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

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.

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! 🌈

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

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.

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.