Zhengding Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)
Zhengding Ancient City Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)
Baoding Weekend Day Trip - Zhengding Ancient City
Zhengding is really suitable for Baoding people to travel on weekends‼️
I'm sharing my travel tips with everyone✅
🚊Travel
1⃣️The mode of transportation we chose is the train! We bought tickets for the 7:02-8:21 Baoding—Zhengding and♻️19:51-21:06 Zhengding—Baoding trains
These two trains are just perfect for a day's play!
2⃣️Upon arriving at Zhengding station, I suggest taking a taxi directly to the Grand Buddha Temple (also known as Longxing Temple), don't go to Yong'an Gate first❌There's nothing there, and it's super far from the real attractions!
💟Sightseeing
1⃣️We didn't do much planning, our plan was a City walk, just strolling and browsing, following the signs to Longxing Temple! Longxing Temple requires a ticket🎫to enter - 50 yuan for adults and 25 for students. My rating is: it's worth the price, 🈶️photos 3-11 are all taken by me inside Longxing Temple, Longxing Temple is known as the foremost temple outside of Beijing for good reason, you can learn about its historical background before you go, it makes the visit more interesting haha!
2⃣️I think Zhongshan Road is a scenery itself! You'll see the super photogenic red walls, you'll see green buses shuttling through the tree-lined avenues...
3⃣️Zhengding Ancient City South Gate Wall
It looks especially beautiful when the lights are on at night, standing on the wall you can overlook the entire panorama of Zhengding Ancient City!
🥘Food
1⃣️After visiting Longxing Temple, it was time for lunch, we chose the Wang's Shaomai across the street for lunch, mainly ordering some local specialties - Zhengding collapsed liver, hot cut meatballs, hohhot noodles, as well as cold dishes and millet soup.
I think the taste is okay, you can try the local flavors. Also, I highly recommend the millet soup! Super delicious!!!
2⃣️Jar Oven Baked Buns
Along the way, you'll encounter many jar oven baked bun shops, I think you can just pick any! Crispy and delicious!
3⃣️Romanlin
Do Zhengding people love this ice cream shop, I came across many on one street! But the aesthetic is really high, I personally recommend mint and chocolate flavors, tiramisu and rum are too sweet‼️
⚠️⚠️⚠️We finished touring around seven o'clock, in the morning after getting off the train we saw a small commodity market next to the station, so we decided to check it out in the evening, and then! We discovered a new world‼️There was a huge night market, the biggest I've ever seen, with all kinds of snacks available. After seeing this night market, I feel like the night markets I've been to before are not worth mentioning😭 No exaggeration, you'll know once you've been there!
Everyone should definitely take the opportunity to visit the ancient city of Zhengding in Shijiazhuang, Hebei
Originally, the trip to the ancient city was not very certain, and it was a last-minute decision, but what I received was an unexpected surprise!
Looking around, the entire ancient city is well constructed, preserving the simplicity of the old city while accommodating modern construction.
The environment is super clean, and the streets, play facilities, and public restrooms are very well maintained!
The commercial atmosphere of the ancient city is not heavy, and it has retained the feel of the original ancient city very well.
A variety of specialty foods are gathered here, where you can eat very authentic Hebei cuisine.
There are plenty of historical sites, suitable for exploring ancient culture and art.
It's suitable for young people to do a City Walk, and you'll end the day with a lot of gains.
The consumption is moderate, and the transportation is very convenient.
Zhengding ancient city lantern viewing strategy: Navigation can go to the south gate, which is the entrance. There are a lot of people, and the queue is endless, but the police uncles and security are working very hard, and the overall order is very good, and it's quick to get on the city wall.
After getting on the wall, pay special attention to your feet, as the ground is not even, and some wire boxes on the ground can easily trip you up, and it may be difficult to notice with the crowd.
No reservation is needed, and you can just go up and stroll around, but it's hard to take pictures, it's all people, there are only a few large lanterns, also all surrounded by people, the rest are small lanterns.
It's not very suitable for walking with kids, as it will be a long walk, and there are still quite a few places to eat. The price of tricycles is quite high, 20 yuan per person, and it's very hard to get a taxi, so try to park near the south gate as much as possible.
During the Spring Festival, there are especially many people, really a lot. If you want to see the lanterns, you need to park your car half a day in advance. Be mentally prepared, because you'll have to queue for public toilets, restaurants, to see the lanterns on the city wall, and to get off the city wall.
Many locals are already afraid to go out because it's too congested, and they give the right of way to tourists, as long as everyone is happy.
Zhengding welcomes visitors with the greatest sincerity, with free parking and free lantern festival tickets, so the on-site viewing is very crowded, but if there's a charge, netizens complain online about why there's a fee for the lantern festival.
The logic is simple, price filters the crowd. If you think there are too many people in the restaurant, you can choose a more expensive one, and naturally, there will be fewer people. Travel is the same, you can only choose one between free and quiet.
