2025 Zhao County Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in July)

Sharing my weekend Shijiazhuang walking tour guide🌟 Two days to explore the city's highlights with the most efficient route~ 🚶‍♀️Itinerary DAY1: 📍Hebei Museum (No.4 Dongda Street, Chang'an District) Free entry with ID, don't miss the treasure - the Jade Burial Suit. Audio guide recommended. 📍Zhengding Ancient City (Zhengding County) Free ancient city walls, Longxing Temple ticket 50 RMB. Rent shared bikes to explore. Must try Wang's Shaomai in the old town. 📍Nansantiao Pedestrian Street (Xinhua District) Stunning night views with various local snacks. Try the specialty beef pancake soup. DAY2: 📍Zhaozhou Bridge (Zhao County) 40 RMB ticket, best for photos in the morning. Nearby Li Yunlong's tofu pudding is delicious. 📍Baodu Village (Luquan District) 1.5hr hike up or 50 RMB one-way cable car. Amazing mountain views. Bring sunscreen and water. 📍Herbal Town Art Zone (Qiaoxi District) Free entry, perfect industrial-style photo spot with cozy cafes. 🍜Food Recommendations ✔Pancake Soup: Local specialty, try the time-honored shop on Dajing Street. ✔Ganglu Baked Cake: Crispy delight, available near Beiguo Mall. ✔Beef Banmian: Recommend Wuqi Road Banmian, add marinated egg. 🏨Accommodation Tips ▪Stay near the museum for convenient transportation ▪Or in Zhengding Ancient City to experience night views ⚠️Practical Tips: 1. Some attractions close on Mondays - check schedules 2. Taxis are cheap but take metro during rush hour 3. Visit Zhengding at dusk for both day/night views 4. Bring sunscreen and comfortable shoes 5. Visit the museum in the morning to avoid crowds

Shijiazhuang, the capital of Hebei Province, is often known as a modern industrial hub—but spend a day here, and you’ll discover a city with quiet resilience, deep history, and a growing cultural heartbeat. My journey began at Zhaozhou Bridge, just outside the city. As the oldest open-spandrel stone arch bridge in the world, it stands as a symbol of ancient Chinese engineering and wisdom. Crossing its worn stones, I felt connected to the thousands of travelers who came before me. Back in the city center, I explored the Hebei Museum, where artifacts from the Han and Tang dynasties tell the region’s long story. I was especially drawn to the ancient bronze mirrors and stone carvings—silent witnesses to Shijiazhuang’s deep roots. For lunch, I tried the local specialty: bing mian (cold noodles with garlic sauce) and huo shao (crispy meat-stuffed flatbread). Simple, spicy, and satisfying—it’s the kind of honest food that reflects the city’s hardworking character. In the afternoon, I walked through Yuhua Road’s modern shopping district. Amid the tall buildings and flashing lights, I found hidden teahouses and bookstores that offer a slower pace of life. Shijiazhuang may not be flashy or famous, but beneath its surface lies a soul shaped by history, labor, and quiet pride. It’s a city that doesn’t shout—but if you take the time to listen, it speaks with strength.

Hebei is definitely a great destination, especially for friends from Beijing, as it's just a stone's throw away—easy to reach with a short trip. Why not spend a weekend in Shijiazhuang and immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of the Yan-Zhao region? There are multiple high-speed trains from Beijing to Shijiazhuang, and driving is also very convenient. Accommodation Recommendation: We recommend the Shijiazhuang Shimao Yunzhen Jinling Hotel. As one of Shijiazhuang's high-end hotels, it's built to five-star standards with excellent facilities and service, ensuring a comfortable stay. The breakfast buffet is particularly outstanding, standing out among hotels of the same category. The hotel is directly opposite the Hebei Museum, making it super convenient for museum visits. It's also close to the Shijiazhuang subway, offering great transportation access. [Cute] Main Tourist Attractions in Shijiazhuang: Hebei Museum Baodu Village Scenic Area Pilu Temple Mural Museum Zhaozhou Bridge Scenic Area Bailin Temple [Coke] Itinerary: Day 1: Arrive in Shijiazhuang, visit Zhaozhou Bridge and Bailin Temple in the afternoon. Day 2: Explore Baodu Village Scenic Area or visit Hebei Museum and Pilu Temple Murals. If time allows, you can extend your trip to three or four days in Shijiazhuang.

Shijiazhuang Cherry Blossom Itinerary: Best Spots for Stunning Photos! 🌸📷 We visited Shijiazhuang during cherry blossom season, and it was absolutely breathtaking! The city’s parks and scenic areas are filled with delicate pink blooms, making it a perfect spring getaway. If you’re planning a trip, here are three must-visit spots for the best cherry blossom views. Century Park – A Cherry Blossom Wonderland 🌿🌸 We explored this beautiful park, where cherry trees line the walking paths, creating a tunnel of soft pink petals. The park is especially stunning during peak bloom, with petals gently falling like spring snow. We recommend visiting in the late afternoon when the golden-hour light enhances the beauty of the blossoms and creates a dreamy atmosphere. 📍 Address: 100 West Street, Yuhua District, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Zhaozhou Bridge Scenic Area – Blossoms and Ancient Architecture 🌉🌸 One of our favorite cherry blossom spots! This historic bridge, dating back over 1,400 years, looks even more stunning when surrounded by cherry blossoms in full bloom. The contrast between the ancient stone structure and the vibrant pink flowers made for some of our most unique photos. The best time to visit is in the morning when the light is soft and the area is less crowded. 📍 Address: Zhaoxian County, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Shijiazhuang Botanical Garden – A Floral Paradise 🌺🌸 This garden was a highlight of our trip! The cherry blossom section is absolutely breathtaking, with trees blooming alongside tulips and other spring flowers. We recommend visiting in the morning when the air is fresh and the sunlight highlights the vibrant colors of the petals. It’s a perfect spot for both photography and a peaceful stroll. 📍 Address: 60 Botanical Garden Road, Luquan District, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Shijiazhuang is a fantastic cherry blossom destination, blending history, nature, and city parks. If you visit in late March to early April, you’ll be treated to some of the most breathtaking spring views! 🌸📸 #cherryblossom25 #travel #Vacation

