[2024 Handan Attraction] Travel Guide for Guangfu Ancient Town (Updated Nov)
No.3 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Hebei
Ancient Towns
Address:
Guangfuzhen, Yongnian, Handan, Hebei, China
Opening times:
Open year round, 24/7Open
Recommended sightseeing time:
0.5-1 day
Phone:
0310-6612266
Underrated Treasure City | This is the most unpopular ancient city I have visited this year.
📍Guangfu Ancient City is located in Guangfu Town, Yongnian District, Handan City, Hebei Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction. 🎉
🌟History🌟
- 📜Built in the Spring and Autumn Period: The history of Guangfu Ancient City can be traced back to the Spring and Autumn Period, when it was called Quliang, more than 2,600 years ago. 😮
- 🕰️Changes over the dynasties: Since the Western Han Dynasty, it has successively become the seat of counties, prefectures, states, and counties in successive dynasties. 👏
🏰Architectural Features🏰
- 🧱City Wall and Moat: The city wall is 4.5 km long, 12 m high, and 8 m wide, and is basically intact. The moat outside the city is 100 m wide and 5 km long, forming a "one city and two waters" landscape. 😍
- 🎑Architectural Style: The buildings in the city are mainly in the form of northern quadrangle courtyards in the southern Hebei style, mostly with independent courtyards, facing south, with hard mountain roofs, and exquisite stone carvings. 👍
📍Main Attractions📍
- 🏯Ancient City and City Wall: A national key cultural relic protection unit, the existing city wall was built in the Ming Dynasty, and the streets in the city retain the scale and direction of the Ming Dynasty, and there are many Qing Dynasty residences. 🤩
- 🏛️Guangping Prefecture: Located at the northern end of the north-south central axis of the ancient city, it is one of the famous three prefectures in the south of the capital in history. ✨
- 🌉Hongji Bridge: A single-hole double-open shoulder stone arch bridge, 48.9 m long and 6.82 m wide, similar to Zhaozhou Anji Bridge, with exquisite reliefs. 😚
- 🏠Former Residences of Yang Luchan and Wu Yuxiang: The former residences of the founders of Yang-style and Wu-style Tai Chi, respectively, are in the Qing Dynasty style and are well preserved. 🥰
🤸♂️Cultural Value🤸♀️
- 🥋Tai Chi Culture: This is the birthplace of Yang-style and Wu-style Tai Chi, known as the "Hometown of Tai Chi in China". 👏
🚗Transportation Guide🚗
- 🚌Bus: From Handan Station, take bus 605 (Tour 1) directly to the south gate of Guangfu Ancient City, or get off at the east gate at the terminal, the fare is only CNY 6. 😎
- 🚗Self-driving: There are parking lots near the east gate and south gate, and there are also parking spaces on the side of the road. 🅿️
🎫Ticket Information🎫
- The ancient city is free to enter, but each attraction inside requires a separate ticket. If you want to play in Handan for a few more days, it is recommended to buy an 88 yuan Handan annual pass, which basically covers all scenic spots in Handan. 💰
🕙Opening Hours🕙
- The ancient city is open all day, and the opening hours of the paid attractions are 8:30-17:30. ⌛
Phoenix_8_Starthorn-67
Half of Handan's history is in Guangfu Ancient City.
🌟 Highlights:
Guangfu Ancient City is located in Yongnianwa, Handan City, covering an area of 46,000 mu. It has a history of 2,600 years and is also known as Yongnian City, Guangfu Ancient City, Water City, Taiji City, and Little Jiangnan. The most distinctive feature of Guangfu is the 5-kilometer moat surrounding it, making it easy to defend and hard to attack. It was a place of strategic importance for military strategists.
The existing city wall was rebuilt during the Ming Dynasty, with a height of 12 meters, a width of 8 meters, and an area of 1.5 square kilometers. There are four ancient city towers and five pavilions on the city wall. The ancient city wall, urn city, city tower, horse path, city gate, and relics of the thousand-pound water gate have important architectural and aesthetic value.
