Henan University Minglun Campus

Henan University was founded in 1912 and was originally called Henan Preparatory School for Studying in Europe and America. It was once the site of Henan Imperial Examination Hall. The national examinations were held here in 1903 and 1904. In 1905, the imperial examination system, which had lasted for more than 1,300 years, came to an end here. The motto of Henan University is "Enlighten the Virtue, Renew the People, and Achieve Perfection". Walking into Henan University, one by one, modern buildings are hidden in the green, with blue bricks and green tiles, flying eaves and animals, carved beams and painted buildings. A sense of historical weight and artistic beauty spreads unconsciously around.

Attractions Location: No. 85, Minglun Street, Shunhe Hui District, Kaifeng City, Henan Province

Opening hours:
Monday to Sunday all day

Transportation:
Take bus No. 10 to Henan University.

Time reference: 1-3 hours


Recommended itinerary for Henan University Minglun Campus tours

1‑Day Itinerary: Minglun Campus & Kaifeng’s Historic Core

Ideal for visitors wanting to explore the heritage-rich Kaifeng campus with nearby cultural landmarks.

  • Morning: Explore Henan University Minglun Campus (原河南大学明伦校区) - Transport: From Kaifeng downtown → taxi (≈10 min, ~15 RMB) or local bus to “Minglun Street” stop - Duration: ~1.5 hours touring historic buildings, Qing‑style libraries and old gateways
  • Midday: Walk to Kaifeng Drum Tower area & night market (~15 min on foot) - Duration: ~1 hour exploring old shops, snacks
  • Afternoon: Visit Kaifeng Prefecture and Bao Gong Temple (包公祠) - Taxi (~5 min, ~10 RMB from campus or Drum Tower) - Duration: ~1.5 hours

Accommodation/Food: Lunch at nearby _Daoxiang Ju (稻香聚)_ for local Kaifeng specialties. Stay at _Pullman Kaifeng Jianye_ or _Lavande Hotel Kaifeng Drum Tower_ within walking distance.

Souvenirs: Minglun Campus – university memorabilia, vintage postcards of campus architecture Bao Gong Temple – Bao Zheng-themed charms, local ink stones


2‑Day Itinerary: Campus & Ancient Capital Highlights

Blend academic atmosphere with Kaifeng’s vibrant historic and performance scenes.

  • Day 1: Same as above
  • Day 2 Morning: Visit Millennium City Park (清明上河园) - Taxi (~15–20 min, ~20 RMB) - Duration: ~3 hours, including live historical performances
  • Afternoon: Explore Song City or Nightview “Dongjing Dream” show - Short walk from Millennium Park - Duration: ~1.5–2 hours at live show or themed street experience

Accommodation/Food: Lunch inside Millennium Park at themed restaurants. Dinner at _Songdu Imperial Street food stalls_. Stay at the same hotel as Day 1.

Souvenirs: Millennium Park – Song Dynasty fans, lanterns, calligraphy sets Song City show – performance DVDs, costume postcards


3‑Day Itinerary: Campus, Museums & Pagoda Park

Add museums and a historic pagoda visit to balance culture with relaxation.

  • Day 1–2: As above
  • Day 3 Morning: Visit Kaifeng Museum - Taxi (~10 min) or bus (~20 min) - Duration: ~2 hours exploring local artifacts
  • Afternoon: Go to Iron Pagoda Park (铁塔公园) - Taxi (~10 min or 2 km walk) - Duration: ~1.5 hours

Accommodation/Food: Lunch at museum café or _Old City noodle shop_ near Iron Pagoda. Continue staying centrally near Drum Tower.

Souvenirs: Kaifeng Museum – small replicas of ancient city relics Iron Pagoda Park – pagoda models, stone carving miniatures


4‑Day Itinerary: Campus, Religious Sites & Rural Temple

Explore spiritual and rural sites around Kaifeng to enrich historical context.

  • Days 1–3: Follow above itinerary
  • Day 4 Morning: Visit Tianbo Yang Family Mansion (天波杨府) - Taxi (~15 min, ~15 RMB) - Duration: ~1.5 hours touring a grand Song/Ming official estate
  • Afternoon: Travel to Yangguansi Temple or rural village temple (~30 min taxi) - Duration: ~1 hour

Accommodation/Food: Lunch at local estate restaurant or courtyard guesthouse. Return to Kaifeng for overnight at previous hotel.

