Shijiazhuang

Shijiazhuang (石家庄; Shíjiāzhuāng) is the capital of Hebei Province.

Shijiazhuang is a comparatively young city. It was an unimportant town until the building of the Zhengding-Taiyuan and Beijing-Hankou railways saw it become an important regional transport hub. Captured by the PLA under the leadership of the CPC in 1947, it was the cradle of the new China, and for three years housed the headquarters of the CPC.

Nowadays it is the capital and main economic centre of Hebei and a relatively important city in China. Shijiazhuang is the largest pharmarceutical base in China and is as well an important center in the textile, IT, manufacturing and chemical industries. In 2007, it was listed as one of the top 15 economic powers in China. It's a modern city that's in the process of building many new apartment buildings, shopping malls and just renewing its image.

According to the latest census figures, Shijiazhuang has a population of 2.19 million in the city proper, with a further 7.4 million people living in its 20 affiliated counties.

There are a number of sightseeing places in the area, both natural and historic. Most are not located within the city proper.

• Bolin Monastery, Zhao County (赵县; Zhàoxiàn) (In Zhao County proper, 3 km from Zhaozhou Bridge, and can be reached by the same buses. Large monastery, dating back to the Tang dynasty.
• North China Military Martyrs Cemetery, Zhongshan W Rd, Qiaoxi. A large park with multiple memorials to those who fought and died in the anti-Japanese war. Notable for foreigners are the Canadian themed memorial dedicated to Norman Bethune, and Indian themed memorial to Dwarkanath Kotnis and other Indian doctors who assisted the Chinese.
• Pilu Monastery. Built in the Tang dynasty and underwent major restorations under the Yuan and Ming dynasties. The main hall (Vairocana Hall; 毗庐殿; Pílúdiàn) contains a stone pedestal with excellent Tang carvings, as well as murals from the Yuan-Ming period, some of which are truly magnificent (if you have the luck to visit when the sunlight is good enough to observe the details). ¥20.
• Zhaozhou Bridge, Zhao County (赵县; Zhàoxiàn) (Bus from the southern Nanjiao Station (南焦客运站; Nánjiāo Kèyùnzhàn; which can be riched by bus 35 from the Central Railway Station) to Zhao County or, better, to Ningjin County (宁晋县; Níngjìnxiàn), get off the bus at the junction from which it is 1 km walk. A great masterpiece of Chinese civil engineering. Created around 600 CE under the Sui dynasty, it survived numerous floods and earthquakes, and is considered nowadays as the oldest stone single arch bridge in the world. Adjacent small museum with a collection of stone carvings, steles and statues from the vicinity of Zhou County. ¥30 including the museum.

Bolin Monastery, Zhao County (赵县; Zhàoxiàn) (In Zhao County proper, 3 km from Zhaozhou Bridge, and can be reached by the same buses. Large monastery, dating back to the Tang dynasty.

North China Military Martyrs Cemetery, Zhongshan W Rd, Qiaoxi. A large park with multiple memorials to those who fought and died in the anti-Japanese war. Notable for foreigners are the Canadian themed memorial dedicated to Norman Bethune, and Indian themed memorial to Dwarkanath Kotnis and other Indian doctors who assisted the Chinese.

Pilu Monastery. Built in the Tang dynasty and underwent major restorations under the Yuan and Ming dynasties. The main hall (Vairocana Hall; 毗庐殿; Pílúdiàn) contains a stone pedestal with excellent Tang carvings, as well as murals from the Yuan-Ming period, some of which are truly magnificent (if you have the luck to visit when the sunlight is good enough to observe the details). ¥20.

Zhaozhou Bridge, Zhao County (赵县; Zhàoxiàn) (Bus from the southern Nanjiao Station (南焦客运站; Nánjiāo Kèyùnzhàn; which can be riched by bus 35 from the Central Railway Station) to Zhao County or, better, to Ningjin County (宁晋县; Níngjìnxiàn), get off the bus at the junction from which it is 1 km walk. A great masterpiece of Chinese civil engineering. Created around 600 CE under the Sui dynasty, it survived numerous floods and earthquakes, and is considered nowadays as the oldest stone single arch bridge in the world. Adjacent small museum with a collection of stone carvings, steles and statues from the vicinity of Zhou County. ¥30 including the museum.

• Hebei Art Museum, 113 Huai'an E Rd, Yuhua Qu.
• Hebei Provincial Museum. This is a must see and contains expositions from two major discoveries of the recent decades: the tomb of King of Zhongshan (中山王) from the late 4th century BCE, and the royal tombs of prince and princess of the Han principality of Zhongshan (Mancheng 满城 Han tombs) from the late 2nd century BCE.
• Shijiazhuang Museum.

Hebei Art Museum, 113 Huai'an E Rd, Yuhua Qu.

Hebei Provincial Museum. This is a must see and contains expositions from two major discoveries of the recent decades: the tomb of King of Zhongshan (中山王) from the late 4th century BCE, and the royal tombs of prince and princess of the Han principality of Zhongshan (Mancheng 满城 Han tombs) from the late 2nd century BCE.

