Zhao Yun Temple

Zhao Yun Temple on Xingrong Road in Zhengding County, about 20 km north of Shijiazhuang in Hebei Province, is a memorial temple dedicated to Zhao Yun, the celebrated general of the Shu Han kingdom in the Three Kingdoms period. Zhao Yun, also known by his courtesy name Zilong, is traditionally said to have been born in Changshan, the ancient name of the Zhengding area, and he features prominently in the novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, where he is famed for rescuing the infant heir of Liu Bei at the battle of Changban. The temple complex is a modern reconstruction in the style of traditional Chinese memorial architecture, with a gate, courtyards and a main hall housing a statue of the general in armour. Exhibits and murals recount his campaigns and his reputation for loyalty and courage, and stone tablets and sculptures of horses and warriors line the approach. A visit typically takes around 45 minutes, which is enough to walk the courtyards, view the statue and read the explanatory displays. The best photographic angle is from the front courtyard looking up at the main hall, and the temple is calmest on weekday mornings. Crowds are modest, with some tour groups at weekends and fans of the Three Kingdoms visiting year round. Admission is CNY 20, with opening from 8:30 AM to 5:20 PM and last entry at 5:20 PM. Zhengding is reached by intercity bus or DiDi from Shijiazhuang in about 40 to 60 minutes, and the temple can be combined with Longxing Temple, Rongguo Mansion and the old-city pagodas. Labels are mostly in Chinese, so a translation app is helpful.