Zhengzhou is connected byairto many major Chinese cities, including Beijing (1 hr., 20 min.), Guangzhou (2 hr., 20 min.), Hong Kong (2 1/2 hr.), and Shanghai (1 hr., 20 min.). Tickets can be purchased at theCAAC officeat Jinshui Lu 3 (tel.0371/6599-1111). The airport is about 35km (21 miles) southeast of the city. Sofitel and Crowne Plaza have booths at the airport and can arrange transportation into the city if you contact them ahead of time.Taxismake the run for around ¥100 ($13).CAAC airport shuttles(40 min.; ¥15/$1.90; 6am-6pm) depart every hour for the airport from the Airport Hotel (Minhang Dajiudian) at Jinshui Lu (tel.03716578-1111,ext. 6528) and also meet incoming flights.
Trains run from Zhengzhou'srailway station(tel.0371/835-6666) to Luoyang (2 hr.), Kaifeng (1 hr.), Xi'an (10 hr.), Beijing (12 hr.), Shanghai (14 hr.), Guangzhou (36 hr.), and a host of other cities in between. Tickets can be purchased at the advance booking office at Erqi Lu 133 (tel.0371/6626-2008;open 8:30am-noon and 2:30-5pm) or at the Crowne Plaza Hotel's booking office (An An Booking Center; tel.0371/6597-6760or 0371/6595-0055, ext. 1772).
From thelong-distance bus station(changtu qichezhan;tel.0371/6698-3995) opposite the railway station, Iveco buses depart for Luoyang (every 15 min. 5:30am-8pm, every half-hour 8-10pm; 2-2 1/2 hr.; ¥25/$3), Kaifeng (every 20 min. 5:40am-8pm; 1 1/2 hr.; ¥13/$1.50), Dengfeng (every 20 min. 6am-8pm; 30 min.; ¥15/$1.80), and Gongyi (every half-hour 7am-6pm; 1 1/2 hr.; ¥15/$1.80). If you're heading to Kaifeng (every 20 min. 6:20am-8pm; 1 hr.; ¥12/$1.40) it's highly recommended that you leave from theEast Bus Station (Keyun Dong Zhan)on Jichang Lu; it will cut down your travel time significantly. If you're traveling in the summer, make sure to ask if your bus has air-conditioning (you mei you kongtiao?). For guaranteed air-conditioning, a private bus service,Henan Yutong Kuaiyun(tel.0371/6593-5888), runs air-conditioned buses to Luoyang (every half-hour 7:30am-7pm; 2 hr., 10 min.; ¥30/$3.75), Beijing (7:50am, 9:50am, 1:50pm, and 10:20pm; 8 hr.; ¥150-¥210/$18-$26), and Xi'an (9:30am and 1:30pm; 5 1/2 hr.; ¥98/$13). Buses leave from the bus station as well as from the front of the Crowne Plaza.
Getting Around
Taxischarge ¥7 (85¢) for 3km (2 miles), then ¥1 (15¢) per additional kilometer until 10km (6 miles), after which the price rises to ¥1.50 (20¢) per kilometer. From 11pm to 5am, prices rise to ¥9 ($1.10) per 3km (2 miles). Citybusescost ¥1 (15¢) flat fare. Bus no. 26 runs from the railway station to Jinshui Lu via Renmin Lu, while bus no. 16 runs from Erma Lu to the Yellow River.
Fast Facts
Banks, Foreign Exchange & ATMs-- A convenientBank of Chinabranch (open Mar-May and Sept-Nov 8am-6pm; Dec-Feb 8am-5:30pm; June-Aug 8am-6:30pm) is across from the Crowne Plaza Hotel at Jinshui Lu 8. Counter 7 is for foreign exchange. There is an ATM at this location.
Internet Access-- Free wireless laptop access is available in the lobby of the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Dial-up is tel.169.
Post Office-- The post office (open 8am-8pm) is just south of the railway station.
Visa Extensions-- TheGonganju (PSB)is located at Erqi Lu 70 (open Mar-May and Sept-Nov Mon-Fri 8:30am-noon and 2-6pm; Dec-Feb Mon-Fri 8:30am-noon and 2-5:30pm; June-Aug daily 8:30am-noon and 3-6:30pm). Allow 5 business days, though emergency 1-day visas can also be processed.