⛰[Attraction Guide] 📍Address: No. 157, Yongtong Road, Zhao County, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province 🚗Transportation: Take bus No. 1101 or Zhao County No. 4 in Zhao County. 🕙Opening hours: 7:00–19:30 💰Ticket price: Free 🌟Highlights: Yongtong Bridge Park in Zhao County covers an area of approximately 81 mu and boasts a prime location, making it a popular spot for leisure and tourism. Located within the park is Yongtong Bridge, known as the "sister bridge" of Zhaozhou Bridge. Built during the Tang Dynasty and renovated several times during the Jin, Ming, and Qing dynasties, Yongtong Bridge is a single-span open-spandrel stone arch bridge. It measures 32 meters long and 6.34 meters wide, with independent arches built side by side. The bridge and its railings feature exquisite carvings, such as the river god, which are remarkably vivid. Most of these carvings are relics from the second year of the Zhengde era in the Ming Dynasty. Due to its exquisite craftsmanship, Yongtong Bridge has been inscribed with numerous poems and writings by scholars throughout history. The park also houses the Xiguan Residential Wall, a county-level cultural relic protection site, which exudes an antique charm. 📌Tips: Unlike other cultural relics that are restored to their original condition, Yongtong Bridge has been restored to look brand new, giving it a unique character.

Shijiazhuang: A Long Song of Time, a City's Melodious Charm Stroll through the long river of time in Shijiazhuang, where every step is a moving melody, and every scene composes a unique movement in the city's symphony. Morning Song: Memories of the Ancient City As dawn breaks, Zhengding Ancient City resembles a singer awakening from slumber. Dewdrops fall gently on the ancient city bricks, their pitter-patter a crescendo of notes, awakening the entire city. A gentle breeze brushes past the Lingxiao Pagoda, causing the bronze bells on the eaves to chime. This sound, echoing through millennia, drifts across the moat. Within the瓮城 (wengcheng -瓮城), footsteps measure the depth of history. At an ancient corner, a weathered stone beast stands silently, its cracks like lyrics written by time, softly humming a half-forgotten ballad of the Yan Zhao land, narrating the city's past prosperity and vicissitudes. Midday Song: Ingenuity by the Bridge At noon, Zhao County Bridge transforms into a natural musical stage. Its slightly curved back resembles a giant music stand, and the flowing Xiaohe River washes the stone patterns into a musical staff. Gently stroking the bas-reliefs on the railings, counting the rhythm of the carvings, one can almost see Li Chun wielding his chisel, planting the unique vibrato of the Tang Dynasty into the hard granite. Time flows, and 1,400 years later, the city is filled with towering buildings, a modern forest of steel and concrete. Yet, artisans still adhere to traditional craftsmanship, using their body heat to calibrate the rhythm of mortise and tenon joints, inheriting the ancient and precious ingenuity. Evening Melody: Red Rhythms As dusk descends, oil lamps quietly light up in Xibaipo, casting shadows onto the wrinkled score of the Taihang Mountains. The telegraph keys tap urgently, creating the syncopated rhythm of a spirited march, the passionate melody of the revolutionary years. At this moment, a young person beneath the Liberation Monument captures the last vestiges of the sunset with their phone. The window lattices of the memorial hall meticulously cut the setting sun into red bookmarks, gently tucking them into the unfinished red movement, allowing future generations to forever remember that magnificent period of history. Nocturne: Harmony of Ancient and Modern As night falls, the glass curtain walls of the new Zhengding district shimmer with colorful lights, pulsating with the lively arpeggios of midnight. The Hutuo River flows quietly in the darkness, scattering the starlight and moonlight into a free cadenza. Amidst the announcements of the subway, the chime bells of the ancient Zhongshan Kingdom seem to awaken, echoing the neon lights of the overpasses from within the museum's display cases. A night train whistles past, traversing the rests of time, laden with unnamed stars, hurtling towards the future, continuing the infinite possibilities of Shijiazhuang.

[○] Zhaozhou Bridge [○]Address: Shiqiao Street, Dashiqiao Village, Zhaozhou Town, Zhao County [○] Opening hours: 08:30-17:00 [○] Tickets: Free [○]Visit duration: 45 minutes [○] Zhaozhou Bridge, also known as Anji Bridge, spans the Xiao River. It was built in the Sui Dynasty and was designed and constructed by the famous craftsman Li Chun. It is more than 1,400 years old. [○] Zhaozhou Bridge in primary school textbooks "The Zhaozhou Bridge is very majestic. It is more than 50 meters long and more than 9 meters wide. Cars and horses can pass in the middle and people can walk on both sides. Such a long bridge is made entirely of stone. There are no piers underneath, only a large arched bridge hole..." [○] Zhaozhou Bridge is built entirely of stone and is a single-span, open-shoulder stone arch bridge. There are two small holes on the shoulders of both ends of the bridge, which is the first "open shoulder arch" structure in the history of world bridges. [○]This bridge is not only strong but also beautiful. There are stone railings on both sides of the bridge, and the railings are carved with exquisite patterns: some are carved with two dragons entwined with each other, spitting out beautiful water from their mouths. Some are carved with two flying dragons, with their front paws against each other, each looking back and gazing into the distance. Others are engraved with two dragons playing with a pearl.

