Things to do in Lingshou

Stepping into Manshan Huaxi Valley, nestled deep in the Taihang Mountains of Shijiazhuang, the city's heat and hustle and bustle are instantly shut out. As a national AAAA-level tourist attraction, its 98% forest coverage blankets the entire valley in lush greenery, with an average summer temperature of only 19.1℃, making it a recognized summer resort and health retreat in the Taihang Mountains. A clear stream flows through the entire area, terraced fields of flowers cascade down the slopes, and waterfalls, tranquil lakes, unique peaks, and fairytale villages are scattered throughout, offering both the majestic tranquility of pristine landscapes and the vibrant fun of trendy attractions.

This is a Buddhist holy site well worth visiting. The Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed Buddha and the mural of the Reclining Guanyin are historical and artistic treasures that have been preserved intact for future generations to appreciate and understand history! An even greater gain was visiting the memorial hall of Mr. Liang Sicheng, where I learned about the contributions he and Lin Huiyin made to the preservation of historical sites in my country and their transmission in education, so that we, the later generations, can appreciate these historical sites!

The tour guide's two-hour lecture vividly and engagingly recounted the six wonders of Longxing Temple interwoven with historical stories, filling this trip to Zhengding Ancient City with reverence for cultural relics and historical sites. In particular, the ancient wooden architecture, which embodies the wisdom of the Chinese working people, sparked my keen interest in mortise and tenon joints.

📍Zhengding·Rongguo Mansion｜A Dream of Red Mansions Through the Ages, Cao Xueqin Forever I first read *Dream of the Red Chamber* when I was probably only seven or eight years old. My family had a 1972 edition, which my father kept on top of the bookshelf. Kids, the more you forbid them from seeing it, the more curious they become, so I climbed up to the top of the bookshelf and secretly peeked through it, hiding behind piano sheet music. I couldn't recognize all the characters, let alone understand the poems, but I just couldn't put it down. I was obsessed for many years afterward, reading it countless times and devouring many works on *Dream of the Red Chamber* studies. Later, my reading became more diverse, and I gradually put it down. But some things are hard to let go of. For our generation, who wasn't raised on CCTV's *Journey to the West* and *Dream of the Red Chamber*? When I think of Bao and Dai, only Ouyang Fenqiang and Chen Xiaoxu's images come to mind; any other portrayal just doesn't feel right. I've been to the Grand View Garden in Beijing a few times. This time in Zhengding, naturally, I wanted to see Rongguo Mansion at night. This is one of China's earliest film and television shooting bases. In 1983, during the location scouting for the filming of *Dream of the Red Chamber*, Xi Jinping, then Secretary of the Zhengding County Party Committee, strongly advocated for the production team to choose Zhengding as the filming location, transforming what was originally planned as a temporary outdoor set into a permanent building. In 1986, the Rongguo Mansion was completed, and *Dream of the Red Chamber* was filmed there for nearly two months, with approximately 4,000 shots completed there, including key scenes such as "Imperial Concubine's Visit to Her Family" and "Qin Keqing's Funeral." On May 2, 1987, the 36-episode television series *Dream of the Red Chamber* premiered on CCTV. This year, 2026, marks the 40th anniversary of the completion and opening of the Rongguo Mansion. Next year will be the 40th anniversary of the broadcast of the 1987 television series *Dream of the Red Chamber*. Standing here tonight feels like keeping a 40-year promise. Cao Xueqin lived less than fifty years, *Dream of the Red Chamber* was written approximately 270 years ago, the 1987 television series aired nearly 40 years ago, and the Rongguo Mansion was completed 40 years ago. The numbers keep changing. But some things remain the same. Standing before Rongxi Hall, I suddenly recalled the image of myself at eight years old, perched atop the bookshelf, flipping through books. Back then, I couldn't understand the lines, "Full of absurd words, a handful of bitter tears"... Cao Xueqin left posterity a story that will never end. Dream of the Red Chamber will always be read, and there will always be those who push open their doors at night to experience this dream that has lasted for over two hundred years.

