Kaifeng, Prefecture-level city in Henan, China
Kaifeng is a prefecture-level city in Henan province, eastern China, stretching along the southern bank of the Yellow River. The urban area includes several districts and is enclosed by a preserved city wall that frames temples, pagodas, and historic streets.
Kaifeng served as the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty from 960 to 1127, growing into one of the largest cities in the world at that time. Its location near the river led to several severe floods that buried much of the medieval city under layers of sediment.
The chrysanthemum, grown here for over 1,500 years, fills parks and gardens with color every autumn. Visitors can see these flowers in public spaces and learn why they hold such meaning for the city.
The center can be explored on foot, with main sites located within the old city wall. The best time to visit is autumn, when the weather is mild and gardens are in full bloom.
Beneath the modern streets lie several layers of old city structures, buried by repeated floods. Archaeologists estimate that parts of the Song Dynasty city rest up to 33 feet (10 meters) below the surface.
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