A62-015. Family Trip in China: Summer 2015 East China and North China Combined Tour (D17-18)

Day17 (August 10)

A. Half-day tour in Handan.

Handan was the capital of the State of Zhao, one of the seven powerful states during the Warring States period. The city name Handan has been used ever since. A hurried half-day tour of the ancient city.

a. Visit Huiche Alley (took a taxi from the hotel to Huiche Alley, fare 7 yuan).

Our daughter had just finished studying the lesson 'The General and the Minister Make Up'. Huiche Alley is where the story of the general and the minister reconciling took place.

Huiche Alley is located in the southern section of Handan Road, Congtai District, Handan City. It is about 75 meters long and 1.8 meters wide. Legend has it that during the Warring States period, Lin Xiangru, the Senior Minister of Zhao, once turned his carriage here to give way to General Lian Po, hence the name 'Lin Xiangru's Carriage-Turning Alley'.

Today, Huiche Alley is just an ordinary alley in the old city of Handan, even a bit rundown in the surroundings. Yet the story of the general and the minister making up has been widely passed down.

During the Warring States period, Lin Xiangru, a retainer of the State of Zhao, was sent on a mission to the State of Qin. He successfully completed the mission and returned the jade intact, so he was appointed as the Senior Minister. He also accompanied the King of Zhao to the Mianchi Meeting set up by the King of Qin, protecting the King of Zhao from humiliation. To commend Lin Xiangru's contributions, the King of Zhao promoted him to the position of Senior Minister. The veteran general Lian Po, believing himself invincible in battle and thinking Lin Xiangru was merely a weak scholar with only verbal skills but holding a higher rank, was greatly displeased. He repeatedly told others, 'If I ever see him, I will surely humiliate him.' Upon learning this, Lin Xiangru prioritized state affairs, took sick leave to avoid court, and tried his best not to meet him. Later, Lian Po realized that Lin Xiangru's actions were entirely for the sake of the country, so he went to Lin Xiangru carrying a thorny branch to apologize. Afterward, the two reconciled and devoted themselves wholeheartedly to assisting the King of Zhao in governing the state.

b. Visit Congtai Park (took a taxi from Huiche Alley to Congtai Park, the meter didn't click).

Congtai Park is free to enter. Most of the park is a leisure area for citizens.

As the name suggests, the main attraction of Congtai Park is the Congtai, a park within a park. The entrance fee is 10 yuan.

Congtai, also known as Wuling Congtai, is a symbol of the ancient city of Handan. Located in Congtai Park, Handan City, it is said to have been first built during the reign of King Wuling of Zhao (325 BC - 299 BC) during the Warring States period. It was a place where the King of Zhao reviewed troops and watched performances. In ancient times, it was called 'Wuling Congtai' because there were many pavilions and terraces 'connected together'. The existing ancient Congtai was rebuilt during the Tongzhi period of the Qing Dynasty. It is a three-story green brick platform covering an area of over 1,100 square meters and 28 meters high.

Congtai Park - Congtai

Congtai Park - Congtai

Congtai Park - Congtai

c. Visit Learning to Walk Bridge (it takes about 20 minutes to walk from Congtai Park to Learning to Walk Bridge).

Handan is known as the Capital of Chinese Idioms. Idioms such as 'Wearing Hu Clothing and Shooting on Horseback', 'Handan Learning to Walk', and 'Golden Millet Dream' all originated from Handan. The Learning to Walk Bridge is said to be where the idiom 'Handan Learning to Walk' took place.

Located on Chuancheng Street (Handan Road) in the main urban area of Handan City, Hebei Province, on the west bank of the Qin River, the original bridge was a wooden structure. Due to frequent flooding, it was rebuilt into an arched stone bridge in the 45th year of the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty. The bridge is 32 meters long, 9 meters wide, and 8 meters high. On each side, there are 19 balustrade panels and 18 pillars, all carved with historical figures and exquisite animals such as lions and monkeys. The Learning to Walk Bridge is the birthplace of the idiom 'Handan Learning to Walk'.

'Handan Learning to Walk', also known as 'Learning to Walk in Handan', is a metaphor for blindly imitating others, resulting in not only failing to learn the skill but also losing one's original ability.

During the Warring States period, a man from the State of Yan heard that the people of Handan in the State of Zhao had a graceful way of walking. He went to Handan to learn their walking style, but he failed to acquire the skill and forgot his own way of walking. In the end, he had to crawl back to the State of Yan.

B. Lunch at a restaurant near the hotel, then rest at the hotel.

C. Handan to Guangzhou (took the Z89 train departing at 16:39 and arriving at 10:23; hard sleeper lower berth ticket price 388 yuan).

Day18 (August 11)

Arrived in Guangzhou early in the morning. A journey is always short. Looking forward to the next happy family trip.