A genuine review of Shijiazhuang Longquan Ancient Town, sharing all the pros and cons with you

Went to Longquan Ancient Town over the weekend. Overall, there were surprises as well as some small regrets. Here’s an honest take for your reference~ First, the highlights worth visiting: the live performances are the biggest plus, with many shows throughout the day and no repeats. The horseback fight in "The Three Heroes Battle Lü Bu" is super thrilling, and the clashing of swords and spears is heart-pounding; the "Su Dongpo" water curtain show has a great atmosphere, with lighting, water sounds, and poetry creating a fully immersive experience. There are also interactive activities like the Republic of China parade and matchmaking martial arts contests, which are fun for both adults and kids. The ancient town’s architecture is divided into traditional ancient style and Republic of China style. The bluestone roads and upturned corner lanterns look especially picturesque when lit up at night. Wearing Hanfu or qipao for photos fits perfectly with the vibe. You can also take a boat ride at night, giving a bit of that Jiangnan charm. The slow pace makes strolling very comfortable. The food street inside isn’t outrageously priced—slightly more expensive than outside but acceptable—with a wide variety of heluo noodles and local snacks, so you won’t go hungry. It’s clean and there are paper maps freely available. Entry is via QR code scanning with no queues, which is very convenient. Additionally, there’s an old artifact exhibition hidden in the district, featuring mortise and tenon architecture and old farming tools. Taking a moment to look can teach you some interesting facts, making it educational for kids too. Now for the downsides: parking is really troublesome. On holidays, there are many cars but no clear guidance, so finding a spot takes time. The 10 yuan fee isn’t expensive, but it’s hard to find a close spot, and staff arrangements are not ideal. Some areas offer an average experience; the river water quality is a bit poor and looks unclean. After the evening shows, there are no return buses to the city, so if you don’t drive, getting back is inconvenient. There are no accessible paths for disabled visitors, which is not very considerate. Also, the exhibition halls lack guides, and the electronic introductions are outdated, so the historical background of some old buildings is hard to understand, leaving visitors to wander aimlessly. During busy holidays, popular shows get very crowded, so visiting during off-peak times is much better. Tickets aren’t cheap; if you catch front-row seats and slowly enjoy all the attractions, it’s worth it, but if you just casually walk around, the cost-performance ratio feels average. Overall, it’s not a disappointment and suits friends who enjoy performances and photography. I recommend going around 3 or 4 PM: visit the exhibitions and catch a few shows during the day, have snacks at dusk, and enjoy the night scenery. This way, you can experience all the highlights. Avoid holiday peaks and plan parking in advance if driving yourself, and your experience will be doubled~