Things to do in Cang County

During my holiday trip to Cangzhou, the Jinshi International Hotel maintained a surprisingly high level of service despite the peak tourist season. The front desk staff were efficient and patient, offering honey water in advance. The rooms were meticulously cleaned, spacious, bright, and well-maintained, with soft bedding – perfect for a relaxing day. The buffet breakfast offered a wide variety of options, with continuous replenishment. The local snacks were particularly appealing: the lamb intestine soup was delicious, the donkey meat sandwich was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and the roujiamo (Chinese hamburger) was generously filled with meat – all authentic local flavors. The hotel is directly opposite Lion City Park, making it convenient for a post-dinner stroll. The spacious parking lot is also ideal for those traveling by car. Overall, a pleasant experience was a rare treat, and I would definitely choose this hotel again on my next trip to Cangzhou.

It's a worthwhile exhibition hall to visit; you can make a reservation directly. The main attraction is the hall on the first floor, which showcases the unique culture of the areas along the Grand Canal. It features many interactive experiences, is highly engaging, and allows you to learn about the distinctive culture of Cangzhou.

The Grand Canal, flowing gently for millennia, has nourished Cangzhou, Hebei Province. A vital node city along the Grand Canal, the canal flows through eight counties (cities and districts) within Cangzhou, stretching 216 kilometers. This ancient canal, flowing for millennia, has nurtured the unique character of Nanchuan Old Street in Cangzhou. This ancient street, thriving along the river, carries the memories of a century of canal commerce and embodies the authentic, vibrant life of Cangzhou. Today, this old street transcends its outdated framework, blending its ancient charm with modern business models, cultural trends, and consumer experiences, becoming a vivid microcosm of the coexistence of old and new, and the enduring vitality of Cangzhou.

During the Spring Festival holiday, I came here with my family to watch the Lantern Festival. The park was extremely lively. There were various scenes and programs inside. The dazzling array was really beautiful. Many people looked for the iron flower performance, which was performed every night at 19:00, 20:00, and 21:00. If you want to watch it, go early, otherwise it will be full of people. After the tour, the streets were full of various snack carts. In the end, we went home with fun, food, and drinks. It was very good and especially worth a visit.

Commonly known as the "Sea-Suppressing Roar," the Iron Lion and Old City Ruins Park in Jiuzhou Town, Cangxian County, Cangzhou City (about 25 kilometers from the city center) was cast in the third year of Guangshun reign of the Later Zhou Dynasty (953 AD), more than a thousand years ago. It is among the first batch of national key cultural relics protection units and is the foremost of the Four Treasures of Hebei (Cangzhou Lion, Dingzhou Pagoda, Zhengding Bronze Bodhisattva, and Zhaozhou Bridge). Due to a thousand years of open-air weathering and improper protection in its early years (a once-closed shed leading to moisture corrosion), the iron lion's legs and abdomen are cracked and severely damaged, and its tail is missing. It can no longer stand independently and is now protected by a steel structure support frame.

The night cruise on the Grand Canal in Cangzhou is quite unique. The canal water glistens, and the towering Qingfeng Tower, Langyin Tower, and Nanchuan Tower on both the east and west banks are brightly lit, exuding an antique charm. The Rainbow Bridge is illuminated with neon lights, and the thousand-year-old canal culture makes everything full of romance and beauty.

This is a must visit in Beijing , great experience and i enjoyed my time so much

The place is very nice and amazing , very crowded both of foreigners and local people

I'll say it three times: Don't take the cable car up there, it's pointless. The cable car only goes up to the 7th floor. In the time it takes you to queue, you can climb up to the 7th floor (the 8th floor is the highest point). Then you can climb directly to the 11th floor without backtracking, which only takes a little over two hours. From the 11th floor, you can take bus 899 back to the city.

