Not Close, but So Beautiful: A Holiday Trip to Hebei~

As a Platinum member of Global Pass for so many years, it's rare to enjoy such a perk: having breakfast in the airport lounge with hot food was quite satisfying.

Day 1: Hangzhou → Shijiazhuang

Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport → Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport

From airport to city center: Metro Line 2 / taxi about 30 minutes (40 CNY).

Checked into a hotel in the city center. We stayed right across from Hebei Provincial Museum, which was very convenient.

First stop in any city is the museum. Hebei Museum: reserve via WeChat official account, enter smoothly with ID card. Not during long holidays, so there weren't many visitors, making the experience great.

The museum is divided into north and south sections. It's recommended to visit the south section first. On the second floor of the south section, there are two exhibition halls: "Heroic Style of the Warring States: The Ancient Zhongshan Kingdom" and "The Grand Han: The Mancheng Han Tombs." Most of the museum's top treasures are concentrated here. The Changxin Palace Lamp is in the second exhibition hall of "The Grand Han: The Mancheng Han Tombs."

The peace doves on Hebo Square are also a symbol of Hebei Museum. Bringing the pigeon feed provided by the hotel to interact with them up close was a unique experience.

Zhengding Ancient City (15 km from the city center, taxi about 30 CNY):

Longxing Temple: This trip was inspired by a CCTV documentary about Longxing Temple, which deeply fascinated me. Route: Longxing Temple (six national-level treasures: Mahavira Hall, Reclining Guanyin, Longzangsi Stele, Vairocana Buddha, revolving sutra library, Thousand-Armed Guanyin statue—unfortunately under renovation, staff said it won't reopen until 2027) → Tianning Temple (only the Lingxiao Pagoda visible from outside) → Yanghe Tower → Linji Temple (an active monastery) → Guanghui Temple (the Huata Pagoda inside is the most beautiful among the four pagodas) → South Gate of Zhengding Ancient City. Climbing the city gate offers a view of all four pagodas in one frame.

Next stop: Handan

High-speed train: Shijiazhuang Station → Handan East Station, 39 minutes. Before coming to Handan, my impression was limited to the idiom "Learn to Walk in Handan." I was amazed by the culture of this 3000-year-old ancient capital.

Day 3: Wahuang Palace

Hotel → Wahuang Palace (100 km, 1.5 hours). Since the attraction is far from Handan city center, renting a private car is the most time- and energy-efficient way.

Wahuang Palace was first built in the Han Dynasty, with existing remains including Northern Qi cliff carvings, Tang dynasty inscriptions, Song dynasty brick walls, and Ming-Qing buildings. The three highlights are the Northern Qi cliff carvings, the main building Wahuang Pavilion, and the Nüwa sacrificial ceremony. Because it is suspended on the cliff by nine iron chains, locals call it the "Hanging Temple." Nine chains hanging in the air—an architectural wonder surpassing the Hanging Temple. To see the iron chains, go to the left side of the second floor of Wahuang Pavilion. Going up: if physically fit, it's recommended to walk to enjoy the scenery. The mountain is not steep; we reached the top in 40 minutes. If not up for the climb, you can take a slide car uphill, then walk 5 minutes to the summit.

Going down: highly recommend the "World's First Slide." Since it was not a holiday, we were the only two people on the slide, making it very thrilling. You control the speed yourself, zipping through the mountain. The experience was amazing—well worth 40 CNY.

In the evening, we visited the "Historical and Cultural Street Handan Avenue."

Day 4: Xiangtangshan Caves (60 km, 1 hour)

Xiangtangshan Caves:

The cave complex is divided into North and South caves. The North Cave preserves many Tang dynasty Buddha statues, mainly carved by the royal family, with exquisite craftsmanship. Not far into the scenic area is the ruins of Changle Temple. I wanted to take a photo matching the National Geographic magazine cover, but it was under protective renovation, so I could only take a picture through the glass. Then we went up the mountain to see the caves. You can buy a ticket for the sightseeing car or walk up. It's recommended to take the car to save energy. You can also listen to the guide's explanation at the caves first, then go down to visit the digital museum. The caves were severely damaged by wars, and during the Republic of China period, Buddha heads were heavily looted and sold. Less than one in ten intact statues remain, not as well preserved as Yungang Caves, but still impressive enough.

The South Cave was carved by nobles and ministers, smaller in scale than the North Cave. But unexpectedly, we met the museum director giving a personal tour. An originally one-hour explanation lasted an hour and a half, and he was still enthusiastic. We were also the last visitors to leave the site that day.

Day 5: Guangfu Ancient City + Handan Museum

Morning: Guangfu Ancient City, also called Yongnian City, located in Yongnian District, Handan. First built in the Tang dynasty, the existing Yongnian City dates from the Ming dynasty. It is a famous historical and cultural town in China and one of Handan's two 5A-level scenic spots. It is the birthplace of Yang-style and Wu-style Tai Chi, preserving the former residences of Yang Luchan, founder of Yang-style Tai Chi, and Wu Yuxiang, founder of Wu-style Tai Chi.

Yanghe Gate (East Gate): climb the city gate to see the barbican (the origin of the idiom "catch a turtle in a jar") → Former residence of Wu Yuxiang, founder of Wu-style Tai Chi. I happened to be the first visitor entering when the gate opened. An extroverted Tai Chi master was practicing and warmly invited me to join him. I hadn't practiced Tai Chi in over a decade since it was a required course in college, so my movements were rusty. → Former residence of Tai Chi grandmaster Yang Luchan: the busiest spot in Guangfu Ancient City. Many elderly tourists dressed in "Yang-style Tai Chi" uniforms taking photos. → Hongji Bridge, said to be the sister bridge of Zhaozhou Bridge.

Afternoon: Handan city center (mainly Handan Museum). Even just for the "Handan Smile," I had to visit Handan Museum. In fact, Handan Museum's top treasures are far more than just the "Handan Smile."