[2024 Handan Attraction] Travel Guide for Xiangtangshan Caves (Updated Nov)
Grottoes
Address:
Fengfeng, Handan, Hebei, China
Opening times:
Open tomorrow at 08:00-17:30(Tickets available until 16:30; admission ends at 16:40)Closed Today
Recommended sightseeing time:
2-4 hours
Phone:
0310-5050222
2 hours from Beijing, Handan is a seriously underrated city.
Visit this underrated city and explore a city that has been waiting for you for 3,000 years.
Handan, the underrated pearl of the Yanzhao land 💎
🌑 Background
The Northern Qi Royal Grottoes! A dynasty that lasted only 28 years, but spent one-third of the country's financial resources to build this national project. Whether it is niche or low-key, it should be seen and understood by more people!
🌑 Travel route
➡️ Beixiangtang Mountain Grottoes - Great Buddha Cave - Shijia Cave - Carved Sutra Cave - Changle Temple Ruins - Digital Museum - Nanxiangtang Grottoes ⬅️
🌑 Travel guide
1️⃣ The entire Xiangtang Mountain Grottoes are divided into the North Grottoes and the South Grottoes. The two places are 15 kilometers apart, and if you have enough time, both are worth a visit.
2️⃣ The North Grottoes are large in scale and the Buddha statues are stunning! The grottoes are on the mountain, so it is recommended to take the shuttle bus and visit from top to bottom.
3️⃣ The main attractions of the Beixiangtang Grottoes are the Great Buddha Cave, Shijia Cave, and Carved Sutra Cave. After visiting the grottoes, the Changle Temple and the Beixiangtang Mountain Digital Museum at the foot of the mountain are also worth a visit.
4️⃣ The South Grottoes are small but exquisite, with the Thousand Buddha Cave, Lotus Caisson, 8 Flying Apsaras, and Carved Sutra Cave.
5️⃣ Beixiangtang Grottoes tour order: If you only have half a day, come here. Changle Temple Ruins ➡️ Grotto Temple ➡️ Song Pagoda ➡️ Digital Museum
Changle Temple, where a large number of Tang Dynasty headless Buddha statues were excavated, is both shocking and regrettable.
🗼 Song Pagoda: Ruins of a Song Dynasty pagoda
📍 Digital Museum: Very exciting, don't miss it, no entry after 16:30
6️⃣ Homework: "Exploration and Discovery - Exploring the Xiangtang Mountain Grottoes", which makes it easier to understand the connotation of the grottoes.
🌑 Check-in
The history of Beixiangtang is no less than that of Datong, and it is worth spending a weekend to visit, even if you are traveling alone.
lincoln.peregrine.hawke
A one-day tour of Nuwa Palace and Xiangtangshan Caves in Handan.
You can visit Nuwa Palace and Xiangtangshan Caves in one day, and even have time to visit the Zhao Wang City Ruins Park! These are niche attractions, so there are not many people even on holidays, but the scenery is not inferior at all. It's perfect for a weekend getaway for people in Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei!
Transportation 🚗: Arrive in Handan the night before and stay overnight. Rent a car and drive from Handan in the morning. Take the Qinglan Expressway and National Highway 309. Take a break at the service area on the way. It takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes to reach Nuwa Palace in Shexian County. Take the same route to Xiangtangshan Caves, which takes about 1 hour. You can visit the Zhao Wang City Ruins on the way back to the city. It takes about half an hour to drive there, and another half an hour to return to the city. We set off at 8:30 am and returned to the hotel at around 6 pm. We didn't rush at all.
Attractions 🏞: It is highly recommended to buy the Handan Tourism Card in advance, which covers the tickets for these two attractions. The card is activated on the day of purchase and takes effect the next day, so be sure to prepare it in advance.
1️⃣ Nuwa Palace
You can buy a sightseeing bus ticket 🚞 at the entrance, which costs 20 for a round trip. It saves time. It is not difficult to climb from the foot of the mountain to the main scenic area. It is a zigzag gentle slope, and it takes about 40 minutes to reach the top. The main scenic area preserves buildings and stone carvings from the Northern Qi Dynasty to the Ming and Qing Dynasties. You can also climb up the Bell and Drum Tower to ring the bell and beat the drum to fully appreciate the charm of ancient architecture. It is recommended to try the slide when going down the mountain. It costs 40 per person 👱🏻♂️, and you can control the speed yourself. It's super fun and effortless to go down the mountain.