Souvenirs: Yang Mansion – embroidered textiles, traditional decorative brocade Village temple – incense holders, small deity statues


5‑Day Itinerary: Campus + Luoyang Day Trip to Longmen & Shaolin

Include a full-day excursion to Luoyang to see UNESCO sites alongside campus-based experiences.

  • Days 1–4: As above
  • Day 5 Full Day: Visit Longmen Grottoes and Shaolin Temple via Luoyang - Transport: From Kaifeng take high‑speed train (~30 min) to Luoyang North, then taxi or bus to Longmen (~20 min), later taxi to Shaolin (~1.5 hrs from city center) - Spend ~2 hours at Longmen, ~3 hours at Shaolin including Pagoda Forest and Kung Fu show

Accommodation/Food: Lunch near Longmen at local noodle or vegetarian spot. Return to Kaifeng or stay overnight in Luoyang if desired.

Souvenirs: Longmen Grottoes – Buddhist statue prints, stone carving replicas Shaolin Temple – kung fu attire, prayer beads, temple souvenirs


6‑Day Itinerary: Kaifeng & Zhengzhou Museums

Combine local Kaifeng heritage with a visit to Zhengzhou’s major museums.

  • Days 1–5: As above
  • Day 6: Travel to Zhengzhou Museum and return to Kaifeng - Train or intercity bus (~1 hr to Zhengzhou) then metro or taxi to museum (~20 min) - Duration: ~1.5–2 hours at museum

Accommodation/Food: Lunch near Zhengzhou museum. Return to Kaifeng for regular accommodation.

Souvenirs: Zhengzhou Museum – Zhou bronzeware mini replicas, art prints Also pick up Zhengzhou-themed memorabilia at station or museum shop


7‑Day Itinerary: Leisure Day & Final Shopping

Wind down with relaxed campus revisit, shopping, and local snacks before departure.

  • Days 1–6: As above
  • Day 7 Morning: Leisurely revisit Minglun Campus and surrounding tea houses (~1–1.5 hr)
  • Afternoon: Explore Kaifeng Gulou Night Market or Songjiang River North Street - Taxi (~10 min) - Shopping and tasting local snacks for ~2 hours

Accommodation/Food: Lunch at market street stalls featuring Kaifeng-style dumplings and soups. Final overnight in Kaifeng or depart based on travel plans.

Souvenirs: Campus – academic brooches, vintage-style postcards Night Market – preserved snacks, handcrafted fans, shadow-puppetry souvenirs


User Reviews

By O'Connor accompanies his uncle |

If you are tired of the red walls and green tiles, you might as well come to the old campus of Henan University. Compared with the Drum Tower Night Market and Kaifeng Mansion, this place is much less popular.

There are security guards at the entrance of Heda University at all times, and ordinary tourists may not be able to enter and exit freely. However, after simply asking about their origins and checking relevant documents, the security guards will not stop them.

After being accustomed to the palace city with red walls and green tiles, the architectural style here is refreshing. There are still many buildings from the Republic of China period preserved in the old campus of Henan University. Those who like taking photos and checking in may have a special liking for this place.

I don’t know if it’s because it’s a holiday, but there aren’t many students in Laohe University, and even fewer tourists. It’s a bit cold in this cold winter.

By Carmen |

It is a century-old school in decline, but the architectural style of the campus is unified and has a strong sense of history!

By Flowers Outdoor |

Henan University was founded in 1912 during the Republic of China. Some of the school's buildings are still very old, and can be said to be much older than many of the buildings built in scenic spots here. It is right next to the Iron Tower Park, with a good geographical location and a large campus area. It is recommended to come here for a visit.

By Caiying Youth |

The buildings are simple and elegant, solemn and tranquil, just what a university should look like.

By A stalk of celery |

There are very few students here, and the teaching buildings are very historical and have a great feel. The key is that the Iron Tower Park is at the end, and you can see the Iron Tower without buying a ticket.

