Zhengzhou Aston

Zhengzhou is the capital of Northern China’s Henan Province, and boasts a tremendously long and interesting history. Located in the center of the province, it borders Luoyang to the west, the Yellow River to the north, and Kaifang to the east. This region was the center of Chinese civilization for centuries; this history is still evident at sights in and around the city. Zhengzhou is an old and beautiful city with wide roads lined with tall trees towering over quaint shops.

Summers in Henan are hot and humid and winters can be cold with occasional snow. Spring and autumn bring fine weather. Most rain falls in the summer months and the rest of the year is very dry.

Zhengzhou has many attractions to keep a person busy. Henan people are proud of the history and culture of the province, and will be quick to tell you of many of the ancient dynasties that were founded in or controlled their empires from Henan. The origins of Tai Chi are in Henan with the ancient martial art being a very popular recreational activity in Zhengzhou. It is common to see people practicing Tai Chi in the early mornings in the parks around the school. The Shaolin Temple is located just outside of Zhengzhou and has been a hub of Buddhist and Kung Fu learning for many centuries.

The city has a surprisingly vibrant nightlife for inland China. There are great bar streets that cater to a wide variety of patrons. There is also lively club scene in Zhengzhou that can make for great fun on nights out, with each club owner trying outrageously to out do his competitors. There are quiet parks that attract many people after sunset where teachers spend their time playing Chinese chess or just appreciating the local culture. Foreigners can sometimes be seen walking in the streets, but there are noticeably less Westerners in Zhengzhou than many other major cities in China. Many of these residents are scattered between the many different schools around the city, studying Chinese language, martial arts, traditional painting, or some combination of these. This is one of the best cities in the country for language study with numerous established universities and programs.

The variety of restaurants in Zhengzhou is vast and continually expanding. Many of the owners of these restaurants come from different provinces, which is evident in the food that their individual establishment provides. Each province has dishes that are specific to that province, and diners in Zhengzhou can taste all the flavors that China has to offer. There are also a number of international restaurants in Zhengzhou offering Italian, Japanese, and Korean food just to mention a few. With a little bit of curiosity an epicurean can have a tasty time in Zhengzhou and exploring these possibilities with the locals has been a highlight of many people’s time here.

Zhengzhou’s traffic is heavy in the peak times of the day, thought here are many inexpensive taxis all over the city for easy commuting on the elevated highways. The inter city bus system is also well established.

Zhengzhou one of the best transportation hubs in the entire nation, with a large selection of traveling options between cities available. The city is located on a railroad junction that provides easy access to almost any part of China. Overnight trains will take you to places as varied as Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan, Xian, and Qingdao – all ripe for exploration on days off. The airport is modern and located just on the outskirts of the city. There are a number of sights located around Zhengzhou, each offering something special for the casual traveler. The Loess Plateau of the northern regions and the green mountains of the south are all easily accessible as well.