“Kaifeng and Luoyang: A Tale of Two Cities - One with Vivid Folk Flavor, the Other with Profound Historical Weight”
Friends who enjoy visiting ancient capitals and historical sites must be familiar with Kaifeng and Luoyang.
Although both are historical cities, they have completely different temperaments. If Luoyang is a solemn "Dynasty Chronicle", then Kaifeng is more like a lively "Collection of Market Stories". Today, let's take a "tour" to see the different charms of these two ancient cities.
✨ Luoyang: The "Profundity" of the Ancient Capital of Thirteen Dynasties
When it comes to Luoyang, history enthusiasts simply can't miss it. Its historical narrative is continuous, from the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties to the Han and Tang dynasties, like a complete timeline, clear and distinct.
The Erlitou Site: This is considered the capital site of the "Xia Dynasty". Standing beside the ruins, it seems as if one can see the ritual and music civilization thousands of years ago.
The Han - Wei Ancient City: During the Eastern Han and Cao Wei periods, Luoyang was the center of power, leaving behind large - scale city - site ruins.
The Sui - Tang Luoyang City: When walking to the Ying Tianmen Site Square, many people can't help but think of the scene of Wu Zetian's enthronement, magnificent and imposing.
The Longmen Grottoes: There is no need to elaborate much here. It is a world - class wonder. The statues of Buddha are arranged in a scattered and orderly manner, truly a microcosm of imperial grandeur.
What impresses me most about Luoyang is that there are tangible historical relics everywhere. When you go to the Luoyang Museum, you can see all kinds of treasures; when you enter the subway station, even the murals tell historical stories. History is not fragmented but systematic and of a palatial level.
Tips: Luoyang's night - tour projects are also worth experiencing. For example, the 3D projection at Ying Tianmen, the light show at Tiantang and Mingtang, and the Hanfu experience in Luoyi Ancient City. Visit the ruins during the day and enjoy the lights at night, with a strong sense of immersion.
Kaifeng: The "Folk Flavor" of the Prosperous Song Dynasty
Now let's talk about Kaifeng. Kaifeng was the Dongjing Bianliang of the Northern Song Dynasty, known as the "ancient capital of eight dynasties". But when you really enter Kaifeng, you will find that its temperament is completely different from that of Luoyang.
The Qingming Shanghe Garden: This is the top scenic spot in Kaifeng. The live performances are very lively, and the night - tour is even more crowded. Although it is a theme park built in 1998, the atmosphere is full.
The Gulou Night Market and Shudian Street: Lantern signs hang all over the street. Every few steps, there are small stalls selling steamed buns with soup and Hu spicy soup. It's very lively, as if you have traveled back to the Song - Dynasty market.
The old alleys around the Daxiangguo Temple: It is filled with the smell of incense during the day and is full of folk flavor at night.
Kaifeng's way of presenting history is more like a storyteller, interweaving the stories of "Bao Qingtian" and "the Yang Family Generals" into the daily life of the market. You don't feel its profundity, but you feel a sense of intimacy, as if history and people's lives are intertwined and very close to you.
However, many tourists may complain that there is not much to see in Kaifeng. In fact, the problem is not that Kaifeng has no history, but that many good things are buried underground. Due to the flooding of the Yellow River, Kaifeng has been flooded seven times successively. The accumulation of sediment has formed a "city - on - city" situation, with six ancient cities stacked underground. The site of the imperial palace of the Northern Song Dynasty is now buried 8 - 12 meters deep, and there are very few Song - Dynasty relics visible on the surface. The Iron Pagoda and the Fan Pagoda in front of you are real relics, but most of the scenic spots are modern imitations.
So the charm of Kaifeng lies more in its legends and folk flavor. It makes you feel like "traveling through time", but lacks that kind of "authentic" historical shock.
City Temperaments: Profound vs. Folksy
In summary, Luoyang has the temperament of an orthodox dynasty, while Kaifeng has the folk - flavor of the market.