2️⃣ Xiangtangshan Caves
There is also a sightseeing bus from the entrance to the mountain. I don't think it's necessary to take it unless you are really tired. The difficulty of climbing the mountain is similar to that of Nuwa Palace. It takes about 30 to 40 minutes to reach the main scenic area 🏕. The most famous ones are the Great Buddha Cave and the Shakyamuni Cave. Unfortunately, almost none of the Buddha statues are complete, and the overall scale is not large, but you can still clearly see the vivid paintings of that time. When I went there, the scenic area was undergoing lighting renovation, and I don't know if it will be open for night tours in the future.
3️⃣ Zhao Wang City Ruins Park 🏞
The park is very large, and the main open area is the city wall ruins. It is recommended to visit. The grass by the city wall is very photogenic in good weather. There is a museum at the end of the road from the entrance. It is currently undergoing renovation and is expected to open this year. You can keep an eye on it.
EmmaMcKenzie44
Xiangtangshan Grottoes - A stunning artistic treasure that has traversed a thousand years.
🌟Historical Background:
The Xiangtangshan Grottoes were carved during the Northern Qi Dynasty of the Northern and Southern Dynasties (550 - 577 AD). The Northern Qi was a dynasty established by the Xianbei people. From Emperor Gaozu of Northern Qi onwards, successive emperors worshipped Buddhism. With the support of the imperial court, Buddhism almost reached the status of a national religion. Based on this, the Xiangtangshan Grottoes were carved on a large scale.
🌟Grotto Landscape:
Walking into the Xiangtangshan Grottoes is like travelling back a thousand years. The Buddha statues inside the grottoes are exquisitely carved and lifelike. Each Buddha statue has a unique expression and demeanor, making one marvel at the superb craftsmanship of the ancient artisans. Although they have been eroded by time, they still give a sense of the past glory.
🌟Historical Culture:
The Xiangtangshan Grottoes are an important Buddhist grotto complex and are among the first batch of national key cultural relics protection units. They are known as one of the "treasures of Northern Chinese grotto art." The grottoes also contain engravings of scriptures from the Northern Qi period, with diverse artistic forms. These engravings record the history of the grottoes and the development of Buddhist faith, and have important historical value. However, they have been repeatedly damaged and looted by humans, and many fine pieces are scattered in Japan and European and American countries.
🌟Experience:
The Xiangtangshan Grottoes are located on a mountain. From the entrance, there are two sections where you can take a shuttle bus (sold separately). Take an electric car from the entrance, and transfer to a mountain car at Changlesi Temple. Taking a car can save time and effort.
The most impressive caves are the Big Buddha Cave, the Shakyamuni Cave, and the Scripture Engraving Cave. There are also other caves with unique features, such as the Sui Buddha Cave and the Song Dynasty Cave!
Ticket: 98 yuan/person (including sightseeing shuttle bus)
Opening hours: 8:00 - 17:30
Transportation: Self-driving is recommended, with ample parking space.
COHEN SHARP
Handan Xiangtangshan Grottoes - Touch the vicissitudes of distant history.
🌟Highlights:
Xiangtangshan Grottoes is the most important royal grotto temple left over from the Northern Qi Dynasty and is a treasure trove for studying Chinese Buddhism, architecture, sculpture, painting, and calligraphy. Since the beginning of the 20th century, Xiangtangshan has been subjected to large-scale theft, and many Buddha statues have been lost overseas.
You can watch up close and touch the Buddha statues.
The Buddha statue is in the transition period from foreign culture to Central Plains culture. The Buddha statue has also changed from a high-nosed, wide-shouldered, naked body to a flat-shouldered, draped, localized, fully reflecting the historical development value of art.
🗓Itinerary:
The park is not big and is built on the mountain. There is a sightseeing car to the middle of the mountain, and then more than 100 steps can reach the grotto area on the mountain. It is easier to visit from top to bottom. You can visit according to the sightseeing car route.
After visiting the Xiangtangshan Grottoes in the north and the south, don't rush to leave. There is a place you must visit, that is, the Xiangtangshan Grottoes Digital Display Center. It's very big inside, with several floors, and many precious Buddha statues have been restored using 3D printing technology. There is also a cinema inside, playing historical short films, which is very good.
🚉Transportation strategy:
You can drive by yourself, or you can take a bus to the nearby and then call a car, which is very convenient.
❤Recommended reason:
Seeing that almost all the Buddha statues have been destroyed and only the body is left, I feel very sad. I hope that history will not repeat itself and protect this millennium treasure.
ArttuM?kel?
At the Chang Le Temple, I learned about the beauty of imperfection. In the long river of time, every ancient site is like a thick history book, quietly telling the stories of the past.
