Cangzhou Lion, Dingzhou Pagoda, and the "Big Split Melon" of Baoding Prefecture

🌿 Another travel diary entry! This time, I'm checking out the small garden at the Huaijun Gongsuo Museum in Baoding! Early July is the perfect time to enjoy the lotus flowers 🌺. Although some have already faded, the double-petaled lotus flowers here are absolutely stunning! They are much more gorgeous than the single-petaled ones and look amazing in photos 📸. (PS: The lotus flowers at the Ancient Lotus Pond are single-petaled, so they're a bit different.) 🌸 A quick fact about double-petaled lotus flowers: ✔️ Rich, layered petals. ✔️ More gorgeous visual effect. ✔️ Although the blooming period is short, the petals don't fall off even after they fade. I love this stubborn little personality 💕. 💎 The biggest surprise was discovering the legendary "Big Split Melon" of Baoding! This bluestone, which looks like a giant winter melon, is quite special: · One of the four famous sites of old Baoding. · Folk legend says it's the tip of the Taihang Mountains. · It's said to be a spiritual stone connected to the Taihang Mountain range! 🌄 The legends about the "Big Split Melon" are super interesting: ➡️ It was a boundary stone between the Yan and Zhao states during the Warring States period. ➡️ During the Republic of China era, Cao Kun even sent people to dig around it to see how deep it went (they never found the bottom). ➡️ Now, it's hidden in this Jiangnan-style, Hui-style courtyard. Every city has its own unique legends, just like the Suolong Well in Beijing or the Sea Eye in Beihai. Although there are no official historical records, that's the charm of tradition ✨. When you visit next time, be sure to check out this "Big Split Melon." Tell your friends about this magical legend. It's definitely the most unique conversation starter for your social media feed! 🎯 Photo tips: 1⃣ Go in the morning for soft light. 2⃣ Double-petaled lotus flowers are great for close-ups. 3⃣ Remember to take both panoramic and detail shots of the "Big Split Melon."