Longxing Temple (commonly known as “Zhengding Big Buddha Temple”), a core cultural landmark in Zhengding, Hebei Province, is renowned for its exquisite Song Dynasty architecture and rich Buddhist relics. This guide covers practical information, travel routes, must-see highlights, and more to help you plan an efficient trip and deeply experience the unique charm of this thousand-year-old temple.

I. Basic Practical Information: Prepare in Advance for a Smooth Trip

1. Opening Hours

• Regular Season (April – October): 8:00 – 18:00 (last entry at 17:30). The 充足 sunlight in summer is perfect for photographing ancient buildings and sunsets in the evening.
• Winter Season (November – March): 8:30 – 17:00 (last entry at 16:30). There are fewer tourists, allowing you to quietly enjoy the temple’s serene atmosphere. If it snows, the combination of red walls, white snow, and Song Dynasty architecture creates a stunning photo opportunity.

2. Ticket Information

• Adult Ticket: ¥50 per person. It is recommended to buy tickets in advance via the official WeChat account “Zhengding Wenlv” (Zhengding Culture and Tourism) or platforms like Ctrip and Meituan. You can enter directly by swiping your ID card, avoiding on-site queues.
• Discount Policies: Elderly people over 60 years old are free with an ID card; children under 1.2 meters are free; children between 1.2 – 1.4 meters and full-time students below undergraduate level enjoy a 50% discount (¥25 per person) with a student ID.
• Note: There are no additional charges for attractions within the scenic area. Core buildings such as the Main Hall and the Great Compassion Pavilion are included in the ticket, so no separate tickets are needed.

3. Recommended Tour Duration

• For an in-depth experience (including guided tours and photography): 3 – 4 hours.
• For a time-efficient visit focusing on key attractions: 2 hours.

II. Transportation Guide: Multiple Ways to Reach Easily

1. For Out-of-Town Visitors: From Shijiazhuang/Beijing

• From Shijiazhuang:
• High-Speed Train: Take a high-speed train from Shijiazhuang Station/Shijiazhuang North Station to “Zhengding Station” (15 – 20 minutes). After getting off, take a taxi (10 minutes, about ¥15) directly to the main entrance of Longxing Temple. Alternatively, take Zhengding Bus Lines 135 or 164, get off at the “Longxing Temple” stop, and walk for 2 minutes.
• Self-Driving: Navigate to “Longxing Temple Parking Lot”. There is an exclusive parking lot east of the scenic area’s main entrance, with a parking fee of ¥5 per hour. It is recommended to arrive early during peak seasons (May Day, National Day) to avoid parking shortages.
• From Beijing:
• High-Speed Train: Take a high-speed train from Beijing West Station to “Zhengding Airport Station” (1.5 hours). After exiting, transfer to the airport bus to Zhengding urban area (about 30 minutes), then take a taxi for 5 minutes to Longxing Temple. Or drive directly from Beijing via the Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway, which takes about 2.5 hours.

2. Local Transportation in Zhengding

• Attractions in Zhengding Ancient Town are concentrated. After visiting Longxing Temple, you can walk to nearby Kaiyuan Temple (about 10 minutes) or Linji Temple (about 15 minutes). You can also rent a scenic area shared electric car (¥20 per hour) to easily travel through the ancient town’s streets.

III. Core Tour Route: Check In in Order Without Missing Highlights

It is recommended to tour in the order of “Mountain Gate → Heavenly King Hall → Mani Hall → Precept Altar → Rotating Sutra Cabinet Pavilion → Cishi Pavilion → Great Compassion Pavilion → Imperial Book Building → Jiqing Pavilion“. This route follows the central axis layout of the ancient temple, allowing you to fully experience the symmetrical aesthetics and spatial hierarchy of Song Dynasty architecture.

1. Must-See Highlights: Don’t Miss These Attractions

• Mani Hall: A “Unique Example” of Song Dynasty Architecture

As the “architectural treasure” of Longxing Temple, the cross-shaped layout and four-sided extended halls of Mani Hall are unique among existing Song Dynasty buildings in China. The “Colorful Hanging Mountain” on the north wall of the hall is a masterpiece of art, with more than 30 clay Buddha statues arranged in a scattered manner. The colorful reversed Guanyin (praised by Lu Xun as the “Venus of the East”) in the middle has an elegant posture, flowing robes, and gentle eyes. Be sure to appreciate its details up close.

• Great Compassion Pavilion and “Thousand-Hand Guanyin”: The Soul Landmark of the Ancient Temple

The Great Compassion Pavilion is the tallest building in Longxing Temple (33 meters). Climbing the pavilion allows you to overlook the entire Zhengding Ancient Town. Inside the pavilion, the Song Dynasty bronze-cast Thousand-Hand Guanyin (21.3 meters high) is the tallest existing ancient bronze Buddha in China. Its 42 arms hold ritual objects such as the sun, moon, treasure bottle, and sword, with exquisite craftsmanship. It is recommended to take photos of the Buddha from different angles on the first floor to feel its solemn momentum. If you have the strength, climb to the second floor to observe the details of the Buddha’s hands and bronze casting texture up close.