At the Chang Le Temple, I learned about the beauty of imperfection.💕
🌟In the long river of time, every ancient site is like a thick history book, quietly telling the stories of the past. The Chang Le Temple on Xiangtang Mountain is such a place that inspires awe and emotion. It interprets the beauty of imperfection in a unique way.
🌟Xiangtang Mountain is majestic and lush, as if it is a backdrop specially laid out by nature for Chang Le Temple. Chang Le Temple is located in these mountains. It has experienced thousands of years of wind and rain and witnessed the vicissitudes of countless dynasties and times.
🌟At first glance, you may be attracted by its incomplete architectural form, but if you taste it carefully, you can feel the unique charm of imperfection.
🌟Stepping into the temple, it is not actually inside the temple, because the entire temple is already open-air. Although these statues have left imperfections due to the erosion of time, they are more charming because of this. It seems that every crack is a mark of time, and every piece of peeling color is a whisper of history.
🌟Walking in the temple, I can't help but think, why can imperfection show such a moving beauty here? Perhaps, it is because of these imperfections that people cherish what they see more, and feel the heaviness of history and the depth of culture more deeply.
🌟The beauty of Chang Le Temple lies not in its completeness, but in its ability to accept the baptism of time with an open and inclusive attitude, showing the most real and simple side of life.
🌟Standing in front of the temple, looking at the mountains, it seems that you can hear the echo of history and feel the tranquility and solemnity that transcends time and space.
🌟Chang Le Temple is like a kind old man, using his weather-beaten body to tell us: imperfection is also a part of life, it makes our existence more real and colorful.
🌟In the future, I will continue to move forward with this understanding, looking for the more moving beauty of imperfection in every corner of life.
AUJ.HAPPY
I thought the Longmen Grottoes were beautiful, until I came to Xiangtangshan.
Xiangtangshan Grottoes, a national treasure-level attraction that has been overlooked, finally attracted my attention this year with its unique charm. In those museums that collect Chinese cultural relics, the statues of Xiangtangshan Grottoes have repeatedly caught my eye, making me realize its important position in the history of Chinese art.
Xiangtangshan Grottoes: The pinnacle of Northern Qi art
Geographical location: Located in Handan City, Hebei Province.
Historical background: It was built during the Northern Qi period (550-577) and is a representative work of Northern Qi art.
Cultural value: As the first batch of national key cultural relics protection units, Xiangtangshan Grottoes not only witnessed the Buddhist culture of the Northern Qi period, but also a treasure of Chinese grotto art.
The division and characteristics of Xiangtangshan Grottoes:
North Xiangtang: Including North Cave (Big Buddha Cave), Middle Cave (Sakyamuni Cave) and South Cave (Engraved Sutra Cave), it is considered to be excavated by the Northern Qi royal family.
South Xiangtang: The 7th cave (Thousand Buddha Cave) is the most famous.
Shuiyu Temple: Also known as "Little Xiangtang", it is also worth a visit.
The special features of the North Cave (Big Buddha Cave) in North Xiangtang:
Historical speculation: According to historical records, the North Cave, Middle Cave, and South Cave of North Xiangtang may be the tombs of the founding emperor Gao Yang of the Northern Qi and his family members.
Mystery of the stone cave: The stone cave at the top of the central pillar of the Big Buddha Cave, the size just fits a coffin, but its interior has been emptied, adding a touch of mystery.
Overseas treasures: The stone coffin bed components collected by the Freer Art Museum are speculated to be from the stone cave of the Big Buddha Cave.
Transportation and ticket information for visiting Xiangtangshan Grottoes:
Self-driving route: North Xiangtang is about an hour's drive from Handan City, and South Xiangtang takes an extra half an hour.
Tickets: South and North Xiangtang need to buy tickets separately, and the North Xiangtang ticket includes museum visit fees. North Xiangtang provides shuttle bus service for tourists to go up the mountain.
Recommended surrounding attractions:
Handan City Museum: Learn more about the history and culture of Handan.
Ye City Archaeological Museum: Located in Linzhang, it is about an hour's drive from Handan and Xiangtangshan Grottoes.
Xiuding Temple Tower: Another cultural heritage not to be missed.
Xiangtangshan Grottoes, a treasure place worth exploring for a weekend. Here, you can not only appreciate the Buddhist art of the Northern Qi period, but also experience the profound cultural heritage of Chinese grottoes. More about Xiangtangshan Grottoes.
LucasMcKenzie95
Beixiangtang Grottoes.
When in Handan, visit Beixiangtang Grottoes. The ticket price is CNY 60.
