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Things to Do in Kaiyuan (2026)
Kaiyuan's iconic Clock Tower stands at the heart of the old town, surrounded by lively streets and local shops. Built in the early 20th century, it's the perfect meetinβ¦ ποΈ Start at the Clock Tower
Kaiyuan's iconic Clock Tower stands at the heart of the old town, surrounded by lively streets and local shops. Built in the early 20th century, it's the perfect meeting point and a great spot for photos. From here, you can easily walk to most major sights.
π― Explore the Ancient City Wall
The well-preserved Ming Dynasty city wall encircles the historic core, offering a scenic walk with views of traditional rooftops. Entry is free, and the best section to climb is near the South Gate, open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Allow about an hour for a leisurely stroll along the top.
π Taste Local Noodles
Kaiyuan is famous for its hand-pulled noodles, especially at Lao Ma Noodle House on Zhongshan Road. A bowl costs around 15 yuan and comes with rich beef broth and fresh herbs. Go before noon to avoid the lunch rush, as locals pack the place.
π³ Relax at Lianhua Park
This serene park features a large lotus pond, shaded walking paths, and a small teahouse. It's a favorite spot for morning tai chi and evening strolls. Admission is free, and the park is open from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily.
πΆ Boat on Kaiyuan Lake
Rent a paddleboat or take a guided tour on the lake just east of the city center. Prices start at 30 yuan per person for a 30-minute ride. The best time to go is late afternoon when the light softens and the water reflects the surrounding hills.
ποΈ Shop at Night Market
The Kaiyuan Night Market on Renmin Road comes alive after 6:00 PM with stalls selling street food, clothes, and souvenirs. Don't miss the grilled skewers and sticky rice cakes. Bargaining is expected, so start at half the asking price.
π Getting Around Town
Local buses cost 2 yuan per ride and cover most attractions, but taxis are cheap at around 8 yuan for a short trip within the city. For a more authentic experience, rent a bicycle from shops near the train station for about 20 yuan per day. Most sights are within a 30-minute walk of each other.
the clock tower is great but honestly the real magic is wandering the little alleyways behind it. i found a tiny shop selling handmade paper fans for like 10 yuan, way cheaper than the night market. also if you're doing the lake boats, skip the guided tour and just get a paddleboat with a friend, you can steer over to the quieter corners where the birds are
seconding the fenghuang hill recommendation, it's a short climb but the view at golden hour is fantastic for photos. also if you're into architecture, check out the old catholic church on zhonghua road about two blocks north of the clock tower. it's usually locked but the caretaker lives next door and will let you in if you ask nicely. the stained glass inside is original from the 1920s and totally unexpected in a town this small
if you're up early, the morning market near the east gate is worth it just for the energy - old guys playing chess while their wives haggle over vegetables, and a stall sells fresh soybean milk for 2 yuan that's way better than anything bottled. also the small temple tucked behind the clock tower on wenhua road isn't in most guides but it's free and has this tiny courtyard with a ginkgo tree that turns golden in october
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Getting around Kaiyuan without a car?
Kaiyuan's bus system is fine for the city itself, but honestly the train station area and the so-called center are only about 2 km apart, so it doesn't matter much where you sleep. The useful buses for sights are the ones heading out to the Longtan Temple area and toward the old section near the Liaohai River, and they leave from a few different stops, not one hub. For anything further out like the surrounding hills, I'd just grab a taxi or a didi, drivers are cheap here and they'll wait if you ask. Basing near the station makes sense only if you're doing day trips by rail to places like Tieling or Shenyang.
The station area is fine but I'd lean toward the streets around Xinhua Road instead, there's more food within walking distance and you're still only a 15 minute walk from the platforms. One thing nobody's mentioned is the 3 and 6 buses, they both pass near the old town and run until around 8pm which is later than most routes here. For the surrounding sights, the practical move is to pick one base and hire a car for two or three days rather than cobbling together buses each time, a driver out to the Longtan area and back runs maybe 150 to 200 kuai and saves you a lot of waiting.
honestly the bus situation is fine but nobody mentions the shared taxis (heiche) that run fixed routes around town for like 5 kuai, they're everywhere near the market. for the surrounding sights i'd skip buses entirely and just hire a driver for the day, way easier than figuring out schedules.