[2025 Dingzhou Attraction] Travel Guide for Dingzhou Test Hall (Updated Mar)

Built in 1738, the 3rd year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty, Dingzhou Gongyuan has a history of nearly 300 years and is a relatively well-preserved imperial examination site in northern China. It was listed as a national key cultural relic protection unit in 2001. The Gongyuan is divided into three parts: ⬆️The central axis is the main gate of the Gongyuan. After entering the main gate, you can see the "Qianlong Double Pagoda Tree", which is said to have been planted by Qianlong when he passed by on his way to Jiangnan. The main building is the examination hall and Kui Pavilion, with the main hall and Lansheng Building at the back. ↗️The east side is the entrance to the martial arts field, with a huge white shadow wall with the word "武" (martial arts) written on it. Inside the courtyard, there are stone-picking, sword-dancing, bow-drawing, and archery examination fields. At the back, there is the Martial Arts Hall and Wenchang Palace. ↖️The west side is now the Imperial Examination System Exhibition Hall, which introduces the evolution of the imperial examination system in Chinese history and its impact on the world. It introduces people, events, and objects related to the imperial examination, and there is a panoramic short film at the innermost part that you should not miss. The slogan here is "Go Ashore, Come to the Gongyuan", which is attractive enough for all kinds of candidates. 🎫Ticket: CNY 50 (half price for all during the Spring Festival).

Dingzhou Gongyuan is located in Dingzhou, Hebei Province, and was one of the important examination halls in the ancient Chinese imperial examination system. As an important venue for the imperial examination, Dingzhou Gongyuan undertook the examination tasks at all levels from county, prefecture, to provincial level, and was a must-visit place for ancient scholars to pursue fame and fortune. The history of the Gongyuan can be traced back to the Ming Dynasty and was one of the important cultural and educational centers at that time. The architectural layout of the Gongyuan was designed strictly according to the needs of the imperial examination. The entire courtyard is well-organized and divided into several parts, including the examination shed, examination hall, and examination dormitory. The examination shed is the main building of the Gongyuan, where candidates take the written examination. The examination hall is the most solemn and solemn place in the Gongyuan, with special invigilators to ensure the fairness and impartiality of the examination. The examination dormitory is a place for candidates to rest and live, simple and practical. The architectural style of the Gongyuan combines the typical features of the Ming and Qing dynasties, emphasizing symmetry and a sense of hierarchy. The main gate is usually equipped with a memorial archway, engraved with auspicious words such as "Wen Yun Chang Long", implying the smoothness of the imperial examination and the bright future of the students. The buildings in the courtyard are mostly wooden structures, with carved beams and painted buildings, and the details are exquisitely carved, showing the superb level of ancient architectural craftsmanship. Dingzhou Gongyuan is not only a place for the imperial examination, but also an important base for local cultural dissemination and education. Many aspiring people completed their studies here, cultivating a large number of outstanding talents for the country and society. The existence of the Gongyuan greatly promoted the cultural prosperity and social progress of Dingzhou. With the development of the times, the imperial examination system was gradually abolished, but Dingzhou Gongyuan was preserved as a historical relic. Today, Dingzhou Gongyuan has become an important cultural tourist attraction, attracting many tourists to visit. Through the visit to Dingzhou Gongyuan, people can gain an in-depth understanding of the operation of the ancient imperial examination system and feel the arduous journey of ancient scholars in pursuit of knowledge and ideals.

| Get nervous as soon as you enter the examination room. Dingzhou Gongyuan, also known as the examination room, is a well-preserved ancient examination room for selecting talents and tribute students in northern China. It is an important physical material for studying the local architectural art and imperial examination system of the Qing Dynasty. It was built in the third year of Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty (1738) and was created by Zhou Mu Wang Da Nian. It was expanded, rebuilt, and expanded in the 14th year of Daoguang (1834). The Gongyuan is located in the north and faces the south. It is arranged in a central axis style. The plane is square. The main building is composed of two groups of buildings, the number house and the Kuige. Kuige is in the south of the number house, with a pointed top in the middle, and the sides are gradually reduced, with a unique and chic structure. Dingzhou Gongyuan paper ticket, there is a brochure in the visitor center, and there is a free chapter. Tickets: 20, buy on site. Business hours: Monday to Sunday 8:00-17:00.

After coming out of Mr. Yan Yangchu's former residence, continue north for more than two hundred meters across Zhongshan East Road, and you will reach Dingzhou Gongyuan. There is a sculpture at the entrance of the main gate, named 'Subway Security Check' (just kidding ^_^). To be serious: It is said that Emperor Qianlong visited the south of the Yangtze River six times, and passed through Dingzhou five times, during which he visited the Gongyuan to comfort the examinees. The emperor himself even planted two locust trees to commemorate the event. Moreover, the most worthy sight in the garden is the main building of the Gongyuan - the Kui Ge Hao She. With a half four-cornered spire structure, the building has four layers of eaves, and the whole appearance is arranged in a '品' shape, resembling wild geese spreading their wings to fly high, symbolizing the difficulties of a career path for all scholars (huh?). The entire building is majestic and spectacular, with a unique design that showcases the distinctive architectural style and superb design skills of the Qing Dynasty. Admission is 20 yuan.