Zhuozhou (zhuō zhōu 涿州) located in the southern of Beijing (běi jīng 北京) and with it geographical position 115°44'~116°15' east longitude and 39°21'~39°36' north latitude. Now, It borders laishui (lái shuǐ 涞水) in the west, Guanxian (gù ān xiàn 固安县) in the east, Daxing (dà xìng 大兴) district of Beijing (běi jīng 北京) in northeast and Fangshan (fáng shān 房山) district of Beijing in the South. Covering an area of 742.5 thousand square kilometers, it has 628,000 populations in 2008, with the urban population of 202,000. It is only 62 kilometers from Zhuozhou city to Tiananmen Square (tiān ān mén guǎng chǎng 天安门广场) in Beijing.

History

In the 250 years ago, the emperor of Qianlong (qián lóng 乾隆: 1736-1796) wrote the poem of “ri bian chong yao wu shuang di, tian xia fan nan di yi zhou” (rì biān chōng yào wú shuāng dì, tiān xià fán nán dì yī zhōu 日边冲要无双地, 天下繁难第一州) during his southern tour in Qing (qīng 清) dynasty. Then, Zhuozhou was entitled “the first state of the world ” (tiān xià dì yī zhōu 天下第一州) .

Zhuozhou was named Zhuoxian (zhuō xiàn 涿县) since Qin (qín 秦) dynasty, Zhuojun (zhuō jùn 涿郡) in Han (hàn 汉) dynasty, Fanyangjun (fàn yáng jùn 范阳郡) in Sanguowei (sān guó wèi 三国魏) dynasty, and called Fanyangxian (fàn yáng xiàn 范阳县) in Tang (táng 唐) dynasty and zhuozhoulu (zhuō zhōu lù 涿州路) in Yuan (yuán 元) dynasty. It was attached to Peking Government (běi píng fǔ 北平府) and Shuntianfu (shùn tiān fǔ 顺天府) in Ming (míng 明) and Qing (qīng 清) dynasties. In the period of Republic of China, it was renamed Zhuoxian (zhuō xiàn 涿县) and subordinated to Beijing.

In the 1986, Zhuozhou was listed as class A city by the State Council. Zhuozhou sets up its three development strategies: “city sets by industries, city develops by towns, and city strengthens by Beijing”. The CCTV (China Central Television) Movie and Television Base, Beijing South Golf Course and Kyoto Golf Course were invested in Zhuozhou. Sanyi Temple (sān yì gōng 三义宫), former residence of Li Dao Yuan (lì dào yuán 郦道元) and Lu Ancestral Hall (lú shì zōng cí 卢氏宗祠) were rebuilt as well. In 2002, Zhuozhou was named as excellent tourism city by the National Tourism Administration, and also listed as one of hundreds most dynamic economic development cities by the National Bureau of Statistics. Today, Zhuozhou develops it economy and culture by unique geographical and resource advantages. Particularly in the year of 2005, Zhouzhou was identified to expand the county (city) and has the same economic and social management authority as municipalities and districts.

Attractions

Sanyi temple (sān yì 三义宫)

Zhuozhou is the birthplace of "Sanguo cultures" (sān guó wén huà 三国文化). It widely circulated the story of the” Taking Oath in the Peach Garden”. The story was talking about three heroes : Liubei (liú bèi 刘备), Guanyu (guān yǔ 关羽) and Zhangfei (zhāng fēi 张飞) were swore brotherhood in a “peach garden” (it names Sanyi Temple now) and vowed devotion to China in the end of the Eastern Han (hàn 汉) dynasty. Until now, “Sanguo cultures” has still an important effect on Zhuozhou. Peach hotel, peach street, sanyi primary school (sān yì 三义小学), sanyi temple (sān yì 三义宫), zhangfei temple (zhāng fēi 张飞庙) were demonstrated the admiration and loyalty to ancestors .
Location: Lousangmiaocun (lóu sāng miào cūn 楼桑庙村)
Transportation: Bus 13, 7
Recommended time to visit: 2 hours
Opening hours: 8:00-17:00
Ticket: RMB 20

Lu Ancestral Hall (lú shì zōng cí 卢氏宗祠)

Luzhi (lú zhí 卢植) was an famous politician, military strategist, scientist and educator in Han (hàn 汉) dynasty. He created the family culture of Lu ( lú 卢) by his integrity of characters, superior knowledge and outstanding achievements. The Lu family was another everlasting family culture besides Confucius. Until now, the generations of Lu ( lú 卢) can be found all over the world. The former South Korean President Lutaiyu (lú tài yú 卢泰愚), the current president Luwuxuan (lú wǔ xuàn 卢武炫) went to Zhuozhou and to hold a memorial ceremony for their ancestor Lu ( lú 卢).
Location: Lujiachangcun (lú jiā chǎng cūn 芦家场村), Qingliangsi office (qīng liáng sì 清凉寺办事处)
Transportation: Bus 4
Recommended time to visit: 2 hours
Opening hours: 8:00-17:00
Ticket: Free

The CCTV Movie and Television Base

The CCTV movie and television base in Zhuozhou is the largest film and television shooting base in Asia. It began to build in the 1990s by China Central Television (CCTV). It has Tang (táng 唐) dynasty, Han (hàn 汉) dynasty scenic area and it four residential areas which names zhuyuan (zhú yuán 竹园),taoyuan (táo yuán 桃园),meiyuan (méi yuán 梅园) and liyuan (lí yuán梨园).

