[2025 Handan Attraction] Travel Guide for Handan Museum (Updated Mar)

Handan Museum is a national first-class museum. I am very excited to visit Handan Museum after reading about its incredible history and treasures so I arranged a day trip to Handan just to slowly explore it. 🚨Exhibition Highlights*🚨 1. Gandan" Splendor ➡️Explore Handan's historical and cultural evolution, from the Neolithic Cishan culture to the Zhao State's "Hufu Riding and Shooting" and the Cao Wei period's "Jian'an Style." Notable artifacts include carbonized walnuts and millet from 8000 years ago, and a chariot pit directly moved from an archaeological site. 2. Cizhou Kiln Porcelain Exhibition ➡️Displays ceramics from the famous northern folk kiln that peaked during the Song, Jin, and Yuan dynasties. 3. Handan Ancient Stone Carving Art Exhibition ➡️Compares the characteristics of Buddhist statues from the Northern Wei to the Tang periods. A standout is the 3/5 scale restoration of the Northern Xiangtang Grotto's Third Cave. 4.Stone Grotto Exhibition Hall ➡️On the 4th floor, offering an international-standard display comparing Buddhist statues from various historical periods, aiding in the understanding of grotto art. 🌟🌟The Handan Museum houses several must-see artifacts: ✅Da Jue Wine Vessel**: A prized bronze wine vessel, one of only two in existence, with the other housed in the Palace Museum. ✅Warring States Bronze Horse**: A realistic bronze horse sculpture from the Warring States period, predating the famous Galloping Horse by 400 years. ✅Warring States Gilded Bronze and Jade Dragon Ornament**: A top-tier artifact believed to be a jade sword pommel, featuring intricate designs of dragons and a tiger, with the uppermost tiger holding a red agate bead in its mouth. ✅Red Agate Belt Hook**: A finely crafted artifact from the Warring States period, carved from a single piece of red agate. ✅Openwork Ji Dragon Gold Plaque**: A gold plaque with an openwork design of two dragons, symbolizing the cultural blend of the Central Plains and Steppe cultures. ✅Tang Dynasty Red Sandstone Buddhist Statue**: Notable for the "Handan Smile" Laughing Arhat head, this statue radiates pure joy and harmony, different from the usual solemn expressions of large Buddha statues. ✅V Eastern Han Bronze Artifacts**: Includes the Tianlu Ironing Board, adorned with a mythical Tianlu beast, a common Han Dynasty decoration, with 12 round circles on the handle that may represent a calendar. 🕰️Business Hours: 9AM to 5PM (last entry at 4:00 PM), and is closed on Mondays 💰Average Price per Person:Free, reservations are required a day in advance via WeChat apps 💞Reasons to Recommend: The museum's layout is thoughtfully designed, starting from the Central Hall and leading through various exhibitions that showcase the rich history and cultural heritage of Handan. **Free Guided Tours**: Held daily at 9:30 AM and 2:30 PM #museums #100waysoftravel #hebei #Handan #Handanmuseum

Handan City Museum is a national first-class museum. Here's a guide to visiting: Preparation • Reservations: Make free reservations through the "Leyouji" mini-program or official account. • Information: Pay attention to official announcements for opening hours. The museum is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Tuesday to Sunday, with last entry at 4:00 pm. Check the exhibition schedule for special exhibitions. • Transportation: Take the bus to the City Museum · Longhu Park East Gate Station or the Cultural Arts Center Station. If driving, park in the parking lot opposite the Melody City shopping mall. Visiting • Guided Tours: Free guided tours are available daily at 9:30 am and 2:30 pm for a better understanding of the exhibits. • Order of Visit: It is recommended to start on the 3rd floor with the "Splendor of 'Gandan'—Handan History and Culture Exhibition," then proceed to the 4th floor for the "Cizhou Kiln Porcelain Exhibition," "Handan Ancient Stone Carving Art Exhibition," and "Chinese Coins Through the Ages Exhibition." Finally, visit the Idiom Exhibition on the 2nd floor. • Must-See Exhibits: Admire the Warring States Period bronze horse, the large jue wine vessel, the "Handan Smile" laughing Lohan head, and the gilt bronze inlaid jade three-dragon ornament, among other treasures of the museum. Interactive Experiences • Stamps: Stamps are available next to the escalator on the 2nd floor, the coffee shop on the 3rd floor, and the coffee shop and service desk on the 1st floor. • Coin Pressing: A coin-pressing machine is available on the 2nd floor for 10 yuan to print personalized patterns. Dining and Rest You can dine at the Melody City shopping mall opposite the museum or find food at the supermarket on the 4th floor and B1 level of the museum.

