Kaifeng, a city that lies south of the Yellow River on the Eastern Henan Plain, is one of the seven ancient capitals in China. Originally going by the name of Daliang and Bianliang, It was built by the state of Zheng in the Spring and Autumn Period (770-746 B.C) and was made known as Kaifeng literally meaning "opening up the frontiers". The state of WEI in the Warring States Period (445-221 B.C) and the Later Liang, Latin Jin, Later Han and Later Zhou of the Five Dynasties (907-979), Northern Song (960-1127) and Kin (1115-1234) all established their capital here. So it wins the fame as "ancient Kaifeng" or "capitals of Ten Dynasties" Kaifeng was numerous historical sites and cultural relics. Among the most famous are the 13-storyed octagonal iron - grey glazed brick Iron Pagoda built in the Song (so named for it's colour resembling that of an iron pagoda seen from the distance, Ang Knoen for containing the relics of Sakyamuni); and Ancient Piping Terrace known Autumn Period. Other scenic attraction include Dragon Pavilion and Baogong Ci, Songdu.
Iron Pagoda
Located in Iron Pagoda Park in the northeast part of the city, this structure was built in 1049 during the Northern Song Dynasty. With a history of more than nine hundred years, it is one of the earliest constructions made of glazed bricks and tiles in China. It got its name from the iron-gray colour of its glazed bricks. The octagonal pagoda is fifty-five meters high (with its foundation buried in silt from the Yellow River) and has thirteen levels. Although it was constructed of glazed bricks of different shapes and sizes, it looks very much like a huge wooden pillar, with carved patterns of Buddhas, flowers, human figures and legendary animals, all representing the highly developed workmanship of the Song Dynasty. The top of the pagoda affords a good view of the whole city of Kaifeng.
Dragon Pavilion
This splendid building in the northwest corner of the city was originally the site of the imperial palace of the Northern Song Dynasty. The present building was reconstructed in 1692 during the Qing Dynasty. Standing on a thirteen-meter-high brick foundation, it is covered with golden glazed tiles and has graceful upturned eaves. On a slanting stone halfway up the seventy-two steps which lead to a raised platform in front of the building, there are some vague horseshoe outlines among the carved dragon patterns. According to an old legend, the horseshoe prints were left by Emperor Tai Zu, Zhao Kuangyin (727 - 976), of the Song Dynasty when he rode up the steps on horseback.