Getting There

Zhengzhou is connected by air to many major Chinese cities, including Beijing (1 hr. 30 min.), Guangzhou (2 hr. 10 min.), Hong Kong (2 1/2 hr.), and Shanghai (1 hr. 20 min.). Tickets can be purchased at the CAAC office at Airport Hotel (Minhang Dajiudian) Jinshui Lu 3 (tel. 0371/6599-1111). The airport is about 35km (21 miles) southeast of the city. Sofitel and Crowne Plaza have booths at the airport and can arrange transportation into the city if you contact them ahead of time. Taxis make the run for around ¥100. CAAC airport shuttles (40 min.; ¥16; 6am-8pm) depart every hour for the airport from the Airport Hotel (Minhang Dajiudian; tel. 0371/6578-1111, ext. 2350) and also meet incoming flights.

Trains run from Zhengzhou's railway station (tel. 0371/6835-6666) to Luoyang (2 hr.), Kaifeng (1 hr.), Xi'an (10 hr.), Beijing (12 hr., or 5 hr. on the D-series express trains 5 times daily), Shanghai (14 hr., or 7 hr. on twice daily D-series trains), Guangzhou (36 hr.), and a host of other cities in between.

From the long-distance bus station (tel. 0371/6696-3818 or 0371/6696-6107) opposite the railway station, Iveco buses depart for Luoyang (every 30 min. 7:30am-7pm, public buses depart every 25-45 min. 6:50am-6:30pm; 2-2 1/2 hr.; ¥40), Dengfeng (every 30 min. 6am-7:40pm; 30 min.; ¥26), and Gongyi (every half-hour 6:40am-6:30pm; 1 1/2 hr.; ¥24). Buses to Kaifeng (every 20 min. 7:30am-7pm; 1 hr.; ¥7) leave from the East Bus Station (Keyun Dong Zhan) on Jichang Lu; it will cut down your travel time significantly. If you're traveling in the summer, make sure to ask if your bus has air-conditioning (you mei you kongtiao?). For guaranteed air-conditioning, a private bus service, Henan Yu An Kuaiyun (tel. 0371/6638-3055), runs air-conditioned buses to Luoyang (every 30 min. 7:30am-7pm; 2 hr. 30 min.; ¥40), Beijing (9:30pm; 9 hr.; ¥180).

Getting Around

Taxis charge ¥6 for 2km (1 1/4 miles), then ¥1.50 per additional kilometer until 12km (7 1/2 miles), after which the price rises to ¥2.25 per kilometer. From 11pm to 5am, prices rise to ¥8 per 2km (1 1/4 miles). City buses cost ¥1 flat fare. Bus no. 26 runs from the railway station to Jinshui Lu via Renmin Lu, while bus no. 16 runs from Erma Lu to the Yellow River.

Fast Facts

Banks, Foreign Exchange & ATMs -- A convenient Bank of China branch (tel. 0371/6597-7640; Mon-Fri 9am-noon and 1-5pm) is at Jinshui Lu 266. Counters 3 and 4 are for foreign exchange. This location also has an ATM.

Internet Access -- If you have your own computer, most hotels have in-room high-speed Internet access. Free Wi-Fi is available in the public areas of the Sofitel and the Crowne Plaza. For those without computers, Crowne Plaza's business center charges ¥1 per minute (6am-11pm).

Post Office -- The post office (8am-6:30pm) is just south of the railway station.

Visa Extensions -- The Gonganju (PSB) is located at Erqi Lu 70 (tel. 0371/6962-0359; Mon-Fri 8:30am-noon and 3-6:30pm). Allow 5 business days, though emergency 3-day visas can also be processed.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.