Handan

Handan (邯郸 Hándān), located in southern Hebei Province, is one of the oldest cities in China, with a history of more than 3,000 years. It was the capital of Zhao State during the Warring States Period and is famous for its rich history and culture, and iron casting art. == Understand == == Get in == === By plane === Flights to Chongqing, Dalian, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai Pudong, Shanghai Hongqiao. Official website (Chinese) . === By train === High speed G trains arrive in Handan East Railway station. Slow trains arrive in Handan Railway station, in the center of the city. === By bus === A long distance bus departs from the bus station near the old Railway Station (邯郸长途汽车站). You can check the schedule online, but you have to go to the bus station to buy your ticket. Usually you don't have to book and you just need to arrive a few minutes in advance to catch your bus. === By car === == Get around == Buses in Handan, as in any large city in China, are frequent and cheap: just ¥1 for a journey, whatever the distance. Bus with air conditioner will charge ¥2. bus map Taxis are plentiful with the flag-drop just ¥6. == See == === Historical sites === Mother of Grace Cathedral in Daming (大名宠爱之母堂). Take the bus in Handan East Bus Station to Daming. This cathedral was built in 1918 by French missionaries. Guangfu Ancient City (广府古城). A typical northern Chinese ancient town surrounded by an artificial river. The city wall stands ten meters tall. The original wall was built in the Tang Dynasty. The residence of Wu Yuxiang, a Tai Chi Chuan master, was built in the late Qing Dynasty and is well preserved. A Tai Chi-themed park will be built near the house. To go to Guangfu take the 605路 bus:bus map. You can also cycle to Guangfu, it takes 2 hours from Handan Opera through Renmin Lu (large road with a bicycle lane) or 3 hours trough little villages. Jinjiluyu Martyrs Cemetery (晋冀鲁豫烈士陵园 Jìnjìlǔyù lièshì língyuán) - a cemetery of soldiers and heroes who died during the war against Japan. A tomb for a chief-of-staff of the army is also here. Dragon Lake Park (龙湖公园 Lónghú gōngyuán) - a park beautifully illuminated at night. 1 Xiangtangshan Grottoes (响堂山石窟), No. 12 Taihang West Road, Fuyang East Road Subdistrict, Fengfeng Mining District, ☏ +86 15544858174. Daily 08:00–17:30. The Xiangtangshan Grottoes are a group of Buddhist cave temples carved into the mountainside. They are the largest grotto complex discovered in Hebei and one of the major religious grotto sites in China. Excavation began during the Northern Qi dynasty (550–577) and continued through the Sui, Tang, Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties.The site consists of 16 main caves and around 4,000 statues, distributed across the northern and southern sections of the mountain. The two sections are about 15 km apart. ¥19. (updated Dec 2025) Wahuang Palace (娲皇宫 Wāhuánggōng) - also well-known as Grandma Temple (奶奶顶 Nǎinɑidǐng), it was first built during the Northern Qi Dynasty (550 - 577), constructed in remembrance of Nuwa, a goddess in Chinese mythology. The temple is built along the contours of a mountain amid beautiful scenery. It's far from Handan city center, but only 10 km from She County (涉县). Hours of operation: 08:30-17:00. Admission: ¥60. 2 Zhaowangcheng Ruins Park (赵王城遗址公园). The ruins of the ancient capital of the Zhao Kingdom from the Warring States period. The site includes remains of city walls, gates, and relics from over 2,000 years ago. (updated Oct 2025) === Museums === Handan Museum, 45 Zhonghua North Street, ☏ +86 310 301 3177. 09:00-11:30, 14:00-16:30. Shows some 8,000-year-old CiZhou pottery and bronze unearthed from the Zhou Kingdom. The best thing, however, is the free admission and its central location a bit south of the CongTai Park East Gate. free. === Towns and villages === Daming County (大名县). There is an important Muslim (Hui ethnic minority) in the Yingzhen Hui Village (营镇回族乡) in the Daming County. There are many mosques in the county, especially: * 大名县西营清真寺 or 大名县西营镇清真寺 built in 1506 * 大名县南关东街清真寺 built in 1519 * 大名县马时庄清真寺 built in 1489 * 大名县东营镇清真寺 built in 1864 * 大名县大街村清真寺 built in 1024 * 大名县七里店清真寺 built in 1956 * 大名县西杨村清真寺 built in 1948 full list. === Other attractions === Handan Opera. Built in 2010 the building is beautiful. All the more beautiful in the evening since it is lit. In Chinese the place is named 邯郸市文化艺术中心, 邯郸文化艺术中心, 邯郸市保利大剧院, 大元宝 or 大剧院.