Enjoy City Views in Shijiazhuang Enjoy city views, taste intangible cultural heritage foods, and see the New Year lantern festival... During the Spring Festival, Shijiazhuang attracted a large number of tourists, with popular attractions and a booming tourism market. The colorful "cultural tourism feast" allowed tourists to enjoy a festive holiday. Shijiazhuang is the capital of Hebei Province. It has a long history, rich culture, and stunning natural scenery! Here are some must-see attractions: Longxing Temple: As the number one must-see attraction in Shijiazhuang, this is a Buddhist cultural treasure. The temple has beautiful architecture and is very popular, making it perfect for history and culture lovers. Longquan Ancient Town · Drama Fantasy City: This place combines ancient town charm with drama culture. The light show at night is stunning, making it a great choice for night tours. Hebei Museum: If you want to learn about the history and culture of Hebei, this is a must-see. The museum has a rich collection and exciting exhibitions, making it a great place for kids and a good place to explore. Rongguo Mansion: This historic building is full of ancient charm, making you feel like you've traveled back in time to experience the weight and solemnity of history. Baodu Village: If you like hiking, Baodu Village is a great choice. The mountains are steep and beautiful, and once you reach the top, you'll have a panoramic view of Shijiazhuang. Zhaozhou Bridge: As a historical site, Zhaozhou Bridge has a history of over a thousand years. It has witnessed the changes and development of Shijiazhuang and is an important symbol of the city. Shijiazhuang Zoo: Want to get up close and personal with cute animals? Come to Shijiazhuang Zoo! There are many animals and interactive activities, making it perfect for family trips. Zhao Yun Temple: If you're interested in the Three Kingdoms culture, Zhao Yun Temple is a great place. It is dedicated to the famous general Zhao Yun, allowing you to learn more about that period of history. Bailu Hot Spring: Want to experience a slow life and enjoy the comfort of hot springs? Bailu Hot Spring is a great choice. The hot spring water is of high quality, and the service is excellent, making it a great place to relax. Are you interested in any of these attractions? Or do you have any specific travel preferences, such as a preference for historical and cultural attractions or natural scenery? Let me know, and I can provide you with more personalized travel advice!

Shijiazhuang 2-day tour, explore the charming city! Carefully selected routes, not to be missed, come and experience the unique style of this city! -------- 🚩Route Overview: Day 1️⃣: Xibaipo Central Committee of the Communist Party of China Site - Xibaipo Memorial Hall Visit the revolutionary holy land and feel the vicissitudes of history. Relive the glorious years of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in Xibaipo and experience the unique charm of red culture. Day 2️⃣: Zhaozhou Bridge - Bailin Temple Visit the ancient Zhaozhou Bridge and appreciate the exquisite ancient bridge architecture. Then go to Bailin Temple to enjoy the Zen life and find inner peace and tranquility. -------- Must-visit Attractions: Zhaozhou Bridge ⭐⭐⭐ - Address: Dashiqiao Village, Zhaozhou Town, Zhaoxian County, Shijiazhuang City - Opening Hours: 08:30-17:00 - Duration: 2-4 hours - A national key cultural relic protection unit, with a simple and magnificent bridge body, exquisite dragon and phoenix carvings on the bridge, and a close combination of history and art. Bailin Temple ⭐⭐ - Address: No. 23, Shita East Road, Zhaozhou Town, Zhaoxian County, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province - Opening Hours: 08:00-16:00 - Duration: 1-2 hours - Feel the Buddhist charm of the thousand-year-old temple, step into this pure land, calm your mind instantly, and experience the realm of Buddha's heart. Xibaipo Central Committee of the Communist Party of China Site ⭐⭐ - Address: Xibaipo Town, Pingshan County, Shijiazhuang City - Opening Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 09:30-16:30; Monday Closed - Duration: 4 hours - Visit the Xibaipo Central Committee of the Communist Party of China Site, pay tribute to the living and working environment of the martyrs, and deeply feel the unique charm of red culture. -------- 🧳 Travel Checklist: Must-have Items for Shijiazhuang in December 👚🧣 Clothing: The temperature in Shijiazhuang in December is moderate but cool in the morning and evening, so it is recommended to bring warm clothes such as down jackets and sweaters. Choose comfortable and non-slip shoes, as there may be snow or slippery roads. 🎒🧤 Accessories: Don't forget to bring warm gloves, scarves, and hats to protect your head and hands from the cold wind. Choose a lightweight backpack for carrying personal items, and you can also bring a portable water bottle. 🪪💰 Documents and Finance: ID card, cash, and bank card are essential, and you can also bring student ID and other discount documents. Safety first when traveling, be sure to keep your personal belongings and important documents safe. -------- Shijiazhuang, a city with stories, is waiting for you to discover more surprises! 🌈

Shijiazhuang actually has two museums There are also some national security guards, which need to be arranged. Depart from Beijing on weekends Catch the train after get off work on Friday It's said to be three days, but it's actually only two days. Day 1: After get off work on Friday, I took a train from Beijing to Shijiazhuang in about an hour. Have dinner and check in to the hotel Chef Sun's Pigeon House (Ziqiang Road Branch) → Hilton Hotel Shijiazhuang Day 2: I rented a car online in advance and it was delivered to the hotel on Saturday morning. Shijiazhuang Pilu Temple Museum→Zhaozhou Bridge Scenic Area Ancient Bridge Exhibition Hall→Lu Baiwei (Zhao County Store)→Berlin Zen Temple→Daguan Shengzuo Monument→Dharani Sutra Pillar (Under maintenance, not seen)→Yongtong Bridge Park Day 3: The Hebei Museum is across the road from the hotel After breakfast, we started the tour at around 9 o'clock and returned to the hotel at 1:30 in the afternoon. Request for late check-out until 14:00 upon check-in I took a taxi to the train station and just caught the 3 o'clock train back to Beijing, perfect! Hilton Shijiazhuang Hotel→Hebei Museum 🔥Recommended check-in Hebei Museum: Shijiazhuang Pilu Temple Museum: The murals are very beautiful Berlin Zen Temple: So magnificent that you want to become a monk Zhaozhou Bridge: The Lesson Learned Comes True Yongtong Bridge: The first batch of national protection, more ancient than Zhaozhou Bridge

