Location: located between 113 52 - 115 15 east longitude and 34 11 - 35 01 north latitude, at the east Henan plain, and on the southern bank of the Yellow River

Physical Features: lies in the flat Yudong Plain

Neighboring Areas: Shandong, Anhui, Hubei, Shaanxi, Shanxi, and Hebei provinces

Population: 4.6 million

Urban Population: 801,000

Area: 319 sq km

Nationalities: Han, Hui

History: known as one of the six major centers of ancient Chinese civilization; the capital of the Kingdom of Wei (475-331 B.C.), Later Liang, Later Han and Later Zhou dynasties of the Five dynasties (907-960), Northern Song dynasty (960-1137), and the Jin dynasty(1115-1334), also known as the Capitals of Seven Dynasties.

Climatic Features: temperate continental monsoon climate; clearly four seasons with annual average rainfall of 670mm; adequate sunshine, frost-free period 213-215 days

Average Temperature: 14.24- 14.5 C

Rivers: Yellow River

First constructed in 555 in the Northern Qi (550-557) of Northern and Southern Dynasties, Xiangguo Temple lies in the western section of Ziyou (freedom) Road in Kaifeng City. Its one of the ten famous temples in Chinese history and plays an important role in the development of Buddhism in China.

The temple was rebuilt in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), and was bestowed the name Xiangguo Temple by Emperor Ruizong. The temple reached its heyday in the Song Dynasty (960-1279). It became an international Buddhism center, attracting many foreign envoys and great monks. It contributed a lot to the cultural exchanges between China and other countries.

Coming here, you will be surprised at the magnificent architecture and the well-arranged layout of the temple. The existing structures were mainly built in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The buildings include Mountain Gate, Paifang, Heavenly Kings Hall, Daxiongbaodian Hall (Hall of Sakyamuni), Arhat Hall and Sutra Hall. They are set on the north-south central axis with some other annexes built symmetrically on both sides

Dragon Pavilion is the main part of Dragon Pavilion Park located in the northwest of Kaifeng City, where six dynasties located their capitals. The site where Dragon Pavilion is located is the site of many dynasties imperial palaces and reached its height of prosperity in the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). Then, most of the constructions were destroyed through wars. In the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the mansion of an emperors son was established here with a garden. In the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) a hall was added, a place where the emperors tablets were placed, thus getting the name of Dragon Pavilion.

Dragon Pavilion, together with other scenic beauties, makes up the Dragon Pavilion Park. This area is the most famous and the largest scenic spot in Kaifeng, with an area of 0.87 square kilometers (214 acres). So it is a must-see when traveling to Kaifeng.