Traveling in time to ancient Hebei
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Zhaozhou Bridge built more than 1,400 years ago is still in use. |
Shijiazhuang in Hebei province has yielded a string of archeological discoveries that leads visitors back in time to its ancient civilization.
Warring States
Zhongshan, a prosperous state during Warring States Period (475-221 BC), seems a riddle, with its name mentioned in a few historical records, yet details are sparse.
When dozens of ancient tombs were discovered in Shijiazhuang in the winter of 1973, a veil was lifted on the vanished civilization.
Among tens of thousands of unearthed cultural relics, a 32 kg copper map of a king's tomb is the earliest copper-made architecture plan discovered in the world to date.
Zhongshan had high-quality alcohol-making techniques. One story in an ancient Chinese mythology says a drinker heard of its reputation for alcohol making and went there for a drink.
After he drank one cup, he fell to sleep. The story says he didn't awake for three years. The tale has continued to modern times.
Liquor in two bronze containers discovered in ancient Zhongshan tombs - reportedly the oldest alcohol ever discovered - still gives off aroma after more than 2,300 years.
Historic battle
Jingjing, a county of Shijiazhuang, was the site of a battle between the Han and Chu armies in 206 BC.
Both were major military forces competing to rule the entire country at the end of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC)
A Han army led by General Han Xin defeated its Chu rivals at the battle, despite a smaller army.
In contrast to advantageous locations for troop deployment described in classic military books - which advocate easy withdrawal, mountain ambushes or natural obstacles to enemies - Han deployed part of his army in front of a river to divert attention.
When the decoy troop pretended to retreat towards the river, the enemy gave chase.
The Han troops ran until they encountered the river. The desperate soldiers had no choice but to turn back and fight hard.
Due to the Han army's plucky performance, the Chu troops in turn began to retreat, and were intercepted by other wing of General Han's army. Attacked front and rear, the Chu army was eventually defeated.
An account of the battle, recorded in the Book of History written during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC- AD 24), created a well-known idiom - fighting with a river behind, indicating a life-or-death battle.
Stone bridge
Zhaozhou Bridge, built more than 1,400 years ago, is the world's oldest open-span stone segmented arch bridge. It was dedicated as an international historic civil engineering landmark by the American Society of Civil Engineers in 1991.
The 64-m-long bridge with a central span of 37 m has survived at least 10 major floods, eight wars and numerous earthquakes, and is still in use.
Cultural town
Zhengding, a town about 15 km from urban Shijiazhuang, is a State-level cultural reservation. The town boasts a 22.28-m-high copper Buddha statue from the Song Dynasty (960-1279), well-preserved ancient buildings and many legends.
It has grown into one of the major tourist destinations in Shijiazhuang.
Mural art
Murals painted on 130 sq m of Pilu Temple in the 14th century are seen as ancient artistic jewels.
The paintings depict wise tales from Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism as well as ancient Chinese myths.
Because of its paintings, the temple was listed as a protected national cultural site in 1996.
In addition to the historical attractions, Shijiazhuang is also rich in folk culture, such as paper cutting and wood carving.
(China Daily 07/29/2008 page24)
