Things to do in Shijiazhuang

This is a Buddhist holy site well worth visiting. The Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed Buddha and the mural of the Reclining Guanyin are historical and artistic treasures that have been preserved intact for future generations to appreciate and understand history! An even greater gain was visiting the memorial hall of Mr. Liang Sicheng, where I learned about the contributions he and Lin Huiyin made to the preservation of historical sites in my country and their transmission in education, so that we, the later generations, can appreciate these historical sites!

Let me first check the treasures of Longxing Temple to make sure they're accurate before adding more words. Longxing Temple in Zhengding boasts six unique features, each considered the best in the country. First, the Mani Hall from the Song Dynasty, constructed without a single nail, is praised by Liang Sicheng as a unique example of ancient architecture in the world. Second, the Guanyin statue inside, seated backwards, with a beautiful face overlooking all beings, was praised by Lu Xun as an oriental goddess of beauty. Third, the Song Dynasty revolving sutra repository, the oldest existing one, can hold two tons of scriptures and can be turned by one person. Fourth, the Longzang Temple Stele from the Sui Dynasty, the ancestor of regular script and the first Sui Dynasty stele. Fifth, the over 20-meter-tall bronze Thousand-Hand Guanyin, the tallest ancient bronze statue. Sixth, the Ming Dynasty bronze Vairocana Buddha. With all six wonders combined, it's well worth a special trip.

📍Zhengding·Rongguo Mansion｜A Dream of Red Mansions Through the Ages, Cao Xueqin Forever I first read *Dream of the Red Chamber* when I was probably only seven or eight years old. My family had a 1972 edition, which my father kept on top of the bookshelf. Kids, the more you forbid them from seeing it, the more curious they become, so I climbed up to the top of the bookshelf and secretly peeked through it, hiding behind piano sheet music. I couldn't recognize all the characters, let alone understand the poems, but I just couldn't put it down. I was obsessed for many years afterward, reading it countless times and devouring many works on *Dream of the Red Chamber* studies. Later, my reading became more diverse, and I gradually put it down. But some things are hard to let go of. For our generation, who wasn't raised on CCTV's *Journey to the West* and *Dream of the Red Chamber*? When I think of Bao and Dai, only Ouyang Fenqiang and Chen Xiaoxu's images come to mind; any other portrayal just doesn't feel right. I've been to the Grand View Garden in Beijing a few times. This time in Zhengding, naturally, I wanted to see Rongguo Mansion at night. This is one of China's earliest film and television shooting bases. In 1983, during the location scouting for the filming of *Dream of the Red Chamber*, Xi Jinping, then Secretary of the Zhengding County Party Committee, strongly advocated for the production team to choose Zhengding as the filming location, transforming what was originally planned as a temporary outdoor set into a permanent building. In 1986, the Rongguo Mansion was completed, and *Dream of the Red Chamber* was filmed there for nearly two months, with approximately 4,000 shots completed there, including key scenes such as "Imperial Concubine's Visit to Her Family" and "Qin Keqing's Funeral." On May 2, 1987, the 36-episode television series *Dream of the Red Chamber* premiered on CCTV. This year, 2026, marks the 40th anniversary of the completion and opening of the Rongguo Mansion. Next year will be the 40th anniversary of the broadcast of the 1987 television series *Dream of the Red Chamber*. Standing here tonight feels like keeping a 40-year promise. Cao Xueqin lived less than fifty years, *Dream of the Red Chamber* was written approximately 270 years ago, the 1987 television series aired nearly 40 years ago, and the Rongguo Mansion was completed 40 years ago. The numbers keep changing. But some things remain the same. Standing before Rongxi Hall, I suddenly recalled the image of myself at eight years old, perched atop the bookshelf, flipping through books. Back then, I couldn't understand the lines, "Full of absurd words, a handful of bitter tears"... Cao Xueqin left posterity a story that will never end. Dream of the Red Chamber will always be read, and there will always be those who push open their doors at night to experience this dream that has lasted for over two hundred years.

Longquan Ancient Town is one of the most interesting ancient towns I've ever visited. Its charm rivals that of Wansui Mountain Martial Arts City in Hebei. However, the only downside is the sheer number of people. Definitely avoid visiting during holidays. It's not fun at all; the overwhelming crowds halve the enjoyment. Even the NPCs (players) are exhausted. But visiting during the off-season will definitely be much more enjoyable. Watch the classic shows and sample some local snacks. It will make your trip to Shijiazhuang even more magical.

