Administration Type	Prefecture-level city
Area	6,444 km²
Population	4.8 million
GDP	¥7,250 per capita (2004)
Major Nationalities	Han, Hui
County-level divisions	10
Township-level divisions	Unknown
Area Code	378

Kaifeng (Simplified Chinese: 开封; Traditional Chinese: 開封; pinyin: Kāifēng; Wade-Giles: K'ai-feng), formerly known as Bianliang (汴梁; Wade-Giles: Pien-liang), is a prefecture-level city in eastern Henan province, People's Republic of China. Located along the southern bank of the Yellow River, it borders the provincial capital of Zhengzhou to the west, Xinxiang to the northwest, Shangqiu to the east, Zhoukou to the southeast, Xuchang to the southwest, and the province of Shandong to the northeast. Image File history File links ChinaHenanKaifeng. ... A prefecture-level city (地级市 Pinyin: dìjí shì, literally region-level city) or prefecture-level municipality is an administrative division of the Peoples Republic of China, ranking below a province and above a county in Chinas administrative structure. ... Area is a physical quantity expressing the size of a part of a surface. ... Square kilometre (US spelling: Square kilometer), symbol km², is an SI unit of surface area. ... Ethnolinguistic map of China The Peoples Republic of China (PRC) is a multi-ethnic unitary state and, as such, officially recognizes 56 nationalities or mínzú (民族), within China: the Han being the majority (>92%), and the remaining 55 nationalities being the national minorities. ... Han Chinese (Simplified Chinese: 汉族; Traditional Chinese: 漢族; Pinyin: hànzú) is a term which refers to the majority ethnic group within China and the largest single human ethnic group in the world. ... The Hui people (Chinese: 回族; Pinyin: ) are a Chinese ethnic group, typically distinguished by their practice of the Islamic religion. ... Due to Chinas large population and area, the political divisions of China have always consisted of several levels since ancient times. ... Due to Chinas large population and area, the political divisions of China have always consisted of several levels since ancient times. ... The Chinese Telephone Code Plan is the way to group telephone numbers in mainland China. ... Simplified Chinese characters (Simplified Chinese: 简体字; Traditional Chinese: 簡體字; pinyin: jiÇŽntǐzì; also Simplified Chinese: 简化字; Traditional Chinese: 簡化字; pinyin: jiÇŽnhuàzì) are one of two standard character sets of printed contemporary Chinese written language. ... Traditional Chinese characters are one of two standard sets of printed Chinese characters. ... Pinyin is a system of romanization (phonemic notation and transcription to Roman script) for Standard Mandarin, where pin means spell and yin means sound. The most common variant of pinyin in use is called Hanyu Pinyin (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: HànyÇ” PÄ«nyÄ«n), also known as scheme... Wade-Giles, sometimes abbreviated Wade, is a Romanization (phonetic notation and transliteration) system for the Chinese language based on Mandarin. ... A prefecture-level city (地级市 Pinyin: dìjí shì, literally region-level city) or prefecture-level municipality is an administrative division of the Peoples Republic of China, ranking below a province and above a county in Chinas administrative structure. ... Henan (Chinese: 河南; Hanyu Pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Ho-nan), is a province of the Peoples Republic of China, located in the central part of the country. ... A province, in the context of China, is a translation of sheng (省 shÄ›ng), which is an administrative division of China. ... The Yellow River (Traditional Chinese: ; Simplified Chinese: ; Hanyu Pinyin:  ; Wade-Giles: Hwang-ho, sometimes simply called the River in ancient Chinese) is the second longest river in China (after Yangtze River) and the fifth in the world. ... Zhengzhou (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: Zhèngzhōu), formerly called Zhengxian (traditional form: Chengchow) , is a prefecture-level city and the capital of Henan province, Peoples Republic of China. ... The city Xinxiang (Simplified Chinese: 新乡; Traditional Chinese: 新鄉; pinyin: Xīnxiāng) is situated in the Henan Province in eastern China. ... Shangqiu (Chinese: 商丘; pinyin: ShāngqiÅ«) is a prefecture-level city within Henan province of the Peoples Republic of China . ... Zhoukou (Simplified Chinese: 周口; Pinyin: ) is a prefecture-level city in eastern Henan province, Peoples Republic of China. ... Xuchang (Simplified Chinese: 许昌; Traditional Chinese: 許昌; pinyin: Xǔchāng), with a population of over 4 million people, is a city in Henan Province, China. ...   (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: Shāndōng; Wade-Giles: Shan-tung) is a coastal province of eastern Peoples Republic of China. ...