If you visit Shijiazhuang but don't check in at the world-famous stone arch bridge, Zhaozhou Bridge, in Zhaoxian County, you might as well not have come. As soon as my plane landed in Shijiazhuang, I eagerly searched for ways to get to Zhaozhou Bridge. I chose to travel independently and booked a ride-hailing service (fare: CNY 110). It took about an hour to reach the Zhaozhou Bridge Scenic Area. The weather was particularly nice today, with the sun shining brightly. I entered the scenic area with great enthusiasm and looked up at the statue of Li Chun, a craftsman from the Sui Dynasty. The Zhaozhou Bridge written by Mr. Mao Yisheng in the primary school Chinese textbook was right in front of me. The stone arch bridge, which has stood on the "Xiao River" in Zhaoxian County for more than 1,400 years, is so charming and attractive. I walked closer to carefully examine this "First Bridge Under Heaven," also known as Anji Bridge, admired the decorative carvings on the bridge, and marveled at the wisdom of our ancestors. The remarkable Li Chun pioneered the history of bridge building for mankind. Generation after generation of Chinese people have protected this magnificent ancient stone bridge, which has become the world's largest and most well-preserved single-arch open-shoulder stone arch bridge. Some young people were live streaming by the ancient stone bridge. They talked eloquently about Zhaozhou Bridge. I listened to a few sentences, most of which were from the primary school Chinese textbook, which everyone has learned. There is also an exhibition of ancient bridges for visitors to see. The newly added sculpture of the Eight Immortals crossing the sea on the bank adds a splash of color to the scenic area. Zhaozhou Bridge is a national key cultural relic protection unit and a national 4A-level tourist attraction. The tour lasts 2 hours. It is open to the public for free from 8:30 to 18:00. In Zhaoxian County, 3.5 km from Zhaozhou Bridge, there is another ancient temple with a long history, called Bailin Temple, which was first built in the Eastern Han Dynasty (196–220). Although it has experienced ups and downs, it has always been a popular place for worship. Today is a special day, and there is a constant stream of people coming to burn incense. I came to learn about the history of the ancient temple. In the temple, I particularly admired the ancient cypress tree that has been growing for 1,300 years. It is the only ancient relic in the temple, and I was amazed by the tree's tenacious vitality! It is a national key cultural relic protection unit, open from 8:00 to 16:00, and the tour lasts 1 hour. There is Bus 1101 to return to Shijiazhuang, and you can also carpool for CNY 20 per person to Shijiazhuang Railway Station.

Bailin Temple is located at No. 23, Shita East Road, Zhaozhou Town, Zhao County, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province. It was built during the Jian'an period of the Eastern Han Dynasty (196-220 AD). It was originally called "Guanyin Temple" and was renamed "Yongan Temple" in the Southern Song Dynasty. In the Jin Dynasty, it was called "Bailin Zen Temple" and has been called "Bailin Temple" since the Yuan Dynasty. The existing temple buildings (except for the Bailin Temple Pagoda) were built in 1992, covering an area of more than 90 mu. It is an important ancestral temple in the history of Chinese Zen Buddhism. There are five halls along the central axis of Bailin Temple, namely the Shanmen Weituo Hall, Puguangming Hall, Guanyin Hall, Wumenguan (Zen Hall), and Wanfo Building. On May 25, 2006, the Bailin Temple Pagoda in Bailin Temple was announced as the sixth batch of national key cultural relics protection units by the People's Republic of China. Ticket information: Free Opening hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm daily Transportation: Take bus No. 4, Huan No. 5, or No. 1101 to Zhaoxian County

Berlin Temple Pagoda, also known as the Pagoda of the Sarira of Zen Master Congshen, is located in Bailin Temple, No. 23, Shita East Road, Zhaoxian County, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province. It was first built in the 3rd year of the Tianli period of the Yuan Dynasty (1330 AD). It is a brick and wood dense-eave pagoda with seven octagonal stories, 39.5 meters high. It is located on a square platform 2.5 meters high. The platform is divided into two layers, the lower layer is made of stone, and the upper layer is made of brick. The lower part of the pagoda is a brick Sumeru pedestal. The upper part of the Sumeru pedestal is made of brick imitating wood structure, with dougong and flat seat. The flat seat is decorated with reliefs of railings, lattice fences, flowers, and other decorative patterns. The Berlin Temple Pagoda is simple and elegant in shape and exquisite in craftsmanship, fully reflecting the superb level of architecture in the Yuan Dynasty. In 1956, the Berlin Temple Pagoda was announced as a key cultural relic protection unit in Hebei Province by the People's Government of Hebei Province. In 1988, the Berlin Temple Pagoda was announced as a religious activity site by the People's Government of Hebei Province. On May 25, 2006, the Berlin Temple Pagoda was announced as the sixth batch of national key cultural relic protection units by the State Council of the People's Republic of China. Ticket information: Free Opening hours: 8:00–16:00 daily Transportation: Take bus No. 4, Huan No. 5, or No. 1101 to Zhaoxian County