Beixiangtang Grottoes are located on the west slope of Tiantian Peak, Gushan, east of Hecun Village. There are 9 grottoes in total, from left to right: Daye Cave, Kejing Cave, Erfo Cave, Shiyin Cave, Jiajing Cave, Wuming Cave, Dafo Cave, and two Wuming Caves. Among them, Dafo Cave is the largest and most gorgeously decorated. The cave is 13.3 meters deep, 13 meters wide, and 11.4 meters high. The main statue in the front niche is a seated statue of Sakyamuni, with a total height of 5 meters. The statue is well-proportioned, solemn and dignified, and is the largest statue in Xiangtang Grottoes. The back is carved with flames and honeysuckle patterns, and seven fire dragons are interspersed among them. The carving is exquisite and the decoration is gorgeous, which is a representative of the superb art of the Northern Qi Dynasty.
It's amazing to see such exquisite cultural relics and grottoes in Hebei. Thumbs up!
Grace Beaumont14
Help, I thought the Longmen Grottoes were impressive enough until I came to
😎 Handan Xiangtangshan Grottoes, which is truly a magical place carrying a thousand years of history and artistic treasures! 👏
During the Northern Qi period, one-third of the nation's financial resources were spent to build this place, and its fame can be compared with Yungang, Longmen, and Dunhuang. 😲 The grottoes are divided into two parts, north and south. The North Xiangtangshan Grottoes are grand and magnificent! 😍 The Three-faced Buddha in the Great Buddha Cave is as tall as 5 meters, which is simply stunning! It is said that the coffin of Emperor Wenxuan of Northern Qi, Gao Yang's father, Gao Huan, was placed in the Great Buddha Cave. 🤩
The South Xiangtangshan Grottoes are mainly known for their murals, which are small but exquisite. 😜 The two places are 15 kilometers apart, and if you have time, I strongly recommend visiting both. 🥰
✔️ The North Grottoes mainly include the Great Buddha Cave, Shakyamuni Cave, and Sutra Carving Cave.
✔️ The Thousand Buddha Cave in the South Grottoes has lotus reliefs and eight musical flying deities on the top, which are vividly carved and are definitely national treasures. 😎
However, the grottoes were damaged during the Northern Zhou and Republic of China periods, and many Buddha statues were destroyed or lost overseas... 😔
📍 Handan Xiangtangshan Grottoes
🎫 90/person (including sightseeing bus)
⌛️ 8:00 - 17:30
📝
✔️ You can visit together with Xinyi Road Sculpture and China Magnetic Kiln. 😃
✔️ The site of Changle Temple is also very worth visiting. 😉
✔️ It is recommended to watch the CCTV documentary about Xiangtangshan Grottoes or find a guide at the foot of the mountain before going to the grottoes. 👍
✔️ After entering the scenic area, you can take a sightseeing bus up the mountain and then walk for about ten minutes on the steps. Otherwise, it is quite tiring to walk up. During holidays, you may have to queue for the sightseeing bus. 😅
✔️ There is a small shop on the mountain with snacks and other items. 😋
If you are interested in history, culture, and art, then Handan Xiangtangshan Grottoes is definitely a place you should not miss! 😘
CrimsonFury@
The treasure trove of stone carving art, a witness to history
Xiangtangshan Grottoes
The Xiangtangshan Grottoes were initially excavated during the Northern Qi Dynasty (550-577 AD), with additional excavations carried out during the Sui, Tang, Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties. Currently, there are 16 existing grottoes, over 450 cliff carvings, and between 4000 to 5000 statues of various sizes.
The carving style of the grottoes is distinctive, showcasing the high achievements of Buddhist art during the Northern Qi period. It is a treasure trove for studying Chinese Buddhism, architecture, sculpture, painting, and calligraphy.
The faces of these Buddha statues are full and round, with slender eyebrows and eyes, upturned corners of the mouth, and a kind and serene smile, exuding a sense of tranquility and solemnity. The carving lines are upright, the technique is smooth, the facial details are exquisite and delicate, and the metallic luster is apparent. However, due to historical reasons, many Buddha heads have been stolen and lost overseas, with some currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and other places.
North Xiangtangshan Grottoes: Key sites to visit include the Great Buddha Cave, Shakyamuni Cave, and Sutra Carving Cave. The Great Buddha Cave houses a large Buddha statue several meters high, which is magnificent; the Shakyamuni Cave features exquisite carvings and is worth seeing; the Sutra Carving Cave is fenced off and contains precious sutra carvings, showcasing ancient calligraphy art.
South Xiangtangshan Grottoes: Main sites to visit include the Huayan Cave and the Thousand Buddha Cave. The main Buddha head in the Huayan Cave is an original from the Northern Qi, rich in historical value; the Thousand Buddha Cave contains 1028 Buddha statues, with the lotus caisson and flying apsaras reliefs being particularly exquisite, showcasing the Buddhist art style of the Northern Qi period.