Shijiazhuang Museum.

• Century Park. Contains the Shijiazhuang TV tower.
• Chang'an Park. The park is actually four parks in one, with an underground mall near the entrance (with a giant white statue of Mao Zedong). People's Square is at the South east end of the park and Shijiazhuang museum is at the western side.
• Cangyan Mountain. Really beautiful, picture postcard temples built on the steep hillsides. There is a pavilion built on a bridge over a gorge that was filed in the final scenes of the Oscar winning film Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. Looking down at the Cangyan Mountains, two mountains stand facing each other from east to west, and one chain of mountains lie across their back from north to south, with the Fuqing temple built in the valley formed by the precipices and cliffs.

Century Park. Contains the Shijiazhuang TV tower.

Chang'an Park. The park is actually four parks in one, with an underground mall near the entrance (with a giant white statue of Mao Zedong). People's Square is at the South east end of the park and Shijiazhuang museum is at the western side.

Cangyan Mountain. Really beautiful, picture postcard temples built on the steep hillsides. There is a pavilion built on a bridge over a gorge that was filed in the final scenes of the Oscar winning film Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. Looking down at the Cangyan Mountains, two mountains stand facing each other from east to west, and one chain of mountains lie across their back from north to south, with the Fuqing temple built in the valley formed by the precipices and cliffs.

• Shitou Village. A perfect example of Chinese stone architecture, with an excellent local temple (Qingliang pavilion; 清凉阁; Qīngliánggé) built in the late Ming-Early Qing period (16th-18th centuries). It may serve as an introduction to popular beliefs of the Chinese peasants.
• Niangzi Guan. For those who really love old towns. The dusty coalminers' town has two major attractions: a small but impressive section of the internal Great Wall, separating Shanxi from Hebei, a site of major battles from the sixth century on; and a beautiful village built on a stream, with private watermills run by many villagers (ask for Shuishangrenjia; 水上人家; Shuǐshàngrénjiā).

Shitou Village. A perfect example of Chinese stone architecture, with an excellent local temple (Qingliang pavilion; 清凉阁; Qīngliánggé) built in the late Ming-Early Qing period (16th-18th centuries). It may serve as an introduction to popular beliefs of the Chinese peasants.

Niangzi Guan. For those who really love old towns. The dusty coalminers' town has two major attractions: a small but impressive section of the internal Great Wall, separating Shanxi from Hebei, a site of major battles from the sixth century on; and a beautiful village built on a stream, with private watermills run by many villagers (ask for Shuishangrenjia; 水上人家; Shuǐshàngrénjiā).

There are some well-equipped leisure centers, especially the luxury bathing centers.

• Tianshan Sea World, 116 Tianshan Ave (桥东区高新技术产业天山大街116号).

Tianshan Sea World, 116 Tianshan Ave (桥东区高新技术产业天山大街116号).

Shijiazhuang is home to three of China's top 10 wholesale markets, which makes it is a good place for great bargains. Be prepared to haggle, either yourself or with a friend!

There are also a number of very large modern department stores. Prices can be a bit steep, but you can usually find reasonably priced, good quality goods.

• Bei Guo. In the middle of the city, at the corner of Zhong Shan Lu and Jian She Da Jie. Bei Guo has many locations around the city, but this is the largest.
• Letai (Lerthai) Center. Opened in late 2012. Located at the crossroad of Zhongshan Lu and Changzheng Jie. It has Starbucks, Burger King and Carrefour.
• Wanda Mall. Opened in 2011. Located on the east side of the city. It is on Huai An Lu, one block east of Century Park, on the north side of the street. It has a Starbucks, Pizza Hut, McDonald's, and KFC. It also has a movie theatre with an IMAX screen, as well as many clothing stores which are reasonably priced. Easily the nicest mall in the city, its an "American-style" mall, very nice to go just to walk around and window shop.
• The "You Mall" at Bei Guo Centre is very nice. Lots of little shops with clothing, accessories and various trinkets. Mostly for women. Nice food court on top floor (see "food card" system below).
• The Wonder Mall opened in Spring 2010 and has a theater, large department store and a really nice, clean food court, although the food was mediocre. It also has a Starbucks
• The Enjoy Mall opened Fall 2012. It has a Starbucks. There are some good restaurants on the third floor.
• Centuary Mall on Zhongshang Dong Lu and Yu Cai is a high end mall. The grocery store in the basement has the best selection (still limited) of weastern groceries.
• Xin Bai Centre offers more shopping, as does Dong Fang Commercial Center.

Behind and near Dong Fang are EGO, Tai He and Nan San Tiao, for wholesale shopping. Beware: Many items are pirated or ripped-off so make certain they work first. Nan San Tiao is behind the Enjoy Mall and extends west and east from there. It is many buildings of wholesale goods. Each building has different goods. There are buildings for cosmetics, women's clothes, purses, children's toys, sheets and towels and many others.

Tea market - many small shops and an entire building of shops - slightly north of Huai An, between YuCai and TiYu.

