Memories of Shijiazhuang Shigang Industrial Heritage Park

🌟 Shijiazhuang: A Millennium-Old City Pulled by Trains! 🚂 Unraveling Shijiazhuang's Past and Present Dubbed the "City Pulled by Trains," this place had villages as early as the Han Dynasty. But who would have thought that the construction of the Zheng-Tai Railway in 1907 would transform it from a small fishing village into a major transportation hub in North China? Strolling through its streets, you can still feel the unique blend of old and new—century-old railway relics standing side by side with modern skyscrapers! Every time I walk through the Old Train Station Square, listening to the distant sound of train whistles, it feels like stepping back into the roaring era of steam engines. 🏯 The Legend of Zheng-Tai Hotel This French-style building was originally a supporting project for the Zheng-Tai Railway, completed in 1907. Back then, it was a gathering place for celebrities, hosting historical figures like Sun Yat-sen and Chiang Kai-shek. The hotel retains original features such as its elevator and fireplaces, and recently, its revolving door was restored and put back into use. Passing by, you can almost hear the clinking of glasses from a century ago. 🕍 The Eternal Buddhist Light of Pilu Temple This thousand-year-old temple in the northeastern suburbs of Shijiazhuang dates back to the Eastern Wei Dynasty. Its exquisite Ming Dynasty water-and-land murals are truly breathtaking, depicting 500 arhats with vivid expressions that seem to change when viewed from different angles. I remember visiting at sunset—golden sunlight streaming through the windows onto the murals, creating a divine glow that felt like Buddha's blessing. 🛤️ Tracing the Zheng-Tai Railway Ruins Near the Old Train Station, you can still find industrial relics like steel rails and water towers from the Zheng-Tai Railway. The most fascinating is a section of abandoned tracks on Minsheng Road, said to be part of Shijiazhuang's earliest railway line. Gazing at the rust-streaked rails, it’s easy to imagine the grandeur of the first train arriving here a century ago.