Zhengzhou
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Central China (华中) » Henan (河南) » Zhengzhou (郑州)
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[edit] Overview
Zhengzhou (郑州) is a city on the south bank of Yellow River (Huang He) in China. It is the capital of Henan Province.
Situated in the Central Plains, Zhengzhou rests on Mount Songshan in the west, borders on the Yellow River in the north, and connects the Huang Huai Plains in the east and south. It is one of the oldest central cities in China, a hub of communications directly accessing 10 provinces, and a strategic place throughout the various dynasties. In modern history Zhengzhou was the source of the great February 7 Strike launched by the railway workers along the Beijing-Hankou line ,adding a glorious chapter to the history that could move people to song and tears. Today's Zhengzhou is the capital of Henan Province, has jurisdiction over 6 districts, 5 county-level cities and 1 county, covers a total area of 7446.2 square kilometers and presently owns a total population of 6.977 million. The city proper of Zhengzhou has an area of 1062 square kilometers (of which, 137 square kilometers belongs to the developed urban area), a population of 3.22 million, and two national development zones.
[edit] History
The Shang Dynasty established Aodu (隞都) or Bodu (亳都) in Zhengzhou (see also: History of China). The pre-historical city had been long lost even before the time of the First Emperor of China. Since 1950 archaeological finds have shown that there were Neolithic settlements in the area and that the Shang Bronze Age culture, which flourished there from about 1500 BC, was centered on a walled city. Outside this city, in addition to remains of large public buildings, a complex of small settlements has been discovered. The site is generally identified with the Shang capital of Ao. The Shang, who continually moved their capital, left Ao, perhaps in the 13th century BC. The site, nevertheless, remained occupied; Zhou (post-1050 BC) tombs have also been discovered. Traditionally it is held that in the Western Zhou period (1111–771 BC) it became the fief of a family named Guan. From this derives the name borne by the county (xian) since the late 6th century BC — Guancheng (City of the Guan). The city first became the seat of a prefectural administration in AD 587, when it was named Guanzhou. In 605 it was first called Zhengzhou — a name by which it has been known virtually ever since.
The name of Zhengzhou came from Sui Dynasty (AD 581), albeit it was located in Chenggao, another town. The government moved to the contemporary city during Tang Dynasty. It achieved its greatest importance under the Sui (AD 581–618), Tang (618–907), and early Song (960–1127) dynasties, when it was the terminus of the New Bian Canal, which joined the Yellow River to the northwest. There, at a place called Heyin, a vast granary complex was established to supply the capitals at Luoyang and Chang'an to the west and the frontier armies to the north. In the Song period, however, the transfer of the capital eastward to Kaifeng robbed Zhengzhou of much of its importance.It is a capital during the five dynasties of Xia, Shang, Guan, Zheng, and Han, and a prefecture during the eight dynasties of Sui, Tang, Five Dynasties, Song, Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing.
In 1903 the Beijing–Hankou railway arrived at Zhengzhou, and in 1909 the first stage of the Longhai Railway gave it an east–west link to Kaifeng and Luoyang; it later was extended eastward to the coast at Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, and westward to Xi'an (Chang'an), Shaanxi Province, as well as to western Shaanxi. Zhengzhou thus became a major rail junction and a regional center for cotton, grain, peanuts (groundnuts), and other agricultural produce. Early in 1923 a workers' strike began in Zhengzhou and spread along the rail line before it was suppressed; a 14-story double tower in the center of the city commemorates the strike. In 1938, during the war with Japan, the retreating Chinese Nationalist Army blew up the dikes retaining the Yellow River about 32 km northeast of the town, flooding a vast area. At about the same time, in their drive to relocate industry in the interior far from the invading Japanese, the Chinese transferred all the local plants to the west.
When the Communist government came to power in 1949, Zhengzhou was a commercial and administrative center, but it had virtually no industry. Because it was the center of a densely populated cotton-growing district, it was developed into an industrial city, with industry concentrated on the west side so that the prevailing northeast winds would blow fumes away from the city. There are cotton-textile plants, spinning mills, textile-machinery works, flour mills, tobacco and cigarette factories, and various food-processing plants; coal is mined nearby.