Wuyuezhai is located at the eastern foot of Taihang Mountain in the northwest of Lingshou County, Hebei Province. It is a national forest park and AAAA-level tourist attraction. Its main features are: The geological features are unique. It is composed of ancient metamorphic rocks. After the Himalayan movement, it has formed a fault block with an altitude of 1000-2150 meters. The mountain is steep, the gully is deep and the slope is steep. The main peak, Wuyuezhai Peak, is 1946.5 meters above sea level. The five peaks stand side by side, resembling a bonsai; the Seven Women Peaks are of different shapes and lifelike; there are also pictographic peaks such as Nantianzhu and Baima Cliff. The vegetation coverage rate is as high as 98%, with large areas of original secondary forests, lush trees and a wide variety of species. It is a "natural oxygen bar". There are many mountain springs and waterfalls everywhere. There are more than 700 large and small waterfalls, such as the magnificent Yanzhao First Waterfall, clear streams and deep pools. It belongs to the temperate continental monsoon climate. The average temperature in summer is about 19℃, which is cool and comfortable. It is an ideal summer resort. In spring, you can enjoy the mountain flowers, which are in full bloom and colorful. In summer, you can enjoy the sea of ​​clouds, which is magnificent and unpredictable. In autumn, you can enjoy the red leaves, maple leaves, birch leaves and other colorful leaves, which are all over the forest. Profound humanities and history It is said that five poisonous dragons were suppressed by the peaks transformed from the gemstones of the Five Mountains, so Wuyue Village got its name and is full of mythological colors. You can experience local folk customs, taste farm meals and feel the joy of harvest in the surrounding farmhouses. Wuyue Village combines strange peaks, forests, waterfalls and sea of ​​clouds. It is an ideal place for sightseeing, summer vacation, fitness and recuperation, and mountaineering adventure.

The Hebei Provincial Museum is definitely worth a visit. It boasts a rich and diverse collection of exhibits, arranged scientifically and logically. It also offers a wide variety of cultural and creative products and activities. It's not only suitable for teenagers but also for children.

Take subway line 1, transfer to line 3, and get off at Gaozhuxia Station. Exit D (there's a long staircase to climb after exiting). You can either take bus 115 or a taxi. A taxi costs 10-13 yuan and takes about 12 minutes. Take bus 115 to Shangjing Pilu Temple Station. After getting off, walk forward for about half a minute. There's a white bridge on your right. Cross the bridge and you'll see Houshe North Residential Area. Don't enter the residential area. There's a white Pilu Temple sign on your left (Figure 1). Turn left and walk to the end of the road for about 1 minute. To return, you can take bus 115 across the street (Figure 2 was taken from the bridge). The bus stop is on the right-hand side of the opposite side, marked with a circle. The bus journey is estimated to take 30 minutes, but the waiting time is long.

It is suitable for family trips with the elderly and children. It is more relaxing, with good environment and facilities. I will go there again. The RV environment is also good. Children can play in the park during the day. There are friends' favorite trains and cute pet parks, and you can also ride horses. Adults can barbecue and have leisure and entertainment.

The cable car ride up and down was quite easy; walking around the top wasn't tiring at all. From the cable car station, I noticed the stairs looked incredibly long if you wanted to climb up yourself. Also, the middle station (the entrance to the slide) and the end station are on two different mountain peaks, requiring you to go up and down the stairs. The scenery at the summit was fantastic, with cliffs and precipices typical of the Taihang Mountains. To get to Wanfo Cave, you need to climb a short, rather steep staircase. The descent isn't far, but the drop is significant; some steps are as high as my calf. Wanfo Cave was cool and shrouded in mist. There are some shops on and at the foot of the mountain; bottled water is 2 yuan, very affordable. However, the KFC at the foot of the mountain wasn't open.

The experience at Longquan Ancient Town exceeded my expectations! The ancient buildings are arranged in a charming, staggered pattern, with the Yingyue River flowing through the town, giving it a distinctly Jiangnan water town feel. There are numerous live performances and NPC interactions throughout the day, creating a fantastic atmosphere. As night falls and the lights come on, a boat trip at night is incredibly photogenic. The town offers a wide variety of snacks, a comfortable pace of exploration, and a single ticket that allows you to see various shows—great value for money! It's a perfect weekend getaway for family and friends.