Zhaozhou Bridge, Bailin Zen Temple, Daguan Shengzuo Stele, and Yongtong Bridge are all famous cultural relics in Shijiazhuang City. Zhaozhou Bridge, located on the Xiao River south of Zhaoxian County in Shijiazhuang City, is a stone arch bridge named after the ancient name of Zhaoxian, Zhaozhou. Locals call it the Big Stone Bridge to distinguish it from Yongtong Bridge outside the west gate of the city, which locals call the Small Stone Bridge. Zhaozhou Bridge was built in the Sui Dynasty, designed and constructed by the craftsman Li Chun, and later named Anji Bridge by Song Zhezong Zhao Xu. Zhaozhou Bridge is the oldest, largest span, and best-preserved single-arch open-shoulder stone arch bridge in the world. Its unique construction technique pioneered the "open-shoulder arch" structure in the history of world bridges, making it of high scientific research value. Bailin Zen Temple, originally built during the Jian'an period of the Eastern Han Dynasty, was initially called "Yuan" and later "Yongan Yuan" in the Southern Song Dynasty. In the Jin Dynasty, it was named "Bailin Zen Temple," and since the Yuan Dynasty, it has been known as "Bailin Zen Temple." The existing temple buildings (except for the Bailin Temple Pagoda) were successively completed in 1992. It is an important ancestral temple in the history of Chinese Zen Buddhism. The Daguan Shengzuo Stele, originally a relic of the Zhaozhou Confucian Temple, is made of bluestone, with the stele body and stele head carved from a single large stone. The stele head is rectangular with a slightly pointed top, inscribed with six large characters in regular script: "Daguan Shengzuo Stele," written by the powerful minister Cai Jing. The stele head's calligraphy is deep, solemn, and majestic, giving the stele its name. Yongtong Bridge, commonly known as the Small Stone Bridge, is located on the Ye River north of Tongxi Road in Zhaoxian County, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province. Its architectural style and structural form are similar to Anji Bridge (Big Stone Bridge), but it is smaller, hence the name Small Stone Bridge. Together with Anji Bridge, they are known as the "Sister Bridges." Yongtong Bridge was built during the Yongnian period of the Tang Dynasty, named for its meaning of eternal communication and has a history of over 1,200 years, more than 160 years later than Anji Bridge. In the morning, take bus No. 1101 from the east square of Shijiazhuang Station for 6 yuan to the terminal station Zhaozhou Bridge, with a total travel time of 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Located 1h drive from Shijiazhuang, Zhao County is most famous for the Zhaozhou Bridge, but the place locals prefer to visit is the Berlin Zen Temple. After all, even the Zhaozhou Bridge had few tourists when I went, but the crowded Berlin Zen Temple really surprised me, and the prosperity of its incense offering was astonishing. It's no wonder, this ancient temple, which was founded at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, has a history of 1800 years. It is also revered as one of the ancestral courts of Chinese Buddhism's Chan (Zen) school, and the birthplace of the Zhaozhou Chan master's 'go drink tea' case, as well as the source of Zhaozhou's Chan tea culture. Unfortunately, almost all of the Berlin Zen Temple that can be seen today was rebuilt in 1992, with the only ancient relic being the Berlin Temple Pagoda, which was the focus of this visit. The Berlin Temple Pagoda, also known as the Congshen Chan Master's Relic Pagoda, was established to commemorate the great Chan master Zhaozhou Congshen (778—897), and was built in the third year of the Yuan Dynasty's Tianli era (1330), with a history of over 680 years. The Berlin Temple Pagoda is a brick and wood structure with a dense eave style, an octagonal seven-story pavilion style, and a height of 39.5 meters, which can be considered a tall pagoda. However, the believers who circled the Berlin Temple Pagoda were endless, and many times one could only stand at the base to properly appreciate it. The pagoda is made of brick and sits on a 2.5-meter-high square base. The base is divided into upper and lower layers, with the lower layer built of stone and the upper layer of brick. The lower part of the pagoda is a Sumeru base, above which is an imitation wooden bracket to support the flat seat. Around the flat seat, a lattice fence is built, and above it, four layers of upturned lotuses support the first layer of the pagoda body. What is special is that the first layer of the pagoda body is relatively tall, accounting for about one-third of the total height of the pagoda. The east, west, south, and north sides are carved with brick pot doors, and the other four sides with brick lattice ridge windows. Above the south door, a stone plaque is inlaid with the inscription 'Specially Granted Great Yuan Zhaozhou Ancient Buddha True Realm Light Ancestor Master's Pagoda', and on the left side is carved the year 'Tianli three years, early Mengchun, auspicious construction'. Upon closer inspection, the details of the Berlin Temple Pagoda are also worth savoring, where the flying eaves of the first layer are made of wood, and from the second to the seventh layer, they are changed to brick carvings. The length of the eaves converges layer by layer, and the eaves corners of each layer are all made of wood, with an iron Arhat statue standing on the ridge, and wind bells hanging below, which are also exquisitely crafted. 'The temple holds the true realm pagoda for a thousand autumns, the gate faces the Zhaozhou Bridge spanning ten thousand miles.' After seeing the Zhaozhou Bridge in Shijiazhuang, this national treasure Berlin Temple Pagoda is indeed worth a special visit. 🏠Name | Berlin Temple Pagoda 🎫Ticket | Free ⛳Address | No. 23, Shita East Road, Zhaozhou Town, Zhao County, Shijiazhuang City 🚗Transportation | Navigate to 'Berlin Zen Temple' by car

