[2025 Cang County Attraction] Travel Guide for Cangzhou Lron Lion and old city site park (Updated Jul)

Not sure where to go for the weekend? Head to Cangzhou and listen to the Iron Lion Zhenhaihou roar, telling tales of historical vicissitudes and its own hardships. For centuries, this iron lion has stood tall in the old city of Cangzhou, safeguarding the people's peace while being cherished by them in return. The Cangzhou Iron Lion, also known as Zhenhaihou, is the oldest and largest cast-iron lion still in existence in China. The ancient city of Cangzhou is nicknamed "Lion City" because of this magnificent statue. Dubbed the "King of Lions," the Cangzhou Iron Lion has endured countless trials over its thousand-year history. In ancient Cangzhou, it was worshipped as a divine entity, receiving endless offerings of incense; during the turbulent years of war, it suffered numerous sword strikes, leaving scars both inside and out. Cangzhou, Hebei

🚩【DAY1: Legendary Martial Arts Journey】 08:00 Cangzhou Breakfast Must-Try → "Gaomana Donkey Burger" ✨Must Eat: Freshly baked donkey burger + lamb intestine soup. Locals' tip: "Break the bun and pour soup inside!" 10:00 Cangzhou Martial Arts Museum 💥Thrilling Experience: Watch Baji Quan masters spar! Secret tip: Free performances every Saturday morning 14:00 Dongguang Iron Buddha Temple 🌟Millennium Surprise: Home to China's tallest seated iron Buddha (400 years older than Leshan Giant Buddha!). Touch its feet for luck~ 18:00 Qingfenglou Night Market 🍢Even Martial Artists Love: Hot pot chicken with Cangzhou aged liquor. Don’t miss the "Spicy Trio Combo" 🚩【DAY2: Grand Canal Culture Adventure】 09:00 Cangzhou Iron Lion (Zhenhai Roar) 📸Photo Hack: Stand behind the lion—the best shot is with the tail of "China's No.1 Lion"! 13:00 Wuqiao Acrobatics World 🎪Hidden Gem: Catch the "Ghost Hand Show" at Jianghu Culture City—watch fish magically appear from bare hands! 17:00 Nanchuan Old Street 🛶Time Travel: Sunset canal cruise with lantern-lit streets transports you to the Song Dynasty

✅🎈🎈🎈Core Attraction - Iron Lion 🦁The Cangzhou Iron Lion, also known as "Zhenhai Roar," has a history of over one thousand years. "Three Treasures of Hebei": Dingzhou Kaiyuan Temple Pagoda, Zhengding Longxing Temple Bronze Buddha Statue, and ✅👀What to see? 1️⃣Cangzhou Iron Lion. 5.5 meters high, 6.3 meters long, 3 meters wide, weighing 40 tons, with a history of over one thousand years. It is the earliest known and largest single-cast outdoor large iron cultural relic in China and even the world. 2️⃣Four exhibition halls of the Iron Lion Museum First: Cangzhou historical evolution and old city archaeology. Second: Iron Lion casting and history. Third: Folk culture. Fourth: Red revolutionary culture. 3️⃣Folk Culture Hall: Ten scenic spots of the old city; old city folk stories, the hometown of golden thread jujubes, martial arts, calligraphy, and folk arts - four famous cultural cards, intangible cultural heritage. ✅Besides the Iron Lion, other must-visit spots 🎈🎈🎈 1️⃣Cangzhou Confucian Temple (Cangzhou Confucian Studies Museum): The most complete Confucian temple complex in central Hebei. 2️⃣Dongguang Iron Buddha Temple (Puzhao Park): The largest ancient iron-cast Buddha statue in North China. 3️⃣Hejian Prefecture Office: One of the three major Ming and Qing dynasty prefecture offices preserved in China. 4️⃣Qingfeng Tower: A Ming dynasty canal transportation watchtower, a Grand Canal World Heritage site. 5️⃣Grand Canal Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum: Gathering the essence of intangible cultural heritage from eight provinces along the canal. 6️⃣Nandagang Wetland: An important stopover for migratory birds on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. 7️⃣Cangzhou Garden Expo Park: Known as Cangzhou's "treasure playground," featuring thirteen themed exhibition gardens. 8️⃣Cangzhou Fang: Ming and Qing architecture housing intangible cultural heritage workshops. 9️⃣Nanchuan Old Street: Known as "Cangzhou's version of Hongyadong." 🔟Wuqiao Acrobatics World: The authentic version of Wuqiao acrobatics.

