Located in the vicinity of the North China Plain, Shijiazhuang, the capital of Hebei Province, neighbors Beijing and Tianjin in the north, Bohai Sea in the east, and lies against the continuous Taihang Mountain in the west. Covering an area of 15.8 thousand square kilometers (6100.4 square miles), it has 6 districts, 12 counties, 5 county-level cities and 1 national-level new and high-tech development zone under its prefecture. Shijiazhuang has a population of 9.395 million, 2.313 million of whom live in the urban area.
Shijiazhuang is often referred to as being lucky in recent Chinese history. Once a small village, it developed under modern railway construction. A century ago, when the Lu-Han Railway stretched to the former Shijiazhuang Village, it brought with it new opportunities, opening an industrial chapter in
Shijiazhuang. No one could have predicted that this small, unknown village would have developed rapidly into the modern capital city of Hebei Province. 
Zhaozhou Bridge
Though it is a relatively young city, it is located on fertile land that boasts splendid cultural history. As such, Shijiazhuang is home to many significant cultural relics, such as the oldest stone-arch bridge in China, Zhaozhou Bridge, and one of China's three hanging temples Qiaoloudian Hall (Bridge-Tower Hall). Moreover, the grand Taihang Mountain, which lies to the west, provide charming natural scenery. Mt. Cangyan Scenic Area and Zhangshiyan Scenic Area also attract visitors from all over China and the world.
As the economic, political, cultural and scientific center of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang is becoming more and more beautiful with recent urban development. A jade-like moat
embraces the city gently, bordered by 20 charming parks. This beautiful city is filled with culture and development, attracting visitors with new features daily. 
Modern Buildings and Malls in Shijiazhuang
Shijiazhuang Tour Information:
Hiking Tour: Information about hiking in Shijiazhuang for your referenceNewly Updated Attractions
Zhaozhou Bridge Park
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Travelers' Voices on Shijiazhuang City
1.
Oct. 14,2009 08:37 Reply
Mr.Wilson(Australia) said:
G'Day to any english speaking people interested in Shijiazhuang City. I am an Australian staying here with my Chinese wife. Teaching english part time.
If you can handle a culture shock and lots of attention as a rare foriegner then come and experience the feel of a small community that is the size of a capial city.
I have found the locals to be polite and honest. Every day I hear someone say hello
to wich I reply Ni Hao (hello), this always gets either a giggle a laugh or an excited conversation behind me, as they tell there friends they said hello to the stranger.
Sanitation and air quality can be poor but I have found that once you become involved in the character of the place you just get used to how it is and accept it. There is more than enough parks,temples and historic sites within easy public transport to keep your camera snapping and your mind distracted.
Use caution around all forms of transport. Bicycles,cars and trucks all seem to mingle somehow with pedestrians. If unsure follow locals across roads etc.
If you speak no Mandarin I suggest you invest in an electronic interpreter as I have only met half a dozen english speakers here. Take the plunge come and enjoy a different world and culture. Try the food,see the sights,experience something new and go home a different person with fond memories.
Hope you enjoy your time here as much as I am, sure i get homesick and miss things but I am also dicovering new things that I want to take home with me when we return to Australia.
Good luck from a happy Aussie in China.
Nov. 17,2009 02:33
Mrs.Nirma(Indonesia) replied:
Hi there Mr.Wilson? how do you do?
My name is Nirma,30 y.o., from Jakarta, Indonesia. I will be having a stem cell treatment in Bethune Int'l Hospital for 30 days next March 2010 until April 2010, and i'm going with my hubby.
I speak no chinese, and I went there last September for survey.
Based on my experience, it would be lovely to have a friend who can speak English there,,, would you and your wife mind to become our friend?
my e-mail is nirmayuliansyah@gmail.com, and YM ni3rm4@yahoo.com
thank you, looking fwd to hearing from you two :)
Best regards,
NIRMA
2.
Sep. 11,2009 15:12 Reply
Mr.mark_RN(philiphines) said:
hi,
im planning to go in shijiazhuang to marry my chinese girlfriend,im planning to stay their also and find a job,im a registered nurse and im working here in KSA after i finished my contract i will go their and marry her,is it possible i can live their and find a good job related to my profession?please help me?thanks...
3.
Apr. 25,2009 05:16 Reply
Mr.Hodgskiss(United Kingdom) said:
Hi,
I have a job offer for a 6 month teaching contract in Shijiazhuang City. I know there are relatively few foreigners in the city which is fine by few, however I don't want to me totally isolated with the community asw I don't speak any Mandarin - would this be a big barrier for me enjoying it?
And how expensive is it to travel to Beijing on the train? I'm getting very excited and want to experience it properly and my other option is to reside in Shenyang City - does anyone have any suggestions?
regards,
Keith
May. 10,2009 09:52
Mr.Stefanuk(Canada) replied:
Almost everyone in China is studying English, but you can rarely find an English speaker when you need one. They have "English Speaking Corners" where people go to practise conversational English. You can easily make friends there. The school where you work should provide you with assistance with daily life. Shopping... etc.
I've never been to Shijiazhuang, but I've lived in Shenyang. Shenyang has a few touristy highlights, but not many. The city had a lot of warfare in the 1st 1/2 of the 20th century and was heavily damaged/destroyed. Very few antiquities left. Mostly soviet style 9 story walkup apartment blocks. Quite drab. Hot in summer, cold in winter and poor air quality.
May. 10,2009 09:54
Mr.Stefanuk(Canada) replied:
Chinese train travel is excellent, very cheap and a great way to see the country.
