Shijiazhuang

Shijiazhuang is the Provincial capital of Hebei Province about three hours drive West of Beijing. It¡¯s rail connections, developed over the last century have increased it¡¯s importance and today it is the major hub for Hebei products getting into the domestic market infrastructure. It¡¯s still relatively small, having a population of just 1.3 million, but it¡¯s cheaper labour and land are starting to attract foreign investors who need to be in close proximity to the North and it has good infrastructural links to Tianjin the regional port handling much of the regions import / export and just four hours train away.
Hotels to stay include the Crowne Plaza (0311) 667 8888, Hebei Grand (581 5961) and Silver Spring (702 6981). There isn¡¯t an awful of sites to see here, this is a full on visit for business (cheap light manufacturing), but the Vairo Cave Temple, dating from 618 is worth a look, with wall paintings and frescos dating from the 14thc. There is a large statue of Shakayumi here and other Buddhist relics. 6thc artifacts can be viewed at the Temple of Lavish Prosperity, which dates back to 586, and contains about 50,000 sqm of complex and some important buildings, including a moni temple with earthenware statues and a giant Guanyin Statue with 42 arms, dating from 971. The oldest arched bridge in the world is located at the small village of Zhaoxia, 25 km out of the city, was built in 605 by Lu Chun from 28 blocks of stone, so engineers may wish to pay some respects here.

One other footnote in history is the role served here by the Canadian doctor Norman Bethune, who with the Indian medic Kwarkanath Kortis, were responsible for medical care for the Red Army in their campaign against the occupying Japanese. They are buried and remembered at the Bethune Hospital of Peace which has halls dedicated to both men.

The bar area is located at Nansantiao, downtown Shijiazhuang, there is a bustling market here also worth a stroll around. Expats this far out are in short supply so say hello if you meet one !

Attractions in Shijiazhuang

Neighboring Areas: Beijing and Tianjin Municipalities; Shandong, Henan, Shanxi, and Liaoning provinces; Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region

History: originally set up in earlier Ming dynasty; used to be the collecting and distributing center for goods to Yan, Zhao and San Jin; having the fame of "the thoroughfare between north and south, the throat of Yan (Shandong province) and Jin (Shanxi province)"; used to be called "Shijia city", "Shimen city", etc

Climate located in the temperate zone, enjoying the continental climate; four seasons clearly demarcated with cold winter and hot summer; with frost-free period of 200 days

Average Temperature: 13C annually; annual average sunshine more than 2400 hours
Rainfall: annual even precipitation 570 mm; maximum average humidity 62 percent.

Mountains: Mt. Taihang and Mt. Cangyanshan

Rivers: Hutuohe River, Cihe River, Dashahe River, Jiaohe River, Huaishahe River, Yehe River and Gantaohe River