Handan is full of surprises. The Xiangtangshan Caves are a must-see!

The Xiangtangshan Caves are located in Fengfeng Mining District, Handan City, Hebei Province, and are divided into the North Xiangtangshan and South Xiangtangshan. The caves were first carved during the Northern Qi Dynasty and are one of the three major royal cave sculpture groups in ancient China. The Xiangtangshan Caves not only showcase the artistic achievements of the Northern Qi royal family, but are also considered the last peak of Gandhara art in China. However, due to the change of dynasties and the anti-Buddhist movement, the caves suffered large-scale destruction. Although they were restored in later generations, many independent statues were stolen during the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China, and entire reliefs were stolen. In addition, 120 Buddha heads were scattered around the world. 📍Address: Xiangtangshan Scenic Area 🚉Transportation: We took a bullet train to Handan East Station and then took the Xiangtangshan direct bus. The direct bus runs once a day on Saturdays and Sundays. The direct bus departs from Handan East Station at 8:00 am (tickets must be purchased one day in advance on the "Xiangtangshan Tourism" mini program) and arrives at North Xiangtangshan at 9:30 am. The bus departs for South Xiangtangshan at 2:00 pm and returns at 3:30 pm. The bus returns to Handan East Station at 4:40 pm. There is plenty of time to visit the caves, and it is not tiring. You can buy a scenic area pass on the direct bus (CNY 60 per person, including North and South Xiangtangshan, which is more cost-effective). Tour route: North Xiangtangshan (Grotto Exhibition Center, Changle Temple, Great Buddha Cave, Shakyamuni Cave, Sutra Cave) and South Xiangtangshan The distance between North and South Xiangtangshan is about 20 minutes by car. Grotto Exhibition Center It is well worth a visit. The exhibition is carefully curated, using modern technology to restore and display grotto relics and remains, explaining the eastward spread of Buddhism and grotto sculptures, tracing the loss of cultural relics, and exhibiting many sculptures unearthed from Changle Temple. Changle Temple Changle Temple was formerly known as the "First Ancient Temple of Heshuo" and contains Song Dynasty pagodas, sutra pillars, and stone tablets and sculptures from the Song Dynasty to the Republic of China. It is famous for the headless Three Buddhas on the altar of the Three Buddhas Hall (p10), which appeared on the cover of National Geographic magazine. North Xiangtangshan (North Cave) The North Cave has three main caves: the Great Buddha Cave, the Shakyamuni Cave, and the Sutra Cave. The scale and exquisite beauty of the Great Buddha Cave are breathtaking. The three-faced Buddha is 5 meters high, and here you can see the rare backlight flame, headlight flame, and water flame in the same frame as the Buddha statue. The sunlight shining through the high cave entrance is very beautiful. South Xiangtangshan (South Cave) The South Cave is much smaller in scale, but still worth a visit. The top of the cave contains exquisite reliefs from the Northern Dynasties: lotus flowers and flying apsaras (p15). Although the cave is severely damaged, it still offers a glimpse of the unique and unparalleled stone art of the Northern Dynasties.