📖📖Itinerary Day 1: Beijing→Cangzhou Museum→Magnolia Hotel (Cangzhou Qingfenglou Nanchuan Old Street Branch)→Cangzhou Confucian Temple→The Grand Canal Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition Hall of China→Qingfenglou→Langyinlou→Nanchuanlou Day 2: Qingzhen North Great Mosque of Cangzhou→Cangzhou Iron Lion and Old City Ruins Park→Former Residence of Du Shoutian→GreenTree Inn Express (Binzhou Fenghuang 3rd Road) Day 3: Ancient Chariot Museum of China→Qingzhou Museum→Fange Pavilion Park→Qingzhou Ancient City Day 4: Tuoshan Grottoes→Longxing Temple→Yunmen Mountain Scenic Area Day 5: Guan Zhong Memorial Hall→Qi Culture Museum→Beijing

The Cangzhou Iron Lion, also known as the Zhenhai Roar, is located in the "Cangzhou Iron Lion and Old City Ruins Park" in Cangzhou City, Hebei Province. The Iron Lion was first built in the third year of Guangshun in the Later Zhou Dynasty (953 AD) and is the oldest and largest cast iron lion in China. It is 5.78 meters tall, 5.34 meters long, 3.17 meters wide and weighs about 40 tons. It was cast using the clay mold Ming pouring method, showing the high achievement of ancient Chinese casting technology. Since the 1950s, the Iron Lion has undergone many repairs, but the more it was repaired, the more dilapidated it became. Now it is riddled with holes and beyond recognition. Only 16 iron pipes with a diameter of 15 cm can support its huge body. In 2011, the Cangzhou Municipal People's Government recast a new iron lion and placed it in the Lion City Park in Cangzhou City. The volume is 1.32 times that of the original iron lion, the weight reaches 120 tons, and the expected lifespan is 2,000 years. This new lion will become a new symbol of Cangzhou, continuing the majestic posture of the old lion. There is also a cultural exhibition area in the scenic area, including the Folk Culture Museum, Iron Money Treasury, Iron Lion and Old City Cultural Exhibition Hall, Iron Lion Cultural Park and Ancient City Cultural Square. 🏨For self-guided tours in Cangzhou, it is recommended to stay at the Magnolia Hotel (Cangzhou Qingfenglou Nanchuan Old Street Branch), which has a good location and convenient transportation and dining. Cangzhou Iron Lion and Old City Ruins Park

I've never been to Hebei before, and Cangzhou is my first stop in unlocking the land of Yanzhao. It's quite different from what I imagined. Apart from the big difference between the city and the suburbs, it's unexpectedly clean, convenient, and travel-friendly. People are not in a hurry, and the food and night views are especially unforgettable. Since I was driving and had limited time, I didn't get to see the whole picture, but I already felt its vibrant vitality. This treasure city has more than just acrobatics and martial arts. Besides lions, it also has a rich history and culture. In the past, it was the northern starting point of the Maritime Silk Road, one of the cities with the longest stretch of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, and the birthplace of famous figures such as Bian Que, Ji Xiaolan, and Huo Yuanjia. Its future should have its own new answers. As usual, I recorded my itinerary for the day: 🌟 Dongguang County Iron Buddha Temple "Cangzhou Lion, Jingzhou Tower, Guanzhou has an Iron Buddha." Guanzhou is now Dongguang County in Cangzhou. I entered Cangzhou from Dezhou and went to see the Iron Buddha first. The core is the iron-cast Buddha of Shakyamuni in the Mahavira Hall, which is 2.84 meters high and weighs 48 tons, making it the largest seated cast iron Buddha in China. It is said that the Iron Buddha Temple was built in the Northern Song Dynasty, but both the temple and the Iron Buddha were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, and what we see now are the restored and recast works. The scenic area does not require a ticket, and although they are all new, it is still interesting to see. Tips: No photos of the Buddha. 🌟 Cangzhou Iron Lion and Old City Ruins Park Tickets are 20 yuan, a symbol of Cangzhou. For details, see the previous note. Since the attraction is a certain distance from the city, if you are not obsessed with seeing the original version, you can go to see the new iron lion in Lion City Park. 🌟 China Grand Canal Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition Hall Highly recommended! I personally think it's a great exhibition hall. An immersive experience of the intangible cultural heritage of the Grand Canal region in Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shandong, Henan, Anhui, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang. Not only is the scene design very sincere, but it is also both fun and interactive, and the combination of cultural and commercial elements is very smooth. Tips: Next to it is the industrial heritage area, a popular check-in spot. 🌟 Nanchuan Old Street Probably the traffic code of Cangzhou. The later it gets, the more beautiful it becomes, and there is a lot of food. The rebuilt Nanchuan Tower has become a small historical exhibition hall, where you can climb the tower and overlook the night view of Nanchuan.