Under the south gate of Zhengding, there are fire trucks, ambulances, and police cars, and in addition to firefighters, doctors, and police officers, there are also many cultural and tourism bureau staff and cleaners who have sacrificed their holidays to be busy for the scenic area.
You should know that the scenic area is free, and they don't get any extra overtime pay.
When tourists are spending the Spring Festival reunion time with their families, they are silently contributing at their posts.
They may not do well enough, but they have already sacrificed their personal vacation time and are already welcoming guests from all directions with a smile. If it were someone else, could they be so enthusiastic and selflessly work overtime during their annual leave?
I hope that visitors to Zhengding can have more understanding for the staff. Don't say that tourists have never seen so many people; the staff have also never seen so many tourists, and probably the locals of Zhengding have never seen so many either.
So if you haven't come yet, be mentally prepared, and if you have already arrived in Zhengding, just accept it and don't waste the happy mood of the trip.
I hope every friend has fun in Zhengding! I hope the ancient city of Zhengding can be known by more people, it really is a treasure of a tourist destination. Zhengding ancient city
Three-Day Tour of Shijiazhuang: Zhengding Ancient City~Zhaozhou Bridge~Hebei Museum
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.
Zhengding Ancient City 2-Day Itinerary Guide, a must-see for retracing the path of Liang and Lin
Although I've always felt that Guoji Zhuang is a tourism desert, in fact, you just need to move north of the Hutuo River to Zhengding, and that's where the treasure truly unfolds. I first learned about Zhengding from the field trip of Liang and Lin when they were building the Xueshe, and it was then I discovered the Longxing Temple with its unique Northern Song Dynasty cross-shaped architectural layout and the Mani Hall, as well as the 'blue brick and wood' Four Pagodas.
This time I arranged a day and a half in Zhengding, basically got to see most of the ancient relics, checked off all 10 national protected sites, and personally feel that each cultural preservation site in Zhengding is very worthwhile. Not only are they of high historical value, but they are also very interesting to see. However, the ancient city of Zhengding is somewhat lacking, with almost no well-preserved residences, only some imitation ancient buildings on the main street, and calling it an ancient city seems a bit of a stretch.
🚸About the itinerary
DAY1: Tang Dynasty Qinghe County King's Merit Stele→Longxing Temple→Tianning Temple Lingxiao Pagoda→Yuanqu Museum→Kaiyuan Temple Sumi Pagoda and Bell Tower→Zhengding Liang Family Ancestral Hall→Yanghe Tower→Linji Temple Chengling Pagoda→Guanghui Temple Flower Pagoda→Zhengding City Wall (South Gate)
DAY2: Zhengding Confucian Temple Dacheng Hall→Zhengding Prefecture Confucian Temple→Zhengding City Wall (North Gate Ruins)→Zhao Yun Temple→Zhengding City God Temple
🚗About transportation
The best way to tour Zhengding is by Citywalk, with most attractions being about a 10-minute walk from each other. However, some spots are indeed a bit far, such as the city wall ruins on the north side of Zhengding and Zhao Yun Temple, since there are no shared bicycles in Zhengding, so these farther attractions can only be reached by taxi, which is slightly inconvenient, but it's just a starting fare.
🏡About the attractions
✅Longxing Temple: As the foremost ancient temple outside the capital, it is definitely the C position of Zhengding. The Mani Hall from the Song Dynasty, the sitting Guanyin praised by Lu Xun as the beauty goddess of the East, the Song Dynasty's revolving sutra repository, China's tallest bronze cast Thousand-Handed Guanyin... really, any one of these, if placed in another province, would be of national protected status.
✅Kaiyuan Temple: The most interesting of Zhengding's four ancient pagodas, including the Tang Sumi Pagoda + half of a Tang wooden bell tower + a huge Pixiu.
✅Guanghui Temple Flower Pagoda: A unique Song Dynasty pagoda of national first-class status, shaped like a bouquet of flowers, even Liang Sicheng was amazed, and it is also the most internet-famous of the four pagodas in Zhengding.
✅Linji Temple Chengling Pagoda: An octagonal solid brick pagoda rebuilt in the Jin Dynasty, Linji Temple is also the birthplace of the Linji school, which had a great influence on Japan and Korea.
✅Lingxiao Pagoda: A combination of the Song and Jin Dynasties, the wooden pillar that reaches the top of the pagoda is the prototype for the Tower of Babel in the movie 'Detective Dee'. The Yuan Dynasty stone lions at the entrance are quite special.
✅Zhengding County Confucian Temple: Dated by Liang Sicheng to the Five Dynasties period, it is the oldest existing Confucian temple in China.
✅Zhengding Prefecture Confucian Temple: No longer complete, only the Yuan Dynasty Halberd Gate is still worth a look.
✅Tang Dynasty Qinghe County King's Merit Stele: A towering Tang stele, witnessing the history of the He-Shuo military governor's separatist rule.
✅Liang Family Ancestral Hall: A national protected site that has stood tall since the Five Dynasties.
✅Zhengding Ancient City Wall: The southern city wall has been more completely restored, and you can overlook the four ancient pagodas of Zhengding, with especially picturesque views at dusk and night; the northern city wall is mainly ruins, and can be skipped if time is short.
