The Kaifeng Drum Tower Night Market has a long history, dating back to the Northern Song Dynasty. According to the Dongjing Menghua Lu, "The night market lasts until the third watch and opens again at the fifth watch. For those who want excitement, the bustle continues till dawn." Today, the Drum Tower Night Market is located at Kaifeng Drum Tower Square, where countless vendors arrange their stalls in a circular layout around the Drum Tower, creating one of the city's most iconic night markets.

Kaifeng Drum Tower Night Market

The Drum Tower Night Market offers an abundance of local snacks, each carrying the deep, comforting flavors of this ancient city. A single taste leaves a lasting impression. Among the must-try specialties are stir-fried liangfen, barrel chicken, lamb kangmo, and almond tea — all signature tastes of Kaifeng that are well worth sampling.

Stir-fried Liangfen

A classic snack beloved by locals since childhood. Cold mung-bean jelly is cut into cubes and stir-fried with scallions, ginger, minced garlic, watermelon-seed paste, soybean paste, and other seasonings. After five or six minutes of stir-frying, it becomes hot, fragrant, and tender, with a light fermented-bean aroma — irresistibly delicious.

Barrel Chicken

A traditional Kaifeng specialty and a must-have dish on local dining tables. The chicken is simmered in an aged broth, turning golden in color, rich but not greasy, and increasingly fragrant with each bite. If you are visiting Kaifeng and looking for edible souvenirs to take home, vacuum-packed barrel chicken sold in many delis and specialty shops makes an excellent choice.

Lamb Kangmo

A filling local favorite. Minced lamb, scallions, and other ingredients are stuffed between two thin pancakes, then pan-fried with lamb fat until both sides turn golden and crisp. The result is fragrant, crunchy, and wonderfully chewy.

Almond Tea

A signature sweet drink enjoyed by Kaifeng locals since childhood. Made primarily from almond powder blended with peanuts, sesame, raisins, and more than ten other ingredients, it is prepared with boiling water. Smooth and delicate, it is sweet but never cloying.

Dongjing Menghua 

The Kaifeng Drum Tower Night Market also hosts occasional music and light shows, allowing visitors to enjoy delicious snacks while admiring the bustling night-market scenery. In addition, the night market is located near the Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden. After dining, you can stroll to the scenic area to enjoy the night views or watch the Dongjing Menghua performance. Please refer to the scenic area’s announcements for operating hours and show schedules.

[Tips]
Address: Gulou South Square, Gulou District, Kaifeng City, Henan Province
Operating Hours: 18:00–24:00; some stalls may stay open until 02:00 the following day.