By Swirling Water |

I was delighted to find that there is an ice lake here, part of the lake is covered with snow, and there is also a pavilion in the middle of the lake! I remember an ancient article about watching snow in the pavilion in the middle of the lake, "Frost is thick, the sky, clouds, mountains and water are all white. The shadows on the lake are only a trace of the long embankment, a dot of the pavilion in the middle of the lake, and a mustard of the remaining boats, with only two or three people in the boats." It's really elegant, and it's also very suitable for the scene. On the open space by the lake, there are also many mothers and children playing in the snow. The children kneaded snowballs and threw them into arcs towards the lake. They were very happy. Children's time is always so beautiful, simple and happy! Henan University is next to the Iron Tower Park, and you can see the coldness of the Iron Tower from a distance. Next to it is a basketball court. Such a cold day still can't stop students from loving basketball. Walking around the campus, I found many buildings with a modern and contemporary combination of Chinese and Western styles. It seems that Henan University has also considered the location of the site.

By Neptune |

A very historical place, worth a visit, it seems like traveling back to the Republic of China period

By Pipi Monkey |

The old campus is quaint and has the feeling of Nanjing Normal University. Later I found out that it was not rated as a 211 university due to political reasons. There are many ancient buildings on campus. The campus is full of people taking graduation photos, but we were taking tourist photos.

By KiaraR |

In front of the Iron Tower Park is an old and simple campus. Shared bicycles are not allowed in, and the area around the school is also a bit old.

By 8 |

As soon as you enter the school, you will feel a sense of historical vicissitudes. A university that has witnessed an era

By Big orange 🍊 |

One of the oldest universities in China and the venue for China's last imperial examination, this is a historical relic with various modern Western and traditional Chinese buildings. You can miss any place else in Kaifeng but you must come here!

By Astringent Pomegranate |

Kaifeng is the only place I think worth visiting. The buildings are beautiful. You can also see the iron tower. It's great.

By Kazakhstan |

Henan University was very powerful during the Republic of China period. It is a pity that Henan University was diverted due to policy reasons and is now in decline.

By SteamChan |

The buildings of Henan University (Minglun Campus) are very simple and ancient. The old buildings in the whole campus are well preserved. It can be said that it is a century-old school. It is very stunning when you see it for the first time. If you go there in the early morning in autumn, there are fallen leaves everywhere, which makes it even more cold and bleak.

No registration is required to enter or leave the campus, but it is relatively dry and windy. The main gate, study room and auditorium on campus are all worth a visit.

There is no obvious service area on campus, so it is relatively inconvenient to buy food. The traffic outside the main gate is a bit chaotic, so you need to be careful of the passing vehicles.

There is a direct link to the Iron Tower Park behind the campus.

By Meow~ |

A century-old institution filled with the fragrance of books



Henan University, a century-old institution, was founded in 1912 on the site of the Qing Dynasty Imperial Examination Hall in the ancient city of Kaifeng. In August 1930, it was officially renamed Henan University. The Minglun Campus is located to the north of the Song Dynasty Kaibao Temple Pagoda (i.e. Iron Pagoda), with a total area of 2.2 million square meters and a building area of 1.47 million square meters.



The modern building complex of Minglun Campus is a key cultural relic protection unit of the State: the rebuilt Henan Gongyuan Stele was built in the tenth year of Yongzheng's reign; the rebuilt Henan Gongyuan Stele was built in the twenty-fourth year of Daoguang's reign; the Bowen Building was built in 1915; the Boya Building was built in the 1920s; the Great Hall was built in 1931; and the South Gate was built in 1936.



The Minglun South Gate of Henan University is a brick, wood and concrete building with four columns and three bays. It has animal figures on the ridge, brackets supporting the eaves, rafters with wings, and four corners like wings. The four characters "Henan University" on the outer lintel are the words of Mi Fu, a calligrapher of the Northern Song Dynasty; the inner lintel has "stop at the highest good" in the middle, "bright virtue" on the left, and "new people" on the right, which are from the beginning of "The Great Learning".