Luoyang: The imperial statues in the Longmen Grottoes, the dignity of the Tianzi Jiuliu Chariot and Horse Pit, and the grandeur of the Ying Tianmen Site all emphasize the height of the "Divine Capital". It gives people a sense of solemnity and profundity.
Kaifeng: The prosperity of the Song Dynasty relied on commercial civilization. The bustle in "Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival" can still be found in the night market today. Although it has suffered from floods many times, the optimistic spirit of "enjoying today's wine while it lasts" has been passed down.
It's like two people: Luoyang is a steady and magnanimous elder, while Kaifeng is a folksy friend who can tell stories.
Modern Development: A Big Gap
Many people think that ancient capitals only compete in history, but modern development also shows a big gap.
Luoyang: The second - largest city in Henan, with a GDP of about 581.9 billion yuan last year, ranking 55th in the country. New energy, aerospace, and high - end equipment manufacturing are on the rise. Two subway lines have been opened. The city is neatly planned and has the style of a big metropolis.
Kaifeng: Its GDP last year was only 276.1 billion yuan, ranking 11th among the 18 prefecture - level cities in Henan. Its pillar industries are food processing, textiles, and cultural tourism. There is no subway in the city. The construction of high - rise buildings is restricted. Many old residential areas and imitation ancient buildings are mixed together, and the overall appearance is close to that of an ordinary county - town. Except for the area around the Qingming Shanghe Garden, other areas have the authentic "small - town folk flavor".
So you will find that Luoyang has the dual temperament of "great - site protection + modern metropolis", while Kaifeng is more like a small city with low - cost and slow - paced life.
The Unique Value of Kaifeng
Does that mean Kaifeng has no chance? Not really. The unique value of Kaifeng lies in its "city - on - city" situation. Six ancient cities underground are unique in the world. In the future, if there are breakthroughs in archaeology and great - site protection, Kaifeng has every chance to make a comeback and truly showcase the elegance of the "ancient capital of eight dynasties".
In addition, Kaifeng has a strong sense of life:
The steamed buns with soup and mutton炕 bread at the night - market stalls are full of happiness when you take a bite.
In the old houses in the alleys, children are chasing and playing, and the elderly are sitting at the door, chatting while cracking sunflower seeds.
The housing price is 60% cheaper than that of Luoyang. For young people looking for a slow - paced place to settle down, Kaifeng is very suitable.
This kind of "human touch" is the unique charm of Kaifeng.
Travel Suggestions
If you plan to travel to Henan, my suggestions are:
Luoyang: Suitable for in - depth historical and cultural tourism. Spend two or three days focusing on visiting the Longmen Grottoes, Baima Temple, Ying Tianmen, Tiantang and Mingtang, and then combine with the night - tour of Luoyi Ancient City. Friends who like history will definitely feel that it's worth the ticket price.
Kaifeng: Suitable for experiencing the folk customs. The night market is a must - visit. Although the Qingming Shanghe Garden is an imitation, the performances are worth watching. The area around the Daxiangguo Temple can also give you a taste of Kaifeng. Two days are enough. Don't have too high expectations for historical relics. Relax and enjoy the folk flavor.
One is profound and the other is light - hearted, each with its own flavor
Although Luoyang and Kaifeng both belong to Henan, they have completely different temperaments.
Luoyang is profound and solemn, the solemnity of the "Divine Capital".
Kaifeng is lively and amiable, the vividness of the "market".
One is a palatial - level historical scroll, and the other is an immersive market story. The beauty of traveling lies in this: there is no need to distinguish which is better. Each has its own charm.
So if you come to Henan, it's best to arrange visits to both cities. You will experience the grandeur of the thousand - year - old dynasties in Luoyang and taste the folk sentiment in a bowl of Hu spicy soup in Kaifeng.
The trip to the ancient capitals of Henan is really memorable.
