Temple of Zhang Er

Temple of Zhang Er

The Temple of Zhang Er is a cultural tourism attraction.

There used to be a "Temple of Zhang Er" on the east side inside the southern gate of the ancient city of Jizhou. It was built during the Jianlong era of the Northern Song Dynasty but was destroyed due to warfare in the late Yuan Dynasty. It is said that the temple was a magnificent structure, with the tomb of Zhang Er located beneath it. Zhang Er was a native of Daliang from the Western Han Dynasty. He once led tens of thousands of troops with the Han general Han Xin to defeat King Xie of Zhao and Lord Chen Yu, the King of Cheng, at Jingxing. For his meritorious service, he was made King of Zhao. In the sixth year of Empress Lü’s reign (182 BC), Zhang Er’s son, Zhang Chi, was granted the title of Marquis of Xindu.

According to "Records of the Grand Historian," Zhang Er’s tomb was located to the left of the southern gate of the city, and a stone stele inscribed with "Tomb of Zhang Er, King of Zhao of the Han Dynasty" stood at the southern gate. Therefore, it has been believed through the ages that the Temple of Zhang Er was built over Zhang Er’s tomb, and "visiting celebrities often composed poems in his honor." For example, the Ming Dynasty poet Cao An wrote: "The general was originally a hero of Han, / Here he lies hidden in this humble tomb. / Incense smoke lingers at the enduring shrine, / Falling petals and birdsong mark spring’s return." Originally, there was a tomb stele of Zhang Er at the site of the Temple of Zhang Er, which was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. In 1982, the Hebei Provincial Bureau of Cultural Relics conducted an excavation of the tomb beneath the Temple of Zhang Er. Experts have analyzed that this tomb was not that of Zhang Er.

Exact location: East side inside the southern gate of the ancient city of Jizhou

Transportation: Take the tourist shuttle bus within the urban area for direct access