Bowen Building (Building No. 6) is the first modern building combining Chinese and Western styles. It has four floors in the middle and three floors in the two wings. The revolutionary pioneer Li Dazhao once gave a speech here. Boya Building (Building No. 7) has blue brick walls, the ground floor walls are plastered with cement mortar and decorated with horizontal grooves, and the walls of the second and third floors are connected to the eaves with Tuscan columns, with advanced lighting and sound insulation.



The "Heda Twelve Halls" were first built in 1921. The East Ten Hall in particular has exquisite and gorgeous door decorations, elegant and simple gray brick walls, simple and bright geometric window frames, and varied sloping roofs and parapets; the red painted solid wood doors, floors, wooden stairs, handrails, and railings are unique and exquisitely crafted.



The Great Hall, facing the South Gate from afar, is a palace-style building with blue bricks, red tiles, and eaves. It is 73.75 meters long from north to south, 53.75 meters wide from east to west, and 24.4 meters high, with a total construction area of 4,687 square meters. It has high practical and artistic value. As a symbol of the development of higher education in Henan, it has witnessed the growth of Henan University students.

By Junjun |

The campus is very beautiful and the design is very avant-garde. If you have time when you come to Kaifeng, you must visit it.

By Xiaoyu's mother |

As a student myself, it is a habit for me to visit the more famous universities in each place. The campus is not big, but the ancient buildings are mixed with modern buildings, which makes it have the learning atmosphere and charm of a college without looking shabby. It is neither a 985 nor a 211, and the score line is not high. Because it is summer vacation, there are not many people in the school.

By Ultraman who doesn't know martial arts |

Henan University is the oldest university in Henan. Walking on the campus, looking at the ancient buildings and thinking about the past and present of this school, one would actually feel sad for this school. It was once one of the three famous universities in the Republic of China but due to various reasons it has become an ordinary university today. Fortunately, the buildings are still there and the history will last forever.

By Xiaobing Dannan |

I really like old buildings. I think it would be better for a university to have a profound heritage.

By Susan |

The Republican-era buildings in Henan University are worth seeing, very nice. Next to it is the Iron Tower Park, you can go there together

By Echo |

The old campus has a rich cultural heritage. The campus is not big, but when you are in it, you will be infected by its tranquility and harmony.

By wxya |

Henan University Minglun Campus is an unexpected and pleasant surprise. It is separated from the Iron Tower Park by a wall, so it is just right to visit together. Under a row of buildings in the style of the Republic of China, a group of young students in school uniforms of the Republic of China took photos happily. It felt like the Republic of China but not the Republic of China. In the real Republic of China era, the campus must have been full of speeches, people trying to save the nation, and people pleading for the country. The Republic of China style in front of me, the campus and the students, are so peaceful, beautiful, joyful and happy!

By Xiao Nuan |

A century-old school! A strong academic atmosphere! It is next to the Iron Tower Mansion and can be seen from the school.

By ∝Thousand knots. |

Henan University is located in the historical and cultural city of Kaifeng. Ever since I watched "Lecture Room" in junior high school, I have been yearning for Henan University, because I always wanted to see the true face of Professor Wang Liqun with my own eyes one day. I didn't do well in the college entrance examination, so I went to Guangxi University. Thanks to God's blessing, I met him at Xi'an University, and coincidentally, he happened to be from Henan. The campus of Henan University is simple and elegant, and the environment is not inferior to that of Sun Yat-sen University, but its reputation and faculty are slightly inferior. In fact, there are quite a few universities in China with intoxicating scenery, but due to their geographical location, city fame, and non-985 and non-211 reasons, they are kept in the deep boudoir and unknown to the world. If you come to Kaifeng, if you are a student or a senior who has just graduated, it is highly recommended to visit Henan University and relive the innocent feelings of the campus days

By Strong wind in the sky |

Henan University Minglun Campus is not far from Qingming Riverside Park, a 10-minute drive away. It is separated from the Iron Tower Park by a lake or a wall. The community and the park are connected by a gate, which is suitable for a combined tour. Many buildings from the Republic of China period are preserved on both sides of the south of the old Henan University. Facing the auditorium, the ancient city wall of the east school gate is still preserved. It is impossible to climb the city wall and look far away, but you can touch the traces of time. Seeing these, I can seem to see the prosperity of Henan University in the past. Compared with the decline today, I can't help but feel sad.

