Zhengzhou Private Day Trip to Kaifeng Visiting Prime Minster Temple, Iron Pagoda, Dragon Pavilion & Imperial Street of Song Dynasty

Tour Highlights
• Visit Prime Minister Temple, considered as the top ten famous temple in China
• Admire the Iron Pagoda, a masterpiece of Song dynasty architecture
• Visit Dragon Pavilion, the only surviving structure of the many buildings of the former Song Dynasty imperial Palace
• Walk along the Imperial Street of Song Dynasty, as it is depicted on the painting Along the River During Qingming Festival
• Experienced English speaking tour guide
• Overland round-trip transfers with private chauffeur and in-transport refreshments

About This Tour
• Departure: Daily departing from Zhengzhou
• Tour Duration: Approximately 8 hours.
• Guide Languages: Chinese & English.
• Pick-up Time: Between 07:00 and 10:00, choose a departure time most suitable for you.
• Pick-up & Drop-off Place: Your accommodation in Zhengzhou
• Advice on Meals: Lunch is not included in this tour, please have a big breakfast and pack snacks just in case you get a bit peckish during sightseeing. If you want to try authentic local food for lunch, please feel free to inform your guide who is always ready to help.

Tour Itinerary at a Glance
• Pick up from your accommodation in Zhengzhou
• Drive to Kaifeng (65km, 1 hour)
• Visit Prime Minister Temple (1 hour)
• Visit Iron Pagoda (30 minutes)
• Lunch on your own
• Visit Dragon Pavillion (1 hour)
• Walk along the Imperial Street of Song Dynasty (1 hour)
• Transfer back to your accommodation in Zhengzhou

Tailor This Tour to Meet Your Needs and Requirements
• If you want to modify this itinerary, please feel free to contact GoGrandChina by WhatsApp (+86-18309280878), Wechat (+86-18309280878) or email (info@GrandChinaTravel.com), we will create a tailor-made tour package for you.

Price Remark
• Prices are not valid during China's Official Holidays (such as National Day & Chinese New Year Festival etc.).

Price Inclusions
• Professional English language speaking private tour guide
• Air-conditioned vehicle with private experienced driver
• All admission tickets to sightseeing places
• All government taxes

Price Exclusions
• Hotel accommodation.
• Your personal expenses.
• Meals are excluded allowing you flexibility on menu.
• Travel insurance is not included. Please purchase before your trip to provide for any unforeseen circumstances.
• Gratuities to guide & driver. They are customary and would be of great encouragement and reward for quality service.

Additional Info
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking.
• Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
• The itinerary is subject to change due to traffic conditions or bad weather.
• The itinerary is flexible; changes can be made upon written request from travelers.
• IMPORTANT: It is required by the government regulations that travelers must provide their name, gender, nationality, passport number and date of birth to their tour operator upon booking a tour. Failure to do so could result in being denied access or admittance to sites and attractions during sightseeing. When you book this tour, please complete all required fields at checkout. Please bring your passport with you on the tour.

Cancellation Policy
• You may cancel the booking and receive a full refund up to 24 hours prior to the date of your tour.
• Cancellation within 24 hours or after the tour begins is non-refundable.
• Cancellation request will be confirmed in 2-5 business days, you will receive your refund within 14 working days.

Why Travelers Have to Choose GoGrandChina Private Tours?
• Choose your most suitable departure time, whether you are an early bird or you prefer sleeping in.
• GGC private tours are more flexible, allowing you to adjust everything on your trip to your wishes.
• GGC tour guides will be at your service to make sure you get the most from each destination. They are there for you and are responsible for making your journey special – and your needs always come first.
• GGC offers comfortable and luxury vehicles with a private & experienced driver who’s always by your side and ready to take you to your next destination.
• No shopping stops & factory visits, no chance of getting ripped off.
• No hidden costs, rest assured that there are no nasty surprises.

Know Before You Go
• Keep your passport on you constantly. It might be needed to buy entrance tickets.
• Add us on WeChat (+86-18309280878) or WhatsApp (+86-18309280878) to reach GGC service staff at anytime.
• Pick-up time, guide's name & contact information will be confirmed by WhatsApp, WeChat or email.
• Your guide will hold GoGrandChina welcome sign with your name, waiting at the appointed meeting place.
• Meals are not included; please feel free to ask your guide for recommendations.
• Please note that if you book accommodation on Airbnb, you may not be picked up and dropped off at the door.
• We provide up to 20 minutes of waiting. If you don’t show up and cannot be contacted, this tour will be cancelled and you will receive no refund.

