What to do and see in Zhengding County, China: The Best Places and Tips

September 23, 2017 Toi Mattera

Zhengding, originally Zhending (Chinese: 真定) and formerly romanized as Chengting, is a county of southwestern Hebei Province, China, located approximately 260 km (160 mi) south of Beijing. It comes under the administration and is located just to the north of the urban core of Shijiazhuang and has a population of 594,000. Zhengding has been an important religious center for more than 1,000 years, from - at least - the times of the Sui dynasty to the Qing dynasty. It is the founding place of several major schools of Chan Buddhism, however, many former religious building complexes have been severely damaged throughout history. A noted temple is the Longxing Monastery, where the historical building ensemble has been preserved almost intact. Furthermore, four famous pagodas, each with its own architectural style, are still standing.
Restaurants in Zhengding County

1. Guanghui Temple and Huata Tower

Shengmin Street, Zhengding County 050800, China
Excellent
72%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7 reviews

Guanghui Temple and Huata Tower

Reviewed By liucy752 - Taipei, Taiwan

At the end of Zhengding Li Shi Wenhua Street (Zhengding History and Culture Street). The original temple has been ruined, but the tower is preserved.
Quite interestingly, in many Chinese old temple and monastery, buildings collapsed during wars or after been neglected for years, but the pagoda stands still. It might be due to the respect and awe from people.
Quite an unique and beautiful pagoda. There are sculptures of Buddhas, peoples, elephants and lions on it. The tower itself likes a bouquet of flowers. "Huata" means "Flower tower" in Chinese.
The pagoda is up high on the tower base, only can be better viewed If you have a telescope.

2. Linji Temple

Linji Temple, East of Shengmin Street, Zhengding County 050800, China +86 311 8801 2716
Excellent
80%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 5 reviews

Linji Temple

Reviewed By liucy752 - Taipei, Taiwan

The birth place of the Línjì school (臨濟宗) (a school of Chan Buddhism). The Chan Master Línjì Yìxuan (臨濟義玄), the founder of the Linji school, established this Temple around 854 AD.
The famous Chengling Pagoda is located in this Temple. The original tower was built in 867 AD, and was destroyed in war. Later, the pagoda was rebuilt in 1183. Other architectures of this temple were rebuilt after 1980s.

It is a Buddhist holy temple, no entrance fee is needed. Donation is appreciated.

3. Moni Palace

Longxing Temple, Zhengding County 050800, China
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 4 reviews

Moni Palace

Reviewed By liucy752 - Taipei, Taiwan

Located in the Longxing Temple, Moni Palace is the world's only structure with its “Song Dynasty architecture".
Other than its architecture, the frescos and the colorful wooden carving of Guanyin sitting in a grotto inside the hall are also of high value. It is ranked as "the most beautiful Guanyin Buddha" in China.
A marvelous and valuable historical and cultural relic.

4. Zhaoyun Temple

North of Big Buddha Temple, Zhengding County 050800, China +86 311 8878 6670
Excellent
25%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
25%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 8 reviews

Zhaoyun Temple

Reviewed By liucy752 - Taipei, Taiwan

A newly built temple in archaized style. In memory of General Zhao Yun of the Three Kingdoms Period (220-280 AD).
Zhao Yun was a brave warrior and hero during the period. He was so respectable, and then was worshiped as a military god with great integrity in popular culture.
Zhao Yun was born in Zhengding. But there is no relic associated with him in this ancient city. This temple was built in memory of the great man.

5. Brick Tower

West of Changsheng Street, Zhengding County 050800, China
Excellent
67%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3 reviews

Brick Tower

Reviewed By liucy752 - Taipei, Taiwan

The official name of the tower is "Xumi Pagoda (須彌塔)", located in the Kaiyuan Monastery (開元寺).
The tower was built in Tang Dynasty (636 AD). It is a beautiful Tang Dynasty style pagoda, resembles other Tang pagodas, such as the Giant Wild Goose pagoda in Xi-an.
Near by the pagoda, there stands a Bell Pavilion. It is also an elegant ancient architecture, seemed to be built in later years (Yuan Dynasty, 1271–1368 AD)
The Pagoda and the Bell Pavilion, what a beautiful scenery!