Berlin Zen Temple is located in the southeast corner of Zhao County, Hebei Province (formerly known as Zhaozhou), and is far away from the Zhaozhou Bridge, the first bridge in the world. It was first built during the Jian'an period of Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty (196-220). It was called Guanyin Temple in ancient times, Yong'an Temple in the Southern Song Dynasty, Berlin Zen Temple in the Jin Dynasty, and has been called Berlin Zen Temple since the Yuan Dynasty. Throughout the long course of history, this ancient temple has experienced several ups and downs, but it still continues to be popular and has produced many eminent monks. According to the records in the Buddhist biography, the famous Buddhist translator Xuanzang came here to study the Abhidharmakosha with Master Daoshen before he went west to India to seek Buddhist scriptures. During the late Tang Dynasty, the great Zen master Congren lived here for forty years, spreading the Dharma and forming the far-reaching "Zhaozhou School". Berlin Zen Temple thus became an important ancestral temple in the history of Chinese Zen. During the Jin Dynasty, this place was converted into a Vinaya school, and five generations of Vinaya school masters promoted the precepts here for fifty years. The most famous one is lawyer Quanzong. At the end of the Jin Dynasty, Master Guiyun Zhixuan, who spread the orthodox Linji school of Buddhism, presided over the Dharma seat at Berlin Zen Temple, and the Buddhist Vinaya was changed to Zen, and the sect flourished. In the Yuan Dynasty, Master Yuanming Yuexi and Master Luyun Xingxing preached here successively, and Berlin Zen Temple became magnificent and became the center of Buddhism in the Yanzhao area. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the Sengzhengsi, the institution of the central court to manage Buddhist affairs in Zhaozhou area, was set up in Berlin Zen Temple. At that time, the abbot of Berlin Zen Temple often served as the chief monk of the Abbot's Office at the same time. Over the past hundred years, Berlin Zen Temple has suffered repeated disasters. By 1988, when monks moved in again, the halls, scriptures and statues had all disappeared. Only the stupa of Zhaozhou Zen Master and more than 20 ancient cypresses from the Tang Dynasty were still standing, showing the world that this was once an ancient Buddhist temple. In 1988, Berlin Zen Temple was opened as a Buddhist activity venue. The president of Hebei Buddhist Association, Master Jinghui, personally presided over the restoration of Berlin Zen Temple. With the strong support of people from all walks of life, in 1992, Pu Guangming Hall was completed; subsequently, the bell and drum tower, Guanyin Hall, Sutra Library, Zen Hall, Huaiyun Tower, Kaishan Tower, Huixian Tower, Zhiyue Tower, Yunshui Tower, Xiangji Tower, Gufo Temple, Guanfang, Buddhist College, The Tea Fragrance Tower, Manjusri Tower, and Samantabhadra Tower were built one after another; on September 6, 2003, the majestic Ten Thousand Buddhas Tower was completed and the Buddha statue was consecrated, marking a major achievement in the revival of the Zhaozhou ancestral temple. A thousand-year-old temple covering an area of ​​more than 100 acres, with halls and pavilions lined up in a solemn and dignified manner, has regained its vitality. The current abbot of Berlin Zen Temple is Minghai Zen Master. There are more than 160 monks living in the temple. It has the Hebei Buddhist College and Hebei Zen Studies Institute. Every year, we hold large-scale Dharma propagation activities such as the auspicious Dharma Assembly for the Lantern Festival, the Dharma Assembly for repaying gratitude for the Ghost Festival, the Water and Land Dharma Assembly for the Qingming Festival, the Living Zen Summer Camp, the Buddha Chanting Seven, and the Zen Seven. The monks insist on chanting, eating in the dining hall, and meditating every morning and evening, reciting the precepts every half month, and observing the summer retreat in accordance with the Dharma. 2Berlin Temple Pagoda, also known as the Zen Master Congshen Relic Pagoda, is located in the southeast corner of Zhao County, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province. It was built in the third year of Tianli in the Yuan Dynasty (1330) and has a history of more than 670 years. The building area is 15,000 square meters. The tower was built to commemorate the relics of Zen Master Zhenji. It is a brick-and-wood structure with a dense eaves. It has seven levels and an octagonal plan. It is 28.3 meters high and sits on a two-story stone base with an "eight" shaped stone staircase on the south side. Berlin Zen Temple>

Everything you do is practice. The so-called cause and effect is not retribution on yourself. The good causes and good fruits you plant may be reaped by others, so meditators will do good deeds throughout their lives in order to save all sentient beings. Recommended index: Suitable for one person, two people, or a family, go again and again. The only thing you need to remind is that it closes at 4:30 p.m. Berlin Zen Temple was called "Guanyin Temple" in ancient times, "Yong'an Temple" in the Southern Song Dynasty, "Berlin Zen Temple" in the Jin Dynasty, and "Berlin Zen Temple" since the Yuan Dynasty. It has been destroyed several times in history, and only one temple remains in modern times. tower. Other buildings in the temple were rebuilt in modern times. There are many stone tablets in the temple, which shows its historical scale. The temple is open to the public free of charge, and you can receive three sticks of incense at the entrance. The part behind the Guanyin Hall of the temple is currently not open to the public. 2:Mountain Gate 3: Skanda Hall 4: Passing Incense Burner 5: Stone lanterns on the roadside 6 Guangming Hall and left and right verandas 12: Guanyin Hall 13: Pavilion next to it 14-17: Stone Tower 18: Bell and Drum Tower

Zhaozhou Bridge is located above the Xiaohe River in Zhao County, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province. It was built during the Sui Dynasty and has a history of over 1400 years. It is the earliest existing and largest single-hole circular-arc open-shouldered stone arch bridge in the world. In 1961, it was selected as one of the first batch of national key cultural relics protection units. Since its completion, it has been used as a major thoroughfare until it was discontinued in 1984 with the construction of Zhaozhou Bridge Park.

Zhao County 1 Zhaozhou Dharani Sutra Building is located at the intersection of South Street and Shita Road in Zhao County, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province. The original name of the Zhaozhou Dharani Sutra Building is the Foding Zunsheng Dharani Building, because the building is engraved with "Dharani Sutra", it is named Dharani Sutra Building, and because the building is made of granite stones and looks like a tower, it is commonly known as a stone tower by the locals. Built in the fifth year of Jingyou's reign (1038) in the Northern Song Dynasty, it is the tallest stone scripture building in China. The Zhaozhou Dharani Sutra Building faces south and is composed of a base, a building body and a jewel on the top of the building. It is an eight-sided multi-layered structure with seven levels in total. Each section is carved and built with a single huge stone. The building is 16.44 meters high. There is an octagonal canopy or eaves between each section of the building body. The entire stone building is composed of various reliefs, and the upper short columns are all carved. It is an excellent example of the combination of Chinese architecture and sculpture art. It is a rare object for studying Buddhism and sculpture art in the Northern Song Dynasty. It has important historical and artistic value. 2. The Monument of Daguan Holy Works was originally a relic of the Zhaozhou Confucian Temple and is located in the courtyard of the Agricultural Production Materials Company of Zhaozhou City, Hebei Province. This place is the site of the original Zhaozhou Confucian Temple, which was first built in the second year of Emperor Huizong's Daguan reign in the Northern Song Dynasty (1108). Year). The inscription on the stele of Daguan Holy Works records that this stele was erected under the order of Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty in order to maintain feudal rule, implement the imperial examination system of "eight lines of selection", promote feudal virtues, and strengthen the ideological control of student literati. Its contents are more detailed than those recorded in history books, so it has certain historical value as a physical material for studying the schools and imperial examination system of the Northern Song Dynasty.