#chinaattractions Handan, a city rich in history and culture, is a fascinating travel destination in China’s Hebei province. It was once the capital of the ancient Zhao state during the Warring States period, leaving behind a legacy of historical sites, cultural relics, and charming traditions. Here’s a travel note for exploring Handan: #### **Day 1: Exploring Ancient Zhao Culture** - **Zhao King’s City (赵王城遗址)** Start the journey with the remnants of Zhao King’s City, the political and cultural center of the Zhao State. The site offers a glimpse into Handan’s glorious past with its ancient city walls and relics. - **Wuling Congtai (武灵丛台)** A landmark associated with King Wuling of Zhao, who famously promoted cavalry warfare by introducing the "Hu dress and cavalry" strategy. Climb up the pavilion for panoramic views of the city. - **Handan Museum (邯郸市博物馆)** A must-visit for history enthusiasts, showcasing relics from the Warring States period, Han Dynasty, and beyond. #### **Day 2: The Legends of Handan** - **Cishi Cultural Park (磁山文化遗址)** A fascinating site where early Neolithic civilization flourished. Learn about the roots of Chinese agriculture and pottery here. - **Jingniang Lake (京娘湖)** Enjoy nature and the legendary story of Jingniang, a woman known for her loyalty and perseverance. The lake’s serene beauty and surrounding cliffs make it perfect for a boat ride. - **Xiangtangshan Grottoes (响堂山石窟)** A masterpiece of Northern Dynasties Buddhist art, these grottoes are filled with intricately carved Buddha statues, reflecting China’s deep Buddhist heritage. #### **Day 3: Folk Culture and Handan’s Unique Charms** - **Guangfu Ancient City (广府古城)** The birthplace of Yang-style Tai Chi, this well-preserved ancient city is surrounded by a water moat and filled with historic streets and temples. - **Handan’s Night Market** End your journey by indulging in local delicacies such as donkey meat hotpot (驴肉火锅), Handan crispy pancake (烧饼), and Wotou (窝头, a traditional corn bun). --- ### **Travel Tips** - **Best Time to Visit:** Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) for pleasant weather. - **Transportation:** Handan has a high-speed railway station, making it accessible from Beijing, Tianjin, and other major cities. Local taxis and buses are convenient. - **Souvenirs:** Handan iron paintings (铁画), Tai Chi-related items, and traditional handicrafts.

A Smile from Ancient Handan: A Guide to Handan Museum 1. Attraction Information 📍Address: No. 399 Renmin East Road, Handan, Hebei Province. 🚗Transportation: - Bus: Take bus No. 17, 21, 26, etc., get off at "City Museum" stop, and walk to the museum. - Self-driving: There is a parking lot around the museum. Navigate to Handan Museum. Self-driving is convenient, but be aware of traffic jams during peak hours. - Taxi: Take a taxi in the city. The fare varies depending on the departure location. The fare is generally within CNY 20 in the urban area. 2. Must-see Exhibits Zhao Kiln Site Relics: As a witness to Handan's long history, these relics date back to the Neolithic period, including exquisite pottery, stone tools, etc., showing the wisdom and creativity of early humans in Handan, making you feel like you can see the life scenes of the ancestors thousands of years ago. Han Dynasty Pottery Figurines: These pottery figurines have different postures and smiles, vividly reflecting the social features and people's mental state in the Han Dynasty, which is a vivid embodiment of the "smile from ancient Handan". Whether it is the dancer's agility or the servant's respect, they are all vividly portrayed. Cizhou Kiln Porcelain: Cizhou Kiln is a treasure of traditional Chinese porcelain-making craftsmanship. Handan Museum houses many representative works of Cizhou Kiln. From the black flower vase on a white background to the life-like porcelain pillow, each piece of porcelain contains unique artistic charm and profound cultural connotation. 3. Ticket Information 🎟️Ticket Price: Handan Museum is open to the public for free. Reservation: You can make a reservation through the official WeChat account of Handan Museum 1–3 days in advance, select the date and time of visit, and enter the museum with the reservation QR code; or you can bring your ID card to the self-service ticket machine at the entrance of the museum to get a ticket and enter the museum. 4. Other Tips 💗Visiting Time: The museum is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (last entry at 4:30 pm), closed on Mondays. It is recommended to arrange 3–4 hours for the visit to fully appreciate the rich collections in the museum. Guide Service: The museum provides a guide service. You can consult and make a reservation at the service desk. The fee depends on the number of sessions and people; you can also use your phone to scan the QR code next to the exhibits to listen to the audio guide and learn more about the stories behind the relics. Nearby Attractions: The museum is located in the center of Handan, with shopping and leisure places such as New Century Commercial Plaza nearby. After the visit, you can go for dining and shopping to experience the modern urban life of Handan.

