Back from Dingzhou, I don't recommend going in December
Travel Preparation
Dingzhou in December is getting colder, so be sure to bring thick cotton clothes, scarves, and gloves 🧣, and don't forget thermal underwear. Only when you are fully armed can you enjoy a comfortable trip. You can choose to stay near Dingzhou Ancient City, which is convenient for travel, and you can also enjoy the night view of the ancient city at night. In terms of transportation, if you take the high-speed train, it is fast to take a taxi to various attractions after getting off the train; if you drive, plan your route in advance and pay attention to the signs when parking in the city.
Must-visit Attractions
Dingzhou Pagoda
This thousand-year-old pagoda is a landmark of Dingzhou, and it looks more simple and majestic in the warm winter sun. When you walk under the pagoda and look up, the brick carvings and dougong are exquisite, and the weight of history is overwhelming. The ticket price is affordable, and you can climb the pagoda to enjoy the view of Dingzhou City. Although the stairs are a bit steep, the moment you reach the top, the cold wind turns into pride. There are many stalls around selling Dingzhou's special cultural and creative products, and it is very suitable to pick some souvenirs 🎁.
Dingzhou Museum
This treasure is open to the public for free, and the heating is sufficient, so you can travel through the long river of history. From the cultural relics of the State of Zhongshan to the fine Ding porcelain, each piece is exquisite, and the explanations in the museum are detailed. Following the explanations, you can learn about the past and present of Dingzhou, as if you have had a dialogue across time and space, and you will be full of knowledge after the visit.
Dingzhou Cuisine
Dingzhou Menzi
In the cold winter, a steaming menzi, with pork and yam powder perfectly blended, is fragrant and tender, either fried or pan-fried. Sitting in a small street shop, with freshly baked huoshao, the happiness of carbohydrates and meat hits the soul, and you will be very satisfied with one bite 🥓.
Lamb Offal Soup
Milky white lamb soup, with a large amount of lamb offal, sprinkled with a handful of coriander and chopped green onion, is warm and heartwarming when drunk hot. After a bowl, the coldness of the whole body disappears instantly, and every morning starts with this bowl of soup 🍲.
Travel Tips
It gets dark early in Dingzhou in winter, so plan your time for visiting attractions so as not to delay your return trip. The lights in the ancient city are gorgeous at night, and the photos are very beautiful, so remember to bring a power bank. If you go to the market to buy specialties, don't be afraid to bargain, and you can find many affordable and good things 🛍️. Dingzhou in December is full of ancient charm and fireworks, waiting for you to explore.