Zhao County

Zhao County (Zhaoxian) (simplified Chinese: 赵县; traditional Chinese: 趙縣; pinyin: Zhào Xiàn), a historic town called Zhaozhou (赵州) in the past, is located in Hebei 40 km southeast of the provincial capital Shijiazhuang, and 280 km south of Beijing. Its total land area is 675 km² and total population is around 550,000. There are many historical sites in Zhao County, including the Zhaozhou (Anji) bridge (赵州桥), Yongtong Bridge (永通桥), Tuoluonijing Tower (陀罗尼经幢), and Bailin (Cypress Grove) Temple (柏林寺). The county is also famous for its agricultural products: snowflake pears (xuehua pear), asparagus，and high-quality wheat.

History

Known for its long history, the earliest written record of Zhao Zhou dates back 2500 years ago. During the Shang Dynasty, Zhao Zhou was a center of horse breeding in Kingdom Fang (方国). Various names were used for where Zhao Xian is located nowadays, including Jipu (棘蒲)，Pingji (平棘），Zhaojun （赵郡）, Qingyuan (庆源) and others. Zhao meaning "most beautiful violet flower"

Geography

Zhao Xian is located in the middle of North China Plain; its elevation is fairly low and topography fairly flat.

Administrative Divisions

Towns:

• Zhaozhou (赵州镇), Fanzhuang (范庄镇), Beiwangli (北王里镇), Xinzhaidian (新寨店镇), Hancun (韩村镇), Nanbaishe (南柏舍镇), Shahedian (沙河店镇)

Townships:

• Qiandazhang Township (前大章乡), Xiezhuang Township (谢庄乡), Gaocun Township (高村乡), Wangxizhang Township (王西章乡)

Demographics

Most residents are Han Chinese.

Notable residents

• Li Qi (Tang Dynasty poet)
• Li Yangbing, Tang Dynasty man of letters
• Tie Ning

External links

• County government website
• Zhaoxian Online

Coordinates: 37°44′47″N 114°46′8″E / 37.74639°N 114.76889°E / 37.74639; 114.76889