✅Zhao Yun Temple: Apart from a few steles, it is almost all newly built, Three Kingdoms enthusiasts might take a quick look.
✅Zhengding City God Temple: A high imitation rebuilt on the original site in 2019, can be skipped if time is short.
Show More
Longxing Temple Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)
Hebei doesn't promote this place, you're missing out! A one-day guide to Zhengding Ancient City
After visiting Zhengding, you'll understand what a treasure trove of an ancient city it is! Ancient temples, pagodas, and city walls, you'll be immersed in the rich architecture and historical atmosphere all day long.
🚗Transport
Three hours by car from Beijing, or one hour by high-speed train to Shijiazhuang or train to Zhengding then transfer to a bus.
Free parking is available at various scenic spots within the ancient city, which is very considerate.
You can also choose to walk between the sights, as the distances are not too far.
.
🚶🏻♀️Tour Route
1️⃣Longxing Temple: A must-see! One of China's top ten famous temples, built during the Sui Dynasty, expanded in the Northern Song Dynasty, it has witnessed numerous prosperous eras, with all Buddha statues and murals exquisitely stunning.
▪️The Reclining Guanyin, hailed by Lu Xun as the "Eastern Goddess of Beauty," captivating to the point where it's hard to look away.
▪️The bronze Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed Guanyin statue, over 20 meters tall, a miracle of ancient metallurgy.
▪️The bronze Vairocana Buddha, made by the order of Emperor Wanli during the Ming Dynasty, with over a thousand Buddha figures on its surface, a rare artistic treasure.
▪️The wooden Maitreya, carved from a single piece of wood during the Northern Song Dynasty.
▪️Giant murals, with walls in the Mani Hall fully painted, using lead powder and gold leaf, the colors and layers are of superior quality.
▪️The revolving sutra cabinets, wooden scripture storages from the Song Dynasty, are also the oldest existing ones.
🎫50
🕘2-3 hours
2️⃣Have lunch at Wangquan Ancient Street, with local delicacies like the Eight Great Bowls, donkey meat, covered pancakes, meatball soup, and Hele noodles.
3️⃣Rongguo House: If you like 'Dream of the Red Chamber,' you can visit here. It's quite large and includes some scenes from the 1987 TV series, but the Grand View Garden is not here.
🎫40
🕜30 minutes
4️⃣Tianning Temple: The entire structure is made of brick and wood, and the design of the central pillar of the fourth floor reaching to the sky is unique in the country.
🎫15
🕑15 minutes
5️⃣Kaiyuan Temple: Home to the largest existing Pixiu in China, and the only remaining Tang Dynasty bell tower. Also, the stone carvings of the powerful warriors at the base of the tower are worth seeing.
🎫20
🕑20 minutes
6️⃣Linji Temple: The origin of the Linji school, one of the most widely spread schools of Chan (Zen) Buddhism in China.
🎫🆓
🕑15 minutes
7️⃣Guanghui Temple: An octagonal brick-carved, wood-structured pagoda, very exquisite, called a 'unique treasure within the seas' by Liang Sicheng.
🎫15
🕑15 minutes
(Personally, I think Kaiyuan Temple is worth entering, the others can be appreciated from a distance as well)
8️⃣Yanghe Building: Originally built during the Jin Dynasty, recently reconstructed, climbing the building offers a bird's-eye view of the ancient city's central axis. The night view is also beautiful.
🎫🆓
🕑15 minutes
9️⃣South City Gate: Climbing the city wall allows you to see all four pagodas in one frame. Inside the city gate, there is also a barbican.
🎫🆓
🕑30 minutes
Zhengding Longxing Temple
I really regret it, I actually came here now! The ancient buildings of Zhengding Longxing Temple are really too beautiful, completely beyond my imagination. These buildings with a history of 1400 years, every brick and tile are full of the traces of time and the precipitation of history. The moment I stepped into the temple, it seemed that the whole world had quieted down, leaving only me and this sacred ancient building.
The architecture here is really ingenious, every detail is full of artistic breath. The unique form of the Mani Hall, the beauty of the colorful hanging Shuo Guanyin statue, and the exquisite bronze cast Vairocana Buddha, all make me amazed.
Moreover, there are six national bests here! From the most peculiar Mani Hall, to the most beautiful colorful hanging Shuo Guanyin statue, to the earliest existing regular script stele Sui 'Longzang Temple Stele', every place makes me linger.
In addition, Longxing Temple also has six major landscapes! The precepts altar, the Great Compassion Pavilion, the Gateless Temple, the Heavenly King Hall, the Mani Hall, and the Wheel-turning Treasury Pavilion, each has its unique charm. I had a very pleasant afternoon here, drinking tea while enjoying the lakeside scenery, it was really comfortable.
Zhengding Ancient City·Longxing Temple
Ticket price is 50 yuan, free for those above 60 years old.