By Travel Cultural Heritage |

As one of the more famous universities in China during the Republic of China period, it suffered heavy losses after the education reform in the 1950s. It has to be said that it was a loss to Kaifeng and even Henan. Through the remaining buildings on the campus, one can imagine the glory of Henan University during that period.

By Dream Traveler |

I like this place very much. It is retro, quiet, and has a sense of historical heritage. I like the architecture very much.

By Pagans of the East |

Although I didn't go in, I knew from the pictures taken by Fengfeng that the old buildings of Henan University are very good. I could see a bit of the campus of Henan University from the iron tower.

By Deep Sea Blue |

A very old university. The Henan Preparatory School for Studying in Europe and America (the predecessor of Henan University) was founded on the site of the National Imperial Examination Hall in Kaifeng during the Qing Dynasty. Henan University is divided into two campuses, the East Campus, which is the old campus, Minglun Campus. Most of the buildings are in the style of the Republic of China. The auditorium is particularly classic. The west of the campus is next to the Iron Tower Park. The ancient tower and the city wall complement each other. The humanistic atmosphere under the sunset is very rich! If you are not a quick tour, it is still recommended to go!

By Gu Chenkai |

It was built a long time ago. It is the old campus. The scenery is beautiful in this season. What impressed me most was the wisteria inside. It is worth a visit.

By The sky is blue every day--Rabbit Mom |

It's not very convenient to take a car, but the free monuments are worth seeing.

By Gayou |

The target university for the college entrance examination. A century-old school, with ancient buildings and ancient trees shade each other; plane trees line the road, and it would be even better if catkins suddenly flew in the sky.

By The battle between spirit and flesh |

How can you not recognize National Central University? !

By Sinian Little Lich |

Henan University is located in Kaifeng, a famous historical and cultural city and the ancient capital of eight dynasties. It was once the site of the Henan Imperial Academy. The last two national examinations were held here in 1903 and 1904, and the imperial examination system that lasted for thousands of years came to an end here. In 1912, a group of Henan benevolent people represented by Lin Boxiang founded the Henan Preparatory School for Studying in Europe and America in the dawn of the victory of the Revolution of 1911, which became one of the three major training bases for studying abroad in China at that time. After going through the stages of Zhongzhou University, the National Fifth Sun Yat-sen University, and the Provincial Henan University, it was changed to National Henan University in 1942 and became a comprehensive university with six colleges of liberal arts, science, engineering, agriculture, medicine, and law. It was one of the national universities with strong academic strength and a good reputation at home and abroad at that time. After the founding of New China, after the adjustment of colleges and departments, the Agricultural College, Medical College, and Administrative College of Henan University were independently established as Henan Agricultural College, Henan Medical College, and Henan Administrative College respectively. The water conservancy, finance and economics and other colleges and departments were also transferred to Wuhan University, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law and other universities, and the school headquarters was renamed Henan Normal University. After the Kaifeng Normal College and Henan Normal University, the name of Henan University was restored in 1984. On October 17, 2008, the Henan Provincial People's Government and the Ministry of Education signed a co-construction agreement, and Henan University officially joined the ranks of provincial and ministerial co-construction universities.

By cyh Abu |

The old campus of Henan University is really impressive, with a heavy sense of history.

By Orange Walk |

Henan University is very beautiful and ancient. After walking around for a while, I arrived at the auditorium, which looked a bit like a palace. The scenery was pretty good. I sat in a pavilion for a while, and many uncles were playing chess. There were people swimming and fishing in the lake. I always think that university is a good place to retire.

By hNo boundaries |

I feel that the school is pretty good when I go to school there. Through step-by-step planning, it becomes more beautiful.

By Little Mill 00 |

As my alma mater where I have lived for four years, I have a lot of emotions attached to it. I spent the most beautiful youth time of my life in this classical and elegant campus. The scenery is beautiful, the people are beautiful, and the heart is beautiful. Its beauty is a kind of tranquil beauty, existing in a corner of modern prosperity, without competition, without publicity, and without complaint.