In the 1992, it was successfully held the Mid-Autumn evening party and Yangzhou Lantern Festival by CCTV. In the 1997`s Mid-Autumn Festival, it was held a large gathering called "enjoy the glorious full moon” by CCTV, China National Tourism Bureau and the Tourism Bureau of Hebei (hé běi 河北) Province. The delegation from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Australia as well as Taiwan and Hong Kong had participated in this event.
Location: 7 kilometers far from the east of Beijing South Railway station at Beijing-Shenzhen Expressway
Transportation: Bus 1, 4,
Recommended time to visit: 5 hours
Opening hours: 8:00-17:00
Ticket: RMB50

The Lantern Festival (huā dēng jiē 花灯节)

The Chinese Lantern Festival held on the 15th day of the 1st lunar month because the first lunar month is called yuan (yuán 元) month. The 15th day is the first night to see a full moon. So the day is also called Yuan Xiao (yuán xiāo 元宵) Festival in China. Lantern Festival originated in the Han (hàn 汉) dynasty.
Zhuozhou Lantern Festival is a traditional folk cultural activity which has long history. Have you heard “South of Yangzhou (yáng zhōu 扬州), North of Zhuozhou”? It means that Zhouzhou Lantern Festival can exactly compare with Yangzhou. During the lantern festival, different kinds of lights distribute on streets, such as archway lights, group lights, red lantern etc.

After 2002, the lantern moved to urban culture square, and is becoming a major tourist and cultural activities in Zhuozhou. Other kinds of folk performance are including flower exhibition, playing the lion, stilt, Niu Yangge (niǔ yāng gē 扭秧歌), sugar figurine and playing drums etc.
Location: Urban culture square of Zhuozhou
Transportation: Take bus 1, 4, 917 to the stop of “urban culture square”
Recommended time to visit: 4 hours
Opening hours: On the 15th day of the 1st lunar month per year
Ticket: Free

Twin Towers

The twin towers built in the Liao (liáo 辽) dynasty, and located on the northeast of Zhuozhou. There is a touching story in folk. It said two aunts built the towers over a night. In fact, towers are the product of Buddhist culture. Until now, one of tower is still rebuilding now.
Location: Beiguancun (běi guān cūn 北关村), Zhuozhou
Transportation: Bus 1, 4, 917
Recommended time to visit: Anytime
Opening hours: Anytime
Ticket: Free

Huayang Park (huá yáng gōng yuán 华阳公园)

Huayang Park located in the northwest corner of Zhuozhou. The ancient Chinese balcony is in the south site of the Huayang Park (Ancient Chinese balcony was a place where received talented people and patriotism by king of Yan (yàn 燕))。Hence, it named Huayang Park. There has ancient culture such as ancient China Zhuozhou balcony, ancient walls and steles in park inside of Park; it also has a special recreational center for older people as well as playground, swimming pool for children. The Huayang artificial lake lies on the middle of park, and with the covering area of 12,000 square meters in total.
Location: Beiguancun (běi guān cūn 北关村) or northwest of old walls, Zhuozhou
Transportation: Bus 1, 4 or 917
Recommended time to visit: 3 hours
Opening hours: 8:00-18:00
Ticket: RMB5

Yongji Stone Bridge (yǒng jì shí qiáo 永济石桥)

Yongji Stone Bridge (yǒng jì shí qiáo 永济石桥) is located in the north of Zhuozou. It calls dashi (dà shí 大石) bridge as well. The latest archaeologists indicate that Zhuozhou Yongji Bridge is the longest stone arch bridge in China now. As a national cultural heritage, Yongji stone Bridge has 22 culverts in total and the length is 627.65 meters. Yongji stone bridge was built at the Wanli (wàn lì 万历) years (1574), it called "Juma River Bridge” (jù mǎ hé qiáo 巨马河桥). It was used masonry arch span techniques in China, so it looks like a rainbow across the strait.
Location: In the north part of Zhuozhou
Transportation: Bus 1, 4, 917
Opening hours: Anytime
Ticket: Free

Tips:
1. Best time to go: April to May of spring and September to October of autumn
2. Other Useful Information
Twins tower, Huayang Park and Yongji Stone Bridge as well as the CCTV Movie and Television Base are in the same direction. If you like, you can go to Twin tower first, then Huayang Park, after that is Yongji Stone Bridge. If you still have time, then go to the CCTV Movie and Television Base. Please take changes if you want to take bus 1 or 4.