A Comprehensive Guide to Must-Visit Attractions in Zhengzhou: Enjoying a Flawless City Walk

I just got back from Zhengzhou, where I spent three days mostly roaming around on foot, solving trips back and forth with the subway and taxis. Honestly, this city has a slow pace, the air brings a hint of dryness from the Central Plains, and the street snacks are cheap and filling, making it a perfect spot for someone like me who loves wandering aimlessly. I’ve hit a ton of places, so here’s my list—what you must visit, what’s up to you, all clearly laid out. If you get lost, don't blame me!

My Real One-Day Walking Route

Morning: Henan Museum → Noon: Grand Shanghai City → Afternoon: Ruiguang Creative Factory + Youhua Factory Creative Park → Evening: Erqi Square Street Stroll → Night: Yanjiyou Bookstore for Some Peace

9:00
I queued for about ten minutes at the museum entrance. Make sure not to miss the Golden Silk Robe and the Fuhao Owl Zun, the two treasures of the museum. I stared at that jade robe for a solid half hour; the stitching is just incredible. I suggest making a reservation through the mini program first to avoid waiting on-site.

11:30
Grabbed a taxi to Grand Shanghai City. Don’t be fooled by the grand name; it’s just an old mall. It may be a bit rundown, but the rust spots in the elevator shaft + old posters are really photogenic. Wearing bright-colored clothes makes the photos pop even more. There are some empty shops upstairs, not many people, perfect for anyone who’s shy about selfies.

12:30
Got a plate of wide noodles from the little alley next to the mall for just 7 RMB. The chili oil was so fragrant that I added two spoonfuls; after finishing, I kept walking.

13:30
Took the subway three stops to Ruiguang Creative Factory, where it’s nearly easy to miss the sign saying “Printing No. 35.” The illustration figurine shop and pottery studio are crammed into a row of red brick factories. I picked up a mini Tang dynasty figurine for 45 RMB, and the owner helped me pack it on the spot—super cute.

15:00
Continued to wander over to the Youhua Factory Creative Park. The old oil tanks are painted in macaron colors, and there’s a line of coffee shops, dessert places, and craft beer bars. I tossed my bag on a wooden crate and ordered a “Yellow River Water” latte for 28 RMB; it was just the right amount of bitter. It wasn’t too crowded, a lot of local students were here on weekends doing homework on their laptops.

17:30
Biked ten minutes to Erqi Square, first taking a selfie with the Erqi Tower, and with my phone's wide-angle lens, it looked like a postcard. The streets below, Dehua New Street + Weiyang Street, are filled with small accessories and fried snacks. You can get three fried yogurt sticks for 10 RMB, and when you bite into them, they're all icy, perfect for cooling off.
Then, I wandered into Century Dehua, which is basically a faux ancient street indoors; the colored lights make for decent photos, but don’t expect great food.

19:30
Took the subway back to my hotel to wash my face, then strolled over to Yanjiyou Bookstore. It’s on the 4th floor of Wanda Plaza, and as soon as you step out of the elevator, you smell the pages of books. I picked up a photo book with a blue cover and ended up sitting in a lazy sofa until closing time. The staff didn’t mind me taking photos at all, and the lighting was very soft—very shy-person-friendly.

20:30
The hot pot place downstairs had a line, so I gave up, went to the 7-11 next door, bought a bottle of yogurt, and headed back to the hotel to wrap up my day.

The Rest of These Spots, I Say “Visit if You Want”

• Mu Color Mall: Not many people around, the bright white lights give it a techy vibe like an 80s space station. You can get a distant shot of the “Corn Building” from the diagonal intersection, but only from afar; zooming in with my phone just looked like an oil painting.
• Dikun Street: It might be okay during the day; I got there at 7 PM, and the streetlights were so dim I needed a flashlight, so I turned around to explore Wanda City instead.
• Provence Street: The whole street is 500 meters long with very few shops open, really not much to see. Next to it, Alice Park looks like a little European castle, good for wedding photos and it’s free.
• Bishagang Park: Just an ordinary public park, the Ferris wheel costs 20 RMB for a ride. I went up, took two sunset photos, and came right back down.

A Super Simple Table to Take Away

Just a reminder: The museum is closed on Mondays, so don’t waste a trip. The bar in the Youhua Factory opens at 4 PM, so going too early just means coffee smells.

My Tips to Avoid Pitfalls

• Transportation
  You can just scan your Alipay code to get in and out of the Zhengzhou subway; no need to pull out your phone. Taxis are also very cheap, starting at 8 RMB; you can usually get around the city for about 20 RMB.

• Food and Drinks
  The sidewalk’s spicy soup, meat sandwiches, and fried pancakes are all safe to try. But the small skewers for ten-something RMB on Dehua New Street are just “take a picture and move on” level.

• Photo Outfits
  Bright colors pop at Grand Shanghai City and Youhua Factory; in the Henan Museum, cool white light makes dark clothing look better; the warm lights in Yanjiyou go well with cream or khaki.