By Green Violet |

The whole school has a lot of vegetation. Looking around, there is still a lot of green. The scenery is pretty good and the transportation is convenient. It is worth a visit.

By fifiwan |

Henan University is a very distinctive must-visit place recommended by Liu Momo. You can overlook the iron tower at one of the school gates.

By Flying Dreams |

I have to recommend this! I went to college here for two years! It's beautiful!!! It has a strong cultural atmosphere! There are many ancient buildings!

By coffee |

Be on campus and feel the charm of a century-old school!

By March QueenAmanda |

Take a taxi to Henan University in the evening and tell the driver to go to the South Gate.

Under the setting sun, the old buildings on campus are full of age, energetic college students are riding their bicycles by, and the cats are still lying leisurely in the grass.

The campus of Henan University is not as famous as Xiamen University, and therefore there are fewer hustle and bustle of tourists, so you can visit it in peace.

By Miss Qian Love Travel |

The old campus has a strong cultural atmosphere and charm. During the Qingming Festival holiday, there are not many students in the school, and the quiet atmosphere makes people deeply immersed in it.

By A cow with a story |

The campus environment of Henan University is much better than that of Hebei University. The modern buildings from the Republic of China period are a highlight of the campus, demonstrating the profound history of Henan University.

By Subversion@Reflection |

I went to Henan University (Jinming Campus). When I went there in April, the flowers in the garden were blooming beautifully.

By Red Tin Man |

Many buildings were built during the Republic of China period, which is quite historic.

By Fat girl eating meat |

After eating, I went to the new campus of Henan University. It was winter vacation so not many people were inside, so I walked around and reminisced about my youth. There were snacks and gadgets outside the school, so it must be very lively on weekdays. I had a good time, but the wind was too strong (...). However, the old campus of Henan University is still very interesting. Friends who want to visit a university in Kaifeng can go to the old campus.

By Xiaoyang Chosen |

Henan University is also a century-old famous university. There are many exquisite buildings from the Republic of China era. It feels great.

By moonner_light |

It is recommended to visit the old campus of Henan University for 1-2 hours, just in time for taking graduation photos. It is really nice to wear Republic of China costumes to take photos on such a campus. The lake and tower are reflected in the shadows, which is quite beautiful. However, the equipment is limited and I cannot take such beautiful photos.

By Yin's Xiaoyao |

Although the university ranking is not high, Henan University, which is home to a group of excellent modern Chinese buildings, is still eye-opening.

By Mumu |

The nearly 100-year-old campus is full of cultural heritage and ancient charm! Walking in it, you can personally feel its heavy historical atmosphere.

By Red and black BLUE Ning |

The old campus of Henan University: It has a beautiful environment, a strong garden atmosphere, a sense of historical heritage, and a good learning atmosphere.

By Temptation from afar |

I have some feelings for Henan University. I don't know why, but I think it's because it was once very glorious, but now it's in decline. I have a kind of sympathy for such things.

By Dear Ahua |

Walking on the campus of Henan University, you can personally feel its heavy historical atmosphere. The main focus of Henan University's School of Literature is Song culture.

By tina |

Walking into Henan University, you will see green bricks and tiles, flying eaves and animals, carved beams and painted buildings, a fusion of Chinese and Western styles. Appreciating the modern buildings hidden in the green, a sense of historical weight and artistic beauty spreads unconsciously around you.

By Always think about it |

The old campus of Henan University, where old and new buildings complement each other in the century-old school, has a unique feeling under the sunset.

By Coconut Pirates |

There are many buildings from the Republic of China period in the old campus of Henan University, and many newlyweds in wedding dresses were seen taking photos in them. The campus was quiet and comfortable during the holidays. Sitting under the shade of the trees, looking at the houses built a hundred years ago, my imagination ran wild.

By Zach |

Having studied here for many years, I have a very deep feeling for this place. The environment of Henan University's modern buildings is superb, needless to say. It is worthy of being a century-old institution and a cultural center!

By Barbie mask |

Henan University is located in Kaifeng, an ancient city with a long history and culture. Its architecture inherits the characteristics of Ming and Qing architectural art, with a simple style and a combination of Chinese and Western styles. It is very exciting to walk on the campus!