6. Qing Tower

Qing Tower, East of Shengmin Street, Zhengding County 050800, China
Excellent
67%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3 reviews

Qing Tower

Reviewed By liucy752 - Taipei, Taiwan

Located in the Linji Temple, its official name is "Chengling Pagoda (澄靈塔)".
The original tower built in 867 AD was ruined in war. Later, it was rebuilt in 1183 during Jin Dynasty (金).
The pagoda is 33 meters tall, octagonal, and built of gray bricks. The tower base is an octagonal stone platform . It is one of the best multi-eared pagodas in China for its elegant and exquisite shape and carvings.

7. Rongguo House

No.51 Xingrong Road, Zhengding County 050800, China +86 311 8878 6107
Excellent
22%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
22%
Poor
22%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 9 reviews

Rongguo House

Reviewed By liucy752 - Taipei, Taiwan

Gorgeous buildings and beautiful Gardens. However, this is not a real historic spot.
The mansion was built in 1986. It was originally a movie scene for CCTV Television series "Dream of Red Chamber" (derived from one of China's four great classical novels), then was transformed to be a theme park.
There are many historic spots in Zhengding City. The Rongguofu should not be a priority attraction for tourists.

8. Big Buddha

Longxing Temple, Zhengding County 050800, China
Excellent
67%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
33%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3 reviews

Big Buddha

Reviewed By Skysurferau - Canberra

Having enjoyed some wonderful eating experiences in Hong Kong, including some wonderful street food we were disappointed, it seemed bland as if tailored for the tourist taste buds, in have had better here in Oz. At least I can say "been there done that"

9. Table tennis Training Base

No.63 Xingrong Road, Zhengding County 050800, China +86 311 8878 8700
Excellent
34%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
22%
Poor
0%
Terrible
22%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 9 reviews

Table tennis Training Base

Reviewed By Mark S - Zhengding County, China

I am writing in to caution travellers from Europe, USA or any of the other English speaking countries who are thinking of learning to play table tennis at the CNTTTC at Hebei, China.
First of all, CNTTTC is an agent that recruits for the Zhengding training base, located in the town of Zhengding in the province of Hebei, China. The website of CNTTTC is full of lies about the services they provide. They charge upto 4 times more than what you would have to pay if you went to the Zhengding base directly. On their website, they advertise that you would be put up in a 3 star hotel like room. But in truth, what you get is a filthy, small, student hostel room for about 100 American Dollars/day. The bathrooms are never cleaned inspite of repeated requests. The food sucks!! CNTTTC's website charges you for car pick-up from and to the airport. They charge you for a driver and translator. But all of us here who came through CNTTTC paid for the car pick-up(included in the overall cost) but were transported by train and bus. the translator was never to be found. After repeated requests for a discussion on the matter, we were told(by the translator who arrived by now) that this is how it is and we could take it or leave it!!(after they took our money upfront). The testimonials on their website are all fake and some of them were dated when we we were present there(when we knew we were the only foreigners present)
As for the training itself at the zhengding base, it is good. Extra attention was given when we requested for it. The coaches made sure that focus and more practice was given on the weaknesses of the player. But you don't need CNTTTC to go there. The direct mail-id of the base is [email protected]. Response can be a little slow so might want to try a little ahead.

10. Hutuo River

Hutuo River, In Zhengding County, Zhengding County 050800, China
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 1 reviews

Hutuo River

Reviewed By Rita B - Shaanxi, China

I went to Hutuo River earlier this year with my students on a grade hike. It is a man made river, but there is a beautiful park on the western side. I did not have much time to enjoy it because we were always on the move, but from what I did get to enjoy, there are many beautiful areas and I think there is even a small amusement park in the area.
The day we were there it was quite warm, but then we had just hiked 2 hours. The wisteria and many other beautiful trees and flowers were blooming. It is a huge area and it takes a long time to go from one end to the other, so take your time and plan to spend at least an entire afternoon there. I also advise you to bring your own food and water.
Since the majority of my photos include my students, I have uploaded the one that did not have any.

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.