Zhengzhou also has a locomotive and rolling-stock repair plant, a tractor-assembly plant, and a thermal generating station. The city's industrial growth has resulted in a large increase in population, largely of industrial workers from the north. Trees have been planted throughout the city's more than 23 km² area, holding down the sand that formerly blew in thick gusts through the city. A water diversion project and pumping station, built in 1972, has provided irrigation for the surrounding countryside. The city has an agricultural university. --from wikipedia.org
[edit] Weather
Current Conditions (2010-03-13 05:00:00, local time)
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Zhengzhou |
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Zhengzhou Weather Forecast
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[edit] Getting in & Getting out
[edit] By Air
The airport, Zhengzhou Xinzheng Airport (郑州新郑国际机场), is about 30 km southeast of downtown Zhengzhou, at the border line of town of Xuedian (薛店镇) and town of Mengzhuang (孟庄镇). There are about 19 airlines with a total of 61 routes from/to Zhengzhou, going to 45 cities.
Airport shuttle buses run from the airport to Henan Civil Aviation Hotel Zhengzhou centrally located at 3 Jinshui Road. The shuttle buses operate between 6：00--18：00, and take about 40 minutes between the airport and the hotel. The buses depart the airport whenever necessary according to the arrival schedule of the flights; and leave the hotel for the airport every hour at the beginning of each hour. The shuttle bus ticket is 15 RMB. Taxi costs about 80 RMB one way.
The airport info line is 0371-68510055.
[edit] By Train
Zhengzhou railway station is over 100 years old (established in 1904). China's biggest transit station for both passenger trains and freight trains. China's two railway arteries, Beijing-Guangzhou (京广线) and Longhai (Lianyungang, Jiangsu -- Lanzhou, Gansu) (陇海线) (Long for Gansu, and Hai for Lianyungang) intersect here at Zhengzhou [1]. The station handles over 260 passenger trains every day and about 61.5k passengers on average every day (over 90k passengers on a peak day). You can get here from nearly every major cities, such as Beijing (about 11 hours), Guangzhou (about 18 hours), Xi'an (about 5 hours) and Shanghai (about 14 hours).
The train station info line is: 0371-68356666
You can buy the tickets 2 ~ 10 days in advance. Station window # 57 ~ 60 sells tickets 4~10 days in advance, and other windows sell tickets 1~3 says in advance.
[edit] By Bus
The long-distance bus station is right across from the train station. Buses are generally cheaper, but less comfortable than the trains, even though the long-distance buses generally come with sleepers. Buses go to almost all major cities in China.
[edit] Getting Around
[edit] By Public Bus
Zhengzhou is relatively spread out, but most sites are accessible by public bus, which costs ¥1 or ¥2 per ride - depending on whether or not there is air-conditioning, those with A/C being more expensive but usually less crowded. --from wikitravel.org
[edit] By Tour Bus
[edit] By Metro
The plan of "Zhengzhou Subway line No. 1" as well as "Zhengzhou Subway line No. 2", recently have been approved by National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) in Feb. 2009. Zhengzhou Subway, will be a rapid transit rail network that serves both the urban and suburban districts of Zhengzhou municipality. As planned, those two projects will start from 2009 and will be finished in 2013 and 2015 respectively. Also as referenced in the long term plan, there are another 4 lines pending approval, Line 3 and Line 4 will be under construction during 2015-2020 and will be in operation by 2020, project on Line 5 and Line 6 will begin since 2020. --from wikipedia.org
[edit] By Taxi & Rental Car
Taxi fares begin at ¥6 in the day, ¥7 in the evening, and ¥8 late at night, with each kilometer after the second costing ¥1.5. All taxis are metered, and the drivers rarely, if ever, try to cheat foreigners. --from wikitravel.org
[edit] Attractions
[edit] Hotels
[edit] Budget
[edit] Mid Range
[edit] Luxury
- Dahe Jinjiang Hotel
- Express by Holiday Inn Zhengzhou
- Fengleyuan Hotel
- Holiday Inn Zhengzhou
- Kai Lai Hotel
- Red Coral Hotel
- The Geat Wall Hotel
- Xinhua Jianguo Hotel
- Zhengzhou Weilai Conifer Hotel
- Zhengzhou Jin Qiao Hotel
[edit] Restaurants
[edit] Chinese
Zhengzhou has a diverse array of fine Chinese cuisine. Its location at China's center means you can find almost any type of Chinese food here. The city's big enough to have a scattering of cosmopolitian restaurants, and while there are a number of fake Korean, Japanese, and Western options about, you will do best to stick with Chinese food.