It's a pity that the Buddha heads have been stolen so severely...
RagaMelody456
Departing from Beijing, 2h to Handan, the potential is too great and seriously underestimated|||
|||.✨Hidden Gem Around Beijing✨ Handan: A Three-Thousand-Year-Old Ancient City, Waiting for You to Encounter!🚀
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city, only 2 hours by high-speed train🚄, directly from Beijing to Handan—a historical city gently treated by time but often underestimated. It lies quietly on the land of Yan and Zhao, waiting for every traveler to explore and discover.🔍
📍Handan, an ancient city with a three-thousand-year history, has a profound cultural heritage, no less than Datong. The Xiangtangshan Grottoes are a brilliant pearl in Chinese grotto art, on par with Longmen and Yungang, and are exemplary of royal grottoes!🌟
🚗Travel Plan:
Depart from Beijing in the morning, take the high-speed train directly to Handan, only 2 hours, easy and fast.
Upon arrival, you can choose to rent a car or take a shuttle bus to freely shuttle between ancient sites and modernity.
If you are a "special forces" with a tight schedule, a round trip to Xiangtangshan Grottoes on the same day will also be rewarding. If you want a leisurely tour, a weekend is enough for you to savor the charm of this ancient city.
📍【Xiangtangshan Grottoes】: The Treasure of Grotto Art, the Whisper of History
Known as the "Fifth Largest Grotto in China", it is on par with Longmen and Yungang, showcasing royal style.
After 1500 years of weathering, although some Buddha heads are missing, the exquisite carvings and intricate patterns are still breathtaking.
The North Xiangtangshan Grottoes are most shocking with the Great Buddha Cave, the three-sided Buddha statue on the central square column, and the legend of "Gao Huan's Tomb" on the top adds a mysterious touch.
The South Xiangtangshan Grottoes are famous for the Thousand Buddha Cave, with the top reliefs of lotus and flying apsaras, colorful and vivid, even Premier Zhou Enlai praised them highly.
🎟️Ticket Information:
North Xiangtangshan Grottoes: 60 yuan/person, shuttle bus 40 yuan/person
South Xiangtangshan Grottoes: 15 yuan/person
⏰Tour Suggestions:
It is recommended to arrange 3-4 hours for the North Xiangtangshan Grottoes, first visit Changle Temple, then climb the mountain to the grottoes, and after descending, visit the Digital Museum to feel the charm of the integration of technology and tradition.
👣Nearby Exploration:
Guangfu Ancient City: Stroll along the ancient city wall and feel the weight and tranquility of history.
Congtai Park: Lush greenery, a great place to relax and unwind.
Yecheng Archaeological Museum, Handan Museum: Gain an in-depth understanding of the glorious history of Handan and ancient Chinese civilization.
This weekend, give yourself a chance to step into Handan, listen to those stories spanning thousands of years, and feel the unique charm that has been underestimated.👣✨
damiensperweston
Nangxiangtang Grottoes Xiangtang Jinshi Art Museum
Nangxiangtang Grottoes Xiangtang Jinshi Art Museum is located at No. 12 Taihang West Road, Fengfeng Mining District, Handan City, Hebei Province, within the Nangxiangtang Temple. The Xiangtangshan Grottoes began in the Eastern Wei Dynasty and flourished in the Northern Qi Dynasty. They were continuously carved and repaired during the Sui, Tang, Song, Ming, Qing, and Republic of China periods, making it one of the three major royal grottoes in China. It mainly represents the highest artistic level of the Northern Qi Dynasty during the Northern and Southern Dynasties period. It is an invaluable treasure trove for studying ancient Chinese patterns, carvings, paintings, calligraphy, architecture, and more. Chinese grotto research expert Su Bai called it 'a microcosm of Chinese grotto art.'
The Nangxiangtang Grottoes Xiangtang Jinshi Art Museum showcases the finest works of Xiangtang Grottoes and Northern Dynasty stone carvings through rubbings. Here, you can find the predecessor of Tang regular script - Sui regular script, traditional Chinese auspicious patterns - Baoxiang flowers, exquisite sculptures originating from Greece - guardian lions, classic patterns from India - honeysuckle patterns, and Northern Dynasty relief masterpieces - flying celestial musicians, among others. The museum strives to showcase the pinnacle and unique characteristics of Northern Dynasty stone carving art to the fullest extent. After appreciating these art treasures, you will gain a unique cultural experience in the symphony of black and white.
