Trip Overview
When: October (Golden Fall - perfect weather for outdoor activities)
Duration: 2 Days
Travelers: Parent-child trip (family with young child)
Budget: ~2,000 RMB (~$280 USD) per person
Transportation: Train from Pingdingshan to Kaifeng + taxi to venue
Getting There
From Pingdingshan: We took a regular (green) train from Pingdingshan to Kaifeng Station - about 4 hours. Our daughter had never taken a 'green train' before (the older, slower trains), so it was an adventure in itself! Pro tip: bring snacks and downloaded cartoons - the车厢 (train car) was quiet and she had a whole row to herself.
From Kaifeng Station to AISIJIA: A taxi takes about 30 minutes. The venue is located in Xijiangzhai Township, about 28 km from Kaifeng city center.
Day 1: Clown Festival & Pavilion Exploration
Our timing was perfect - we arrived during the Henan Baby Carnival, coinciding with the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays. The entire park had transformed into a massive clown celebration, and our daughter was absolutely thrilled!
Street clowns welcomed visitors with dancing and red nose gifts - put on the nose and you're instantly part of the clown crew! Stilt-walking clowns performed acrobatics alongside juggling performers mixing with the crowd. Even Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs made appearances, singing 'Your Smile is So Beautiful' ('你笑起来真好看') - visitors could take photos with these Disney stars!
Over 100 clown performers from various countries filled the park - on tricycles, stilts, unicycles, and even an ostrich! You could bump into them everywhere, getting surprise balloon gifts or having them make silly faces at you.
Our daughter loves Peppa Pig, so a friendly clown artist drew Peppa on her hand! Other kids received balloon sculptures in各种 shapes (various shapes).
The Seven Dwarfs and Guangtou Qiang (a popular Chinese cartoon character) were huge hits with the kids - professional actors dressed as beloved cartoon characters created non-stop laughter throughout the park!
Learning at AISIJIA: The 6 Themed Pavilions
AISIJIA Agricultural Carnival spans 4,500 mu (about 750 acres) and features 6 immersive themed pavilions. The genius concept combines ecological agricultural tourism with children's playgrounds - kids learn while playing!
Pavilion 1: Vegetable High-Tech (蔬汇高科)
This pavilion focuses on the entire vegetable production, processing, and distribution chain. Kids can learn about soilless cultivation, hydroponics, and aeroponics - understanding how temperature, humidity, soil, and light affect plant growth. Our daughter was fascinated watching plants grow!
Pavilion 2: Bianzhou Grain Barn (汴州粮仓)
Rice is the world's #1 food crop, yet many city kids know nothing about agriculture or rice paddies. This pavilion brings the classroom to nature - kids study the rice field ecosystem, learn about farming patterns and crop rotation. Theory meets practice!
Pavilion 3: Blooming Era (花开盛世)
Stepping into this pavilion feels like entering a sea of flowers! With over 500 flower varieties, it showcases Henan's major flower industries - peonies, chrysanthemums, roses, and osmanthus. Kids learn about flower cultivation,arrangement, and the flower industry through interactive experiences.
Pavilion 4: Traditional Chinese Medicine (扶正本草)
This pavilion teaches traditional and modern medicine knowledge, featuring Henan's local medicinal herbs like dandelion and cornel. Kids can see and learn about various Chinese medicinal plants - a great way to discover traditional Chinese medicine culture!
Pavilion 5: Fruit Fun (果趣农乐)
Watermelon is a specialty of Kaifeng! This region has perfect conditions - moderate climate, even summer rainfall, sandy soil. The pavilion takes visitors on a 'watermelon friendship journey' through various fruit-themed zones, learning about fruit industry and cultivation.
Pavilion 6: Bian Capital Water Rhythm (汴都水韵)
The water-themed pavilion showcases smart irrigation and efficient aquaculture. Featuring local Yellow River carp and innovative fish-vegetable symbiosis systems. Kids had the most fun here with hands-on water-related activities!
With so many plants and exhibits across the six pavilions, plus rest areas and play zones between pavilions, families can easily spend the whole day here. Learning + fun = the perfect family trip!