China (Post Covid Overseas Visit No 11 - My 15 days in Beijing, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, Jingxing County & Gubei Water Town Oct 10 > 24 2024) Day 7 - Oct 16 2024 (Shijiazhuang) Part 1

So Near So Beautiful
Weekend Come To Hebei

Zhaozhou Bridge (1429 years old)
Zhao County, Hebei

Wednesday Oct 16 2024 (Zhaozhou Bridge, Zhao County, Shijiazhuang, Hebei) - took a public bus from Nanjiao Bus Station, Shijiazhuang > Zhaozhou Bridge, Zhao County (approx 62km) & visited the world's oldest open spandrel segmental arch bridge (AD 595 - 605, 1429 years old) built by the master architect, Li Chun during the Sui dynasty, China.  

1) City bus (No 30) ride (Rmb2) from a bus stop nearby our hotel to Nanjiao Bus Station, Shijiazhuang.  

2) Bus ride (Rmb14 = Rm8.50) from Nanjiao Bus Station, Shijiazhuang > Ningjin County Junction & a 1km walk to Zhaozhou Bridge passing by a small village & an interesting sight of dried corns packed in expanded metal corn cage ready for transport to buyers ...... 

Zhaozhou Or Anji Bridge, Zhao County, Shijiazhuang, Hebei - the world's oldest open-spandrel segmental arch bridge of stone construction, credited to the design of a craftsman named Li Chun, the bridge was constructed in the years AD 595-605 during the Sui dynasty, located in the  southern part of Hebei Province, it is the oldest standing bridge in China (1429 years old) ! 

3) Ancient Town of Zhaozhou Bridge, Zhao County, Hebei 

4) Zhaozhou Bridge Tourist Area, Zhao County, Shijiazhuang, Hebei - located 40km southeast of Shijiazhuang, 2km south of Zhaoxian Town. Free admission for senior citizens above 70+

5) Zhaozhou Bridge (1,429 years old), Zhao County, Hebei - a historical tourist attraction, spent an hour in the tour site, need half a day if taking public transport from Shijiazhuang City Centre.  

6) The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea - a group of legendary gods in Chinese Mythology, their names are He Xiang'gu, Han Xiang Zi, Lan Caihe, Li Tieguai, Lu Dongbin, Zhongli Quan, Cao Guojiu & Zhang Guo Lao. 

7) Decorative Stone Panel, Zhaozhou Bridge

8) Ancient Steles, Zhaozhou Bridge 

9) Exiting the Ancient Town of Zhaozhuo Bridge & took a local rickshaw (Rmb5 = Rm3) to a bus stop in front of a main road (1.5km) & boarded a public bus (No 1101) back to Shijiazhuang Railway Station (Terminal). 

10) Small Eat - lunch in a local restaurant in Shijiazhuang Railway Station, savoured a bowl of prawn wan tan soup (Rmb11 = Rm6.60) & a plate of minced pork noodle (Rmb18 = Rm10.80)