Administration

The prefecture-level city of Kaifeng administers 5 districts and 5 counties. A prefecture-level city (地级市 Pinyin: dìjí shì, literally region-level city) or prefecture-level municipality is an administrative division of the Peoples Republic of China, ranking below a province and above a county in Chinas administrative structure. ... District, in the context of China, is used to refer to several unrelated political divisions in both ancient and modern China. ... In the context of Political divisions of China, county is the standard English translation of 县 (xiàn). ...

• Gulou District (鼓楼区)
• Longting District (龙亭区)
• Nanguan District (南关区)
• Jiao District (郊区)
• Shunhe Hui District (顺河回族区)
• Weishi County (尉氏县)
• Qi County (杞县)
• Tongxu County (通许县)
• Lankao County (兰考县)
• Kaifeng County (开封县)

History

The famous painting Qingming Scroll is believed by some to portray daily life in Kaifeng. The painting, of which several versions are extant, is attributed to the Song Dynasty (960-1279) artist Zhang Zeduan

Kaifeng is one of the Seven Ancient Capitals of China. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (810x489, 151 KB) Description: Qingming-scroll (清明上河圖 Qīngmíng shàng hé tú) by the Chinese painter Zhang Zeduan (Song-Dynasty Source: from the Chinese Wikipedia Uploaded by: --Immanuel Giel 09:18, 17 January 2006 (UTC) Other versions: none File links... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (810x489, 151 KB) Description: Qingming-scroll (清明上河圖 Qīngmíng shàng hé tú) by the Chinese painter Zhang Zeduan (Song-Dynasty Source: from the Chinese Wikipedia Uploaded by: --Immanuel Giel 09:18, 17 January 2006 (UTC) Other versions: none File links... The Song Dynasty (Chinese: ) was a ruling dynasty in China from 960-1279. ... Zhang Zeduan (Traditional: 張擇端; Simplified: 张择端; pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Chang Tse-tuan) was a Chinese painter. ... Numerous cities have been the capital of China during the course of history. ...

In 364 BC, the state of Wei during the Warring States Period founded a city called Daliang as its capital in this area. During this period, the first of many canals in the area was constructed; it linked a local river to the Huang He. When the State of Wei was conquered by the Qin, Kaifeng was destroyed and abandoned except for a mid-sized market town, which remained in its place. Centuries: 5th century BC - 4th century BC - 3rd century BC Decades: 410s BC 400s BC 390s BC 380s BC 370s BC - 360s BC - 350s BC 340s BC 330s BC 320s BC 310s BC 369 BC 368 BC 367 BC 366 BC 365 BC - 364 BC - 363 BC 362 BC 361... The following details the state of Wei of the Warring States Period. ... Alternative meaning: Warring States Period (Japan) The Warring States Period (Traditional Chinese: 戰國時代; Simplified Chinese: 战国时代; Pinyin: Zhànguó Shídài) covers the period from sometime in the 5th century BC to the unification of China by the Qin in 221 BC. It is nominally considered to be the second part... For other Yellow Rivers, see Yellow River (disambiguation). ... The Qin Dynasty (Chinese: ; Pinyin: Qín Cháo; Wade-Giles: Chin Chao) (221 BC - 206 BC) was preceded by the Zhou Dynasty and followed by the Han Dynasty in China. ...

Early in the 7th century, Kaifeng was transformed into a major commecial hub when it was connected to the Grand Canal as well as a canal running to western Shandong Province. The 7th century is the period from 601 - 700 in accordance with the Julian calendar in the Christian Era. ... The Grand Canal (Simplified Chinese: 大运河; Traditional Chinese: 大運河; Pinyin: Dà Yùnhé) of China, also known as the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal (Simplified Chinese: 京杭大运河; Traditional Chinese: 京杭大運河; Pinyin: JÄ«ng Háng Dà Yùnhé) is the largest ancient canal or artificial river in the world. ... Shandong (Simplified Chinese: 山东; Traditional Chinese: 山東; pinyin: Shāndōng; Wade-Giles: Shan-tung) is a coastal province of eastern Peoples Republic of China. ...