The architecture and statues inside the temple are really beautiful; if you have ample time, you should definitely take a longer look. Wandering around Longxing Temple, it feels like you've arrived at the Jinci Temple in Taiyuan, Shanxi ~
The temple was originally built in the sixth year of the Sui Kaihuang era (586 AD), initially named Longzang Temple, renamed to Longxing Temple during the Tang Dynasty, and in the forty-ninth year of Kangxi's reign (1710 AD) it was bestowed the name 'Longxing Temple' which has been used to this day.
Let me pick the most impressive part to talk about (official introduction): Inside the Mani Hall, the north wall of the trough is a Song dynasty polychrome clay relief of a hanging mountain, with over 30 Buddha statues on it. The most eye-catching is the polychrome Avalokitesvara sitting in the middle, commonly known as the 'Upside-Down Avalokitesvara'. The Avalokitesvara is 3.4 meters tall, with the left foot on a lotus and the right leg bent up, both hands embracing the knee, the body slightly leaning forward, the face is beautiful and serene, and the posture is elegant and dignified. Below the willow-shaped eyebrows, those deep and wise eyes look down slightly, forming an emotional exchange with the worshippers looking up (this reading comprehension, a hundred faints! ^_^), this humanized Buddha statue was referred to by Mr. Lu Xun as the 'Goddess of Beauty of the East'. During the Spring Festival holiday, while strolling in Jizhou, Tianjin, I also saw a similar 'Upside-Down Avalokitesvara' in the Dule Temple, but it was a smaller version.
Shijiazhuang, Hebei - Longxing Temple
Treasure Temple Longxing Temple
The Pilu Hall at the end of Longxing Temple was originally the main hall of Chongyin Temple, one of the eight great temples of Zhengding. It was built during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, and was relocated here after the temple fell into disrepair. In the center of the hall, there is a Ming Dynasty bronze statue of Pilu Buddha, which was made by the Ming Shenzong for his mother, Empress Dowager Li, and is another national treasure of Longxing Temple. The statue is divided into three layers, each with four Pilu Buddhas, wearing a five-Buddha crown, making the Pilu hand gesture, and sitting in a cross-legged position. On the thousand lotus petals of the three-layer lotus seat, there is a small Buddha statue, forming a pattern of a thousand Buddhas around Pilu Buddha.
Other attractions
The imperial plaque and the twin dragon glazed screen at the entrance of the Heavenly King Hall Longxing Temple does not have a mountain gate, the Heavenly King Hall is both the mountain gate and the first hall. Interestingly, there has always been a saying 'The temple is big and the mountain gate is far, the mountain gate is in Henan', which you can search for if interested
The walls of the Mani Hall are adorned with Ming Dynasty murals, also worth a look
From the bright outdoors to the inside of the hall, it's hard to see the murals on the walls clearly, and they can be easily overlooked. Your eyes need to adjust to the dim light environment to make them out
The base of the Thousand-Handed Guanyin is an original piece from the Song Dynasty
The cultural and creative shop on the east side of the Great Compassion Pavilion can stamp, and there are also fridge magnets and other Longxing Temple souvenirs
Address: No. 109, Zhongshan East Road, Zhengding County, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province
Transportation: Bus routes 134, 135, 143, 164, Sightseeing 1:
The garden maintenance inside is very good
Adult ticket: 50 yuan
Child/Senior ticket: 25 yuan
Volunteers are available, with enthusiastic service
Visiting time: 2-3 hours
Show More
Zhengding Rongguofu Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)
Rong Guofu must be familiar with everyone. I have seen the 86th edition of the Dream of Red Mansions will feel very cordial, here is the location of the TV series.
Every important holiday, Liu Wei of Rongguofu will welcome the guests at the door, and the girls in the palace will all appear together, all smiles. It will really bring people's thoughts to novels or TV dramas.
Buy a bunch of candied haws or sugar people, go shopping in the house, and go on a journey through time and space to make the weekend life more fulfilling!