The Zhaozhou Bridge Scenic Area, also known as Anji Bridge, was built over 1400 years ago under the supervision of the Sui Dynasty craftsman Li Chun. It is the world's oldest and best-preserved open-spandrel stone arch bridge, often referred to as the "Number One Bridge Under Heaven." It is a 4A-level scenic area and a national key cultural relics protection unit. The Zhaozhou Bridge itself spans the Xiao River, featuring a single-arch design with four smaller arches added to the shoulders—a groundbreaking innovation in bridge construction. This not only reduced the bridge's weight but also helped divert floodwaters during the rainy season. The bridge's bluestone railings are carved with lifelike dragons and mythical beasts. Currently, climbing the bridge is prohibited, but visitors can admire and photograph it up close from the banks. The Ancient Bridge Exhibition Hall introduces the bridge's construction principles and historical evolution, showcasing old photographs and models to help visitors understand the engineering wisdom of the ancients. The Li Chun Statue stands at the entrance of the scenic area, commemorating the designer of this famous bridge. The riverside gardens along the Xiao River offer excellent views of the bridge's reflection in the water.

The cable car ride up and down was quite easy; walking around the top wasn't tiring at all. From the cable car station, I noticed the stairs looked incredibly long if you wanted to climb up yourself. Also, the middle station (the entrance to the slide) and the end station are on two different mountain peaks, requiring you to go up and down the stairs. The scenery at the summit was fantastic, with cliffs and precipices typical of the Taihang Mountains. To get to Wanfo Cave, you need to climb a short, rather steep staircase. The descent isn't far, but the drop is significant; some steps are as high as my calf. Wanfo Cave was cool and shrouded in mist. There are some shops on and at the foot of the mountain; bottled water is 2 yuan, very affordable. However, the KFC at the foot of the mountain wasn't open.

Worth it! My son and I went up the mountain from Qiaoloudian and down from Dongtianmen, taking less than two and a half hours in total. The natural scenery and ancient relics along the way were aesthetically pleasing. I recommend taking the Dongtianmen route down; there are several excellent spots for photographing Qiaoloudian. I deducted one point for the aesthetics at the summit—those guesthouses were so ugly it made me want to curse. The scenic area is great from the foot of the mountain to the middle, but it gets incredibly noisy at the top. When it comes to attractions, quality over quantity is key! Finally, let me talk about the night view. I arrived at night and went for a stroll after dinner at the hotel. I was amazed to find that the scenic area had a night view; the aesthetics were quite good, probably designed by professionals. A small suggestion: the lighting on the mountain was poorly chosen. The green light was completely invisible, and the red light was okay but a bit eerie. Could you try using blue light instead?

Stepping into Manshan Huaxi Valley, nestled deep in the Taihang Mountains of Shijiazhuang, the city's heat and hustle and bustle are instantly shut out. As a national AAAA-level tourist attraction, its 98% forest coverage blankets the entire valley in lush greenery, with an average summer temperature of only 19.1℃, making it a recognized summer resort and health retreat in the Taihang Mountains. A clear stream flows through the entire area, terraced fields of flowers cascade down the slopes, and waterfalls, tranquil lakes, unique peaks, and fairytale villages are scattered throughout, offering both the majestic tranquility of pristine landscapes and the vibrant fun of trendy attractions.

Take subway line 1, transfer to line 3, and get off at Gaozhuxia Station. Exit D (there's a long staircase to climb after exiting). You can either take bus 115 or a taxi. A taxi costs 10-13 yuan and takes about 12 minutes. Take bus 115 to Shangjing Pilu Temple Station. After getting off, walk forward for about half a minute. There's a white bridge on your right. Cross the bridge and you'll see Houshe North Residential Area. Don't enter the residential area. There's a white Pilu Temple sign on your left (Figure 1). Turn left and walk to the end of the road for about 1 minute. To return, you can take bus 115 across the street (Figure 2 was taken from the bridge). The bus stop is on the right-hand side of the opposite side, marked with a circle. The bus journey is estimated to take 30 minutes, but the waiting time is long.

The pool water was kept at a comfortable, constant temperature; after soaking, I felt completely relaxed, all fatigue gone. The privacy was excellent, and the experience was top-notch. Choosing such a wonderful place for my first relaxation of the Year of the Horse was perfect; I'll definitely come back! A healing paradise in winter! The steaming hot spring water is incredibly soothing, creating a fantastic atmosphere. It's perfect for taking photos or relaxing and unwinding—the pictures turn out amazing! Having fun and soaking comfortably—this is the right way to celebrate the New Year!