As a born-and-raised Shijiazhuang local, Zhengding is our “weekend backyard”—just a 20-minute drive away. I wandered its ancient streets and temples with my family as a kid, and now I still often meet friends here for good food and relaxation. Just 1 hour by high-speed rail from Beijing and Tianjin, this “Northern Three Great Towns” gem (alongside Beijing and Baoding) isn’t just a tourist spot—it’s a peaceful retreat with daily charm that Shijiazhuang people can visit anytime. Let me take you beyond the guidebooks to the Zhengding we love.
Core Experiences: Locals’ Go-To Spots (Skip the Crowds!)
Longxing Temple: We all call it “Big Buddha Temple”—Shijiazhuang people’s top choice for praying during festivals. It’s not just home to China’s tallest bronze Guanyin statue (21.3m) or the unique cross-shaped Main Hall (a masterpiece of Song Dynasty architecture). Go before 9 AM (when tour groups arrive) for the quietest experience—you’ll hear monks chanting and the rustle of leaves, far more pleasant than the crowded peak hours. The new AR guide is cool, but be sure to chat with the elderly volunteers—their stories about the temple’s renovations are more vivid than any guidebook.
Kaiyuan Temple: Don’t just snap photos of the Tang Dynasty Bell Tower and Sumeru Pagoda. Wait for the on-the-hour ancient music performance—those bells have rung for over 1,000 years, and Shijiazhuang people have grown up with their sound, feeling something new every time. The giant bìxì (mythical tortoise-like creature) at the tower base? It was a must-photo spot for us as kids (though now you can’t touch it)—legend says it guards the city’s luck.
Rongguo Mansion: The filming location of the 1987 Dream of the Red Chamber is a popular spot for Shijiazhuang families with kids, and now the “Step Into the Red Chamber” night tour is magical. But we locals know the best spot is the bamboo garden behind Xiaoxiang Pavilion—sit on the stone bench, away from the crowds, and you’ll feel like you’re in Lin Daiyu’s world. Skip the overpriced photo shoots; rent hanfu from the small shop near the east gate—it’s cheaper and more authentic than the mansion’s rentals, and many Shijiazhuang girls rent here for photos.
Guanghui Temple Huata: This golden-era flower pagoda is often called “China’s Leaning Tower of Pisa,” but we love it for the hand-carved Buddhist stories on its walls. The new cultural and creative ice cream (shaped like the pagoda) is a hit with kids, but try the osmanthus cakes sold by the elderly lady at the temple gate—she’s been making them for 30 years, and Shijiazhuang people have grown up with this taste from our childhood memories.
South City Gate Light Show: The hologram performance (A Thousand Years of Zhengding) is stunning, but Shijiazhuang people don’t crowd the main square. Head to the moat bank—you’ll get a perfect view of the lights reflecting on the water, and it’s quieter for photos. Stay till 21:30 for the drone show: seeing “Zhao Yun riding a white horse” (Zhengding’s legendary hero) fly over the walls always impresses the out-of-town friends we bring.
Food: What Shijiazhuang Locals Eat for Delicious Meals (Forget Tourist Traps!)
Must-Try Old Shops (Shijiazhuang Locals’ Childhood Favorites)
Song’s Eight Big Bowls: A feast invented for Zhao Yun’s soldiers. Four meat (braised pork, meatballs, ribs) and four vegetable dishes, served in blue and white porcelain bowls. Shijiazhuang people often order this for family dinners. My grandma says the braised pork melts in your mouth because it’s stewed for 3 hours—perfect with steamed buns.
Wang’s Shaomai: These dumplings have paper-thin skins (made by hand, no machines!). Locals dip them in Shanxi vinegar, not soy sauce. Go early—they sell out by 12 PM, especially on weekends.
Zhengding Night Market: As the largest night market in Zhengding, this bustling block near the South City Gate is lined with hundreds of stalls, packed with local foodies and tourists from end to end. The aroma of freshly baked clay oven sesame cakes, the savory taste of just-cooked tofu pudding with shredded chicken, and stalls selling intangible cultural heritage sugar paintings and handcrafted lanterns are scattered throughout. Grab a small stool to sit, eat and chat after wandering
Photo Spots: Locals’ Favorite Instagram-Worthy Shots
- Yanghe Tower: Stand on the bridge in front of the tower at golden hour—red lanterns, ancient eaves, and the street below make a perfect traditional Chinese scene. Shijiazhuang people love coming here for ancient-style photos.
- Kaiyuan Temple Bìxì: Crouch low and take a photo of the giant bìxì with the pagoda in the background—looks like the creature is carrying the tower, full of storytelling.
- Rongguo Mansion Bamboo Garden: Shoot through the bamboo leaves at the pavilion—soft light and greenery create a peaceful, poetic vibe. Many Shijiazhuang girls come here for hanfu portraits.
- Hutongs Near Longxing Temple: The narrow alleys with gray brick walls and red doors—no tourists, just locals hanging laundry or chatting. Random shots are full of daily life charm.
- Hutuo River Bank: Sunset over the river with the ancient city skyline in the distance—Shijiazhuang people often come here for walks and camping, and it’s the best spot for panoramic photos.
As a Shijiazhuang local who often visits Zhengding, I want to share this beauty with everyone—come wander, taste authentic food, and feel the warmth and kindness of this ancient city.