In 781 (Tang Dynasty), a new city was reconstructed and named Bian (汴). Bian was the capital of the Later Jin (936-946), Later Han (947-950), and Later Zhou (951-960) of the Five Dynasties Period. The Song Dynasty made Bian its capital when it overthrew the Later Zhou in 960, and shortly afterward, they further expanded the city. Events Emperor Kammu succeeds Emperor Konin as emperor of Japan. ... The Tang Dynasty (Chinese: ; pinyin: Tángcháo) (June 18, 618–June 4, 907), lasting about three centuries, followed the Sui Dynasty and preceded the Song Dynasty and the [Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period]] in China. ... The JÄ«n Dynasty (Jurchen: Anchu; Chinese: 金朝; Pinyin: JÄ«n Cháo; 1115-1234), also known as the Jurchen dynasty, was founded by the Wanyan (完顏 Wányán) clan of the Jurchen, the ancestors of the Manchus who established the Qing Dynasty some 500 years later. ... Events King Taejo of Goryeo (Wanggeon) defeats Hubaekje. ... Events Eadred I succeeds his brother as king of England End of the reign of Emperor Suzaku of Japan Emperor Murakami ascends the throne of Japan Births Deaths May 26 - King Edmund I of England Abu-Bakr Muhammad ben Yahya as-Suli Categories: 946 ... The Later Han Dynasty could refer to two dynasties in China: The Eastern Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 9) A dynasty in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period (936-947) This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same... Events Births Deaths Topiltzin Ce Acatl Quetzalcoatl, Toltec ruler Categories: 947 ... Events World Population: 250 Million. ... The Zhou Dynasty (周朝; Wade-Giles: Chou Dynasty) (late 10th century BC to late 9th century BC - 256 BC) followed the Shang (Yin) Dynasty and preceded the Qin Dynasty in China. ... Events Allat the Maharana of Mewar come to powers. ... Events Edgar the Peaceable crowned King of England. ... Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms (Traditional Chinese: 五代十國 Simplified Chinese: 五代十国 Hanyu pinyin: WÇ”dàishíguó) (907-960) was a period of political upheaval in China, between the Tang Dynasty and Song Dynasty. ... The Song Dynasty (Chinese: ) was a ruling dynasty in China from 960-1279. ...

During the Song Dynasty, Kaifeng was the capital with a population of over 400,000, living both inside and outside the city wall. Typhus was an acute problem of the city. The Song Dynasty (Chinese: ) was a ruling dynasty in China from 960-1279. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Epidemic typhus. ...

In 1049, Youguosi Pagoda (佑國寺塔), or Iron Pagoda (鐵塔) as it is called today, was constructed, which measures 54.7 m in height. It has survived the destruction of wars and floodings and become the oldest landmark in this ancient city. Another Song Dynasty pagoda, Bo Ta (繁塔), from 974, has been partially destroyed. Events Leo IX becomes pope. ... The Song Dynasty (Chinese: ) was a ruling dynasty in China from 960-1279. ... Events Antipope Boniface VII succeeds Pope Benedict VI. The Byzantine Empire retakes Syria including Aleppo from the Abbasids. ...

Another well-known sight was a clocktower by Su Song. Su Song 蘇頌 (1020 – 1101), style Zirong 子容, was a Chinese engineer. ...

Kaifeng reached its peak of importance in the 11th century, when it was a commercial and industrial center at the intersection of four major canals. During this time, the city was surrounded by three rings of city walls and probably had a population of 600,000 to 700,000. As a means of recording the passage of time, the 11th century was that century which lasted from 1001 to 1100. ...

It is believed that Kaifeng was the largest city in the world from 1013 to 1127. [1]

This period ended in 1127, when the city fell to Jurchen invaders (see Jingkang Incident) and came subsequently under the rule of the Jin Dynasty. While it remained an important administrative center, only the city area inside the inner city wall of the early Song Dynasty remained settled and the two outer rings were abandoned. Events Conrad III establishes the Hohenstaufen dynasty when he is crowned antiking to the Holy Roman Emperor, Lothair II. First coalition of the Norman princes against Roger II of Sicily. ... The Jurchens (Chinese: 女真, pinyin: nǚzhēn) were a Tungusic people who inhabited parts of Manchuria and northern Korea until the seventeenth century, when they became the Manchus. ... The Jingkang Incident (Traditional Chinese: 靖康事變, 靖康之變; Simplified Chinese: 靖康事变, 靖康之变) or the Humiliation of Jingkang (靖康之恥) took place in 1127 when invading Jin soldiers sacked Kaifeng (開封, 开封), the capital of Song China, and abducted Emperor Qinzong, his father Emperor Emeritus Huizong, along with many members of the imperial court. ... The Jin Dynasty (金 pinyin: JÄ«n 1115-1234; Anchu in Jurchen), also known as the Jurchen dynasty, was founded by the Wanyan (完顏 Wányán) clan of the Jurchen, the ancestors of the Manchus who established the Qing Dynasty some 500 years later. ...

At the beginning of the Ming Dynasty in 1368, Kaifeng was made the capital of Henan Province. For other uses, see Ming. ... Events Timur ascends throne of Samarkand. ... Not to be confused with the unrelated provinces of Hainan and Hunan Henan (Chinese: 河南; pinyin: Hénán; Wade-Giles: Ho-nan), is a province of the Peoples Republic of China, located in the central part of the country. ...

In 1642, Kaifeng was flooded by the Ming army with water from Yellow River to prevent the peasant rebel Li Zicheng from taking over. After this disaster, the city was abandoned again. Events January 4 - Charles I attempts to arrest five leading members of the Long Parliament, but they escape. ... Lǐ Zìchéng (李自成) (September 22, 1606 - 1644), born Li Hóngjī (鴻基), was a rebel in late Ming Dynasty China who proclaimed himself Chuǎng Wáng (闖王), or The Roaming King. Born in Mizhi District (米脂縣), Yanan Subprefecture (延安府), Shaanxi, Li grew up as a shepherd. ...

Under the celebrated Qing emperor Kangxi (1662), Kaifeng was rebuilt. However, another flooding occurred in 1841, followed by another reconstruction in 1843, which produced the contemporary Kaifeng as we know it. The Qing Dynasty (Chinese: ; pinyin: Qīng cháo; Wade-Giles: Ching chao; Manchu: daicing gurun), occasionally known as the Manchu Dynasty, was a dynasty founded by the Manchu clan Aisin Gioro, in what is today northeast China, expanded into China and the surrounding territories, establishing the Empire... The Kangxi Emperor (Chinese: ; Pinyin: Kāngxī; Wade-Giles: Kang-hsi; May 4, 1654 – December 20, 1722) was the fourth Emperor of the Manchu Qing dynasty, and the second Qing emperor to rule over all of China, from 1661 to 1722. ... Events February 1 - The Chinese pirate Koxinga seizes the island of Taiwan after a nine-month siege. ... 1841 is a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1843 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ...

Kaifeng is also known for having the oldest extant Jewish community in China, the Kaifeng Jews. Jews in China have historically been divided into several populations of Chinese Jews. ... The Kaifeng Jews comprise the best documented Jewish community in China. ...

Culture

Kaifeng offers a wide range of food specialities such as steaming pie and Chinese dumpling. In the evening Kaifeng's streets turn into restaurants while hundreds open their stands and begin selling their food in the famous night market. Often people from the nearby Zhengzhou come to Kaifeng to spend an evening with their family as the atmosphere is very appealing. Less adventurous western tourists may prefer to eat inside the restaurants and just have their drinks outside because they might not want to try chicken feet, pork feet or bucks. Particularly famous is Kaifeng's five-spice bread (wǔxiāng shāobǐng), which like pita can be opened and filled. Chichicastenango, Guatemala traditional market Market stall in internally displaced persons camp in Kitgum, northern Uganda Mercado dos Lavradores, Funchal (Madeira Islands) A market is a mechanism which allows people to trade, normally governed by the theory of supply and demand. ... Zhengzhou (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: Zhèngzhōu), formerly called Zhengxian (traditional form: Chengchow) , is a prefecture-level city and the capital of Henan province, Peoples Republic of China. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

Tourism

DaXiangGuo Temple (大相国寺) Famous Buddahist temple first built in 555 A.D..

BaoGong Ancestral Hall (包公祠) An ancestral hall built in remembrance of a respectable official from the Song Dynasty.

Sister cities

Wichita, Kansas, United States Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_States. ... Nickname: Air Capital Location in the state of Kansas County Sedgwick Mayor Carlos Mayans Area    - City 359. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Colleges and universities

Public

• Henan University (河南大学) (founded 1912)
• Kaifeng High School (开封高中) (founded 1902)

Henan University (河南大学) is a public university in Kaifeng, Henan, China. ...

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Kaifeng

• Government website of Kaifeng (in Simplified Chinese)

Image File history File links Commons-logo. ... Wikimedia Commons logo by Reid Beels The Wikimedia Commons (also called Commons or Wikicommons) is a repository of free content images, sound and other multimedia files. ... Changan ▶(?) (Simplified Chinese: 长安; Traditional Chinese: 長安; pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Chang-an) is the ancient capital of more than ten dynasties in China. ... The Chinese phrase Four Great Ancient Capitals of China (Traditional Chinese: ; Simplified Chinese: ; pinyin: Zhōngguó Sì Dà Gǔdū) traditionally refers to Beijing, Nanjing, Luoyang, and Xian. ... Events Edgar the Peaceable crowned King of England. ... Events Conrad III establishes the Hohenstaufen dynasty when he is crowned antiking to the Holy Roman Emperor, Lothair II. First coalition of the Norman princes against Roger II of Sicily. ... (Chinese: ; pinyin: Hángzhōu) is a sub-provincial city in China, and the capital of Zhejiang province. ...