In history, it has attracted countless dignitaries and literati. Tang Dynasty poets such as Li Bai, Du Fu, Wang Wei, and Liu Yuxi all visited Guangfu Ancient City and left poems praising it.
📝 Tips:
The ancient city is heavily commercialized, with homogeneous products and Hanfu shops everywhere, lacking the flavor of a historical ancient town, which is regrettable.
🍲 Dishes not recommended:
The dishes here are salty, and the recommended dishes are average. Locals only have a sentimental attachment to them.
ForkAndKnife
Traversing Through the Mists of History: The Ancient Charm and Timeless Imprints of Guangfu Ancient City
Guangfu Ancient City, located in Handan, Hebei, is a city steeped in rich historical atmosphere, with a cultural heritage spanning over a thousand years. This visit to Guangfu Ancient City allowed me to deeply feel its rustic elegance and the weight of history, as if stepping into a historical scroll depicting Chinese civilization.
The ancient city retains a large number of buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties, with well-arranged streets and alleys, and elegant blue bricks and gray tiles. Walking on the winding stone-paved roads, I could clearly feel the tranquility and peace that time has settled. The city walls are magnificent and imposing. Climbing up the city tower and looking into the distance, the beautiful scenery of the ancient city surrounded by water comes into view, making the entire ancient city seem to float on the green waves. The moat of Guangfu and the layout of the ancient city are perfectly combined, showcasing the ingenious wisdom of the ancients.
In addition, the ancient residential clusters and well-preserved ancient buildings within the city are astonishing. These buildings have various styles but all retain unique historical imprints. Strolling here, it feels as if one can hear the echoes of history and see the bustling scenes of the past. The local authentic snacks and handicrafts further enhance the rich cultural charm of Guangfu Ancient City.
This trip to Guangfu Ancient City not only made me feel the weight of history but also deeply appreciate the profound and vast traditional Chinese culture. Whether you are interested in ancient architecture or want to personally experience historical relics, Guangfu Ancient City is definitely worth a visit. Here, you can quietly touch the passage of time and savor the endless charm of the ancient city.
achen96
Explore the poetic beauty of this ancient city.
👏Recommended for: Guangfu Ancient City, a historical gem that has stood for thousands of years. Walking along the ancient city walls, you can almost hear the echoes of the past. The city is filled with quaint buildings and quiet streets, exuding a strong sense of history. The moat reflects the charm of the ancient city, creating a picturesque scene. In Guangfu Ancient City, you can escape the hustle and bustle, immerse yourself in the ancient atmosphere, feel the passage of time, explore the footprints of history, and embark on a spiritual journey.
📍Address: Guangfu Ancient City, Yongnian District, Handan City
🚗Transportation: Take a high-speed train/bus: First arrive at Handan High-speed Railway Station or Railway Station, then transfer to a shuttle bus or Bus 605 to Guangfu Ancient City, which can directly reach Guangfu Ancient City Scenic Area
👍️Must-visit attractions: Ancient City Wall - Yang Luchan's Former Residence - Wu Yuxiang's Former Residence - Hongji Bridge - Ganlu Temple
🎟️Ticket information: Free, some attractions in the city are charged separately.
💗Other tips: ①Opening hours: 9:00-18:00
②Pay attention to sun protection during the tour.
③Bring more water.
Bell Sophia 54
Time-Traveling Journey | Exploring Ganlu Temple in Guangfu Ancient City
| Exploring Ganlu Temple in Guangfu Ancient City. 🚗🏰 Time-Traveling Journey | Exploring Ganlu Temple in Guangfu Ancient City 🌟
🌿 Embark on a self-driving trip, heading towards the depths of history in Guangfu Ancient City. After wandering through the ancient charm of Hongji Bridge, my steps were drawn to an ancient temple called Ganlu Temple.