A Hundred Lions Offering Auspiciousness: Encountering a Thousand Years of Stone Carving Art at the Cangzhou Museum 🐯 Stepping into the "A Hundred Lions Offering Auspiciousness—Exhibition of Chinese Stone Carving Art Through the Ages" at the Cangzhou Museum is like opening a door to a thousand years of history. In the exhibition hall, stone lions, some majestic, some endearing, some lively, stand quietly. They are not merely works of stone art, but also a condensed history of the integration and aesthetic evolution of Chinese culture. I. First Impression: A Hundred Lions Opening with Impressive Power Upon entering the exhibition hall, the four large characters "A Hundred Lions Offering Auspiciousness" on a huge red backdrop immediately catch the eye. The accompanying preface eloquently explains: "Lions are not native to China. Introduced to China from the Western Regions during the Han Dynasty, their image has been continuously reshaped by art over the past two thousand years..." This immediately made me understand that each stone lion before me is not merely a symbol of protection, but a living fossil of the fusion of Chinese and foreign cultures. II. Across a Millennium: The Unique Spirit of Stone Lions from Different Dynasties 1. Eastern Han Dynasty Bai Ze: Simple and Unadorned, the First Appearance of an Auspicious Beast On the left side of the exhibition hall, the Eastern Han Dynasty stone beast "Bai Ze," with its simple lines and unadorned shape, laid the foundation for early auspicious beasts. Its body is sturdy, and its facial lines are refined. Although lacking the complexity of later stone lions, it exudes a primal sense of power, as if telling ancient myths and legends. 2. Sui Dynasty Lion: Majestic and Solemn, Connecting the Past and the Future The Sui Dynasty stone lion blends majesty and agility. It is generally in a crouching position, with its forelimbs upright, five distinct claws, and an open mouth revealing teeth, appearing majestic and solemn. The broad, raised neck and chest, along with the shallowly carved spiral curls of mane, highlight its fluffy texture, inheriting the grandeur of the Northern Dynasties while also ushering in the splendor of the Tang Dynasty. 3. Tang Dynasty Lion: Powerful and Unrestrained, the Grandeur of a Prosperous Era The Tang Dynasty represents the pinnacle of stone lion art. The Tang Dynasty lions in the display case, with their full, powerful muscles, stand tall and proud, exuding confidence and strength. As the description states, lions, as an introduced species, were thoroughly deified in the Tang Dynasty, becoming a symbol of imperial majesty and openness. Every muscle seems to speak of the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty, as depicted in the poem, "The palace gates open to the heavens, and all nations pay homage to the emperor." 4. Song Dynasty Lions: Gentle and Graceful, Embracing the Warmth of Everyday Life Song Dynasty stone lions shed the domineering air of the Tang Dynasty, becoming more diverse and relatable. I saw a Song Dynasty stone sculpture depicting a female lion with three cubs, symbolizing "Grand Tutor and Junior Tutor," "May all your wishes come true," and "May your offspring prosper." Their forms are no longer aloof guardians, but rather embody the people's prayers for a better life, full of everyday life. 5. Yuan Dynasty Lions: Strength with Grace, the Majesty of the Grasslands Yuan Dynasty stone lions possess a balance of strength and grace. The proportions of their bodies are harmonious, and the undulating muscles are prominently displayed. The flowing, wavy mane and five curls on each cheek showcase the unique style of Yuan Dynasty stone carving. The Yuan lion from Fujian, with Arabic inscriptions on its back, is a direct testament to the cultural exchange between East and West along the Maritime Silk Road. 6. Ming Dynasty Lions: Standardized Form, Imperial Grandeur Ming Dynasty stone lions, especially the white marble lions unearthed in Xingji Town, Cangzhou, with their heads held high and noses curled, crouching on rectangular bases, are characterized by their standardized forms and exquisite craftsmanship, representing the highest level of Ming Dynasty stone carving. Their image has become highly stylized, a clear symbol of power and hierarchy. 7. Qing Dynasty Lions: Large Head, Small Body, Endearingly Cumbersome By the Qing Dynasty, the style of stone lions had largely settled: large heads, narrow chests, short limbs, and oval-shaped eyes, somewhat resembling "lions," giving them an endearingly cumbersome appearance. While their ornamentation is complex, the carving is somewhat rougher. They appeared more frequently in gardens, mansions, and folk places, becoming a widespread auspicious symbol. III. The Finishing Touch: A Dialogue Between Calligraphy and Stone Carving In the exhibition hall, a huge calligraphy work of the character "lion" hangs above a stone lion. The flowing strokes create a wonderful resonance with the powerful texture of the stone carving below. This dialogue between art and object elevates the artistic style of the entire exhibition and allows me to feel the profound heritage of Chinese art, where "calligraphy and painting share the same origin" and "literature carries the Way." IV. Epilogue: A Hundred Lions Offering Auspiciousness, Blessings Fill Cangzhou Wandering through the exhibition hall, from the simplicity of the Eastern Han Dynasty to the secularism of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, each stone lion silently tells its own story. They are witnesses to history, carriers of culture, and, more importantly, the eternal yearning of the Chinese people for a better life. Leaving the exhibition hall, the lingering charm of "A Hundred Lions Offering Auspiciousness" still resonates in my heart. This exhibition was not only a visual feast but also a spiritual cleansing, allowing me to deeply realize that these silent stones, in fact, possess warmth and soul.