Let me take you on a tour of Shijiazhuang——

As a travel blogger deeply rooted in North China's urban culture and light travel, I have tailor-made a 3-day, 2-night easygoing travel guide for you and a companion (two people traveling together) in Shijiazhuang, with a total budget controlled within 1200 RMB. It’s perfect for couples, besties, or friends traveling together, focusing on high cost-performance, relaxed pace, and a blend of culture + food + city life vibes.

Don’t underestimate Shijiazhuang, the “city brought by trains.” It hides millennia-old relics, bustling street life, authentic Hebei cuisine, and unexpected artistic corners. This time, let’s rediscover this underrated North China hub together!

📍 Travel Theme: Ancient City New Charm · Urban Life Vibes · Hebei Flavor Hunt
📅 Recommended Travel Time: April-May or September-October (pleasant climate, neither too cold nor hot)
👫 Suitable For: Couples / Besties / Friends
💰 Total Budget: 1200 RMB (for two) ✅ Spend less, truly enjoy!

💰 Budget Breakdown (1200 RMB for two)

| Item | Cost | Description |
|------|------|-------------|
| Round-trip Transportation | 400 RMB | Assuming high-speed train round-trip from Beijing/Taiyuan/Zhengzhou (second class about 100 RMB/person × 2) |
| Accommodation (2 nights) | 400 RMB | Boutique guesthouse or chain hotel, 200 RMB/night × 2 nights (recommended near city center subway) |
| Food & Drinks | 300 RMB | 150 RMB/day × 2 days, local canteens + popular snacks + special dinners |
| Attraction Tickets & Experiences | 60 RMB | Longxing Temple ticket + small attraction combo (student/couple discounts) |
| Local Transport + Others | 40 RMB | Subway + bus + taxi for emergencies + souvenirs |

✅ Total Cost: 1200 RMB｜Easy on budget, no compromise on experience!

📅 Itinerary (3 days 2 nights · Light Travel Edition)

Day 1: Arrive in Shijiazhuang → Explore Zhengding Ancient City + Night stroll on Chang Street
- Arrive at Shijiazhuang Station (direct subway access, very convenient)
- Taxi 10 minutes to check in at city center hotel (recommended: Home Inn Select, Atour, or guesthouse inside Zhengding Ancient City)
- Afternoon: Subway + bus to Zhengding Ancient City (about 30 minutes)
→ Free entry to the ancient city, stroll around South City Gate Square, climb the city wall to watch the sunset
- Must-visit spots:
- 🏯 Longxing Temple (one of China’s top ten famous temples, ticket 40 RMB/person, half price for students)
→ See the “Oriental Beauty” Guanyin sitting backwards, and the Thousand-Hand Guanyin bronze statue
- 🏮 Kaiyuan Temple & Bell Tower (Tang dynasty relics, free entry)
- 📸 Guanghui Temple Hua Pagoda (unique shape, great for photos)
- Evening: Walk along Yanghe Building pedestrian street, try Zhengding’s Eight Big Bowls (can share, about 40 RMB per person)
- Night: Watch the ancient city light show, capture night reflections

📌 Blogger Tip: Zhengding is an “ancient architecture museum” with many free attractions, perfect for slow walks and photography!

Day 2: City Cultural Tour + Haitang Flower Alley Art Walk
- Morning: Return to city center, visit Hebei Museum (free! a must-see!)
- Highlights:
- 🏺 Mancheng Han Tomb Exhibition (gold-threaded jade burial suit, Changxin Palace lantern)
- 🐉 Zhongshan Kingdom Relics Exhibition (mysterious ancient kingdom, stunning finds)
- Recommended to rent an audio guide (20 RMB) or join free guided tours
- Noon: Walk to White Commercial Street or Letai Center, eat at local canteens
- Recommended restaurants: Liangxinji (Hebei cuisine small eatery) or Laobaijia Hedong noodles (15 RMB/bowl)
- Afternoon: Explore Haitang Bay Art District (Shijiazhuang’s version of “798”)
- See graffiti walls, small art galleries, independent cafes
- Check in at popular spots: Shanye Coffee, Paper Era Bookstore
- Evening: Stroll along Minxin River or Xiqing Park, feel the local life rhythm
- Dinner: Snack street at Beiguo Mall —
- 🥟 Shijiazhuang Ganglu Shaobing (5 RMB each)
- 🍢 Jinfeng Roast Chicken, crispy fish, smoked sausage
- 🍜 Gaocheng Palace Noodles (Hebei intangible cultural heritage)

📌 Photo Spots: Hebei Museum dome, Haitang Bay graffiti walls, fresh-out-of-the-oven Ganglu Shaobing

Day 3: City Memories + Last-minute Shopping Before Departure
- Morning: Visit Shijiazhuang Liberation Monument + Dashiqiao Bridge (century-old bridge, city origin site)
- Optional experiences:
- 📼 Visit 1958 Film Theme Museum (old factory converted, coffee + movies)
- Or visit Donggangtou Vegetable Market (local fresh market, full of life)
- Noon: Have your last authentic Hebei meal —
- Recommended: Hongxing Restaurant (old brand) → fried pancakes, stewed dishes, smoked meat
- Afternoon: Head to Letai Center or Beiguo Supermarket for souvenirs:
- ✅ Jinfeng Roast Chicken (vacuum packed, 35 RMB each)
- ✅ Guoyang Mahua (fried dough twist), Ganglu Shaobing gift boxes
- ✅ Hebei millet, walnut dew (original Lulu brand!)
- Return according to train schedule, end the relaxed trip

🎒 Travel Blogger’s Tips:

1. Transportation Suggestions:
- Download “Shijiazhuang Rail Transit” app for subway and bus cards
- Zhengding Ancient City attractions are concentrated, consider renting shared bikes

2. Accommodation Recommendations:
- City center: Atour Hotel (near subway), Home Inn Select
- For art lovers: stay in a guesthouse inside Zhengding Ancient City to experience ancient courtyard architecture

3. Food Pitfalls to Avoid:
- Avoid “popular restaurants” near the train station with inflated prices
- Locals eat at: Liangxinji, Laobaijia, Hongxing Restaurant, Jinfeng Snack Shop

4. Photo Hotspots:
- Longxing Temple backward-sitting Guanyin (shoot from below)
- Hebei Museum atrium
- Haitang Bay graffiti walls
- Zhengding night reflections

5. Best Seasons:
- Spring (April) for blooming Haitang flowers
- Autumn (October) for the most pleasant weather

✅ Summary: 1200 RMB for an underrated city surprise

| What You’ll Experience | Worth Far Beyond Money |
|-----------------------|-----------------------|
| Longxing Temple’s millennia-old Buddhist charm | A moment of spiritual peace |
| National treasure-level relics at Hebei Museum | Deep cultural immersion |
| Zhengding Ancient City nightscape | Romantic slow moments |
| Ganglu Shaobing + Jinfeng Roast Chicken | Authentic Hebei flavor memories |
| Off-the-beaten-path art districts | High likes and shares on social media |

📩 Bonus Time:
If you want me to make for you:
- 📄 PDF version of “Shijiazhuang Light Travel Map” (including subway + ancient architecture distribution + food spots)
- 🍜 “Shijiazhuang Snack Pitfall Guide”
- 📸 “Hidden Photo Spots Collection”

Leave a comment with “Shijiazhuang + your email,” and I’ll send it to you for free!

May you wake up to the morning bell in Zhengding,
Pause in the light and shadow of Hebei Museum,
And in a bite of crispy Ganglu Shaobing,
Hear the gentle heartbeat of a city. 🏯🍃📷

— Your travel blogger · North China Diary