🏠 Handan is located in the west of Taihang Mountain and the east of the plain. The ancient Yellow River, Zhang, Fu, Luo, and Wei Rivers run through it, making it one of the important birthplaces of human civilization. In the Paleolithic Age, there was the Xinqiao Site, and in the Neolithic Age, the Cishan Agricultural Civilization first appeared. The Shang culture originated and developed here, and it was the capital of the State of Zhao in the Warring States Period and a famous commercial metropolis in the Han Dynasty. At the end of the Han Dynasty, Yecheng rose, and during the Wei, Jin, and Southern and Northern Dynasties, it was successively the capital of Cao Wei, Later Zhao, Ran Wei, Former Yan, Eastern Wei, and Northern Qi, and flourished for nearly 400 years. After the Sui and Tang Dynasties, Daming prospered because of the canal, and Luo and Ci were in a favorable position, with the clamor of war and the smoke of history. During the Song, Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties, Guangping and Daming Road Prefecture stood side by side, with farming and reading as the family tradition, and the social atmosphere was simple and honest. At the end of the Qing Dynasty, the railway was connected, new schools gradually emerged, and industry and mining were slightly visible, which was the beginning of the revival of modern Handan. During the Republic of China, modern industry was difficult to advance, and the national crisis was increasingly pressing. The flames of the Anti-Japanese War spread throughout southern Hebei, and the old revolutionary base area began to emerge. The sons and daughters of Handan made contributions to the establishment of New China and the national rejuvenation. 🚩Permanent exhibitions 🌈Into the Capital of Idioms 🌈Gandan Style - Handan History and Culture Exhibition 🌈Cizhou Kiln Porcelain Exhibition 🌈Handan Ancient Stone Carving Art Exhibition 🌈Square World - Chinese Coins Exhibition 📝Practical guide 📍Detailed address: No. 399, Renmin Road, Congtai District, Handan City, Hebei Province 🚇Transportation: 6 km from Handan Station and 4.2 km from Handan East Station, you can take a bus to the City Museum or Longhu Park Bus Station 🕙Opening hours: 9:00-17:00 (last admission at 16:30, closed on Mondays) 🎫Reservation method: No reservation required, swipe ID card to enter

Hey, friends, did you know? Handan has a super cool place, and that's Handan Museum! This place is a real treasure trove. As soon as you step into the museum, it's like you've traveled back in time to ancient times, and those historical artifacts seem to be telling you the long history of Handan. Look at the "Gandan" exhibition, it's simply a microcosm of Handan's history and culture, and it's fascinating. And don't forget to check out the ancient stone carvings, each stone is full of stories, it's a feast of art. When it comes to money, we Chinese have the most say. The coin display in Handan Museum, from ancient times to modern times, has everything you need to open your eyes. Oh, and the Cizhou kiln porcelain is not to be missed, the exquisite porcelain is simply the best of the best in craftsmanship. And, the museum often holds temporary exhibitions, such as idiom culture, dinosaur science exhibitions, are particularly interesting. Especially the idiom hall, let you learn idioms while having fun, it's just too cool! So, next time you have some free time, why not go to Handan Museum for a visit, I guarantee you won't be disappointed! Remember to bring your curiosity and feel the historical charm of Handan!

Through its special way, the museum preserves the cultural symbols of a city and becomes the unique cultural card and label of the city, inheriting the civilization of a city. Handan Museum was built in 2008. The exterior of the museum is unique, incorporating the shape of ancient bronze ware. The building is 35.5 meters high, covering an area of about 12,000 square meters, with a total construction area of 30,679 square meters. It is divided into one underground floor and six above-ground floors, with an exhibition hall area of more than 15,000 square meters. Permanent exhibitions: "Gandan" Style, Handan Ancient Stone Carving Art Exhibition, Cizhou Kiln Porcelain Exhibition, and Square World. Museum treasures: Gold and silver painted large jue wine vessel, coiled chi pattern horse head ear large bronze mirror, openwork kui dragon, gold plaque decoration, bronze horse, Handan smile, and scale Tianlu frame iron. Handan Museum records the origin and development of a city, three thousand years of Gandan style, five hundred years of Buddhist charm and light, this low-key city contains such surprises, full of the treasures of Yanzhao land, the museum experience is very strong, making people linger. I believe that in the future, I will continue to explore more unknown history and cultural fields with this beautiful memory!

