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Photo: caoyuan, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Kaifeng is a prefecture-level city in east-central Henan province, China. It is one of the Eight Ancient Capitals of China, having been the capital eight times in history.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
朱仙镇清真寺
A historic mosque founded during the Ming dynasty and rebuilt in 1738. The surviving complex includes an entrance gate, side rooms and a prayer hall decorated with green glazed tiles and elaborate wood and stone carvings. Two Qing-dynasty stone tablets are preserved in the courtyard, including an Arabic-inscription tablet dating from 1805. It has been a nationally protected cultural heritage site since 2006. Visitors should dress modestly and avoid disturbing worship.
朱仙镇启封故园
A large cultural tourism park on the Yunliang River, designed with reconstructed Ming- and Qing-style streets, canals, bridges and traditional courtyards. Attractions include the Qifeng Gate, the Grain Inspection Building, Zhuangyuan Bridge, Kuixing Street and displays of local crafts such as woodblock New Year prints. Cultural performances and seasonal events are also held in the park.
繁塔, pó tǎ
Standing nine storeys tall until the Ming dynasty, this stocky three-storey hexagonal pagoda dates to 974, and is covered in large tiles featuring Buddhist figures. Tourists seldom visit. It can be climbed if the internal stairway's gate is unlocked that day.
开封博物馆; Kāifēng Bówùguǎn
Huge museum in the new part of Kaifeng with exhibitions of paintings, stelae and bronze. There is an exhibition on Song technology including a life-size copy of water-powered observatory and a room dedicated to the painting Along the River During the Qingming Festival showing Song-era Kaifeng. The original is not in Kaifeng but there are several old copies and a well-made multimedia version. Kaifeng Jews stelae are not on display as of April 2018.
金明池遗址公园
A public park built around the site of Jinming Pool, an imperial garden and naval training ground during the Northern Song dynasty. The historic pool was associated with dragon-boat races and water performances and was depicted in the painting “Competition on Jinming Pool”. The modern park has a large lake, waterfront walkways and reconstructed Song-style landscape features. It is particularly pleasant for walking and watching the sunset.
包公祠
Temple built to honor Lord Bao.