The Grand View Garden is gradually brimming with the essence of spring
😊🌞🕰️ On the first day of March, I took a leisurely stroll in the Grand View Garden in the afternoon. The area where the Grand View Garden is located was a royal vegetable garden during the Ming and Qing dynasties. In 1984, the garden was redesigned according to the Grand View Garden described in 'Dream of the Red Chamber', to serve as a filming location for the 1987 TV adaptation. 🍃🏞️😊
😊📺🏯 There are two main filming locations for the 1987 version of 'Dream of the Red Chamber': one is the Grand View Garden in Beijing, and the other is Ning Rong Street in Zhengding. Ning Rong Street was also specially built for the filming of the 1987 'Dream of the Red Chamber' as a group of ancient-style buildings, serving as the setting for the Ningguo and Rongguo mansions. It has played a significant role in the economic development of Zhengding. 🎬👣😊
😊🚪🌆 The entrance fee for the Grand View Garden is 40 yuan, making it the most expensive free attraction included in the Beijing Park Annual Pass. Visiting the Grand View Garden three times a year makes the annual pass worthwhile. Today, I also stumbled upon a volunteer service market on Baizhifang Street in the small square, which was bustling with many people. At first, I thought it was the continuation of the Red Chamber Temple Fair. 🎉😃😊
😊👥🎉 The Grand View Garden is not very large in size; if you're just looking at the scenery, half an hour is enough to take a tour. Many people find the ticket price not worth it because of the small area and limited scenery. However, if you reminisce about specific episodes from 'Dream of the Red Chamber' while wandering through the corresponding courtyards or carefully observing the details, you will remember the stories and classic dialogues that took place at each site, and analyze the character traits of the related characters. In that case, it would take at least half a day to complete the tour, and you would definitely find it very rewarding. 📚🌿😊
😊📚🌿 Many courtyards in the Grand View Garden attract tourists, such as the Yihong Courtyard where Jia Baoyu lived, the Xiaoxiang Pavilion where Lin Daiyu lived, and the Hengwu Garden where Xue Baochai lived. The stories that take place in these locations are the most numerous in the novel, and many tourists specially dress in ancient costumes to take photos there. In addition, the largest architectural complex in the Grand View Garden is probably the Provincial Relatives' Villa. This place has been turned into the 'Red Chamber Culture and Art Museum', with the main hall and the side halls serving as exhibition rooms. The Grand View Tower behind the main hall also has exhibitions related to the culture of the Red Chamber, and the content is quite rich. 🏛️🖼️😊
😊🏛️🖼️ Today, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the second floor of the Grand View Tower is now open for visitors. Previously, access to the upper floors was blocked, but now you can go up to enjoy the view and visit the exhibition rooms. Currently, only the Cui Bi Mountain Villa on the west side of the Provincial Relatives' Villa in the Grand View Garden remains closed, and all other places are open. 🔓🌳😊
😊🔓🌳 The afternoon sun is bright and although the temperature has not fully warmed up, the willow branches in the garden have started to turn green, and the lake has completely thawed. The blue lake water reflects the shadows of trees and ancient-style buildings in the garden, a large group of ducks swim freely on the water, and geese march in a row along the lakeshore, adding to the increasingly strong sense of spring. In the Lü Cui An north of the Yihong Courtyard, a tree of wax plum with full yellow blossoms attracts countless tourists to take photos. After all, this should be the only flower shadow in the entire Grand View Garden at this time. 🌼📷😊
Come now while you can, the begonias in the Grand View Garden have bloomed
🔔 The Grand View Garden of Rongguo Temple is a human paradise in April, when the begonias bloom in April, full of spring vitality! During the flower viewing season, the begonias in the Grand View Garden are also extremely beautiful. I personally feel that it's somewhat not worth it to visit the Grand View Garden usually, but at this time, the magnolias and begonias have all bloomed.
❤️ Basic Information:
🎫 Ticket price: 40 yuan❤️ Admission time: 9:00-16:59
🏠 Address: Located at No. 51 Xingrong Road, Zhengding, Shijiazhuang City
🚎 Transportation🚌: Zhengwei 1 route, 134 route, 135 route, 143 route.
⛩️ Grand View Garden | 2024 Flower Viewing Festival is from March 27th to April 10th
🔔 Flower Viewing Festival Performance Times
From March 27th to April 10th, you can enjoy flowers and performances in the Grand View Garden, with a total of four scenes, one in the morning and one in the afternoon each day.
❤️ Enter【Dream】Performance times: 9:30, 14:00, 18:30 Performance location: At the entrance of the scenic area
❤️ Rush【Joy】Performance times: 10:00, 14:30, 19:00 Performance location: Rongxi Hall courtyard
❤️ Bao【Dai】Reading 'The Romance of the Western Chamber' Performance times: 10:30, 15:00, 19:30 Performance location: Inside the passageway courtyard
❤️ (Bao) Dai【Chai】Meeting Performance times: 11:00, 15:30, 20:00 Performance location: Rongqing Hall courtyard
📝 Tips:
✅ The blooming period of the begonias is short, so don't miss it. The magnolia flowers have already withered.
✅ It is not recommended to buy things inside.
✅ If you go on the weekend, be sure to go early, go early.
✅ It is suggested that the visiting time should be about 2 hours, and nearby attractions include: Longxing Temple, Tianning Temple, etc.
✅ It is very worthwhile to take the elderly from your family to see.
Zhengding County Rongguo Mansion, the shooting location of Dream of the Red Chamber
Rongguo Mansion is an ancient architectural complex with the cultural background of the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. It is designed and built according to the 'Rongguo Mansion' depicted in the Chinese classic 'Dream of the Red Chamber'. From the entrance, you can first visit the Cao Xueqin Memorial Hall, then the outer ceremonial gate, the south hall, the inner ceremonial gate, Jia Zheng's study, Rongxi Hall, Wang Xifeng's residence, Rongqing Hall, flower hall, through the hall, hanging flower gate, and finally to Yiyuan. Coming out of Yiyuan is Ningrong Street.