🏯 You might have heard of Ganlu Temple from the Three Kingdoms stories, but it has nothing to do with this Ganlu Temple. This Ganlu Temple, though not famous, has a history of 1400 years. It is said that Princess Nanyang, the third daughter of Emperor Yang of Sui, once practiced here, but the truth of history is always elusive. What remains unchanged is that Ganlu Temple has weathered storms and witnessed countless dynastic changes.
🌸 The current Ganlu Temple is located outside the east gate of the ancient city, separated from the ancient city by only a river. Entering the temple, the new halls and Buddha statues, though lacking the vicissitudes of history, are still solemn and magnificent. Along the central axis, the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Mahavira Hall, and the Sutra Library are arranged in sequence, with the Bell and Drum Towers and the Guanyin Hall cleverly interspersed.
🌳 Strolling between the corridors and streams, shaded by green trees, with fish playing in the water and birds singing. Arched bridges, flowing water, long corridors, and weeping willows, like a moving garden painting. This is undoubtedly a sanctuary for the soul.
📍 Location: Dongguan, Guangfu Town, Yongnian District, Handan City, Hebei Province, east side of Guangfu Ancient City, Temple East Street.
🕒 Opening hours: 8:30-17:30, the temple gate closes after dusk.
🕰️ Recommended visit duration: about 1 hour
🚙 Transportation guide: Drive to Ganlu Temple in Guangfu Ancient City, there are free parking spaces in front of the temple.
Penelope Carmichael
Guangfu Ancient Town Frequently Asked Questions
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Guangfu Ancient City in Handan, Hebei | A city that has waited for three thousand years
❣️ Guangfu Ancient City has a history of 2600 years and is a 5A tourist attraction. The city is very large, surrounded by a moat where speedboat activities are available; it's quite cool, although I didn't ask about the price 😁 The city has a profound sense of history, it's stunning, and it makes one feel as if they have traveled back to the era of a hundred schools of thought and constant change.
1. Admission: There is no entrance fee to the ancient city, but climbing the city wall costs 25 yuan per person. Some individual attractions within the city require an admission ticket. I bought a combined ticket for the ancient city wall and the Wu Family Courtyard for 40 yuan per person. Wearing a full set of Hanfu (traditional Han clothing), you can climb the city wall for free.
2. The commercialization within the city is quite serious, with many shops renting Hanfu and a variety of snacks available, but they are all common foods. The most distinctive might be the crispy fish, but I didn't try it.
3. Guangfu is the birthplace of both Yang-style and Wu-style Tai Chi. There are the former residences of Yang Luchan and Wu Yuxiang (both attractions require tickets). I briefly experienced the Tai Chi culture; a master merely grasped my arm gently, and it was so painful that I grimaced. I listened to the master talk about the flow of qi in the body, but I didn't understand. You can sign up to learn Tai Chi, with different prices and no age limit.
4. The Wu Family Courtyard, the residence of the founder of Wu-style Tai Chi, consists of many old houses. It's like playing hide and seek inside, with unexpected beauty around every corner. The rooms are slightly damp and cool; I'm afraid of the cold, so I didn't stay too long. Those who like old buildings and artifacts might enjoy visiting.
5. The Guangping Prefecture Office was the government office at the time and also requires a ticket. I didn't go inside, but it seems to be quite nice, and it looks very large. There is a small theater inside that performs a play about a trial. Due to a tight schedule, I left before the show started. If you have time, I recommend visiting.
6. After climbing the ancient city wall, you can take a walk and see the residential areas, which are very small courtyards. Walking around the city wall is quite a distance.
VoyagerVagabond
Northern water town, the holy land of Tai Chi! Ancient City (Yongnian City)·Handan
Guangfu Ancient City is located in Guangfu Town, Yongnian District, Handan, and is a national 5A-level tourist attraction. The ancient city is not large, but it is surrounded by a wide moat, known as the "Northern Water Town". It is also the birthplace of Yang-style and Wu-style Tai Chi, also known as the "Holy Land of Tai Chi", making Guangfu Ancient City a unique and distinguished city that combines ancient city, water city, and Tai Chi city.
