Handan, Hebei Truly Deserves the Title of the Capital of Idioms and Allusions, Where the Tale of 'Learning to Walk in Handan' Originates

Handan is located in the southern part of Hebei Province, bordering Shandong and Henan provinces. It is one of the oldest cities in Hebei and also serves as China's capital of idioms and allusions. According to research, there are over 200 idioms and allusions that directly originated from Handan. These idioms and allusions are also one of the symbols of Handan's history and culture.

In the old town of Handan, there is a bridge called Xuebu Bridge, which easily reminds people of the idiom 'Learning to Walk in Handan.' In fact, this is the very place where the story of 'Learning to Walk in Handan' took place.

More than two thousand years ago, during the Warring States period, a young man from Shouling in the State of Yan heard that the people of Handan in the State of Zhao had particularly graceful walking postures. So, despite the long distance, he came to Handan to learn how the locals walked. In the end, he not only failed to learn the walking posture of Handan people but also forgot his original way of walking, and finally had to crawl back.

Xuebu Bridge is a bridge over the Qin River in the old town of Handan. Its construction date is unknown. Initially, it was a wooden bridge, and during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, it was rebuilt into an arched stone bridge. The current bridge was rebuilt after the liberation. The banks are lined with willows, and the bridge is carved with many exquisite stone lions.

In ancient times, the Xuebu Bridge area was the center of Handan, and the bridge was the only crossing over the Qin River, known as the 'Key to the Three Regions.' Today, the area around Xuebu Bridge is scenic and a place for locals to relax, play, walk, and exercise.

As the capital of idioms and allusions, Handan has a deep historical and cultural heritage. Besides 'Learning to Walk in Handan,' idioms like 'Hu Fu Qi She' (Wearing the Clothes of the Barbarians and Learning Their Archery), 'Mao Sui Zi Jian' (Mao Sui Recommending Himself), 'Zhi Shang Tan Bing' (Discussing Military Strategy Only on Paper), and 'Yi Yan Jiu Ding' (One Word Worth Nine Tripods) all originated from Handan. Each idiom corresponds to a historical story, making this a city with profound cultural底蕴.

Many people do not know that Qin Shi Huang (the First Emperor of China) was actually born in Handan. His birthplace is not far from Xuebu Bridge, located in Zhujia Lane on Chuancheng Street. This area historically held an important position. Besides Qin Shi Huang, it was also the hometown of Xunzi, and it once housed the residence of Lin Xiangru, the mansion of General Lian Po, the Cixi Palace, and other historical buildings.

In the park next to Xuebu Bridge, there is a statue of 'Learning to Walk in Handan,' depicting a young man imitating the walking posture of a Handan native. The pose is somewhat exaggerated, making it memorable at a glance.