博物馆、图书馆 == Do == === Parks and nature === Congtai Park (丛台公园). This park in the city centre contains a lake and a small zoo. For ¥5 the Wuling Cong Tai Terrace with 2 pavilions on top can be visited. The terrace was built by King Wuling of the Zhao State. Zhao Park (赵苑). A big park in the north-west of the city that has some small re-built structures to remember the old Zhao Kingdom. Jingniang Lake (京娘湖). An artificial Lake with many mountain trails and a suspension bridge for pedestrians. Quite popular tourist destination during summer. It is however quite a journey from Handan, with the Bus 808 to Wuan (武安) then change to another Bus up into the Mountains it takes a good 2 Hours to reach there. ¥70. (updated Nov 2023) === Festivals === Guangfu Tai Chi Festival (广府太极拳节). Held every September in Guangfu Ancient City, featuring martial arts performances, competitions, and cultural parades. Handan Lantern Festival (邯郸灯会). Celebrated during the Lunar New Year with lantern displays, temple fairs, and folk dances in Congtai Park. 1 Luer Garden (鹿尔花园), Inside Zhaowangcheng Ruins Park, South Ring Road, Beizhangzhuang Town, Hanshan District, ☏ +86 0310-8132666. Daily 09:30–18:00 (last entry at 16:30). A non-powered amusement park with a range of family-friendly play facilities. The park also includes a small animal area and offers camping and barbecue spaces, making it suitable for relaxed outdoor activities. ¥60 per person. (updated Dec 2025) 2 Purple Mountain Park (紫山), East of Hanwu Cement Plant, Xinhanwu Road, Sanling Township, Congtai District, ☏ +86 18531014635. Daily 04:00–18:00. A public park combining seasonal flower viewing and leisure activities. The park is known for large areas of pink muhly grass and Ziyun Lake, which features a small waterfall. Recreational options include fishing, horseback riding, and boating. ¥10. (updated Dec 2025) 3 Handan Dao Historic and Cultural Street (邯郸道历史文化街区), East side of Lingxi Avenue, Congtai West Street Subdistrict, Congtai District, ☏ +86 18531019471. A mixed-use district combining preserved historic buildings with newly built traditional-style architecture. The area is divided into a historic section and a reconstructed antique-style section. There are many shops and local snack stalls, making it a convenient place to buy souvenirs and local products. (updated Dec 2025) == Buy == At the crossing of 邯山街 and 贸易路 a lot of small shops can be found selling everything from pigeons and vegetables to kitchenware. 现代轻纺城, 浴新大街. Big Clothes and Textile Shopping Mall were items can be bought in bulk, just south of the Bus Station. 1 Meilecheng Shopping Mall (美乐城), No. 456 Renmin East Road, ☏ +86 0310-2071888. Daily 09:30–22:00. A large modern shopping mall offering dining, shopping, and entertainment in one place. It has a wide range of restaurants, cafés, supermarkets, and retail stores, making it a convenient stop for meals and daily needs. (updated Dec 2025) 2 New Century Center (新世纪中心), No. 29 Renmin Road North Avenue, about 80 m from the Zhonghua Street intersection, ☏ +86 0310-3122661. Daily 10:00–22:00. An upmarket shopping mall in central Handan, offering dining, shopping, and entertainment. It hosts a range of higher-end retail brands, including luxury goods and cosmetics, and is a good option for visitors looking for more premium shopping. (updated Dec 2025) Seventh Factory Cizhou Kiln Art Street (七厂磁州窑艺术街区), No. 2 Pengdong Street, Fengfeng Mining District. An art district centered on Cizhou kiln culture. The area includes cafes, ceramic homeware shops, and pottery studios offering hands-on experiences. Several antique