Guangfu Ancient City has a history of more than 2600 years and was the site of the ancient northern town Guangping Prefecture (Yongnian City), which governed nine counties around it (including Handan) during the Ming Dynasty. There are numerous historical relics and remains inside and outside the ancient city, including the Guangping Prefecture Yamen, the former residences of Yang Luchan, Wu Yuxiang, and Wu Ruqing, among which Guangfu Ancient City and the Hongji Bridge to the east of the city, known as the 'sister bridge' of Zhaozhou Bridge, are national key cultural relics.
Warm tips: The south gate of the ancient city is the main entrance, and the east gate is the largest. It is more convenient to enter and exit through these two gates when visiting!
BRIDGER POWELL
Guangfu Ancient City in Yongnian, Handan, Hebei—one of the few ancient cities where aerial photography is allowed
Guangfu Ancient City is located 45 kilometers northeast of Handan City in Hebei Province, on the banks of the Fuyang River in Yongnian Depression, known as Guangfu because it was historically the seat of Guangping Prefecture, and has been referred to as the 'Little Jiangnan' of the north since ancient times.
The city of Guangfu has a history of over 2,600 years. At the end of the Sui Dynasty, King Dou Jiande of Xia and King Liu Heita of Eastern Han established their capitals here, and it has since been the administrative center for counties, prefectures, and states under successive dynasties. The city boasts majestic and ancient city walls; the dignified and beautiful Hongji Bridge, known as the 'sister bridge' to Zhaozhou Bridge; the intriguing tomb of Mao Sui, weathered by time; the meticulously constructed Xiba Sluice, a Ming Dynasty water conservancy facility still serving agricultural production; and the Zangbing Cave, built during the Sui and Tang periods for strategic defense. The existing city walls were rebuilt during the Ming Dynasty, standing 12 meters high and 8 meters wide, covering an area of 1.5 square kilometers. The walls are largely intact, with a total circumference often referred to as 'nine li and thirteen steps'.
Guangfu Ancient City is also a water town, surrounded by tens of thousands of acres of depression and endless reeds, with water on all sides, offering a rare northern scenic beauty of water towns. Encircling the ancient city is a smoothly flowing moat, beyond which lies the 46,000-acre Yongnian Depression, higher in the north and lower in the south, allowing water to flow naturally. The depression is perennially waterlogged, historically known as a famous natural aquaculture farm. In the deep water areas of Yongnian Depression's old pond and the moat, artificial breeding and release of crucian carp, river shrimp, and crabs will be implemented, while in the shallow waters, aquatic plants such as reeds, lotus roots, and Gorgon fruit will be cultivated, restoring the ancient city's beauty as a 'city in water'.
This place is also the birthplace of Yang-style and Wu-style Tai Chi. It is a renowned city that combines an ancient city, a water town, and a Tai Chi city, features that are incomparable to other ancient cities. The former residences of Yang Luchan, the founder of Yang-style Tai Chi, and Wu Yuxiang, the founder of Wu-style Tai Chi, are well-preserved.
From Handan East Station (high-speed rail station) to Guangfu Ancient City in Yongnian, there is a bus service requiring one transfer, taking about 1 hour and 40 minutes. The most convenient way is by taxi, which takes about 35 minutes. There is no entrance fee to the ancient city, but there is a charge to visit the attractions within the city. There is a combined ticket, or you can buy individual tickets. The ancient city has been commercially developed to a certain extent, but not excessively. And drones are allowed for aerial photography. Such ancient cities are now rare. The ancient city is not large, and can be thoroughly explored in a whole day. The Ganlu Temple, not far outside the city, is also recommended for a visit.
fightingbreak
An unforgettable three-day tour of Handan
First, I shared my impressions of Handan, then I recorded and reviewed the itinerary of the trip. It's another underestimated and worthy ancient capital to visit:
1. Handan Museum (free), very much worth seeing, half a day is recommended. I didn't have enough time and only spent a little over two hours there. They start clearing out at 16:50, and I had a quick look at two halls. 'Gandan Style', which tells the history of Handan, is the focus in three halls. As the site of the Cizhou Kiln, the special exhibition is very impressive. Cizhou Kiln's works are not just simple black designs on a white background; the colors are quite rich.