A historical site that comes alive from the pages of books Shijiazhuang Zhao County·Zhaozhou Bridge Admission: Free (Reserve by scanning a QR code at the entrance of the scenic area, though no one checked when we actually entered) There are two exhibition halls around the bridge, one is the Ancient Bridge Construction, and the other is the Impression Zhaozhou Museum, 20 yuan per person Opening hours: 08:30-17:00 all year round Also known as Anji Bridge, locally called the Big Stone Bridge, it is located 2.5 kilometers south of Zhao County in Hebei on the Xiaohe River The spirit of Chinese craftsmanship is fully embodied in the Zhaozhou Bridge, which remains a treasure and a crystallization of wisdom in the world even after a millennium.

Itinerary: Xiamen - Zhengding Airport in Shijiazhuang, Zhengding Ancient City, Zhaozhou Bridge Scenic Area, Berlin Zen Temple, Hebei Museum Must-visit attractions: Zhengding Ancient City, Hebei Museum Must-try delicacies: Donkey Burger, Hele Noodles, Beef Shaomai, White Sugar Cake Accommodation recommendation: Homestays within the ancient city are economical and affordable Practical Tips: Zhengding Ancient City is highly recommended for Longxing Temple, it's simply breathtaking. Inside, there is the 'Goddess of Beauty of the East' as praised by Mr. Lu Xun, the Reclining Guanyin. The Dabeige Pavilion houses a tall bronze statue of the Great Mercy Bodhisattva, known as 'Dabei Bodhisattva', standing 19.2 meters tall on a 2.2-meter-high Sumeru stone platform, the best-preserved and tallest bronze statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva. It's recommended to buy tickets for Longxing Temple online for 44 yuan per person, which can save a few yuan. It is suggested to hire a guide for 130 yuan, and you can share the cost with other tourists, making it not expensive per person. The ticket for Rongguofu is 36 yuan per person, and it's not that impressive after a stroll. However, as it's the filming location of the 1987 version of 'Dream of the Red Chamber', it's worth visiting for a check-in. Kaiyuan Temple, Tianning Temple, Linji Temple, and Guanghui Temple are all good for check-ins and photos. The tickets are 7.5 yuan per person, except for Kaiyuan Temple, which is 10 yuan per person, and tickets are purchased on-site. In the evening, you can climb up to Yanghe Tower, where the ticket is 3 yuan per person. The night view is very beautiful. It's recommended to walk on the South City Wall, which has the 'Three Passes Majestic Town' plaque. Zhaozhou Bridge Scenic Area is some distance from Zhengding Ancient City, and it's recommended to drive yourself or use Didi. The 'Zhao County One-Day Tour' mentioned online is not practical, as it requires 20 people to depart, and even on holidays like May 1st, they can't form a group. The Didi ride from Zhengding costs about 103 yuan for 2 people. Near Zhaozhou Bridge, there is a temple called Berlin Zen Temple, which is worth a visit when in Zhao County. The Hebei Museum is highly recommended, with national treasures such as the Changxin Palace Lantern and the Jade Suit Sewn with Gold Thread.

Zhaozhou Bridge, also known as Anji Bridge, is affectionately called the Great Stone Bridge by the locals. Among its many names, 'Zhaozhou Bridge' is undoubtedly the most well-known, with its fame largely owing to Mr. Mao Yisheng's masterpiece, the essay 'Zhaozhou Bridge,' which has drawn countless tourists due to its popularity as a primary school text. Zhaozhou Bridge is located above the Xiaohe River south of Zhao County in Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province. Its name originates from the ancient appellation of Zhao County—Zhaozhou. The bridge was built in the second year of the Daye era of the Sui Dynasty (606 AD) by the craftsman Li Chun. It has not only witnessed a millennium of vicissitudes but is also the world's earliest, largest-span, and best-preserved single-arch stone bridge with open spandrel arches. In the spring of 1933, the renowned architect Liang Sicheng personally visited and surveyed the bridge, confirming that the Great Stone Bridge of Zhaozhou was indeed the Anji Bridge, a treasure of Chinese bridge architecture with a long history. The preservation of ancient buildings is no easy feat, especially in China, where ancient structures were mostly made of wood, vulnerable to war, human disasters, and natural calamities. However, the ancient buildings that have withstood the test of time owe their survival to three main reasons. First, the building materials are durable, such as brick and stone constructions, including gates, tombs, brick pagodas, stone bridges, and city walls, which have endured the test of time. Second, the continuous practical use, exemplified by Zhaozhou Bridge, which, despite eight renovations since its construction, still carries out its mission of transportation; once a building loses its functionality, even as majestic as the Great Wall, it cannot avoid a fate of decline. Third, the lack of distinct dynastic colors, such as temple buildings, which are less affected by dynastic changes, thus able to traverse the river of history and survive to this day. The most acclaimed historical site in Zhao County is none other than Zhaozhou Bridge. Besides, Yongtong Bridge, the Dhāraṇī Pillar, and other relics are also renowned in professional fields, but they may not be as eye-catching to the average tourist. Zhao County has deeply explored the cultural and tourism value of Zhaozhou Bridge, creating a large-scale scenic area around this ancient bridge, complete with an ancient bridge exhibition hall, a folk art stage, cultural and creative products, and local specialties, all readily available. During the Spring Festival, the area is particularly lively, brimming with a strong festive atmosphere. For a county to possess such a precious relic is indeed sufficient. In Zhao County, there is also a mouthwatering specialty delicacy—donkey meat. Donkey meat restaurants are scattered throughout the streets and alleys, especially near the Dhāraṇī Pillar, where donkey meat shops are densely packed. We once tasted two jin of donkey meat at Zhang Guolao Meat Shop; although pricey at 70 yuan per jin, the taste was delicious and memorable. And a simple breakfast, costing only 6 yuan for two bowls of soybean curd and four fried dough sticks, was enough to leave us fully satisfied.

