Holiday in Handan

About Handan

Handan is one of the oldest cities in China, located in Hebei Province, with over 3,000 years of history. As the capital of the ancient state of Zhao during the Warring States period (475-221 BC), Handan played a central role in Chinese history and has given rise to numerous sayings and legends. The most famous of these is "Handan Xue Bu" (Learning to Walk in Handan) — a story about a man who wanted to copy the elegant walk of the people in Handan and forgot his own walk in the process. This and many other stories are depicted as sculptures in the Idiom Culture Park (成语典故苑). The Congtai, an ancient terrace from the Zhao period, was once a magnificent palace complex for music and dance. Today, it is a park with the Zhao Museum, which exhibits artifacts from the Bronze Age. The Xiangtang Caves, located 30 km southwest, house Buddhist rock sculptures from the 6th century with over 3,000 statues — smaller than Longmen but significantly quieter. Handan is also home to the Wu'an Mountains with spectacular hiking trails, glass bridges, and Jingniang Lake. The city is strategically located on the connection between Beijing and the southern Chinese provinces and is an underrated destination for culture enthusiasts.