Some of the finest restaurants are located on Jingsan Road (经三路). To find these restaurants, ask a taxi driver to take you to a restaurant called Xiaonanguo (小南国), located at 经三路北16号, and just look around. You'll find a number of options about. Xiaonanguo itself is an excellent restaurant featuring regional dishes from all over China.
The night market in Erqi (Feburary 7) Square is a good place for a snack and scenery. There's the usual assortment of dumpling shops and noodle joints on every street and back alley. There's a good number of Sichuan restaurants, which make sense considering the proximity to the Province of Spice. Noodles, especially the mutton noodle (Simplified Chinese:羊肉烩面 Pinyin: yangrouhuimian) and beef noodle (Simplified Chinese:牛肉拉面 Pinyin: niuroulamian) are must-eat in Zhengzhou.There are three good yangrouhuimian restouants ,named "xiao ji 萧记"，“he ji 合记”，“ju feng yuan聚丰园”,there are many locations,ask a taxi driver to take you the nearest one,you will tast the best delicilous huimian in zhengzhou.
You should not miss a special breakfast in Zhengzhou,that's hulatang in Chinese,it's a special soup, is a little spicy,you'd better go to shuhelu,that lulatang is best.
[edit] Other Asian
There is a Korean-style eating and drinking establishment called Tu Da Li near the corner of Wenhua Road and Huanghe Road. If you have an affinity for soju, this is the place for you. Muslim halal Food is available all through out zhengzhou,with the banner on the entrance board saying Mata'am al muslimeen(Food of the muslims) in Arabic. The food tastes delicious.Once u go eat at these restaurants u just feel like coming back again especially those yangrou chuars(lamb kababs) taste yummy. The Muslim restaurant that's located in er qi square is nearby the mosque near Beijing Hualian Mall.
[edit] Western
A good place for Western cuisine is Crowne Plaza, which has an Italian restaurant and a Western-style pub. It offers a buffet during dinner including Brazillian Rodizio and a desert bar. There is also a smattering of pizza and pasta joints called Cappucino around the city.
New Island Coffee serves a plethora of dishes including Waffles and fajita style meat plate alongside a smattering of coffee and deserts and has several locations throughout Zhengzhou.
Cibo coffee is among the best Western restaurants in the city. It is on Jin San Lu. You can order Chinese food by the plate or commonly high quality Western food in set meals of many courses. Each plate is a small portion but overall the set meals are a great deal, for 75-200 RMB you get many plates of very good food. --from wikitravel.org
[edit] Shopping
Large department stores and international brands tend to be concentrated around Erqi (February 7) Square. The two major department stores are Kingbird (金博大) and Beijing Hualien (北京华联), which are next to each other. Both stores have supermarkets in their basements.
Some of the most interesting gifts can be purchased at the city's antique market. Most of the shop owners will have a calculator handy so you can bargain by typing in prices. Consider that you got a good deal if you pay half of what they originally quoted. The people are friendly but many of the shops sell fake antiques made to look old. Nevertheless there are interesting items that will decorate your walls or look great on a stand back at home. You can even impress your friends by telling them you bought them an antique from China.
Some of the small shops sell real antiquities. You'll know when you're buying one because the prices will rise dramatically from about ¥100 or less for fake goods to well over ¥5,000 for the real deal.