📍Detailed address: No. 51 Xingrong Road, Zhengding County, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province
💰Ticket price: Tickets are 40 yuan, free for the elderly and children
Because it was winter when I went, there were fewer people, and the visiting experience was not bad, but the lack of flowers and trees made it less perfect.
Show More
Kaiyuan Temple Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)
Kaiyuan Temple in Quanzhou (Chinese)
The Mahavira Hall, also known as the Purple Cloud Hall, is the main structure of Kaiyuan Temple. The Mahavira Hall was originally constructed in the second year of the Chuigong era of the Tang Dynasty (686 AD), and has undergone several disasters and reconstructions during the Tang, Southern Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties. The existing building is a relic from the tenth year of the Chongzhen era of the Ming Dynasty (1637 AD).
The exquisite and interesting stone carvings of Zhengding Kaiyuan Temple
Inside Kaiyuan Temple, apart from the pagoda and buildings, there is another captivating feature, which is the stone carvings scattered in the corners of the temple.
The largest one is called Bi Xi (pronounced: bì qí), which is currently the largest and heaviest stone carving known in China, and it is also the heaviest stone carving I have ever seen.
The most interesting are the three stone lions; two seem to be whispering something to each other, while the other tries hard to listen to what they are saying. They are incredibly lifelike.
The stone carvings and engravings scattered in the corners of the walls are obviously treasures at first glance, exceptionally vivid and lively, as if they were alive. Not to mention the figures under the corners of the Sumeru Pagoda.
In short, for a 20 yuan ticket, you can enjoy top-notch stone carvings and engravings inside Kaiyuan Temple! It's very much worth it!
Zhengding Ancient City·Kaiyuan Temple
The renovation has started, huh? The ticket price is 20 yuan, free for those above 60 years old.
Kaiyuan Temple was originally built in the second year of Xinghe of the Eastern Wei Dynasty (AD 540), originally named Jingguan Temple, and is one of the eight major temples in Zhengding ancient city. It was renamed Kaiyuan Temple in the twenty-sixth year of the Tang Dynasty's Kaiyuan era (AD 738). The main buildings in the temple include the Three Gates Tower, the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Kaiyuan Temple Sumita Pagoda, the Kaiyuan Temple Bell Tower, and the ruins of the Dharma Ship Hall. The main hall of Kaiyuan Temple is located at the back, and the layout of the tower and pagoda standing opposite each other is a typical example of the architectural layout of Buddhist temples in the Tang Dynasty, occupying an important position in the history of Chinese architecture.
As the saying goes, 'A layman enjoys the show; an expert enjoys the technique.' The two stone lions in the southeast corner of the courtyard caught my attention. A female tourist said to her partner, 'Hey, look! Don't these two lions look like they are whispering to each other?...'^_^
Global Autumn Pursuit | Step into Kaiyuan Temple in Zhengding Ancient City, Hebei
| Step into Kaiyuan Temple in Zhengding Ancient City, Hebei. Zhengding Ancient City Kaiyuan Temple
is located at No. 109, Yan Zhao South Street, Zhengding County, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province
Kaiyuan Temple has a long history
It was built in the second year of Xinghe in the Eastern Wei Dynasty (AD 540)
It is one of the eight temples in Zhengding Ancient City
Kaiyuan Temple is antique
The cultural atmosphere is strong
The main buildings in the temple include
Sanmen Building, Heavenly King Hall, Sumeru Pagoda, Bell Tower and the ruins of the Law Ship Hall, etc.
This treasure temple is very worth coming to explore history and appreciate culture
Show More
Tianning Temple Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)
Embark on a journey through the ancient towers that have stood for a millennium, and visit the magnificent Hua Tower within the city of Zhengding
🎈 There are four ancient towers still standing within Zhengding city: the Lingxiao Tower, the Sumi Tower, the Hua Tower, and the Chengling Tower. These towers were all built during the Sui and Tang dynasties, which inevitably makes one admire the history of this small city.
🎈 The entrance fee for the Guanghui Temple Hua Tower is 15 yuan. This tower is a national-level cultural heritage site, and its unique architectural style is definitely worth a look for those who love ancient buildings. Although climbing the tower is not permitted, the brick carvings and sculptures of various auspicious beasts and strongmen on the tower are truly beautiful. Even if you are just sightseeing, you can still admire it from a distance outside the courtyard.
🎈 The Hua Tower is also known as the Flower Tower or the Multitreasure Tower, located on Minsheng Street within Zhengding County. It was originally built during the Zhenyuan era of the Tang Dynasty (785—805 AD), and has a history of over 1100 years. Mr. Liang Sicheng once called it a rare treasure in the country. The entire tower stands 40.5 meters tall, with a very unique shape and structure. The Hua Tower is constructed with a brick and lime structure, and the first floor of the tower is octagonal, with each side featuring a flat hexagonal single-layer annex, also known as a 'small tower'. The name 'Multitreasure Tower' comes from this feature (the 'small towers' were damaged during renovations in the late 1990s). The front of the tower and the exterior of the annexes all have round arched doorways, and the layout of the bucket arches is very peculiar. The second floor of the tower is a regular octagon, with three sections on each side, a flat base below, and bucket arch eaves tiles above. In the middle of each side is a door, flanked by false lattice windows and long, rectangular, brick-built Buddha niches. The base of the third floor is very large, but the tower body suddenly becomes smaller. There are square doors and false windows on all four sides. Above the third floor, on the octagonal base, there are statues of strongmen, and the tower body is conical, with colorful sculptures of tigers, leopards, lions, dragons, and Buddhas carved along the vertical lines of the eight sides. The sculptures on each floor are arranged in a staggered fashion, full of rhythm. The very top has an octagonal eave, with a tower spire, but it is now damaged. The shape of the Hua Tower is very unique, with layers of structural changes, showcasing the unique techniques of Tang Dynasty architecture.