Ticket price: 15 yuan per adult
Opening hours: 8:30-17:30
To reach the Xiangtangshan Grottoes, you can take a minibus or bus No. 5 from Handan to Fengfeng, or take a train.
Ethan@Johnson
To capture this photo, I took a special trip to Handan
I love exploring grottoes, delving into the dark coolness of each cave, and then greeting the faint light that seeps through the crevices—understanding the gazes that traverse time and space.
The Buddha heads that were stolen and then restored, the expressive brows and eyes along with the incomplete hands and feet, the traces carved by wind and sand, the holes damaged by vandals over the ages, and those tourists who climb and touch the relics indiscriminately after paying the admission fee...
The Buddha said, every act of detachment is a form of practice.
Practice itself is a form of endurance.
We enter here as the most ordinary passersby in the light of a hundred generations, truly fortunate♥️
Isla_Wild3r
I thought the Longmen Grottoes were impressive, until I visited Xiangtangshan!
Before setting off, I had just bought the complete works of Su Bai from Sanlian, and started reading 'Research on Chinese Grotto Temples'.
Mr. Su Bai's business card only had one title: Professor at Peking University. Apart from a brief stint working at the Peking University Library in 1946, he truly spent his entire life teaching at Peking University, first in the Archaeology Group of the Arts Research Institute, and later in the Department of History specializing in archaeology.
A pioneer of archaeology in New China, Mr. Su Bai is certainly worthy of this title. He once said, 'The epitome of Chinese grotto art is in Xiangtang'.
The North Xiangtang and South Xiangtang grottoes, along with the Dunhuang, Longmen, and Yungang grottoes, were approved by the State Council in 1961 as part of the first batch of national key cultural relics protection units.
The weather was particularly good that day, and the light shone through the holes in the walls into the caves. The giant Buddha, with a smile on its face, appeared highly serene and tranquil under the soft light. The flame patterns carved in the backlight part of the sculptures were still brightly colored, combined with the dragon and scroll patterns, dynamic and static, solemn and respectful.
I went back and forth, looking at each cave, the severely damaged caves and the traces of large-scale destruction and theft, the history of rise and fall, glory and disgrace, still quietly echoed in the grotto mountains. The broken Buddha heads and pagoda tips, the lost Buddha hands and divine beasts, all flowed overseas with the looting and destruction.
Xiangtangshan Grottoes, in addition to amazement, perhaps more is sorrow.
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🚙Transportation: About an hour's drive from Handan city center.
💴Ticket: South Xiangtang 15 yuan; North Xiangtang 60 yuan (round-trip electric car 40 yuan), climbing up and down the mountain is time-consuming and laborious, it is recommended to take the electric car.
🕒Visiting time: It is recommended to allocate one day for both North and South Xiangtangshan
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leona_ortiz_london
Xiangtangshan is beautiful in its imperfections
During the Northern Qi period, Ye (southwest of Linzhang County, Hebei Province) was the capital, with Jinyang (present-day Taiyuan, Shanxi) as the secondary capital. Gushan is located at one of the eight passes of the Taihang Mountains, Fuxiu Pass, where the mountains are clear, the water is beautiful, and the stone quality is excellent. The Northern Qi Emperor Gao Yang, who revered Buddhism, ordered the carving of stone grottoes, the construction of an imperial palace, and the building of temples here, so that he could retreat from the heat, enjoy himself, and worship Buddha while traveling between Jinyang and Ye. Today, the emperor's palace has long since vanished, and the temples are in ruins, but the Buddha niches and statues carved into the rock walls have been preserved.
The sculptures of Buddhas and flowers here are beautiful and elegant, and their carving art is a bridge between the past and the future. It is a treasure trove of artistic wonders that should have marked a transitional phase in the history of Chinese grotto art from Datong's Yungang to Luoyang's Longmen. However, as one walks in front of the caves and behind the mountains, the sight of the headless, armless, shoulderless, legless, or completely defaced Buddha statues evokes much regret and heartache. Walking along, sighing... A companion tried to console me by saying that perhaps it is because of their brokenness that they have been preserved. At least for now, we can still see so much. Well, after experiencing sadness, acceptance, and release, I once again quietly appreciate the beauty of each and every corner, despite its imperfections...
CHRISTOPHER COX
This severely underestimated grotto harbors a microcosm of a dynasty
The Northern Qi, as a non-unified dynasty, actually left few relics to posterity, and for most people, its first impression is likely one of mystery. Today, if one wishes to glimpse the appearance of this dynasty, the Xiangtangshan Grottoes are the best choice.
