[2025 Xingtai Attraction] Travel Guide for Dahuoquan Park (North Gate) (Updated Apr)

Xingtai, a city with a rich history and stunning natural scenery, will fully showcase its unique charm in the next 4 days and 3 nights. On the first day, after arriving in Xingtai, head to Dahuoquan Park. This park has a long history, with spring water gushing like pearls and clear waves rippling. The park is shaded by lush trees, and pavilions and towers are scattered throughout, exuding a simple and elegant atmosphere. Stroll through the park, admire the natural beauty, and visit the Guo Shoujing Memorial Hall. The hall displays many cultural relics and materials related to Guo Shoujing, allowing you to learn more about the life and achievements of this outstanding Yuan Dynasty scientist and experience the historical and cultural charm of Xingtai. On the second day, head towards the Xingtai Grand Canyon. Along the way, the rolling hills and mountains offer breathtaking views. After arriving at the scenic area, hike into the canyon. Steep peaks, deep canyons, clear streams, and waterfalls of various shapes form a beautiful landscape painting. Walk along the canyon trail, listen to the gurgling water, breathe in the fresh air, and feel as if you are one with nature. After the tour, savor authentic farmhouse cuisine at a nearby farmhouse and experience the simplicity and tranquility of rural life. On the third day, visit Kongshan Baiyun Cave. The cave's landscape is magical and magnificent, filled with a dazzling array of karst landscapes such as stalactites, stalagmites, and stone pillars. Under the illumination of lights, it looks like a dream. Walking through the various cave halls, you'll feel as if you are in a fantasy underground world. In the afternoon, visit the Tiantai Mountain scenic area, where the mountain shapes are unique and the terrain is steep. Ascend to the top of the mountain and overlook the magnificent surrounding scenery, including rolling mountains and vast fields, which will broaden your horizons. In the evening, return to the city to experience the night view of Xingtai and taste local snacks, such as Xingtai braised pancakes and pickled tofu. On the fourth day, visit the Bian Que Temple. This ancient temple is solemn and majestic, carrying people's reverence and commemoration for the legendary physician Bian Que. The temple preserves many ancient buildings and inscriptions, witnessing the vicissitudes of time. Here, delve into the legendary stories of Bian Que and the profoundness of traditional Chinese medicine culture. Afterward, embark on your return journey. The 4-day, 3-night trip to Xingtai is a perfect blend of history and nature. In this land, you can appreciate the magnificent scenery bestowed by nature and touch the cultural imprint left by its long history. When you leave, every bit of Xingtai will become a precious memory, deeply imprinted in your heart, making you look forward to exploring more of this city's beauty in the future.

Dahuoquan Park in Xingtai is a large comprehensive park integrating natural landscape, human history, and leisure and entertainment. Dahuoquan Park is divided into several functional areas, including Guo Shoujing Cultural Park, Green Fun Botanical Garden, Spring Cultural Landscape Area, and Lake Activity Area. Historical background Dahuo Spring has a long history. According to the inscription on the stele, as early as 330 AD, when Shi Le of the Later Zhao Dynasty established his capital in Xingtai, Dahuo Spring already existed. It was once the first of the hundred springs in Xingtai. The spring water dried up many times and then gushed again, so it was also called "Zailai Spring". In the Ming and Qing Dynasties, "Dahuo Longqiu" became one of the twelve scenic spots in Shunde Prefecture. Basic information Location: Dahuoquan Park is located in Xindu District, Xingtai City, at the intersection of Shoujing North Road and Quanbei West Street. Area: The park covers an area of about 1,030 mu, making it one of the largest urban parks in North China. Tickets: Free admission. Opening hours: All day.

Upon entering the west gate of Dahuquan Park, the first sight that greets the eye is an enormous stone with a reclining ox, its head slightly raised, resting peacefully. Xingtai is also known as the "City of the Reclining Ox," and the spirit of the hardworking and beneficial ox has been integrated into the bloodline of the people of Xing since ancient times, passed down from generation to generation. 🐂 The story of Dahuquan Park cannot be told without mentioning two people: Fotucheng and Guo Shoujing. Fotucheng (AD 232-348) was a Kucha native from the Western Regions. In AD 310, at the age of 79, he arrived in Luoyang to spread Buddhism. However, due to the chaos of the Yongjia period, the imperial capital was in turmoil, forcing him to temporarily hide in the wilderness. In AD 312, he arrived in Xiangguo (Xingtai) and, with the recommendation of General Guo Heilue, met with Shi Le, who held the imperial scepter, and assisted him in establishing the Later Zhao dynasty. Emperors Shi Le and Shi Hu of the two generations treated Fotucheng with great respect. The 323rd cave of the Mogao Grottoes depicts many of Fotucheng's miracles in the form of murals, some of which are related to Shi Le and Shi Hu. Among them, the "Dragon Ridge Spell Water" tells the story of the Tuanwan Spring in Xiangguo drying up. Shi Le asked Fotucheng if he could make the spring water gush forth, so the great monk led his disciples to burn incense and pray in front of the spring. Three days later, the spring water slowly flowed out, and a small dragon, 156 inches long, emerged with the water, soared into the sky, and disappeared. Afterward, the water's momentum increased, filling the ditches. Due to the intermittent flow of the Tuanwan Spring, it was renamed "Dahu" in Fotucheng's native language of the Western Regions. This year, Dahuquan has re-emerged after being dormant for decades, truly living up to its name as the "Spring City of Taihang." It is said that Fotucheng established 893 Buddhist temples in his lifetime, including the Pure Land Temple in Xingtai. He had a disciple named Dao'an, who advocated for monks to adopt the surname "Shi." 🙏 In AD 1000, during the Northern Song Dynasty, Xingzhou Governor Liu Kai planted willows and built pavilions north of Dahuquan, making it a famous scenic spot in the region. 🌳 #SceneryOnTheRoad #UrbanHumanitiesNotes #HiddenGemSociety #RomanticDomesticTravelDestinations #CapturingUrbanHumanities