If you are a collector, China will not let foreigners take antiques out of the country that are over 200 years old or possibly even more recent items depending on their cultural value.
Make sure you know where your wallet is at all times. There are some unsavory characters in the markets. This is, in fact, true of Zhengzhou in general, which has a reputation for pickpockets. Buses are especially risky. Keep your wallet in your front pocket. --from wikitravel.org
[edit] Night Life & Entertainment
There are bars around the city, but the best area for drinking is around the tree-lined Wei Yi Lu. Target Pub is an ex-pat favorite, located on the southernmost block of Jing Liu Lu (经六路) near the corner of Wei Yi Lu (伟一路). Lao Wang, who speaks great English, is the proprietor of this laid-back reggae-style pub.
If you're interested in getting connected with foreigners living in Zhengzhou, try to find Hank. Hank is a Zhengzhou native who speaks excellent English, knows every episode of South Park by heart, and is the portal to all things remotely interesting going on in the city.
For an unusual drinking experience, consider the Western Pub, located in a bunker-like concrete building to the right of the Henan Provincial Museum on Nongye Road. This place features a cabaret-style show with a mix of song, dance, and jokes. Unless you understand Chinese, it will be mostly incomprehensible, yet the experience will give you insight into Chinese drinking culture. The place is noisy, smoky, crowded, and occasionally bizarre. You can order half-a-dozen or so bottles of beer by the bucket. Try to get there early, around 7 PM, as the show ends around 10 or 11 PM. This building also houses one of Zhengzhou's movie theaters. --from wikitravel.org
[edit] Sports & Recreation
- Museum Area. One thing worth knowing about is that the museum area is also the area of the 2 branches of government - federal and communist - so the area is much nicer. We are talking trees and some flowers along with a more neighborhood feel that might remind you of Shanghai. Don't expect wild nightclubs, but it is a more pleasant place to be if you are looking for a walk. Er qi lou is fine, but a bit dirty, so see this other side of Zhengzhou if you get a chance. Also, some nice places to eat are in this area.
- Henan Provincial Museum. The Henan Provincial Museum is one of the three key museums in China along with one in Beijing. If you are into modern art, this is not the place for you. It is free, which is nice, and generally has acceptable squat toilets which are also free on the first floor. There is an English audio tour you can rent, and there are cheapish lockers to store your stuff. Come to see old pottery from the Song dynasty, old bells, bronzes, things like that, but anything more recent does not have English captions. Across the street is a coffee house that makes ok tea and coffee for about 30 RMB - reasonable, and comfortable chairs. FREE.
There's plenty to do in Zhengzhou. A possible evening in Zhengzhou might involve eating at a Sichuan restaurant, getting yourself a bottle of whisky, getting crazy, and finishing off the evening at a 24-hour hot pot restaurant. Another park worth going to is the century park called shir chi quan le yuan in chinese.Its quite a huge amusement park n is 20-30 mins away from the er qi square.
--from wikitravel.org
[edit] Excursions & Day Trips
Henan awaits:
- Go to the Shaolin Temple. One of China's most famous attractions, the temple is about two hours from Zhengzhou. It's an easy day trip. Bus leave opposite the train station every 20-30 minutes all morning. Be warned: many of the bus tickets are actually tours, that may spend most of the day at auxilary sites or eating lunch instead of the Shaolin complex. These tours do not include entrance fees. Try to make sure you're going on a direct bus, or hire a van, if you want to see it on your own.
- Kaifeng is a laid-back town about 90 minutes to the east of Zhengzhou. Enjoy ancient temples and an escape from Chinese skyscrapers. Kaifeng was the capital of several dyansties before it slid into irrelavence the last 200 years.
- Another great city nearby by is Luoyang, home to the Longmen Grottoes. The city itself is worth a look, with an interesting old section and easy walking downtown. It's about three hours by bus, which leave Zhengzhou every hour or so. An express - the "elephant bus" or kuai che - costs ¥40.
--from wikitravel.org
