Shijiazhuang
The Capital of Hebei Province
General Information
Other Name: The Stones' Village, District: Hebei, State: NORTH CHINA, China
Area: 470.848 km²
Languages Spoken: Mendarin
Long Distance Code: +86311
Importance: Shijiazhuang is an important industrial city and is considered the economic center of Hebei.
Best Time to Visit: October to November and March
International Access: Connected to most major cities of China.Description
Shijiazhuang,literally, "The Stones' Village") is a prefecture-level city and the capital of Hebei province, China.Location
Shijiazhuang stands on the edge of the North China Plain at the foot of the Taihang Mountains, which lie to the west.It is about 320 km south of BeijingClimate
Monsoon Climate of semi-moist with the Cold and Dry Winter and Hot Summer.
Located about 70 kilometers (43 miles) from Shijiazhuang, Mt. Cangyan Scenic Area is a national AAAA tourist attraction in China. With an altitude of 1,000 meters (3,281 feet) high, the scenic area covers an area of 180 square kilometers (69 square miles). Mt. Cangyan Scenic Area is renowned for its natural landscape and some cultural and historical attractions. It has verdant forests, magnificent waterfalls, crystal streams and springs, steep cliffs and queer peaks. Visitors should not miss the white sandalwood trees growing beside the mountain streams and about 2,000 to 3,000 years old cypresses on the cliffs. Many temples, pavilions, terraces and other buildings are constructed on the cliffs or in the valley. Built in the Western Jin period (265-316), the Fuqing Temple is the most celebrated complex. Legend has it that Princess Nanyang once became a nun and practiced Buddhism there. She was the daughter of Yang Guang, an emperor of the Sui Dynasty (581-618). The Fuqing Temple consists of the Dafo Hall, the Yuanjue Hall, the Lingguan Temple, the Guandi Temple, the Cangyan Tower, the Princess Memorial Hall, the Qiaolou and other structures. The Qiaolou (a hall built on the bridge) is the main structure of the Fuqing Temple. It is constructed on a single arch stone bridge which is about 15 meters (49 feet) long and nine meters (30 feet) wide. On the arch of the bridge are carved life size images of beasts, horses and human beings. The Qiaolou is a two storied building built in the Sui Dynasty and houses the statues of Sakyamuni and eighteen arhats and some murals. The Princess Memorial Hall is situated to the north of the Qiaolou. In the hall stand the statue of Princess Nanyang with her two sisters attending to her. On the walls are painted some murals recording the stories of Princess Nanyang. Behind the hall is a cave which is said to be the princess' bedroom. Getting there Catch a bus at the Xiwang Bus Station in Shijiazhuang to the Mt. Cangyan Scenic Area.
Shijiazhuang Water Park is one of the city's 22 parks set up along Minxin River. The park features small-scale replicas of ancient sites such as Zhaozhou Bridge and Yanyu House. Sculptures of mythological figures (Apollo, mermaids, etc.) adorn the park. Children can enjoy the space travel ride, bumper cars, battleships, playgrounds and other recreational facilities.
The Shijiazhuang Zoo is located at Luquan City of Hebei Province, about 18 kms west of Shijiazhuang. Large, open area zoo with 18 functional zones, including Flamingo Zone, Monkey Hill, Bird Park Raptor Zone and Asian Animal Zone. Flamingos, snub-nosed monkeys, giraffes, Siberian tigers, seals and chimpanzees are just a few of the 250+ species. Ticket price:RMB 40; RMB 30 for student Open hours:9:00-17:00
Zhangshiyan Mountain is located in Zanhuang County, approximately 100 kilometers southwest of Shijiazhuang. It occupies 120 square kilometers and stands approximately 1,700 meters above sea level. Zhangshiyan Mountain is the central site of Forest Park of Taihang Mountain Range. The area features overhanging cliffs, crisscross rivulets, valleys, waterfalls, ponds, lakes and flourishing forests between the mountains. Spring and autumn are especially scenic as colorful, fragrant peach and plum blossoms adorn the landscape. With four distinct seasons, each with its respective beauty, Zhangshiyan Mountain is a natural place for sightseeing and recreation. Visitors interested in staying for an extended period can find lodging at any of the large-scale guesthouses in the area. Getting There: Take the long distance bus from the Central Long-distance Bus Station.
Zhaozhou Bridge lies approximately 45 kms. outside of Shijiazhuang in Zhaocheng County. It stretches across the Jiao River (Jiao He) and is reputed as being the oldest arched stone bridge in the world. The bridge is highly praised for its architectural design which has stood the test of time. The bridge is often referred to by many names including Dashi Bridge (Great Stone Bridge) and Anji Bridge (Safe Crossing Bridge), although it is most commonly known as Zhaozhou Bridge (Zhaozhou Qiao). Its construction spanned 11 years during the Sui Dynasty Sui Dynasty (AD 581-618) Site of Capital: Xi'an (then called Chang'an) Although short-lived, the Sui Dynasty was important in reunifying China after centuries of division under the Northern and Southern Dynasties. The first Sui emperor introduced land reform, reformed government institutions and recruited officials through examinations. The tyrannical second Sui emperor pushed through the construction of the Grand Canal. [ Dynasties ] , designed, and constructed by master Li Chun. The 50.82 meter long bridge is over 1,400 years old and hailed as a great design specimen of its time. Since its construction, it has withstood floods, battles and earthquakes. Its longevity has been largely attributed to its material and design. Along the archway that expands over the Jiao River are two smaller decorative yet functional archways. The bridge also has 'dovetails' that allow it to shift its support and prevent it from collapsing. Zhaozhou Bridge is adorned with dragons and other traditional Chinese creatures, symbols often used to ward off any unpropitious acts. In ancient Chinese literature, Zhaozhou Bridge is often referred to as a "crescent moon rising from the clouds" or a "rainbow in the sky", a sentiment also held by present day visitors. After the Ming Dynasty Ming Dynasty (AD 1368-1644) Site of Capital: Nanjing, Beijing A 276-year period of rule by Chinese emperors after the overthrow of the Mongol Yuan dynasty. The first century was rich and productive: the Forbidden City was built, porcelain, literature and agriculture flourished, and China established trade links with Africa and Asia. The later period saw withdrawal and decline. [ Dynasties ] , the bridge faded into obscurity until it was rediscovered during an ancient architecture field trip of Hebei Province. Located at the bridge site are many statutes of the legendary Eight Immortals. One legend depicts the visit of the Immortals to the bridge. Lu Ban, the legendary skilled artisan, was said to have built the bridge overnight. Two immortals later appeared and wanted to test the strength of this newly built structure. One immortal crossed the bridge riding a donkey. On the back of the donkey hung two sacks, one containing the sun and the other the moon. The other immortal pushed a wheelbarrow on which were loaded the "five famous mountains". Visitors can find an impression of the donkey's foot and the tracks of the wheelbarrow depicting the crossing of the Immortals. There is also a museum on site displaying the history of the bridge and its reconstruction. Travelers can also sail along the Jiao River to get a closer look of the bridge from underneath. Getting There: Take Bus No. 213 from the Shijiazhuang Railway Station and get off at the terminus (approximately 1hr). The bridge is a short hike from the bus station. Buses operate from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm.