Cheap flights to Zhengzhou
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Quick summary
Country
China
Continent
Asia
Airport
CGO
Currency
Chinese yuan (renminbi)
Time zone
UTC+8
Deals already spotted to Zhengzhou
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Henan's capital
Zhengzhou, a rail hub on the Yellow River
Zhengzhou is the capital of Henan province, in north-central China, on the southern bank of the Yellow River. It is a crossroads of high-speed lines, on both the Beijing-Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong route and the Xuzhou-Lanzhou route, and it is better seen as a base than as a museum city.
A very old city under a modern skyline
The area was home to the Shang dynasty capital, Ao or Bo, between about 1600 and 1046 BC, and parts of the Shang city wall still stand downtown. Today Zhengzhou is also known for Foxconn's plant, described as the world's largest smartphone factory and nicknamed iPhone City.
Day trips
Three excursions from Zhengzhou
| Destination | Getting there | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Shaolin Monastery and Pagoda Forest | At the foot of Wuru Peak in the Songshan range, in Dengfeng, about 72 km from Zhengzhou according to one source | The birthplace of Shaolin kung fu and Chan (Zen) Buddhism |
| Kaifeng | High-speed trains about every 30 minutes from Zhengzhou East, or around 90 minutes by bus (about 40 yuan by city-to-city bus according to Wikivoyage, to be checked) | A former imperial capital with an old city wall and the Iron Pagoda |
| Luoyang | High-speed train in under an hour from Zhengzhou East, or about 3 hours by bus (about 70 yuan by bus according to Wikivoyage, to be checked) | The Longmen Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the White Horse Temple |
Landmark
Shaolin, the temple of kung fu and Zen
Founded in 495 or 496 under Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei, with the Indian monk Batuo as first abbot, the Shaolin Monastery is tied to the Chan tradition that became Zen. Bodhidharma is said to have arrived around 527, although the claim that he created Shaolin martial arts is a later one.
The Pagoda Forest and UNESCO
The Pagoda Forest holds 240 tomb pagodas from the Tang to the Qing dynasties. The monastery and pagodas were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2010 as part of the Historic Monuments of Dengfeng.
Visiting
Opening hours are listed as 07:00 to 17:00, allow two to four hours, and kung fu shows are held daily.
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Museums
Henan, Zhengzhou and the Yellow River: free museums
The Henan Museum, one of China's oldest, holds more than 130,000 objects, from prehistoric fossils to ritual bronzes. Henan is one of the cultural cradles of the country, so it is the place to understand the province before heading to Shaolin or the old capitals. Admission is free and it is closed on Mondays (Wikivoyage); check the opening hours and any booking rule.
| Museum | Good to know |
|---|---|
| Henan Museum | More than 130,000 objects; free, open about 09:00 to 17:30, closed Mondays (Wikivoyage). |
| Zhengzhou Museum | Free according to Wikivoyage, closed on Tuesdays except public holidays. |
| Yellow River Museum | Devoted to the river; free according to Wikivoyage, closed Mondays. |
| Zhengzhou Art Museum | Free according to Wikivoyage, closed Mondays except public holidays. |
| Erqi Memorial Tower | A 14-storey double tower in the centre, commemorating the 1923 strike. |
Opening hours and booking rules change, so check before you go. Parts of the Shang dynasty city wall, remains of a capital more than 3,000 years old, can be seen downtown; the mounds are low and not especially spectacular, says Wikivoyage.
The Yellow River
By the river of Chinese civilisation
A stretch of 150.4 km of the Yellow River runs within the Zhengzhou area and passes the northern edge of the city. The Yellow River Scenic Area has large statues of the Yan and Yellow Emperors.
A river with a history
The river shaped the city's history: in 1938 Nationalist forces opened dikes to slow the Japanese invasion, with hundreds of thousands of victims. The Yellow River Scenic Area charges an entrance fee (about 60 yuan according to Wikivoyage, to be checked).
Eating
Hulatang, mutton noodles and huimian
Hulatang for breakfast
A thick, peppery soup that is the typical breakfast here; Shunhelu is named as the best place to try it.
Huimian noodles
Hand-pulled noodles in mutton or beef broth. Hui Ji Mutton Noodles on Renmin Road, open since 1950, and Heji on Huayuan Road are two known addresses.
