An Autumn Fairy Tale in the City Center

Handan Longhu Park Autumn Viewing Travel Guide 1. Park Overview Handan Longhu Park is located on Renmin East Road in Congtai District, bordered by Fudong Street to the east and Fuyang River to the west. Covering an area of 417,000 square meters, including 80,000 square meters of water, it is the largest urban park in Handan’s main city area. The park features “water and forest scenery, musical fountains” and presents a multi-layered natural landscape in autumn, making it a popular destination for both locals and tourists. 2. Autumn Highlights 1. Bald Cypress Forest (Mid-November to Early December) The bald cypress forest on the west side of the park is a “trending check-in spot” in autumn and winter. Tall, upright trees change from orange-yellow to fiery red under the sunlight, contrasting beautifully with the deep blue lake water, creating a “flame on water” spectacle. It is recommended to shoot in the early morning or evening when the soft light enhances the depth of the scene. Wearing warm-toned clothing (such as red or orange) helps blend into the autumn colors. 2. Ginkgo Avenue (Late October to Early November) The ginkgo forest along the lakeside trail on the east side of the park reaches its peak viewing period from late October to early November. Golden leaves carpet the ground like a “golden carpet,” and combined with the morning frost, it creates a romantic atmosphere. Morning walks between 9-11 AM or afternoon strolls are recommended for soft lighting, ideal for portrait photography. 3. Chrysanthemum Exhibition (October 18 to November 17) The 2025 autumn chrysanthemum exhibition is held inside the park, featuring thousands of chrysanthemums arranged in shapes like “Peacock Spreading Its Tail” and “Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl.” The vibrant colors and variety make it a perfect photo spot. 4. Withered Lotus and Reed Marsh The withered lotus and reeds along the lakeshore sway in the autumn breeze. The dried lotus pods and yellowing reed leaves create a classical scene of “listening to rain on withered lotus,” ideal for close-up or silhouette photography. 3. Recommended Routes 1. Classic Autumn Viewing Loop (2-3 hours) East Gate → Ginkgo Avenue → Longhu Pier → Bald Cypress Forest → Chrysanthemum Exhibition Area → Central Plaza → Musical Fountain ◦ Highlights: Check in all three major autumn scenes—ginkgo, bald cypress, and chrysanthemums—in one trip. Pass by iconic spots like Lingbo Green Garden and Tianjing Lake, and climb the “Eye of Longhu” observation deck for a panoramic view of the park. 2. Family Leisure Route (1.5 hours) South Gate → Children’s Playground → Boat Dock → Lotus Pond → Reed Marsh → North Gate ◦ Features: Suitable for families with children to enjoy boat rides (daytime round-trip ticket 29.9 RMB, includes 20-minute cruise), feed koi fish, and observe wild ducks and other water birds up close. 3. Photography Enthusiast Route (3+ hours) West Gate → Bald Cypress Forest (low-angle shots of tree crowns) → Ginkgo Avenue (backlit shots for leaf translucency) → Central Lake (drone aerial panorama) → Sunset Viewing Platform (capture sunset glow) ◦ Tips: Bring a wide-angle lens for the bald cypress group, a telephoto lens for ginkgo leaf details, and a tripod for long-exposure shots of lake reflections. 4. Special Experiences 1. Autumn Boat Tour Ride a luxury boat (daytime 29.9 RMB/person, nighttime 39.9 RMB/person) across the lake to closely admire the reflection of the bald cypress forest, or experience the “Digital Light & Shadow · Shining Congtai” light show at night, which uses sound, light, and electric technology to recreate Warring States legends such as “Hu Clothing and Mounted Archery” and “Returning the Jade Disk to Zhao.” 2. Cultural Exploration ◦ Handan Museum: Located across the street from the park, free admission, featuring the exhibition “The Elegance of ‘Gandan’—Handan Historical and Cultural Display,” showcasing Cizhou kiln ceramics and Zhao Kingdom history. ◦ Idiom Story Check-in: The park has idiom-themed sculptures like “Bearing a Thorn to Apologize” and “Learning to Walk in Handan,” perfect for parent-child interactive learning. 3. Nighttime Light and Shadow Feast Every Friday and Saturday at 6:30 PM, Longhu Park hosts a light show where building projections and musical fountains synchronize to create an immersive night tour experience. The best viewing spots are the central plaza and the Eye of Longhu observation deck. 5. Practical Information 1. Opening Hours ◦ The park is open all day. Boat operation hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM for daytime and 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM for the nighttime light show. ◦ The chrysanthemum exhibition is open daily from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, ending on November 17. Early visits are recommended. 2. Tickets and Transportation ◦ Admission: Free entry; boat rides, parking, and other secondary services require separate fees. ◦ Driving: Navigate to “Handan Longhu Park.” Parking lots are available at the South and East gates, with a fee of 5 RMB/day. ◦ Public Transit: Take bus routes 21, 26, or 57 to “Longhu Park” stop, then a 5-minute walk. 3. Dining Recommendations ◦ Inside the park: Near the East Gate, snack stalls offer grilled sausages, pancakes, and light meals; at the South Gate, “Zhao King Impression Music Beer Garden” serves Handan specialties like donkey meat wraps and Wu’an pulled noodles. ◦ Nearby: A 10-minute walk to Meilecheng shopping district, featuring hot pot chicken, shumai, seafood, and various restaurants suitable for family dining. 4. Notes ◦ The water near the bald cypress forest is deep; please be cautious when taking photos and avoid approaching the fence edges. ◦ Autumn has large temperature differences between day and night; bring a jacket. The park is a fire prevention zone; smoking and open flames are strictly prohibited. ◦ Boat tickets can be reserved in advance via the “Longhu Park” official WeChat account to avoid queues. 6. Nearby Attractions 1. Congtai Park (1.5 km from Longhu Park) Centered around the Zhao Kingdom’s Congtai, the park features pavilions and lakeside scenery. Visit the “Seven Sages Shrine” to learn about historical figures like Lin Xiangru and Lian Po. 2. Zhaoyuan Park (3 km from Longhu Park) A large 1,158-acre heritage park containing Zhao Kingdom relics such as Chajian Ridge and Zhaomei Pond. Autumn red leaves blend with ancient architecture, ideal for in-depth exploration. 3. Handan City Museum (across the street from Longhu Park) Free admission, with over 20,000 cultural relics. Highlights include Cizhou kiln ceramics and Han dynasty stone carvings, offering deep insights into Handan’s history. Longhu Park, with its unique charm of “the city within the scenery, the scenery within the city,” has become a must-visit spot for autumn in Handan. Whether strolling through the ginkgo forest, boating among the bald cypress, or enjoying the vibrant chrysanthemum exhibition, you can experience a dual feast of nature and culture right in the city center.