Hotel Pick-up & Transfer to Kaifeng Prime Minister Temple
Your private guide will be holding GoGrandChina pick-up sign and waiting for you in your hotel lobby (or other appointed meeting place) at the appointed time. You will be transferred to Kaifeng Prime Minister Temple (65km, about 1 hour driving) in a comfortable private vehicle.

Visit Prime Minister Temple (1 hour)
Prime Minister Temple is named Daxiangguo Temple in Chinese. It is located in the center of Kaifeng City. It played a key role of development of Chinese Buddhism. It is also considered as the top ten famous temple in China. First founded in AD 555, this frequently rebuilt temple vanished along with Kaifeng in the early 1640s, when rebels breached the Yellow River’s dykes. During the Northern Song when Kaifeng was the Capital city, the temple covered a massive 34 hectares and housed over 10,000 monks. Today, the constructs remain are basically built during Qing dynasty. The show-stopper of the temple today is the mesmerising Four-Faced Thousand Hand Thousand Eye Guanyin, towering within the octagonal Arhat Hall, beyond the Mahavira Hall (The Great Buddha Hall). Fifty-eight years in the carving, the 7m-tall, gilded four-sided statue bristles with giant fans of 1048 arms, an eye upon each hand.

Visit Iron Pagoda (30 minutes)
The Iron Pagoda is a Buddhist Chinese pagoda built in 1049 during the Song dynasty (960–1279). The pagoda is so-named not because it is made of iron, but because its color resembles that of iron. It is a brick pagoda tower built on the location of a previous wooden one that had been burnt down by lightning fire in 1044. Historically, the pagoda has experienced 38 earthquakes, six floods and many other disasters, but it remains intact after almost 1,000 years. This octagonal-base structure stands at a current height of 56.88 meters (186.56 feet), with a total of 13 stories. It is a solid-core brick tower with an inner spiral stone staircase and outside openings to allow light and air flow. The architectural style features densely positioned, articulated dougong in the eaves and multiple stories. The exterior features more than fifty different varieties of glazed brick and 1,600 intricate and richly detailed carvings, including those of standing and sitting Buddha, standing monks, singers and flying dancers, flowers, lions, dragons and other legendary beasts as well as many fine engravings. Under the eaves are 104 bells that ring in the wind. The foundation rests in the silt of the Yellow River. Inside the Iron Pagoda are frescos of the classical Chinese tales, such as The Journey to the West. This pagoda is seen as a masterpiece of Song dynasty architecture.

Lunch at Your Own Expense
Please feel free to ask your guide for suggestions and recommendations.

Visit Dragon Pavilion (1 hour)
Kaifeng became the capital of the Northern Song dynasty in 960. During that time the city took the name Dongjing (literally: Eastern Capital) or Bianjing. The imperial palace of that time is largely lost to time, but a few parts, such as the Dragon Pavilion, remain visible today. The Dragon Pavilion was destroyed and rebuilt many times throughout its long history. The current design was first built during the reign of the Kangxi Emperor during the Qing dynasty on the foundations of the old Song dynasty imperial palace. It was destroyed several times by strong storms and wars. Heavy rainstorms and a lightning strike cause the pavilion to collapse in 1994. After each disaster, the building has been reconstructed again.

Walk along the Imperial Street of Song Dynasty (1 hour)
Kaifeng became the capital of the Northern Song dynasty in 960. An imperial place was built here and the city prospered, perhaps with a population reaching over 400,000. The city of that time is thought to be depicted on the famous painting Along the River During Qingming Festival. The painting by the artist Zhang Zeduan shows a typical Qingming Festival scene. The Imperial Street of Song Dynasty is a restored road made to look like these scene in the Qingming Scroll. It is about 400 metres long and runs southwards from entrance of Longting park. The road is lined with two story wooden buildings with tile roofs made to look like authentic Song dynasty architecture. Archeological excavation below the modern road found the remains of the old Song dynasty imperial way.

Transfer Back to Your Hotel (1 hour)
Your guide and driver will transfer you back to your hotel.