🎈 Those who love ancient architecture often have the mindset of standing shoulder to shoulder with the ancients beneath ancient buildings, feeling the weight of history.
Zhengding Four Towers Travel Guide, the same photo spot as Liang Sicheng
Envious of Liang Sicheng
Taking his wife to take photos and check in everywhere
During the chaotic times of war, Mr. Liang Sicheng came to Zhengding, Hebei, and took photos of the Zhengding Four Towers, leaving behind precious pictures. However, it is unknown what color the vividly colored Zhengding Four Towers were back then. It is probably rare for a county town to have four ancient towers that are over a thousand years old, like this small city of Zhengding
🏯 Zhengding Four Towers
✅ Tianning Temple Lingxiao Tower (Tang Dynasty): Mr. Liang Sicheng's original words: 'The height of the tower body decreases with each ascending layer, while the eaves become more pronounced', a brick and wood mixed pavilion-style tower
✅ Kaiyuan Temple Sumi Tower (Tang Dynasty): Mr. Liang Sicheng's original words: 'In terms of form, it is the oldest of the Zhengding Four Towers', a nine-story dense eave style square tower
✅ Guanghui Temple Hua Tower (Tang Dynasty): Mr. Liang Sicheng's original words: 'From the perspective of form, this Hua Tower may be a unique example in the country', a rare flower tower
✅ Linji Temple Chengling Tower (Tang Dynasty): Mr. Liang Sicheng's original words 'Clear and elegant, can be considered a top-quality tower among towers', an octagonal nine-tier dense eave style brick tower
🎫 Tickets
Tianning Temple Lingxiao Tower 15 Kaiyuan Temple Sumi Tower 20
Guanghui Temple Hua Tower 15 Linji Temple Chengling Tower Free
You can see them all at the entrance when taking photos
If you are sentimental and have time, you can go in and take a look
Temples may be destroyed, but only towers are eternal‼️
One-day tour of less-known routes in Shijiazhuang
Unexpected international village, worth a citywalk
Time: 9:00—20:00
Route: Zhengding Station→Ancient City Wall→Guanghui Temple→Linji Temple→Yanghe Tower→Kaiyuan Temple→Tianning Temple→Longxing Temple→Hebei Museum→Shijiazhuang Station.
Transportation:
①Taxi: Take a taxi to Zhengding in the city, about 0.5h, about 50 yuan
②Bus: Take bus 130 from the museum to Zhengding, about 40 minutes
③Train: Zhengding Station
Ancient city transportation: The distance between attractions is about 1 kilometer, it is recommended to walk
Cost: 204r, scenic spot tickets + transportation + food
Ancient City Wall (free): Built in the Ming Dynasty.
Guanghui Temple (15r): There is only one tower, currently the most magnificent tower in China. Built in the Song Dynasty, a pavilion building combining brick and wood, 31.5m high, 4 floors. The fourth floor is the essence of the tower, with wall sculptures and inlays, two stone Buddhas are enshrined in the conical inner eaves tower room, and the outer eaves are centered on the vertical lines of the eight faces and eight corners, with interlaced colored sculptures of Bodhisattvas, strong men, birds and beasts, lions, elephants, frogs and pavilions etc.
Linji Temple (free): Built in the Eastern Wei Dynasty.
Daxiong Hall: Enshrines Sakyamuni Buddha.
Chengling Tower: 30.47 meters high, octagonal nine-level eaves tower.
Yanghe Tower (free): Built at the end of the Jin Dynasty and the beginning of the Yuan Dynasty, it is the cradle of Yuanqu.
Kaiyuan Temple (20r): Built in the Eastern Wei Dynasty.
Sumeru Tower, 39.55m high, 9 floors.
Bell Tower: The only existing Tang Dynasty bell tower.
Tianning Temple (15r):
Only Lingxiao Tower, built in the Tang Dynasty, brick and wood structure, 9-storey pavilion tower, 41 meters high.
Longxing Temple (5r): You must bring a guide to visit.
Dabei Pavilion: The main hall of the temple, the pavilion is 33 meters high, the five-story three-story pavilion enshrines the Great Compassion Guanyin Bodhisattva 21.3 meters high, which is the best preserved and highest bronze cast Guanyin Bodhisattva in China, with 42 arms around the body, also known as "Thousand Hands and Thousand Eyes Guanyin" Each arm holds the sun and moon, clean bottle, pagoda, vajra, sword, etc.