Jul. 13,2009 00:59
Mr.DF(us) replied:
I am a westerner in Shijiazhuang and have been here for a few months. Travel to Beijing is easy and costs about 90rmb and takes 2 hrs by train. The is not much if any english spoken in this city, but I also do not speak any Chinese and can get around just fine. I have no knowledge of the other city you mentioned, but I will say Shijaizhaung is quiet for the population, cheap to live in and close to Beijing for quick trips... good luck
Aug. 30,2009 03:48
Mr.Budiman(Indonesia) replied:
hello, i will be ariving in shijiazhuang on the 4th of September and this will be a totally new life in a foreign country / city where i have never been.
am looking for an expat community club or similar.
4.
Jul. 27,2009 22:46 Reply
Mr.Budiman(Indonesia) said:
hello, any foreigners live in shijiazhuang city ? and learn mandarin ? ( conversation )
i need some insights urgently, please provide your email so we can communicate. plan to go this september
any local chinese in shijiazhuang city who can teach conversation mandarin ?? ( not expensive one please )
5.
Jul. 26,2009 00:00 Reply
Mr.Michael Dardar(Houston, TX USA) said:
I am contemplating accepting a teaching position in Shijiazhuang in September. I have had offers also to teach in Yueyang in HuNan and Wuhan in Hubei. But a Chinese friend in Changsha thinks Shijiazhuang is the best choice. I have many friends in other areas like Hubei, HuNan, Shandong, Guangxi, Sichuan and Liaoning. I have been to Changsha 3 times, once to Miluo and spent a night in Shanghai, but only to the airport in Beijing. I would appreciate any information about Shijiazhuang city, and hope to meet some of you other teachers. Also, have any of you worked through VIP China or its sister company Native English Speaker Recruit Project? My email is grandude1@yahoo.com.
6.
Jul. 20,2009 06:06 Reply
Mrs.duggan(u.k) said:
Hi, my husband will need to get to Beijing airport from Shijiazhuang. Is this an easy trip for a westerner with no chinese language skills? Do the trains run often?
Jul. 20,2009 22:52
Mr.Shan replied:
From Shijiazhuang to Beijing, there are frequent trains could take you to Beijing West Railway Station.
If you are worried about communication, please take a taxi from the railway station to Beijing Airport directly. The fare is about 120RMB~150RMB. You could write down the airport's Chinese name in advance and then show it to the driver.
Otherwise, he could catch the shuttle bus from Beijing West Railway to the airport directly. The bus is located at the south square of the railway station, just in front of the Zhongyan Hotel (中盐饭店). The bus fare is 16RMB.
Hope this helps!
7.
Jun. 28,2009 04:25 Reply
Mr.Budiman(Indonesia) said:
hello,
am planning to go to shijiazhuang sometime in August and stay for 3 - 6 months ( study mandarin )
can someone advise things to do ?
is public transportation easy within city ?
any advice is appreciated
Jun. 28,2009 21:54
Mr.Qi replied:
Shijiazhuang is a simple, old looking, no fashinable capital place. Nothing estremely special. I have been there two years ago, not very clean and the transport is not easy to deal with. Life expenses is not high. This is a industrial city. Hope it is better now.
Good luck~
Jul. 13,2009 00:54
Mr.Dave(us) replied:
I am currently a foriegner in Shijiazhuang and can give you some insight. There is not many foriegners here, many a small contigent of foriegn English teachers, and there is not much English spoken here. But, you can easily get around without English, some trial and error etc. not a big deal. Beijing is close by train 2hrs and 90rmb cost. It is a quiet city for a foriegner, which has it's plusses and minuses, but not a bad starting point to figure out what you want to see or do in China. Good luck
8.
Jul. 7,2009 07:01 Reply
Ms.noemiah(Philippines) said:
I've never been in Shijiazhuang but i have a good friend who is a residence there.
With all his stories regarding his hometown plus the information gathered here in the
internet it makes me so excited to go there.I love to see the beautiful beaches and
Chinese temples, to eat their delicious food , and to meet the people there. I heard
that people there are warm and friendly.I hope and pray that someday with God's will
I could go there to visit the place.
Goodluck to all the people of Shijiazhuang!!!God bless you!!!
9.
May. 23,2009 10:32 Reply
Mr.sonofzorro@gmail.com(Eire) said:
Shijiazhuang City.I spent 3 days there in 2007 over the april/may week end, a special holiday time for the locals to visit the capital city Bejing. 2 of the days featured sand storms, and one day of rain air quality was very poor. If you suffer from asthma DO NOT GO, IMHO a lot of poverty was evident and generally poor working conditions.Heavily industrialised.
My brother was the only other caucasian I saw during my visit. The people were without fault,friendly curtious and courious but never rude, cost of living cheap by any standards.
Drink Almond and honey milk and the best part was leaving by train (sleeping compartment) to go to Bejing 5hour train journey.
10.
Jan. 18,2009 05:44 Reply
Mr.Jack(Philippines) said:
How to pronounce Shijiazhuang?
Jan. 26,2009 21:25
Mr.padfoot(Philippines) replied:
it is pronounced as Shr - jia -zuang
Mar. 26,2009 10:50
Mr.fung(germany) replied:
shi jia zhuang: means farm of family shi
Apr. 10,2009 09:06
Mr.Du(UK8449) replied:
Shijiazhaung was formerly three villages which merged with the coming of the railways in the late 1890's. One, built by the British ran north - south from Beijing. The second, built by the Germans from Qingdao - a pleasant city on the east coast, with magnificent sea food. The railways crossed in Shi- and an important market developed. The old railway bridge is still in place.
Shijiazhuang, phonetically is pronounced.. Shee / jad/wrong, and the name means village of stones.
The local people are very friendly, and although the population of the city is some 1.6million, it still retains the atmosphere of a small village