Night market and squares
The underground night market of Dehua New Street fills with stalls after dark: grilled skewers, stir-fried jelly noodles and almond milk. Erqi Square, the city's shopping heart, also has a snack market and department stores. Wikivoyage names three well-known huimian chains, including Hui Ji, open since 1950, and Heji.
Getting to Zhengzhou
Zhengzhou Xinzheng airport and the city by metro
Zhengzhou Xinzheng
The city's international airport, about 30 km from the centre (Wikivoyage), served by the Chengjiao line of the metro and by intercity trains.
Line 2 of the metro (Chengjiao extension) serves the airport, and intercity trains run to Zhengzhou East, the main high-speed station and a springboard for Kaifeng and Luoyang. A taxi costs around 120 to 140 yuan according to Wikivoyage (a single source, to be confirmed). Direct buses also leave the airport for Kaifeng and Luoyang without passing through the centre. From Zhengzhou East, high-speed trains reach Beijing in about 2.5 hours, Wuhan and Xi'an in about 2 hours and Shanghai in about 4 hours (Wikipedia).
Getting around
Metro, buses and stations
The city has an extensive metro (13 lines according to Wikipedia); Wikivoyage gives a fare of 2 yuan under 6 km, rising to 9 yuan, with most lines running about 06:00 to 23:00. City buses cost 1 to 2 yuan. Zhengzhou's main station is in the centre, while Zhengzhou East serves only high-speed trains, about 45 minutes by metro from Erqi Square. Wikivoyage warns that some taxis overcharge foreigners and that pickpockets operate on buses: keep an eye on your belongings and prefer a metered taxi or an app.
Budget
A cheap city by Chinese standards
Zhengzhou is a large inland city where lodging and meals cost less than in Beijing or Shanghai, and most museums are free. Older hotel rates quoted by Wikivoyage run from 100 to 250 yuan for a double (dated figures, to be rechecked). A huimian meal costs around 30 to 50 yuan (Wikivoyage, Hui Ji). Excursions to Shaolin and Luoyang cost more in entrance tickets and transport: budget for them separately.
When to go
Spring and autumn are the best seasons
April to May
Warm but not punishing, with March averaging about 10 C and May about 22 C.
June to August
Hot and humid, with July the warmest month at about 28 C on average, and most of the rain falls in July and August.
September to October
Comfortable and clear, though the first week of October is a national holiday and crowded. The International Shaolin Martial Arts Festival is typically held in October.
December to February
Cool and dry, with daily means of about 1 to 4 C.
Zhengzhou has a monsoon-influenced continental climate: about 1 C in January and 27.8 C in July on average, with 630 mm of rain a year (Wikipedia). Records exceed 42 C. Winter is long, from mid-November to late March according to Wikivoyage.
How long to stay
Two to four days
City and museum
The Henan Museum, the Erqi tower and a huimian meal.
Shaolin
The temple and the Pagoda Forest, in Dengfeng, as an excursion.
Old capitals
Kaifeng and Luoyang by high-speed train, or the Yellow River.
In pictures
Zhengzhou in pictures
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to Zhengzhou
Which airport serves Zhengzhou?
Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport (CGO). Line 2 of the metro serves it, and intercity trains link it to Zhengzhou East station.
Can I visit the Shaolin Temple from Zhengzhou?
Yes, it is the region's best-known excursion. The monastery stands at the foot of Wuru Peak in the Songshan range, in Dengfeng, and is often combined with the nearby Pagoda Forest. Allow two to four hours on site.
How long does it take to reach Kaifeng and Luoyang?
High-speed trains for Kaifeng leave about every 30 minutes from Zhengzhou East, and Luoyang is under an hour by the fastest trains. Buses take about 90 minutes and about 3 hours.
What should I eat in Zhengzhou?
Hulatang, the peppery breakfast soup, and huimian noodles with mutton or beef.
Which museums can I visit in Zhengzhou?
The Henan Museum (more than 130,000 objects), the Zhengzhou Museum and the Yellow River Museum, free according to Wikivoyage, with closing days to check.
How do I get around Zhengzhou?
By metro (2 yuan under 6 km, up to 9 yuan), city buses at 1 or 2 yuan, and high-speed trains from Zhengzhou East for the excursions.
When is the best time to go to Zhengzhou?
April-May and September-October. Summer is hot and rainy, winter cold and dry; avoid the first week of October, which is very crowded.
How much does a flight to Zhengzhou usually cost?
It mostly depends on your departure city, the season and how far ahead you book. The "deals" section above shows real examples of prices already detected by SniperAir for this destination.
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