There are a total of 22 caves in Northern Xiangtangshan, but only 9 caves in the north, central, and south areas are relatively well-preserved. Among them, the Great Buddha Cave at the northern end of the cave group is the largest in scale and the most lavishly decorated. It can be said that this cave almost completely encapsulates the microcosm of the Northern Qi dynasty. Although the entrance is small, the exterior of the cave is covered with white flowers, unexpectedly nurturing vigorous vitality amidst the ancient.
Entering the Great Buddha Cave, the cave is larger than imagined. As the soul of Northern Xiangtangshan, the Great Buddha Cave has a depth and height of tens of meters, carving out an entire Buddhist world on the sheer cliff. Unlike the central pillar caves of Yungang, the central square pillar of the Great Buddha Cave has only three large niches on three sides, and the upper part of the rear wall is connected to the mountain, forming a low corridor at the bottom for passage during Buddhist rituals.
The lighting in the cave relies entirely on the three windows above the cave door. Most of the time inside the cave, one is in the dim natural light, and only when passing through the corridor of the rear wall does the light break through the darkness, allowing one to truly feel the sacredness that shines into reality.
The C-position of the entire Great Buddha Cave is the main statue in the central niche, the 3.5-meter-tall Sakyamuni Buddha, who is considered to represent Gao Huan, the founder of the Northern Qi. It is not uncommon to symbolize emperors with Buddha statues, such as the Longmen Grottoes I visited before, where the Lushena Buddha represents Wu Zetian, and the Tan Yao Five Caves of Yungang Grottoes represent the five emperors of the early Northern Wei.
Looking up, the Great Buddha sits in a cross-legged position on a circular lotus seat, with the halo behind the Buddha mainly consisting of flame patterns and honeysuckle patterns, among which are flying dragons, and some colors remain. Looking closely at the Buddha's face, although it is somewhat damaged, the face is full, the body is broad, the shoulders are thick and round, which seems to be far from the 'thin bone clear image' and 'generous clothing and wide belt' that were popular during the Northern Dynasties. Why is this?
Some studies suggest that after the Six Garrisons Rebellion, there was a strong 'anti-Sinicization' trend among the military class of the Northern Dynasties. Therefore, after the split of the Northern Wei, the Gao family, as the rulers of the Sinicized Xianbei, in the Xiangtangshan Grottoes, recreated the exotic Hu images from before the 'Sinicization reform' of the Northern Wei, which is not difficult to understand.
The central pillar cave has three sides. In addition to the central Great Buddha, there is a half-cross-legged Buddha statue in the left cave, smiling, with two attendants, and the halo is also mainly honeysuckle and flame patterns, with guardian deities below the Buddha seat. The right side is more severely damaged, and the posture of the Buddha statue is no longer discernible, but it is equally exquisite and delicate.
It is worth mentioning that there is a saying that there is a cave above the square pillar of the Great Buddha Cave, which is the tomb of Gao Huan. I also looked up to search for it, and it seems that there is an opening at the top of the cave, like an independent space. According to the records in the 'Book of Northern Qi' and 'Zizhi Tongjian', it is generally believed that Gao Huan was not actually buried in the west of Zhangshui, but was quietly buried in the grotto temple.
This is actually a 'false burial' system, similar to the saying that Cao Cao had seventy-two doubtful tombs after his death. However, I remember watching a CCTV documentary where archaeological experts entered the cave above the square pillar to investigate, but in the end, they did not find any concrete evidence as to whether it was Gao Huan's tomb.
Nevertheless, whether this claim is true or not, one has to admit that the relationship between the Xiangtangshan Grottoes and the Northern Qi dynasty is undeniable, whether it is the divine right of kings or the return of the soul after a hundred years. A small cave ultimately has no place to accommodate the entirety of a dynasty.
🏞Name | Northern Xiangtangshan Grottoes·Great Buddha Cave
🎫Ticket | 60 yuan
⛳Address | He Village Town, Fengfeng Mining District, Handan City
🚗Transportation | Navigate to 'Xiangtangshan Scenic Area' to get there
caeryn_6476
The ever-changing shadows of the Xiangtangshan Grottoes
The Xiangtangshan Grottoes were carved during the Northern Qi dynasty.
The grottoes are not large, and they have suffered significant damage and theft, but this does not detract from their uniqueness and beauty.
From the main entrance, one can take a short ride, but the rest of the way consists of steps, which can be challenging for those with poor physical fitness.
Above the grottoes, there are openings carved out, allowing light to shine in from above, filling the grottoes with ever-changing beauty at every moment.
On the way down, one can also visit the Dule Temple, although now only the ruins remain. Stone steles and columns are scattered on the ground, yet to be restored.
