Zhengzhou Shows Its Charm Through Connectivity, Culture and Fireworks in the Year of the Horse

"Zhong", a word deeply rooted in the cultural genes of Henan people, not only means "okay" or "workable" but also represents the geographical and cultural identity of being the "Central Plains" with towering Zhongyue Mountain. Known as the "Center of Heaven and Earth", Zhengzhou presented its unique charm to people during the Spring Festival of the Year of the Horse.

As the first city in China with a "rice-shaped" high-speed rail network, Zhengzhou is a vital transportation hub, embodying the vitality of a "mobile China". 

On the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, its East Railway Station was bustling yet orderly, with high-speed trains heading to cities including Xi’an, Beijing, Wuhan, Chongqing and Hong Kong. During the nine-day Spring Festival holiday, a total of 5.368 million passengers were sent, with a single-day peak of 898,000 passengers, an increase of 8.88% compared with the peak day of the 2025 Spring Festival. 

This connectivity showcases Zhengzhou’s efficiency and vitality driven by technological development.

While high-speed rail reflects Zhengzhou’s vitality, the "Bodu·New Image" commercial block in Guancheng District carries the city’s profound historical and cultural heritage. 

Completed in 2025, the block, covering over 40,000 square meters, is adjacent to the Shang Dynasty city wall ruins and Zhengzhou Confucian Temple. 

Integrating architectural elements from various cities in Henan with the background of the Shang Dynasty capital ruins, it has become a new cultural landmark and a popular spot for Spring Festival city walks. 

Young people in Hanfu visit to experience traditional woodblock New Year painting making and pray for blessings, while cultural and tourist attractions across the city have seen a steady increase in visitors in recent years, allowing people to feel the festive atmosphere through history and culture.

The charm of Zhengzhou also lies in its authentic local food and fireworks. As early as 5 a.m. on the fifth day of the first lunar month, breakfast shops on Shuncheng Street in Guancheng District were busy. 

Known as the "old town landmark" of Zhengzhou and a gathering place for halal food, the street offers authentic local delicacies such as mutton soup, spicy soup, soybean milk foam and fried dough sticks. 

These breakfast shops, some of which have a long history, have retained the original flavor of Zhengzhou, becoming a spiritual sustenance for local people and a symbol of the city’s warmth and sense of belonging.

In the Spring Festival, Zhengzhou’s charm is reflected in every step, every bowl of food and every smile of its people, perfectly interpreting the connotation of "Zhong" that combines connectivity, culture and fireworks.