Zhaozhou Bridge Scenic Area is located in Dashiqiao Village, Zhaozhou Town, Zhao County, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province. It is a national 4A-level scenic area centered on Zhaozhou Bridge, the world's oldest surviving, largest-span, and best-preserved single-arch flat-arc open-spandrel stone arch bridge. It showcases the outstanding achievements of ancient bridge architecture. The scenic area covers nearly 90,000 square meters. After renovation, an additional paved area of 5,056.5 square meters was added, along with 4 new sculptural pieces, 2 new scenic pavilions, 2 corridors, 1 opera stage, 2 bell and drum towers, and an additional garden path area of 3,513.34 square meters.
Historical Culture
Zhaozhou Bridge was first built during the Sui Dynasty (AD 595–605), designed and constructed by the master craftsman Li Chun. It has a history of more than 1,400 years. It is the world's oldest surviving, largest-span, and best-preserved open-spandrel stone arch bridge, holding an epoch-making position in the history of world bridge engineering and possessing outstanding cultural value. In March 1961, it was announced by the State Council as one of the first batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level. In October 1991, it was selected by the American Society of Civil Engineers as the twelfth "International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark" in the world, with a commemorative bronze plaque erected at the bridgehead. It is the only civil engineering structure in China to receive this honor. Zhaozhou Bridge has withstood 8 major earthquakes, 54 major floods, and countless wars without collapsing or being destroyed, proving its enduring strength. Its "open-spandrel segmental arch" structure and "longitudinal parallel masonry method" reflect the wisdom and superb craftsmanship of ancient artisans.
Main Attractions
Zhaozhou Bridge
Zhaozhou Bridge is 64.4 meters long, 9 meters wide at the crown, and 9.6 meters wide at the abutments. Its span is 37.02 meters, and its rise is 7.23 meters. The bridge body is composed of 28 stone arch rings built in longitudinal parallel masonry. The side balustrades feature exquisite relief carvings, such as taotie and dragon motifs from the Sui Dynasty. It is the world's oldest surviving, largest single-span, and best-preserved flat-arc open-spandrel stone arch bridge, known as "The Number One Bridge Under Heaven."
Ancient Bridge Exhibition Hall
The Ancient Bridge Exhibition Hall has a building area of 2,000 square meters. It consists of the Ancient Bridge Exploration Hall, the Chinese Ancient Bridge Hall, the Zhaozhou Bridge Hall, and the Mao Yisheng Memorial Hall. It is a popular science venue introducing knowledge of bridge culture, integrating the historical, intellectual, scientific, artistic, and entertaining aspects of bridges.
Bridge Language Exhibition Hall
The Bridge Language Exhibition Hall has a building area of 400 square meters. It introduces advanced domestic exhibition planning concepts and presents Zhaozhou Bridge culture from aspects such as bridge records, bridge history, bridge allusions, bridge scenery, bridge names, bridge literature, and bridge anecdotes, while also expanding to world bridge culture. It showcases Chinese bridge culture and is an important part of the Zhaozhou Bridge Scenic Area.
Food
Salted Donkey Meat
Zhaozhou salted donkey meat is a traditional local famous dish in Hebei Province, known for being fresh, fragrant, and tender, with the reputation of "dragon meat in heaven, donkey meat on earth."
Shahedian Elbow
The Hezuo Restaurant in Shahedian, Zhao County, offers braised elbow in brown sauce and retains the dining environment of the People's Commune canteen era. The elbow is fragrant and appetizing.
Fengfu Crispy Fish
Fengfu crispy fish is crispy, fresh, tender, smooth, and fragrant. It is suitable for both the elderly and children and is a traditional famous delicacy of Zhaozhou.
Stone Pagoda Shaobing
"Xue Family Shaobing," commonly known as "flaky sesame seed cake," also called "Stone Pagoda Shaobing," is a unique flavor snack of Zhao County with a history of more than 100 years.
Fanzhuang Fried Cake
Fanzhuang's yellow rice flour fried cake is uniquely characteristic of Zhao County. Many people drive dozens of miles to taste it.
Fanzhuang Hele
The Fanzhuang hele noodle stall is located near the Lixiang Shopping Mall in Zhao County. Served with mutton soup gravy and garnished with cilantro or tender chives, it is highly appetizing.
Tickets：
Free admission.
Opening Hours：
Opening hours are 8:30–17:30.
Tour Routes：
For a half-day tour route, you may choose to first visit Zhaozhou Bridge. Arriving before 7:30 allows you to take panoramic photos without crowds. At 10 o'clock, you can listen to a free guide explain the bridge-building "black technology." After that, visit the museum, and in the afternoon, you can visit Bailin Temple.
Transportation：
Self-driving: From Shijiazhuang City, take Tiyu South Street, Yuxiang Street, and Shiluan Avenue, then go via National Highway 308 and Anji Avenue to reach Zhaozhou Bridge Scenic Area; or take National Highway 308 or the Qingyin Expressway to Zhao County. The drive takes about 1 hour. Navigate to "Zhaozhou Bridge Scenic Area." Parking fee is 5 yuan per day.
Bus: From Shijiazhuang Railway Station, take Bus No. 215 to Nanjiao Passenger Transport Station, then take a long-distance bus from Nanjiao Passenger Transport Station to Zhao County. After getting off, walk west, and at the bus stop near the traffic light on the west side of Bailin Temple, take Zhao County Bus No. 2 and get off at the terminal station, Zhaozhou Bridge Station.
Must-Visit Attractions：
Zhaozhou Bridge: The world's oldest surviving, largest-span, and best-preserved single-arch flat-arc open-spandrel stone arch bridge. It is 64.4 meters long, 9 meters wide at the crown, 9.6 meters wide at the abutments, with a span of 37.02 meters and a rise of 7.23 meters. The bridge body is composed of 28 stone arch rings built in longitudinal parallel masonry, and the bridge sides feature exquisite Sui Dynasty stone relief carvings.
Ancient Bridge Exhibition Hall: With a building area of 2,000 square meters, it is a popular science venue introducing bridge culture knowledge and consists of multiple exhibition halls.
Tour Suggestions：
The suggested visiting time is 1–2 hours.
You may choose to visit in the early morning or at dusk, when the light is soft and the photo effects are good.
You may learn about the historical background of Zhaozhou Bridge in advance to better appreciate the scenic area.
Notes：
The best seasons for visiting are spring and autumn (April–May, September–October), when the climate is pleasant. Avoid the high temperatures of summer.
The scenic area has interactive projects such as antique horse-drawn carriages and rubbing experiences, which require additional fees.
It is recommended to choose official guided tours and avoid private paid explanations outside the scenic area.