shops are located just outside the street, and an antiques market is held every Sunday. (updated Dec 2025) Deyuan Workshop (德元坊), About 90 m south of the East Gate of the Cizhou Kiln Art Street, Fengfeng Mining District. A small shop selling Cizhou kiln ceramics. The owner is a recognized inheritor of Cizhou kiln craftsmanship, and all pieces are handmade on site. Prices are reasonable and clearly marked. Recommended for visitors interested in traditional handicrafts. (updated Dec 2025) == Eat == Eat a traditional Chinese breakfast on the street. Street vendors usually serve breakfast from 06:00-09:00, some of which are type of soup such as 豆浆, 豆沫, 豆腐脑儿, 小米粥, 胡辣汤. You can drink it with 油条, deep fried dough sticks that can be sweet or salted. There are vendors in each street, for instance in front of the Renmin Street Mosque or on Congtai Street in front of 政通小区. 重庆巴奴火锅, 丛台路. Hotpot. ¥40 per person. 天香阁大酒店, 丛台区丛台路406号(滏东大街口). Jiangsu ¥30 per person. 狗不理包子, 丛台路. A baozi restaurant, with turtle baozi! === Local specialties === Donkey Meat Hotpot (驴肉火锅). A local specialty dish featuring tender donkey meat served in a rich herbal broth. Guangfu Noodles (广府面). Handmade noodles served with soy-based sauces and vegetables. Cishan Millet Cake (磁山小米糕). A sweet snack made with millet and brown sugar, inspired by local Neolithic farming traditions. Zhaodu · Ritual Banquet (赵都·礼宴), No. 149 Zhonghua North Avenue, Congtai West Subdistrict, Congtai District, ☏ +86 18400878970. Daily 16:30–20:30; 21:30–23:00. A large-scale immersive dance and dining performance inspired by the history of the ancient Zhao State. The set menu includes nine courses, each with symbolic meaning. Guests dine as “ancient visitors” while watching staged performances based on historical stories such as Nuwa Mends the Sky, Learning to Walk in Handan, and Returning the Jade Intact to Zhao. ¥453 per person. (updated Dec 2025) == Drink == Abar, 广泰街. Good bar to drink cocktail, tea or milkshakes. Western music. Black Night Bar (黑夜BAR), Room 1, 2/F, Heping Old Street, No. 202 Heping Road, Congtai District, ☏ +86 17531326149. Daily 17:00–06:00. A lively bar with a busy atmosphere, featuring nightly DJ sets. The menu includes a range of beers, cocktails, and simple food options. Recommended for visitors who enjoy late-night venues and a more energetic nightlife scene. ¥60–80. (updated Dec 2025) Lotus New Folk Music Bar (莲花新民乐), 4/F, Gome Electrical Appliances Building, No. 2 Chengnan Street, Heping Subdistrict, Congtai District, ☏ +86 17531326048. Daily 18:00–03:00. A traditional-style bar with a classical Chinese aesthetic. Live folk music performances are held nightly, mainly featuring ballads. Drinks include a selection of beers, and barbecue food is also available. ¥40–70. (updated Dec 2025) == Sleep == Congtai Grand Hotel (丛台大酒店) is probably the best address in town. Rooms from ¥360. At Renmin East Road near the Congtai Park (河北省邯郸市人民东路126号). Taizu Shaolin Kung Fu School, ☏ +008615102661196, learnshaolinkungfu@gmail.com. An institute for the teaching and promotion of traditional Shaolin Kung Fu and Chinese Martial Arts in China. ¥50. (updated Mar 2019) GreenTree Inn (格林豪泰酒店), No. 112 Fuzhang Road, ☏ +86 0310-527211. Check-in: 12：00, check-out: 12：00. Facilities include parking, luggage storage, laundry service, and assistance with taxi booking. Suitable for short stays and transit travelers. Single room from ¥151. (updated Dec 2025) Home Inn (如家酒店), Inside the Pharmaceutical Building compound, No. 1 Zhonghua South Avenue, ☏ +86 0310-5273888. Check-in: 14：00, check-out: 12：00. A budget hotel with clean and simple rooms. Facilities include free breakfast and luggage storage. Parking is not available. Suitable for travelers looking for an affordable stay in the city center. Single room from ¥135. (updated Dec 2025) == Connect == == Go next == Many destinations from the bus station or the railway station. For instance you can go to Mount Tai (泰山) from the long distance bus station. It takes 5 hours and costs ¥87.