| The secret Berlin Zen Temple in Hebei. Berlin Zen Temple was originally a famous Zen temple in Hebei Province However, because there are few tourists, it is not widely known. Therefore, it is also a rare and quiet niche secret place Berlin Zen Temple It is located at No. 23, Shita East Road, Zhaozhou Town, Zhao County, Shijiazhuang City It was first built during the Jian'an period of the Eastern Han Dynasty. Long history Strong humanistic atmosphere Berlin Zen Temple has many ancient names "Guanyin Temple", "Yong'an Temple", "Berlin Zen Temple" It is its title Berlin Zen Temple covers an area of ​​about 90 acres It is also one of the most important ancestral temples in the history of Chinese Zen Buddhism. Tourists who love humanities and history may come to explore the ruins

Zhaozhou Bridge is deeply engraved in my memory. When we were in primary school, there was a lesson in the textbook about Zhaozhou Bridge. There is also a folk song, who built the Zhaozhou Bridge, who left the jade railings, who rode a donkey on the bridge, who pushed a cart and caused it to slip? The song says that the bridge was built by Lu Ban, and the Eight Immortals came to cross the bridge, carrying the sun, the moon and the five famous mountains to test the bridge, but the bridge did not Some of them were crushed, leaving only a groove made by the wheelbarrow, and the garden pit was made by the immortal's knees when pushing the wheelbarrow. This shows how strong the load-bearing capacity of Zhaozhou Bridge is! It is said that in modern times, heavy machinery weighing more than 600 tons has passed across the bridge! Now, it no longer needs to bear any weight, it only needs to bear the weight of tourists walking over it! The ticket price is 40 yuan. The park is still under construction. It is said that the total investment is 1.2 billion yuan. I wonder how many years the completed Zhaozhou Bridge Park can be preserved? There is free parking at the ticket office, and you can also park on the roadside, but there is no need to park in the open space next to the park, as there is a charge of 10 yuan per time. There are also two exhibition halls, and the package ticket is 50 yuan per person. Zhao County produces pears. As far as I know, there are no prosperous ancient buildings or villages within a radius of 20 to 30 kilometers with Zhaozhou Bridge as the center. Why did the Zhaozhou Bridge, with its extremely advanced ancient bridge-building technology, appear on a not-so-large river in Zhao County that does not need to bear huge weight? Is this really a battle between gods?

My child just received a new book for the next semester. When I saw the text 📖 "Zhaozhou Bridge" in the second volume of the third grade textbook, I thought of traveling with the textbook. Zhaozhou Bridge is also close to me, so I took my child to walk to Zhaozhou Bridge on the weekend. Starting from November 2023, Zhaozhou Bridge will be free 🆓. Now identity authentication is required to enter, one person one code, and then scan the code to enter. Because it is free, there are many people. The entire scenic area is centered on the bridge. It can be said that it is more like a large park. The overall tour time is about 1 hour. 🌈Know about Zhaozhou Bridge: 🔹There are explanations in the scenic area. Before taking the children there, parents can check the information themselves, get to know the Zhaozhou Bridge, and then tell the children about it. 🔸Zhaozhou Bridge was first built in the Sui Dynasty, with a history of more than 1,400 years. It is the oldest, largest-span, and best-preserved open-shoulder stone arch bridge in the world, and is known as the "No. 1 Bridge in the World." 🔹When seeing this bridge, most people will be surprised. This bridge looks very ordinary, why is it so famous? It is recommended that you bring a Chinese textbook and read the article while admiring the bridge. 🔸It is written in the text: The bridge is more than 50 meters long and 9 meters wide. It has no piers, only a large arched bridge hole, spanning the river more than 37 meters wide. There are two small arched bridge holes on the left and right sides of the top of the bridge. 🔹At the scene, bring your children and Chinese textbooks, and compare and feel the details in the text bit by bit! You can really appreciate the majesty of the Zhaozhou Bridge! 🌈How to play? 🔸Zhaozhou Bridge Park is not very big, and some war drums, pavilions and other designs have been built around the bridge. 🔹The river is frozen now, and many adults and children are playing on the river. 🌈Special snacks: Coming out of Zhaozhou Bridge, there are a row of stalls set up by villagers outside, with Zhaoxian’s special delicacies: 1️⃣ Snow pear: This is a specialty of Shijiazhuang. There are freshly picked snow pears and freshly squeezed pear juice. Now in winter, there are roasted pears and snow pear and white fungus soup. 2️⃣ Sour Jujube Noodles: Made from local wild sour jujubes, this is also a specialty of Shijiazhuang. 3️⃣ Pear paste candy: a product made from snow pear, sold in large quantities, check the ingredient list.

Many years ago, I learned about Zhaozhou Bridge in the elementary school textbook. It is the earliest preserved stone arch bridge in China. It was built in the Sui Dynasty and has a history of more than 1,400 years. Today's Zhaozhou Bridge has become an attraction with a ticket of 40 yuan, which is one of the most famous scenic spots in Shijiazhuang. Zhaozhou Bridge, also known as Anji Bridge, is located on the Weihe River in Zhao County, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province. The designer is Li Chun, a famous craftsman of the Sui Dynasty. However, there is not much record of Li Chun in history, except that he knows nothing about his construction of Zhaozhou Bridge. The Sui Dynasty ended the rule of separation between the Northern and Southern Dynasties and once again completed China's reunification. At that time, Zhao County was the only place to go north and south. North Shangyu County went south to Luoyang. A Weihe River blocked traffic. The court decided to build a bridge on the Weihe River to end the inconvenient traffic situation. Li Chun was designed and built. Zhaozhou Bridge is not big, with Zhaozhou Bridge as the core, and several other attractions have no special features. A new bridge next to Zhaozhou Bridge has long replaced the access function of Zhaozhou Bridge. But at first glance, I saw Zhaozhou Bridge. There is not much surprise. It looks very ordinary. But 1400 years ago, this was definitely the highest achievement in the bridge industry. An open shoulder arch like this, Europe did not appear until the mid-19th century, more than 1200 years later than our country.