• Rotating Sutra Cabinet Pavilion: The “Scripture-Storage Black Technology” of the Song Dynasty

The Song Dynasty rotating sutra cabinet (also known as the “rotating scripture storage cabinet”) inside the pavilion is the oldest existing wooden rotating sutra cabinet in China, with a diameter of about 7 meters and can rotate clockwise as a whole. It is said that in ancient times, when a monk rotated the sutra cabinet once, it was equivalent to reciting all the scriptures inside. Although tourists are not allowed to rotate it by themselves now, you can observe its wooden structure and carvings up close to appreciate the wisdom of Song Dynasty craftsmen.

• Stele Corridor: Touch the Marks of History

On the road from the east side of the Great Compassion Pavilion to the Imperial Book Building, there is a stele corridor that preserves precious stone carvings such as the Sui Dynasty “Longcang Temple Stele” (known as the “First Stele of the Sui Dynasty”) and the Tang Dynasty stone pillars. The calligraphy of the “Longcang Temple Stele” combines the calligraphy styles of the Southern and Northern Dynasties and is an important object for studying the evolution of Chinese calligraphy. Calligraphy enthusiasts can stop and savor it carefully.

IV. Travel Tips: Details to Enhance the Experience

1. Guided Tour Services: Understand the “Past and Present” of the Ancient Temple

• The scenic area provides official guided tours: ¥100 per session (for small groups of up to 10 people), with a tour duration of about 1.5 hours. It can introduce the architectural history, background of Buddha statues, and Buddhist culture in detail. It is recommended to share the cost with a group for better cost-effectiveness.
• Self-guided tours: Scan the QR code at the scenic area entrance to rent an electronic guide (¥30 per unit, supporting Chinese and English). It will automatically explain when you reach the corresponding attractions, suitable for tourists who prefer a free schedule.

2. Photography Tips: Take High-Quality Photos of Ancient Buildings

• Best Shooting Spots:
• Square in front of Mani Hall: With the eaves and brackets of Mani Hall as the background, the sunlight slants at around 9 a.m., creating a sense of light and shadow for the buildings.
• West steps of the Great Compassion Pavilion: You can take a panoramic photo of the Great Compassion Pavilion, with ancient pines in the foreground to create a simple atmosphere.
• Inside the Rotating Sutra Cabinet Pavilion: Use the symmetrical lines of the wooden structure to take “framed” photos, highlighting the exquisiteness of Song Dynasty architecture.
• Dressing Suggestions: Wear plain-colored clothes (such as white, light blue, beige), which form a harmonious contrast with red walls, gray tiles, and green trees. Avoid overly bright colors that may distract from the scenery.

3. Dining Recommendations: Taste Local Flavors of Zhengding

After the tour, you can walk to “Wangquan Ancient Street” in Zhengding Ancient Town (about 800 meters from Longxing Temple). Recommended dishes:

• Zhengding Eight Bowls: A traditional northern banquet dish with a mix of meat and vegetables and a rich taste. You can order a small set meal at “Zhengding Eight Bowls Restaurant”, suitable for 2 – 3 people to share.
• Majia Braised Chicken: A time-honored braised food in Zhengding, with chewy chicken skin and tender meat. You can buy vacuum-packed versions as souvenirs.
• Ganglu Baked Cakes: Freshly baked cakes are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. They can be eaten alone or with meat, costing ¥5 per bag (10 pieces), with high cost-effectiveness.

4. Notes

• When entering the temple, respect Buddhist etiquette: Do not wear shorts or short skirts (free aprons can be borrowed at the entrance), do not speak loudly, and do not touch Buddha statues or steles.
• In summer, take sun protection measures. There are many shade trees in the scenic area, but the midday sun is strong. It is recommended to bring a sun hat and a water bottle. In winter, keep warm as the wind in the ancient temple is strong; you can wear a windproof coat.
• Avoid peak hours: There are more tourists from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekends and holidays. It is recommended to visit on weekdays or after 8 – 9 a.m. or 3 p.m. for a more comfortable experience.

V. Surrounding Attractions: A One-Day Tour of Zhengding Ancient Town

If you have enough time, you can combine Longxing Temple with other attractions in Zhengding for a tour. Recommended one-day route: “Longxing Temple → Kaiyuan Temple → Linji Temple → Zhengding Ancient City Wall“:

1. Morning: Visit Longxing Temple (3 hours);
2. Noon: Have a local lunch at Wangquan Ancient Street;
3. Afternoon: First visit Kaiyuan Temple (see the Tang Dynasty Xumi Pagoda and Song Dynasty Bell Tower; climbing the tower allows you to overlook the ancient town), then go to Linji Temple (the ancestral home of the Linji School of Chinese Buddhism, to experience the Zen atmosphere);
4. Evening: Climb the Zhengding Ancient City Wall (open for free) to enjoy the sunset and night view of the ancient town, ending the one-day trip.

The beauty of Longxing Temple lies not only in the external shock of its architecture and Buddha statues but also in the cultural heritage accumulated over a thousand years. It is hoped that this guide can help you get rid of travel worries, immerse yourself in the unique charm of this “Song Dynasty Architecture Museum”, and leave an unforgettable trip to the ancient temple.