Asked crazy by my friends! Really in Shijiazhuang, not abroad!
🏰 Shijiazhuang also has Hogwarts?! A 2-day 1-night nanny-level photo guide to Hebei Academy of Fine Arts 📸
Guys! Who says you have to fly to Europe to see ancient castles? Who says you can only shoot magical blockbusters at Universal Studios? In Shijiazhuang, there’s a real-life “art utopia” hidden away — Hebei Academy of Fine Arts! ✨
Just got back from checking it out, and I was truly amazed! On the left is a Gothic magical castle, on the right is a Jiangnan ink-wash garden, the blend of Eastern and Western architecture is a photographer’s paradise! To save you some trouble, I stayed up all night to put together this super detailed 2-day 1-night travel guide, including reservations, transportation, accommodation, and photo spots — just copy it! 📝
🚗 About transportation: A spontaneous “magical journey”
Starting from downtown Shijiazhuang, transportation is super convenient!
· For bus riders: Take Xinle Special Line 1 (green bus) from downtown Shijiazhuang (like near Beiguo Shopping Mall) directly to the “Academy Castle” stop. The fare is 7 yuan, and it takes about an hour. You can enjoy the scenery along the way.
· For drivers: Navigate directly to “Hebei Academy of Fine Arts South Campus - South Gate,” about 40-60 minutes by car. There’s a large parking lot opposite the south gate, 10 yuan per day with unlimited time, plenty of spaces, very driver-friendly! 🅿️
· On-campus transport: The campus is really huge! Once inside, I highly recommend taking the campus mini train. It’s only 2 yuan from the south gate to the north gate, runs every ten minutes or so, a blessing for lazy people, saving energy to take hundreds more photos! 🚂
🏨 About accommodation: Where is the most convenient place to stay?
Since it’s a 2-day 1-night trip, I suggest staying in Xinle city or directly near the school.
· Xinle city: Not far from the school, taxi fare is about the starting price. Recommended hotels are “Xinle Shengjin Hotel” or “Xinle Mango Hotel,” both cost-effective with many dining options nearby, and you can stroll the night market in the city at night.
· Near the school: If you want to enter the campus early the next morning to shoot the morning scenery, check out nearby guesthouses or budget hotels. Though the conditions are simpler than downtown, the proximity lets you sleep an extra half hour!
🎫 Tickets and reservations: Key points!! (Must read)
The campus is free! But! You must book in advance! Don’t forget this, or you’ll make a wasted trip!
· Booking time: Tickets are released punctually at 9:00 AM every Wednesday for entry slots on Saturday and Sunday (limited slots, first come first served!).
· Booking channel: Search the WeChat official accounts “Hebei Academy of Fine Arts” or “Hebei Art Service Platform,” then click “Visit Reservation” or “Entry Application” in the menu.
· Entry method: After successful booking, bring your original second-generation ID card and use facial recognition at the school gate to enter, super convenient! Be sure to set an alarm to grab tickets! ⏰
🗓️ Day 1: Enter the Hogwarts magical world (South Campus walkabout)
Arrive in the afternoon, travel light, enter from the south gate of the South Campus, and start your magical journey!
1. Empire Square: Turn right after entering! Nine horses pulling a chariot, the goddess of victory holding an olive branch, with a gray-and-white Gothic castle in the background. Stand on the left side of the sculpture and shoot upward with a wide-angle lens, instantly transported to Europe! 🏰
2. Magical Castle Complex: This replicates the design of the UK Parliament building, with spiral staircases and arched corridors. When the afternoon sun shines in around 3-4 PM, the light and shadow are stunning. Wear a magic robe or a black long dress, and every shot looks like a movie poster!
3. Sunshine Beach & Harmony Bridge: Walk along the lakeside to see the perfect reflection of the castle in the water. At the blue hour (half an hour after sunset), the castle lights up. Standing on the bridge to shoot the panorama across the water feels like a “mini Victoria Harbour,” the atmosphere is amazing! ✨
4. Dinner: After a tiring walk, head to the “Magic Box” dining area or the student canteen on campus (open to the public, supports mobile payment). You can get full for about 20 yuan per person, with tasty spicy hot pot and affordable set meals.
🗓️ Day 2: Stroll through the Chinese-style ancient secret garden (North Campus & in-depth check-in)
Sleep in on the second day and continue exploring the other side of the campus.
1. Wenfeng Tower: A ten-story ancient-style tower standing in the garden, sometimes hosting art exhibitions inside the base. Climb to the top for a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire campus!
2. Jiming City: Walk past Wenfeng Tower along the lakeside to find exquisite Chinese-style ancient buildings. Hui-style architecture with black tiles and white walls, the Kuixing Building with flying eaves and upturned corners — a huge contrast to the European style of the South Campus. Strongly recommend renting a Hanfu (available on site) to shoot a set of ancient-style photos in the waterside corridors, instantly becoming the star of a costume drama! 👘
3. Folk Culture Corridor: Continue walking to see Hui-style white walls and gray tiles, with exquisite brick and wood carvings. A must-visit for lovers of Chinese aesthetics!
4. Return trip: After touring the North Campus, take the mini train back to the south gate to pick up your car, or take a taxi to Xinle city for a good meal before heading back.
📸 Blogger’s secret popular photo spots (100% photo success rate)
· Magic robe + spiral staircase: Inside the castle’s spiral staircase, shoot from above or below for a mysterious vibe.
· Lakeside reflection: Opposite Sunshine Beach, use the water surface to capture the symmetrical reflection of the castle. Remember to hold your phone upside down for a more stunning shot!
· Jiming City corridor: Use the Chinese corridor’s frame composition to shoot a person looking back, full of storytelling.
· Mini train candid shots: Spend 2 yuan to ride the campus mini train, have a friend capture the moment you lean out the window to enjoy the view, perfect for a fresh Japanese-style vibe!
💡 Final tips:
· Sometimes there are black swans, peacocks, and even sika deer in the park. You can interact with the animals, but remember to feed them politely!
· Be sure to wear comfortable shoes because the campus is really big; walking 20,000 steps a day is not a dream!
· If you miss the Wednesday reservation, check if the school has temporary exhibitions or events, sometimes you can book daily during those times!
So close, so beautiful, you can really come to Hebei Academy of Fine Arts this weekend and be a runaway wizard for a day! Any questions, see you in the comments below~ 👇✨