After leaving the North Cave of Xiangtang Mountain, I didn't go to the South Cave, leaving some regrets for the next visit. After lunch, I started the last stop before returning to Beijing, Handan Museum. Handan Museum, Library, and Cultural and Art Center are built together. The Cultural and Art Center is the main body, and the Museum and Library are set up on both sides. The transportation is convenient, and there are some market activities on the small square. The museum is free to visit, and you can enter the venue with a reservation or on-site ID card. There are 4 floors. The first floor has no exhibition. The second floor is some temporary exhibitions. The third and fourth floors are basic exhibitions. The third floor's "Gandan" style and Handan history and culture display introduces Handan's history according to the timeline. The three bronze horse statues in the Warring States Period are lifelike and strong, which reminds me of Zhao Wuling's Hu Fu riding and shooting. It is said to be 400 years earlier than the Han Dynasty's horse stepping on a swallow. The fourth floor is the exhibition of Cizhou Kiln, stone statues, and coins. The stone statue exhibition is very worth seeing. Combined with the North Xiangtang Grottoes in the morning, the different styles of Northern Qi and Tang Dynasty stone statues are full of expectations for the South Xiangtang. The overall visit time is about 2-3 hours, and there is free manual explanation every half an hour during the National Day.

✅ I have shared with you the city of Handan before, which has a civilization history of over 8,000 years and a city-building history of more than 3,100 years. It was once the ancient capital of six dynasties: Cao Wei, Later Zhao, Ran Wei, Former Yan, Eastern Wei, and Northern Qi. ✅ Today, I want to share with you the most treasured museum in Handan - the Handan City Museum. Before the announcement of the fifth batch of national first-class museums, Handan Museum was one of the few national first-class museums in Hebei, naturally having its unique features. ✅ Although the museum's collection holds only 9,627 pieces, the precious cultural relics reach 252 pieces. It can be said that such a high proportion of precious cultural relics is an important factor for the Handan Museum to be promoted to a national first-class museum. ✅ In the four permanent exhibitions - 'Gandan Style - Handan Historical and Cultural Exhibition', 'Handan Ancient Stone Carving Art Exhibition', 'The World of Coins - Chinese Coins Exhibition through Dynasties', and 'Cizhou Kiln Porcelain Exhibition', there are unique cultural relics. Let's take a look together below. 👉🏻 The 1st relic: Warring States Bronze Horse This is a group of relics from the Warring States period, which is 400 years earlier than the Han Dynasty horse stepping on a flying swallow unearthed in Wuwei. It is also the earliest realistic style bronze horse discovered in China, known as a 'national treasure'. Upon closer inspection, the three bronze horses have different postures, whether walking with their heads raised, standing with their heads lowered, or foraging with their heads down, and their bodies and limbs are well-developed, suggesting they are likely modeled after adult Mongolian warhorses. 👉🏻 The 2nd relic: Tang Dynasty Red Sandstone Laughing Maitreya Head Although the relic is not of the highest grade, its unique shape has made it one of the most favorite relics among netizens in the Handan Museum. If you look closely at this Maitreya, it has a smiling face with two deep dimples on its cheeks. From a 360-degree view, you can see his smiling expression, which is why netizens also call it the 'Handan Smile'. 👉🏻 The 3rd relic: Eastern Han Gold and Silver Coated Chariot-Shaped Wine Vessel and Tray According to the inscription on this object: 'In the twenty-third year of Jianwu, made by the western workshop of Shu County.' It can be understood that this gold wine vessel is a famous official creation of the Han Dynasty - the masterpiece of the 'western workshop of Shu County'. The wine vessel is carved with scenes of birds, animals, running deer, feathered men, and the Queen Mother of the West, and the base is inlaid with agate, turquoise, etc., showing it is very expensive. Such wine vessels are rare in China, and another one is kept in the Palace Museum. 👉🏻 The 4th relic: Openwork Kui Dragon Pattern Gold Ornament It is the symbol of the Handan Museum. The entire object is made of gold. Upon closer inspection, you can also see the grassland-style cloud patterns and the symmetrical openwork Kui dragons, which indicate the integration of Central Plains culture and grassland culture at that time. 👉🏻 The 5th relic: Warring States Copper Gilt Inlaid Jade Three-Dragon Ornament This object is a sword pommel from the Warring States period. This gilt bronze and jade inlaid dragon sword pommel can be said to symbolize the ritual status of the time. The craftsmanship is exquisite, and the design is beautiful, also showing us the highly developed casting industry and jade craftsmanship of the Zhao state during the Warring States period. Other must-see relics: Northern Dynasties Wan Zhangling tomb pottery figurines, red agate belt hooks, Han Dynasty celestial deer iron, stone-carved attendant Bodhisattva statues, tomb-guarding beasts from the Sui and Tang dynasties, etc. ✅ Travel Tips: 🚌 How to get there: Take bus 4/21 at Handan East Station and get off at Longhu Park Station

