west and connecting the north and south.
 Air: Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport has opened 61 air routes to 48 domestic cities and some foreign countries like Japan, Russia, Singapore and Malaysia, operating over 540 flights per week.
 Train: Known as 'the Heart of China Railway', Zhengzhou is the intersection of two China trunk railways Jingguang and Longhai Railways, having three special-class railway stations. Zhengzhou North Railway Station is a railway marshalling station, with the largest handling volume in Asia. The East Railway Station is the largest less-than-truck load terminal in China. Zhengzhou Railway Station operates trains to 25 cities, autonomous regions and provinces in China.   

 Bus: The city is one of the 7 roadway hub cities in China, with Jingzhu Expressway and National Highway 107 passing through north and south and National Highway 310 running east and south. Besides Zhengzhou Bus Station opposite to Zhengzhou Railway Station, there are many other bus stations, including the South, North, East, and West Bus Station as well as Er'ma Road Bus Station. Cities buses in the city are mostly self-serviced, with a ticket fare of CNY1 or CNY2 (air-conditioned). For the convenience of the visitors, Tourism Bus No. 1 is especially operated from the Tourism Center in the city to Yellow River Scenic Area, via Zhengzhou Zoo and University Town.
 Taxi: The starting fare of the taxis is CNY6 for the first 2 km (1.2 miles), and then CNY1.5 per km from 3-12 km (1.9-7.5 miles), and CNY2.25 per km for the left way. 

 Weather: Summer in Zhengzhou is hot with frequent thundershowers in the afternoon, while it is dry in spring and winter. Thus, autumn especially late August to the end of October is recommended as the best traveling time to the city.

 Dining and Shopping
Local people mainly live on various pastas, including steamed buns, baked cake, dumplings, stretched noodle, noodles with minced pork and braised noodle. Of them, the most distinguishing is braised noodle which is again divided into braised noodle with mutton, braised noodle with beef and braised noodle with seafood. The most well-known pasta restaurant for visitors is Heji Braised Noodles where there are both various pastas and typical Henan dishes. Local people prefer to go to Xiaoji Braised Noodles. Besides, Dehua Food Street, Lvcheng Square, Er'qi Square, Dong Road Night Market and the Hui People Restaurants in Beixia Street are also popular dining areas.

There are 10 famous local products in the city  - Xinzheng jujube, Xingyang persimmon, Heyin pomegranate, Zhongmou water melon, Zhengzhou cherry, Songshan scilla scilloides, Xinmi honeysuckle, Chaohua garlic, Mixian County Jade and lacquer made from paulownia. Large shopping centers are Er'qi Trading Area made up of more than 10 shopping malls and number less shops and stores, Huayuan Road Trading Area where is for luxurious and brand products and Bishagang Trading Area where is the busiest commercial area in Zhengzhou Western District.