2. Visit Congtai Park, climb the Wuling Congtai, and see the Qixian Temple.
3. Nanshan and Beishan Xiangtangshan Grottoes. (60 yuan, it's recommended to buy the Handan One Card Pass, which is universal). Follow the Xiangtangshan tourism public account to book a direct bus to the scenic area for 39.9 yuan. It departs from Handan East Station at 8:00, passes through Handan Grand Theatre, New Century..., and takes about an hour and a half to reach Beishan Xiangtangshan Grottoes. Regardless of the number of people, the scenic area can arrange transportation. We were three people and took a small car.
First, visit the Digital Museum (10 yuan), worth seeing, about the history and transmission, takes about half an hour.
Then see the Chang Le Temple ruins and Song Dynasty pagoda.
If you don't take the tour bus, start climbing the mountain. All steps, still bearable. View the Great Buddha and the grottoes.
Around 2:00 PM, head to Nanshan Xiangtang. The journey takes about 15 minutes.
Tour Nanshan Xiangtang for about 1 hour, and see the most beautiful Feitian.
4. Guangfu Ancient City, points of interest:
(1) Guangfu Government Office, well-preserved, with a large courtyard. After all, it's the title of a prefecture-level city, a third-rank official. The names 'Daming Prefecture' and 'Guangping Prefecture' were known throughout the country. The residence is comparable to the princely mansions in Beijing.
(2) Wu Family Courtyard, the residence of a second-rank official, with many antiques and old objects to see.
(3) City Wall. You can stroll around at will.
(4) Hongji Bridge. Take a quick ride, take photos, and keep a memory.
(5) Ganlu Temple, just take a glance when passing by.
5. Pass by Xuebu Bridge and Huiche Alley~
HealthyEatsDaily
Come to the Disney Fantasy World Concert and check in at Handan along the way
Date: 2024.01.26 Friday 19:30
Venue: Handan Grand Theater
The Disney Fantasy World Concert that children love is coming! If you have nothing to do during the winter vacation, why not take your children to experience the wonderful world on site! When you come to Handan, take the opportunity to check in at the local attractions in Handan!
1. Guangfu Ancient City
Guangfu Ancient City, also known as Yongnian City, is located on the northeast side of Handan City, Hebei Province, about 20 kilometers away from the downtown area of Handan, and is a famous ancient city with a history of more than 2600 years. The current ancient city architecture was mainly built during the Ming Dynasty, well-preserved, with a simple and grand style, and the ancient city is surrounded by water, with beautiful reed marshes and lotus ponds, making it a true northern water city. Visitors can visit ancient buildings, explore the former residences of famous people, and take pictures of the city walls surrounded by lakes, making it a great place to visit the past and play around Handan.
2. Wa Huang Palace
Wa Huang Palace is located on the northeast side of Suobao Town, Handan County, about 11 kilometers away from the county town of She County, and is the earliest and largest ancient architectural complex in China dedicated to the worship of the goddess Nüwa. Wa Huang Palace was built during the Northern and Southern Dynasties in the Northern Qi period, and is built hanging on the mountainside of Tangwang Mountain on the eastern foothills of the Taihang Mountains, and the architectural complex has been expanded and renovated over the dynasties, making it magnificent and spectacular. The current Wa Huang Palace mainly consists of Ming and Qing architecture, but there are also Northern Qi cliff carvings and grotto relics, which are very worth visiting.
3. Handan Fantawild Guose Tianxiang
Handan Fantawild Guose Tianxiang Theme Park is based on Chinese historical civilization and Handan's historical and regional culture, innovatively displaying idiom culture, mythology culture, Handan historical culture, traditional art culture, folk customs culture, and other cultural features, using high-tech forms of expression as a means, and comprehensively using sound, light, electricity, digital technology, and other technologies to integrate cultural dissemination with interactive experience.
