Stand on the terrace of Congtai Park and the city spreads out around you: a lake below, a small zoo to one side, and the Wuling Cong Tai Terrace rising with its two pavilions on top. Handan rewards travellers who are interested in early Chinese history, Buddhist cave art and Tai Chi rather than nightlife or shopping, and this guide covers the sights the city and its surrounding counties do well.
Many of the strongest places sit outside the built-up area, in Daming County, Yongnian and Fengfeng, so plan on buses or a hired car for at least part of your time. Within the city itself, the museums, parks and streets are easy to combine on foot or by bicycle.
Top things to do in Handan
1. Xiangtangshan Grottoes
A group of Buddhist cave temples carved into the mountainside, begun in the Northern Qi dynasty and continued through the Sui, Tang, Song, Yuan and Ming. The site holds sixteen main caves and around four thousand statues, split between a northern and a southern section of the mountain.
The two sections are about 15 km apart, so decide in advance which you are visiting or allow time for both. The grottoes are open daily 08:00–17:30 and admission is ¥19; the address is No. 12 Taihang West Road, Fuyang East Road Subdistrict, Fengfeng Mining District.
2. Guangfu Ancient City
A typical northern Chinese ancient town surrounded by an artificial river, with a city wall standing ten metres tall. The original wall was built in the Tang dynasty, and the late-Qing residence of Wu Yuxiang, a Tai Chi Chuan master, is well preserved.
Take the 605 bus, or cycle out: it takes about two hours from Handan Opera through Renmin Lu, a large road with a bicycle lane, or about three hours if you go through the smaller villages. A Tai Chi-themed park is planned near Wu Yuxiang's house.
3. Wahuang Palace
Also known as Grandma Temple, this temple was first built during the Northern Qi dynasty in remembrance of Nuwa, a goddess in Chinese mythology. It is constructed along the contours of a mountain, amid fine scenery.
It lies far from Handan city centre but only 10 km from She County, so it works best as part of a trip in that direction. Opening hours are 08:30–17:00 and admission is ¥60.
4. Zhaowangcheng Ruins Park
The ruins of the ancient capital of the Zhao Kingdom from the Warring States period, with remains of city walls, gates and relics from over two thousand years ago. It is the most direct way to see the ground the Zhao state actually built on.
Luer Garden sits inside the park, so the two can be visited together in a single outing.
5. Congtai Park
A park in the city centre with a lake and a small zoo. For ¥5 you can visit the Wuling Cong Tai Terrace, which has two pavilions on top and was built by King Wuling of the Zhao State.
The park is also where the Handan Lantern Festival is celebrated during the Lunar New Year, with lantern displays, temple fairs and folk dances.
6. Handan Museum
On 45 Zhonghua North Street, the museum shows some 8,000-year-old Cizhou pottery and bronze unearthed from the Zhou Kingdom. Admission is free and the location is central, a little south of the Congtai Park East Gate.
Opening hours are 09:00–11:30 and 14:00–16:30, so fit it around a morning or afternoon rather than turning up at midday. Combine it with Congtai Park next door.
7. Mother of Grace Cathedral in Daming
A cathedral in Daming built in 1918 by French missionaries. It is one of the more unexpected pieces of architecture in the region and pairs naturally with the county's other sights.
Take the bus from Handan East Bus Station to Daming.
8. Daming County
The county has an important Hui ethnic minority population, in the Yingzhen Hui Village, and many mosques. Among them are the Daming County Xiying Mosque, built in 1506, the Nanguan East Street Mosque, built in 1519, the Mashizhuang Mosque, built in 1489, the Dongying Town Mosque, built in 1864, the Dajie Village Mosque, built in 1024, the Qilidian Mosque, built in 1956 and the Xiyang Village Mosque, built in 1948.
This is a day trip rather than an afternoon: reach it by bus from Handan East Bus Station, and consider combining it with the Mother of Grace Cathedral in the same county.
9. Handan Dao Historic and Cultural Street
A mixed-use district on the east side of Lingxi Avenue in Congtai District, combining preserved historic buildings with newly built traditional-style architecture. It 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. It suits an evening wander after a day of sights.
10. Jingniang Lake
An artificial lake with many mountain trails and a suspension bridge for pedestrians, and a popular destination in summer. Admission is ¥70.
It is quite a journey from Handan: take bus 808 to Wuan, then change to another bus up into the mountains, which takes a good two hours to reach there.
11. Jinjiluyu Martyrs Cemetery
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.
It is a quiet, sober stop that fits well into a day that already includes other historical sites.
12. Dragon Lake Park
A park that is beautifully illuminated at night. It is a simple, low-cost way to end an evening in the city.
Go after dark, when the lighting is the point of the visit.
13. Zhao Park
A big park in the north-west of the city with some small re-built structures that remember the old Zhao Kingdom. It pairs well with the Zhaowangcheng Ruins Park if you want more of the Zhao story.
Allow a relaxed half-day rather than trying to squeeze it between other stops.
14. Luer Garden
A non-powered amusement park inside Zhaowangcheng Ruins Park, on South Ring Road in Hanshan District, with family-friendly play facilities, a small animal area, and camping and barbecue spaces. It is open daily 09:30–18:00, with last entry at 16:30, and costs ¥60 per person.
Because it sits inside the ruins park, it makes sense to visit both on the same trip.
15. Purple Mountain Park
A public park east of Hanwu Cement Plant on Xinhanwu Road, Sanling Township, Congtai District, combining seasonal flower viewing with leisure activities. It is known for large areas of pink muhly grass and Ziyun Lake, which has a small waterfall, and offers fishing, horseback riding and boating. It is open daily 04:00–18:00 and admission is ¥10.
The early opening makes it a good first stop if you want to be out before the rest of the city is moving.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at Handan Museum when it opens at 09:00, then walk to Congtai Park and pay the ¥5 to climb the Wuling Cong Tai Terrace for the view over the lake.
Afternoon: Head to Zhaowangcheng Ruins Park to walk the remains of the Zhao capital's walls and gates, and continue into Luer Garden inside the park if you are travelling with children.
Evening: Eat and browse on Handan Dao Historic and Cultural Street, then finish at Dragon Lake Park, which is illuminated at night.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Guangfu Tai Chi Festival?
It is held every September in Guangfu Ancient City, with martial arts performances, competitions and cultural parades.
How do I get to Guangfu Ancient City without a car?
Take the 605 bus. You can also cycle there: about two hours from Handan Opera through Renmin Lu, a large road with a bicycle lane, or about three hours if you go through the smaller villages.
Is the Handan Museum free to enter?
Yes. Admission is free, and the museum is centrally located a little south of the Congtai Park East Gate. It is open 09:00–11:30 and 14:00–16:30.
What happens in Congtai Park during the Lunar New Year?
The Handan Lantern Festival is celebrated there with lantern displays, temple fairs and folk dances.
Decide which of the outlying sites matters most to you, check the bus routes for that one, and the rest of a Handan trip will fall into place.