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City in Hebei province, China
Photo: User:我乃野云鹤, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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.
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响堂山石窟
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
广府太极拳节
Held every September in Guangfu Ancient City, featuring martial arts performances, competitions, and cultural parades.
邯郸灯会
Celebrated during the Lunar New Year with lantern displays, temple fairs, and folk dances in Congtai Park.
鹿尔花园
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.
紫山
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.
邯郸道历史文化街区
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.
Hotpot.
Jiangsu
A baozi restaurant, with turtle baozi!
驴肉火锅
A local specialty dish featuring tender donkey meat served in a rich herbal broth.
广府面
Handmade noodles served with soy-based sauces and vegetables.
磁山小米糕
A sweet snack made with millet and brown sugar, inspired by local Neolithic farming traditions.
赵都·礼宴
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.
Good bar to drink cocktail, tea or milkshakes. Western music.
黑夜BAR
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.
莲花新民乐
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.
An institute for the teaching and promotion of traditional Shaolin Kung Fu and Chinese Martial Arts in China.
格林豪泰酒店
Facilities include parking, luggage storage, laundry service, and assistance with taxi booking. Suitable for short stays and transit travelers.
如家酒店
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.
Big Clothes and Textile Shopping Mall were items can be bought in bulk, just south of the Bus Station.
美乐城
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.
新世纪中心
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.
七厂磁州窑艺术街区
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.
德元坊
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.
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.
By car
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
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Handan · Regional · HDG
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