❤️ The 'Handan Ancient Stone Carving Art Exhibition' at the Handan City Museum mainly showcases the exquisite stone carving art from the Northern Dynasties to the Northern Song period. 🧡 Main highlights: 1⃣️ The third cave of the Northern Xiangtangshan Grottoes (restored at a 3/5 scale, pictures 3-5). The third cave is the largest, earliest excavated, and most exquisitely carved cave in the Northern Xiangtangshan Grottoes, also known as the Great Buddha Cave. This cave, with its grand scale and exquisite art, represents the Xiangtangshan Grottoes. 2⃣️ Tang dynasty red sandstone smiling Luohan head (picture 6), although small in size, it has a loud name 'Handan Smile'​, smiling sweetly from every angle for over a thousand years. 3⃣️ Tang dynasty red sandstone Bodhisattva head (picture 7), the cover figure of the Handan Museum's brochure. 4⃣️ The bas-relief of the Thousand-Handed Guanyin in the Fahua Cave Grottoes of Wu'an (picture 8), reflects to some extent the widespread influence of Esoteric Buddhism during the Tang and Song periods. 💜 The overall style of the 'Handan Ancient Stone Carving Art Exhibition' is simple and grand, representing the rich aesthetic concepts of ancient times. It not only contains brilliant and profound ideological content but also showcases increasingly sophisticated creative techniques and methods. It embodies the Chinese nation's ability to absorb foreign cultures and creative talents. As a dazzling flower of the splendid national classical culture and a towering monument of the long-standing Eastern civilization, these unmatched Buddhist statues will forever be deeply moving.

🌺 The Handan Museum presents the 'Ink Language—Liu Tianying's 50-Year Freehand Flower and Bird Painting Exhibition'. The exhibition features over 50 exquisite paintings, which are the crystallization of Liu Tianying's decades of meticulous research in the art of flower and bird painting, and also a summary and display of his more than 50 years of artistic journey. 🏵️ Mr. Liu Tianying is the former secretary of the Handan Museum, the deputy director of the Handan Painting Academy, and a renowned flower and bird painter in Handan. His paintings are rooted in tradition yet clever in variation, with grand compositions, unrestrained brushwork, profound artistic conception, and a harmonious blend of subject and self, exuding immense artistic charm. ​🎋 He innovated the accumulated ink painting method for bamboo, creating layers upon layers of bamboo forests and seas, brimming with vitality and energy, making viewers feel as if they are hearing the sound of wind and rain, and their spirits are filled with endless vitality. His work 'Rising by the Section' was once presented as a state gift to a Ugandan national leader.

It was during 'Justice Online' that I learned about Cizhou, and when I went to Ci County in Handan, I felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity. Although it was my first visit, it felt like revisiting an old place, and the overlap between the virtual and the real was quite magical. 📷📷📷📷 Cizhou Kiln has a renowned reputation, and due to time constraints, I couldn't manage to visit the related museums. I could only satisfy my curiosity by looking at the Cizhou Kiln porcelain display at the Handan City Museum. From celadon to black designs on a white background, from Pengcheng Kiln to blue and white porcelain with multicolor, it somewhat made up for the regrets of this trip.

Handan Museum is a municipal comprehensive museum in Handan City, established in 1984, located at 399 People's East Road, west side of the Cultural and Art Center in Handan, Hebei Province, China, with a total building area of 30,679 square meters. In 2017, it was rated as a national first-class museum. Here is some information about Handan Museum: - Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9:00-17:00 (entry stops at 16:30), closed on Mondays (except for statutory holidays). - Collection size: As of June 2023, there are 9,627 cultural relics in the museum, including 252 precious artifacts. - Exhibition hall introduction: The museum has four permanent exhibitions: 'Gandan Splendor - Handan Historical and Cultural Display', 'Ancient Handan Stone Carving Art Display', 'The World in a Square - Display of Chinese Coins through the Ages', and 'Cizhou Kiln Porcelain Display'.

There are free guided tours at 9:30 am and 2:30 pm every weekday. Just gather at the entrance on the first floor, no reservation needed. The tour includes visits to the third and fourth floors and lasts about an hour. The first and second floors are likely for temporary exhibitions, which you can visit freely. The Handan Museum really has a lot of treasures, and Handan's history is indeed ancient, truly a city that has waited for three thousand years.