Seafood market and wholesale western food (a random selection and never the same things twice) The food is upstairs. SE corner TiYu and ?? north of old ShiDa campus.

• Hebei House. For a fantastic authentic Chinese feast you cannot go past this restaurant.
• Rehehuiguan Restaurant. Features excellent Hebei and Manchu cuisine.
• Tu Da Ri, Zhongshanxi Road (中山西路; Zhōngshānxīlù) (a few minutes walk from the railway station, near Tai He, north side of the road. Small but lovely, and relatively cheap restaurant.
• There are few foreign restaurants and the ones that exist don't seem very Western. But it's still fun to go to them and try what they think is foreign food.
• Pizza Hut is in SJZ, although the food is different than PH in the States or other places. However, if you want something like pepperoni, they can usually make it, sometimes with a little polite insistence. Just tell them you want a pizza with LaRouChang. They also have decent onion rings.
• If you like ice-cream, there are 3 Dairy Queens in SJZ, within a few blocks of each other. One is in the EGO building beside Tai He, directly underneath McDonald's. The second is in the Wonder Mall, at the corner of ZhongHua DaJie and YuHua Lu. The third on is right across the street from the train station. All three of them also have a Yoshinoya (Japanese fast food) sharing the store space with them. Look for the orange Yoshinoya sign.
• KFC is everywhere.
• Coffee shops in the western style are emerging. There's a new Costa Coffee that just opened in one of the malls, there are some cute coffee cafes, a SPR (starbucks look-alike) and others. You can goto one of the chain restaurants (McDonalds and KFC) and get a "Navy" coffee, and chill out there. One of the best coffee shops / bakeries is across from Beiguo "Tasty Bread." There is, however, a bakery on the bottom of "You Mall" in BeiGuo Shancheng that looks like a real bakery/coffee shop where one might sit down and have a coffee.
• A Starbucks recently opened (September 2011) in the Wan Da Mall on Huai An Lu in the east side of the city. A second Starbucks is in the Wonder Mall on Yu Hua Lu. Ttahe third opened recently in the Enjoy mall on Zhongshan Si near the old train station.
• Xiang Jun Fu, Ti Yu Nan Da Jie/ Dong Gang Lu (SW of the Train Station. Excellent Hunan food. To get there, take the 32 bus from the train station and transfer to the #6 bus at Hebei Normal University (师大）.

Most food courts in Shijiazhuang have a "food card" system whereby one pays for a "food card" first. You then take the food card to the food court restaurant to order and they then deduct points or "cash" directly from the card only. Each individual restaurant does not take cash. You then return the card to the cashier and receive the balance.

Hebei House. For a fantastic authentic Chinese feast you cannot go past this restaurant.

Rehehuiguan Restaurant. Features excellent Hebei and Manchu cuisine.

Tu Da Ri, Zhongshanxi Road (中山西路; Zhōngshānxīlù) (a few minutes walk from the railway station, near Tai He, north side of the road. Small but lovely, and relatively cheap restaurant.

Xiang Jun Fu, Ti Yu Nan Da Jie/ Dong Gang Lu (SW of the Train Station. Excellent Hunan food. To get there, take the 32 bus from the train station and transfer to the #6 bus at Hebei Normal University (师大）.

The good citizens of Shijiazhuang enjoy the Chinese alcohol made from rice baijiu, or white spirit. It is a strong drink and you need to develop an acquired taste. You will surely get to try some whenever you eat out with Chinese friends.

• Seven Club. The main night club that all the expats and foreign teachers go to. The beer is not great but it has the best atmosphere compared to any other club.
• mazzo club, zhongshan lu (two km east of train station. 20:00. newest club/KTV in Shijiazhuang. Located between the train station and Bei Guo Shopping Center on Zhongshan Lu. Sister club is Rolling Stones （滚石酒吧: pinyin: gun shi jiu ba） and its adjoining club Club No.88 (八八酒吧: pinyun - ba ba jiu ba), just down the street toward the train station. 04:00.
  • There are two internet bars and a movie theater within a five minute walk, along with three more KTVs and western and Chinese restaurants, as well as a sushi restaurant.

Seven Club. The main night club that all the expats and foreign teachers go to. The beer is not great but it has the best atmosphere compared to any other club.

mazzo club, zhongshan lu (two km east of train station. 20:00. newest club/KTV in Shijiazhuang. Located between the train station and Bei Guo Shopping Center on Zhongshan Lu. Sister club is Rolling Stones （滚石酒吧: pinyin: gun shi jiu ba） and its adjoining club Club No.88 (八八酒吧: pinyun - ba ba jiu ba), just down the street toward the train station. 04:00.

• There are two internet bars and a movie theater within a five minute walk, along with three more KTVs and western and Chinese restaurants, as well as a sushi restaurant.

• Zhengding County - 15km to the north is the historic walled city of Zhengding with towering pagodas
• Pingshan County - Far off county to the northwest with a resort area featuring the world's longest glass bridge and Xibaipo Memorial, a key destination in red history