NoraButler.57
Handan has an ancient city surrounded by water, which has a history of more than 2600 years
This Spring Festival, the tourism industry is still booming, with crowds of people everywhere, making it seem like a dream. In addition to the popular northeastern provinces and the 'eternal winner' Sanya, Hebei, which is 'so close, so beautiful,' is also extremely popular. Guangfu Ancient City, located in Handan, even made it onto the list of the top 15 most visited 5A-level scenic spots during the Spring Festival holiday, the only one from Hebei among the top 20.
Guangfu Ancient City is located in Guangfu Town, Yongnian District, Handan City, situated in the center of the 46,000-acre Yongnian Depression. It was first built during the Spring and Autumn period and has a history of more than 2600 years. The ancient city is also the birthplace of Yang and Wu style Tai Chi, making it China's unique ancient city, water city, and Tai Chi city.
After the New Year, there are fewer tourists in the ancient city, but the festive atmosphere still lingers among the carved beams and painted rafters, swaying beside the big red lanterns.
The streets and alleys within the ancient city crisscross, and walking on the wider commercial streets, both sides are lined with quaint two-story shops, including costume stores, teahouses, taverns, small restaurants, and grocery stores, presenting a simple yet bustling atmosphere.
The ancient city, with its historical charm, is most suitable for an immersive tour. There's no need to prepare in advance, as the costume shops have plenty of styles to choose from, including Tang suits, Song dynasty clothes, horse-face skirts, Warring States robes, complete with headwear and hand-held fans, which are enough to bring out the charm.
Food is an essential part of visiting the ancient city, with unique local delicacies such as donkey meat shops, crispy fish stores, Linqing mutton soup with baked rolls, Shaanxi pork-stuffed buns, and other regional cuisines, offering a variety of flavors that are sure to suit your taste.
It's hard to appreciate the water charm of Guangfu from within the city, but an aerial drone view makes the city's water-surrounded terrain immediately clear. The ancient city is located in a low-lying area, surrounded by a wide and green moat that is easy to defend but hard to attack, protecting the safety of the people within and also becoming a strategic location for military contention throughout history.
City gates, walls, and main streets are all captured in the lens, and among the high and low houses, there are winding and secluded alleys. The entire ancient city is like an ancient scroll, recording stories of more than 2000 years of history, waiting for people to read.
A history of Handan, half of it lies in Guangfu. There are more than 30 scenic spots and historical sites inside and outside Guangfu Ancient City. No matter how beautiful the pictures are, they can't compare to being there in person. If you are also curious about this ancient city with a long history, why not come and check in for yourself.
Benjamin.Moore@52
Handan Yongnian Guangfu City
Yongnian Guangfu City, also known as Yongnian City, Guangfu Ancient City, Guangfu City. It is located in Yongnianwa, 45 kilometers northeast of Handan City, Hebei Province, on the bank of the Fuyang River, 25 kilometers away from the county government seat of Linmingguan. It was once the seat of Guangping Prefecture in history, hence the name Guangfu, known as the small Jiangnan in the north since ancient times, and is now a key cultural relic protection unit in Hebei Province.
Guangfu City has a history of more than 2,600 years. At the end of the Sui Dynasty, King Xia Dou Jiande and King Han Zhong Liu Heita once built their capitals here, and later became the seats of counties, states, prefectures, and counties of successive dynasties.
Here are the majestic and ancient city walls; the dignified and beautiful Hongji Bridge with a unique structure, known as the "sister bridge" of Zhaozhou Bridge; the Maosui Tomb that has experienced wind and rain and attracts people to explore. It is also the birthplace of Yang and Wu style Tai Chi.
In December 2022, it was selected as one of the top 100 brands of AAAAA scenic spots in November 2022.
Guangfu Ancient City