Zhengzhou for First-Time Visitors: Airport, Metro, Payments & Tickets (2026)

Short answer: China's rail crossroads and the easiest base for Henan's big-name history: the Henan Museum is free, Shaolin Temple is a day trip, and Luoyang's Longmen Grottoes are a short high-speed train away.

Visa-free entry and 240-hour transit

Zhengzhou's airport is a designated port for 240-hour visa-free transit. If you fly on to a third country or region, you can stay up to 10 days and travel across the 24 permitted provinces (Tibet, Xinjiang and a few other regions are not included). (official source)

Not sure which rule applies to you? Check your passport in 10 seconds or see rules by country.

Airport to the city

Zhengzhou Xinzheng CGO

郑州新郑国际机场

Metro (Chengjiao Line + Line 2)~¥8About 1 h 20 min. Starts at the Ground Transportation Center, level B2; pay with Alipay, WeChat or cash. Runs about 06:00–22:00, so check late arrivals
Airport shuttle bus~¥20About 1 h. Boards near Gate 1; routes include Zhengzhou East high-speed rail station (about 09:40–19:40) and Zhengzhou Railway Station
Taxi~¥90About 35 min. Taxi stand at the Ground Transportation Center, level 2
Didi~¥70About 35 min. Pickup at the Ground Transportation Center, level 2; pay via Alipay or in the Didi app

Times and fares change. Check Amap or the airport's official site on the day. (sources) First time landing in China? Read arriving in China step by step.

Metro and taxis

Metro: Alipay's transit QR code or WeChat Pay works on the metro, and single-journey tickets can be bought at stations with cash. Don't count on foreign-card tap-to-pay at the gates; set up Alipay before you go. (sources) Set up Alipay with your foreign card before you fly as a backup.

Didi: Didi works inside Alipay, and airport pickup is at the Ground Transportation Center, level 2. Expect a wait at peak times. See how to use Didi as a foreigner.

Hotels in Zhengzhou

Check in with your passport: hotels register foreign guests with the police automatically at check-in, so there's nothing else to do. Compare hotels in Zhengzhou on Trip.com (affiliate link): the site is in English, shows prices in your currency and takes foreign cards. Save the hotel's address in Chinese characters to show taxi drivers.

Top sights: do you need to book?

Henan Museum

FreeBook aheadBring your passport

Booking: Free, but real-name booking is required through the museum's official WeChat mini-program or the 'One Phone Tour Henan' mini-program; slots can sell out about 3 days ahead on holidays. Closed Mondays except national holidays

How: Bring the passport you booked with; the museum says it does not sell tickets through third parties

Shaolin Temple (Dengfeng)

Same day is fineBring your passport

Booking: Real-name tickets are sold through the official 'Songshan Shaolin' WeChat account, only for today and the next three days; check the booking window on the day

How: Day trip of about 66 km from Zhengzhou; check the current price and entry rules on the official account

Longmen Grottoes (Luoyang)

Bring your passport

Booking: Paid ticket; tour operators also sell advance entry tickets

How: Easiest as a day trip by high-speed train to Luoyang, then a short ride to the site

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Day trips from Zhengzhou

Shaolin Temple, Dengfeng: About 66 km from Zhengzhou; tour or bus via Dengfeng
Luoyang (Longmen Grottoes): High-speed train, about 30–60 min

Where to go next

Buddha carvings at the Longmen Grottoes, Luoyang

LuoyangAbout 30–60 min

Xi'anAbout 2 h

Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City, Beijing

BeijingAbout 2.5–3.5 h

Booking trains: how to book China's high-speed trains as a foreigner. All cities: China city guides.

Next steps for your trip

1. Fill in the arrival cardOnline, free, within 72h before landing 2. Set up AlipayLink your Visa or Mastercard before you fly 3. Get a China eSIMGoogle, WhatsApp & Instagram keep working · affiliate link Stuck? Ask a real personWhatsApp / WeChat · free to ask

FAQ

Can I use 240-hour visa-free transit in Zhengzhou?

Yes. Zhengzhou Xinzheng Airport (CGO) is a designated port, and travel is allowed within Henan Province. You need a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region and a passport from an eligible country.

What is the best way from Zhengzhou airport to the city?

Didi or a taxi takes about 35 min and costs roughly ¥70–90. The metro is cheaper (about ¥8) but takes around 1 h 20 min. Shuttle buses cost about ¥20 and run to the rail stations.

Do I need to book the Henan Museum?

Yes. Entry is free but needs a real-name booking through the museum's official mini-programs. It is closed on Mondays except national holidays. Bring your passport.

Can I pay on the Zhengzhou metro with my phone?

Yes, with the Alipay or WeChat transit QR code. Cash single tickets are also sold at stations.

Last verified 31 October 2026. Sources: [1] eastchinatrip.com, [2] english.henan.gov.cn, [3] xcoss.henan.gov.cn, [4] govt.chinadaily.com.cn, [5] hellochinatrip.com, [6] english.henan.gov.cn. Rules, fares and booking windows change often — confirm on official channels before you travel.