When festivals in Henan ring in the new year, Zhengzhou has carefully prepared a "Double Hundred" cultural and tourism feast to welcome 2026. The "Double Hundred" includes over a hundred museum and cultural events alongside more than a hundred tourism experiences, turning the entire city into a grand stage that is both ancient and vibrant.

On New Year's morning, the Zhengzhou Shang Dynasty Capital Ruins Museum hosted a knowledge challenge where children could receive candies for answering questions correctly. At the Zhengzhou Museum, a photography exhibition told the city's story through tens of thousands of photos, while a family virtues exhibition conveyed values through historical artifacts. Visitors could also enjoy live Yu Opera performances, learn about cultural heritage, and experience the bold, heartfelt spirit of the Central Plains.

For hands-on enthusiasts, the Zhengzhou Dahecun National Archaeological Site Park offered art classes and script-based tours. At the Zhengzhou Art Museum, visitors could "meet" Su Dongpo through VR immersion, and the Zhengzhou Library hosted a workshop on crafting traditional thread-bound books. The Henan Museum brought cultural relics to life, the Henan Museum of Natural History guided children in solving paleontological mysteries, and the Zhengzhou Elephant Ceramics Museum allowed visitors to try pottery wheel throwing firsthand.

Beyond the cultural events, the city was filled with diverse and engaging tourism experiences. The newly opened Canal Manjing Leisure Block, stretching along the waterfront with cafes and bistros, offered a relaxed atmosphere. The scene at Only Henan · Drama Fantasy Kingdom was even more spectacular, with hundreds of visitors releasing Kongming lanterns over a vast wheat field, while giant rammed-earth walls projected New Year's wishes—a truly stunning sight.

Jianye Movie Town featured intangible cultural heritage displays like traditional iron-flower forging and lantern-lined streets. Zhongtie · Taiheli Block immersed visitors in Tang and Song dynasty-themed parades and fluorescent lion dances. Zhengzhou Haichang Ocean Park invited celebrities and online influencers to join the celebrations, while YINJI Animal Kingdom offered close encounters with adorable animals, and Fantawild Adventure provided a "Fairy Tale New Year's Eve." Creative blocks like Zhengzhou Memory 1952 Oil Factory Tourism Leisure Block and Shangdu Fuminli Cultural Block, along with major shopping malls, hosted themed markets and events, lighting up the night with vibrant energy.

These activities bridged Zhengzhou's 3,000-year history as a commercial capital with its dynamic, modern lifestyle. During festivals in Henan, Zhengzhou offers everyone a way to celebrate in their own style while showcasing the city's deep heritage and lively spirit.

Web editors: Shen Jianqi, Zhang Rui