Mani Hall: Enshrines Sakyamuni, the east and west sides of the hall are painted with the Western Paradise and the Eastern Pure Lapis Lazuli World, the north side wall is a five-color hanging mountain made of clay, with more than 30 Buddha statues, and the most beautiful five-color hanging Shuo Guanyin statue in the middle.
Hebei Museum: You must ask for an explanation
Ten treasures of the museum:
①Liu Sheng's gold-threaded jade suit
②Changxin Palace lamp
③Gold-inlaid Boshan stove
④King Zhongshan's large bronze tripod
⑤Gold and silver four dragons and four phoenixes bronze square case
⑥Carved dragon and phoenix pattern copper head
⑦Mural of the tomb passage of Emperor Wenxuan of Northern Qi Gao Yang
⑧White stone painted music relief
⑨Blue and white open light carved red blue glaze flowers and plants large jar
Tips:
1、You can pray for blessings clockwise around the tower
2、Enter the temple to visit and pray for blessings clockwise
3、Do not take pictures of Buddha statues
4、There are joint tickets for ancient city attractions, 80r
Zhengding Ancient City Tour (IV) / The "Beam Removal and Column Replacement" of the Lingxiao Tower in Tianning Temple
🎯👉 One of the "Four Towers" of Zhengding Ancient City, the Lingxiao Tower of Tianning Temple is worth a careful look:
🚩Originally 60 meters high, it is the tallest ancient building in the city; it was built during the Tang Dynasty, and after a thousand years of vicissitudes, it is now 40 meters high, still tall and majestic, worthy of its name;
🚩The pair of crooked-headed lions at the entrance of Tianning Temple, relics of the Ming Dynasty; Figures 6-7
🚩Lingxiao Tower, brick and wood structure, the 1-4 floors of the Song Dynasty are brick structure, the 4-9 floors of the Jin Dynasty, brick and wood structure rebuilt, from the 4th floor to the top of the tower is built with a wooden Tongtian column, called the wooden heart column structure, which is commonly known as the beam removal and column replacement. Professionals say that this tower's heart column is the longest and largest among the existing ancient towers, with a special structure, it is an important example among the ancient towers in our country, and also a model of the mixed brick and wood structure in the north.
🎟🎟 The ticket is 20 yuan per person, and there is a commemorative stamp at the entrance (the other three towers do not have). It is within 200 meters of Kaiyuan Temple.
Show More
Popular Topics
# mustdo
# historicallandmarks
# mytravelhacks
# timetotravel
# localguides
Popular Trip Moments
Hebei doesn't promote this place, you're missing out! A one-day guide to Zhengding Ancient City | This ancient pagoda with its unique design, which has stood for a millennium, has been praised by Liang Sicheng as a unique example within China | Baoding Weekend Day Trip - Zhengding Ancient City | Shijiazhuang Three-Day Flower Tour】 Traverse the bustling city and experience the blooming flowers of North China in spring | Everyone should definitely take the opportunity to visit the ancient city of Zhengding in Shijiazhuang, Hebei | Three-Day Tour of Shijiazhuang: Zhengding Ancient City~Zhaozhou Bridge~Hebei Museum | The Grand View Garden is gradually brimming with the essence of spring | Zhengding Ancient City 2-Day Itinerary Guide, a must-see for retracing the path of Liang and Lin | Come now while you can, the begonias in the Grand View Garden have bloomed | Successful check-in at the Shijiazhuang Transfer All Season Hotel! | Zhengding's Longxing Temple and the Four Pagodas | Embark on a journey through the ancient towers that have stood for a millennium, and visit the magnificent Hua Tower within the city of Zhengding | Just checked out! Shijiazhuang! A high-value cost-effective homestay with an average cost of 150 per person! | The exquisite and interesting stone carvings of Zhengding Kaiyuan Temple | The healing small towns worth visiting in 2024 | Zhengding Longxing Temple | I regret not joking, it really is Shijiazhuang | The feature presentation begins: The ancient city of Zhengding | There are two Confucian temples within the ancient city of Zhengding | Zhengding Ancient City·Longxing Temple | Zhengding Ancient City·Kaiyuan Temple | Hebei Shijiazhuang - Rongguo Mansion | Zhengding Four Towers Travel Guide, the same photo spot as Liang Sicheng | Shijiazhuang, Hebei - Longxing Temple | Wang Family Mansion | Hebei | Zhengding Ancient City in Shijiazhuang, Five Temples and Four Pagodas, Pray for Blessings at the Pagoda | There are two Confucian temples in one city, and the earliest Dacheng Hall discovered by Liang Sicheng is also hidden | Wangquan Ancient Street | Shijiazhuang is worth a night tour | Hebei | Shijiazhuang Zhengding Ancient City Special Forces Two-Day Check-in Tour Recommended Attractions at Popular Destinations
Popular Restaurants in Zhengding