Cangzhou travel guide can include the following aspects: 1. Recommended attractions 1. Cangzhou Iron Lion - Also known as "Zhenhai Roar", it is a landmark building in Cangzhou with a history of more than 1,000 years. It is known as the largest existing ironware in China. It not only demonstrates the exquisiteness of ancient Chinese iron casting technology and craftsmanship, but also contains profound historical and cultural heritage. 2.Hejian Government Office - Known as the "No. 1 Prefecture in South Beijing", it is one of the four most famous prefectures in China. This was the place where Bao Zheng took office as magistrate. It covers a large area and can be visited for most of a day. What is particularly worth mentioning is the couplets here, each of which is different, showing the charm of the fine traditional culture of the Chinese nation. 3. Wuqiao Acrobatic World - Located in Wuqiao County, the world-famous hometown of acrobatics, it is a theme park that mainly displays acrobatic art. It brings together classic acrobatics and juggling arts from all over the country, as well as performances by many local Wuqiao acrobats. It is an excellent place to experience the charm of acrobatics. 4. Ji Xiaolan Cultural Park - Located in Cuierzhuang, Cang County, Cangzhou City, Hebei Province, Ji Xiaolan's hometown, covering an area of ​​more than 100 acres. The park imitates Qing Dynasty garden-style buildings with pleasant scenery. There are many tourist attractions based on Ji Xiaolan's works, hobbies and legends, such as Wenyi Pavilion, Jingxian Hall, Fengxian Hall, etc. 5.Nandagang Wetland - Cangzhou's famous coastal wetland with siltation of rivers retreating from the sea has beautiful scenery and unique scenery in every season. The Wetland Square is 40,000 square meters, vast and very spectacular. Known as the "Beijing-Tianjin South Garden, Natural Oxygen Bar", this place is a place to purify your soul when traveling to the countryside. 6. Dongguang Iron Buddhist Temple - One of the most famous Buddhist temples in Cangzhou, with a history of thousands of years. There is a local saying in Cangzhou that "Cangzhou Lion Jingzhou Tower and Dongguang County's Iron Bodhisattva" are a good place to learn about Buddhist culture and history. 7.Cangzhou Garden Expo Park - No. 43, Qingchi North Avenue, Yunhe District, Cangzhou City, open 24 hours a day. It is a comprehensive park integrating garden art, cultural display, leisure and entertainment, and is suitable for all types of people to play and relax. 8. Lion City Park - Located on Yingbin Avenue, Yunhe District, Cangzhou City, it is also open 24 hours a day. The park has rich green landscapes and leisure facilities, making it a good place for citizens and tourists to relax. 2. Food recommendations 1. Donkey meat grilled - Cangzhou’s authentic food, snacks spread all over the country from Cangzhou. The roasted donkey meat is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and is full of aroma. It is one of the must-try delicacies in Cangzhou. 2. Lamb stew - Stewed with fresh mutton and special seasonings, the meat is tender and the soup is delicious. It is a traditional famous dish in Cangzhou. 3. Xingji sheep intestines - One of Cangzhou's specialties, fresh and clean, with good texture and great taste, worth a try. 4. Cangzhou Shaobing - Traditional pastries with unique production techniques, crispy texture and rich aroma. 5. Siomai - A special snack with thin skin and big filling, juicy and delicious. It is one of the favorite snacks of Cangzhou people. 3. Accommodation recommendations In Cangzhou, visitors can choose from a variety of accommodation types, ranging from budget hotels to high-end hotels. Here are some recommended places to stay: 1.Cangzhou Huayi Hotel - Highly cost-effective, providing luggage storage, paid parking and other services. 2. Qingzhu Hotel·Yingbin Business (Cangzhou Railway Station Branch) - The location is convenient, close to the East Bus Station business district and Cangzhou Station, and provides services such as conference halls, daily towel changes, and express check-in and check-out. 3. Pinshang Express Hotel (Cangzhou Railway Station Branch) - Clean and hygienic, located in the Titie West Street business district, convenient for travel. 4.Cangzhou Kaiting Express Hotel - High cost performance, free parking and laundry service, quiet location and not noisy. 4. Travel tips - Best time to travel: Cangzhou has four distinct seasons, and each season has unique scenery and experiences. Flower viewing in spring, summer escape, leaf viewing in autumn, and snow viewing in winter are all good choices. - Transportation: Cangzhou has convenient transportation. Visitors can choose to arrive by airplane, train, car, etc. In the city, you can take bus, taxi or drive to visit various attractions. - Note: During the tour, please pay attention to protecting the environment and cultural relics, and do not litter or damage public facilities. At the same time, please pay attention to the safety of personal belongings to avoid accidents.