Kaifeng Prefecture, also known as Nan Ya, was first built in the first year of Kaiping in the Later Liang Dynasty (907) during the Five Dynasties. It has a history of more than a thousand years, spanning the Later Liang, Later Jin, Later Han, Later Zhou, Song, Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties.
Kaifeng Prefecture was the largest in the Northern Song Dynasty. It was an important institution for managing the capital and the surrounding areas. Emperors Taizong, Zhenzong and Qinzong of Song all served here before they ascended the throne.