Seeing a guide using a laser pointer on the artifacts, isn't it said that laser pointers can damage artifacts?
lincolnhawke83
I thought the Longmen Grottoes were impressive, until I arrived at Xiangtangshan
I took the kids to Handan in Hebei
This city that has not changed its name for 3000 years
Of course, the most impressive to me was the Xiangtangshan Grottoes in Handan, Hebei
The CCTV documentary has also filmed here (highly recommend everyone to watch)
It is a royal grotto that began in the Northern Qi period
Later it suffered destruction during the Northern Zhou and the Republic of China periods
Many Buddha statues have been lost overseas
In the Northern Xiangtangshan Grottoes, the Great Buddha Cave, Sakyamuni Cave, and Scripture Carving Cave are the most interesting, it is said that the coffin material of Gao Yang's father Gao Huan from the Northern Qi Wenxuan Emperor is in the Great Buddha Cave.
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📍Handan Xiangtangshan Grottoes
🎫It is suggested to buy the sightseeing car ticket as well, which is 💰90
⏰8:00-17:30
⚠️1️⃣Xiangtangshan Grottoes are divided into South and North Xiangtangshan Grottoes, if you have time, it is recommended to visit both, the South Xiangtangshan is small but exquisite, mainly for murals, while the North Xiangtangshan is grand and spectacular, the two are 15 kilometers apart
2️⃣It can be visited together with Xinyilu Sculpture and China Ci Kiln
3️⃣The digital museum of North Xiangtangshan Grottoes and the ruins of Changle Temple are also very worth visiting
4️⃣It is recommended to watch the CCTV documentary about Xiangtangshan Grottoes or find a guide at the foot of the mountain before visiting the grottoes
5️⃣After entering the scenic area, you can take the sightseeing car up the mountain, then walk up the stairs for about ten minutes, otherwise it's quite tiring to walk up, there may be a queue for the sightseeing car on weekends, and there is a small shop on the mountain.
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auspicious_brianna
Experience the shock of history in Handan
Never forget, for there will always be an echo.
After a thousand years, I finally saw the face of Xiangtangshan.
This time, I went to the North Xiangtangshan.
Bring your family and friends for a historical tour!
☀ Hired a tour guide for explanations
☀ Took the sightseeing car
Bought tickets for the scenic area and the sightseeing car at the ticket office, 100 yuan per person,
Tour guide explanation costs 300 yuan per time.
The tour guide lady was very enthusiastic and attentive, and the explanation was very detailed. Although I had watched the documentary 'Exploring Xiangtangshan' and did some research, there was still a lot I didn't know and didn't want to just skim through.
If you climb the mountain yourself, it takes about 40 minutes.
☀ Route:
Xiangtangshan Grottoes Digital Exhibition Center - Changle Temple - North Xiangtangshan Grottoes
✔️ The Digital Exhibition Center has restored all the stolen Buddha statues, giving a direct impression and understanding.
✔️ Changle Temple, walking to the few headless Buddha statues remaining behind the temple, after listening to the tour guide's story of the temple being rebuilt several times, burned by a great fire, and finally in modern times, an ignorant teacher took his students to smash the stones and take them home to build houses, it was truly heartbreaking and emotional. For a moment, it felt just like visiting the ruins of the Old Summer Palace, that sense of powerlessness, that anger and heartache...
✔️ North Xiangtangshan Grottoes, the imperial grottoes, which began in the Eastern Wei Dynasty, were mainly built during the Northern Qi Dynasty, and were destroyed after the Northern Zhou Dynasty overthrew the Qi. Additions were made during the Sui, Tang, Song, and Qing dynasties, and during the Republic of China, Yuan Shikai's son Yuan Keding led people to knock off the Buddha heads and sell them overseas. Since then, the grottoes have been in ruins.
The tour guide focused on showing us the three major grottoes:
Great Buddha Cave, Sakyamuni Cave, and Scripture Carving Cave
🙏 The Great Buddha Cave is said to be the mausoleum of Gao Huan, which was later looted by the son of a construction worker, so archaeologists did not find a coffin after the founding of New China, but this event is recorded in Sima Guang's 'Zizhi Tongjian'. The unique treasure flower of the Great Buddha Cave is also worth savoring. All the Buddha statues around it are gilded, and one can imagine the dazzling splendor of the time.
🙏 Sakyamuni Cave
Features architecture from the Northern Qi and later Sui and Tang dynasties, showing the changes over time.
🙏 Scripture Carving Cave
A combination of small seal script and regular script, with a total of 50,000 characters, including complete scriptures such as 'Mahaprajnaparamita Sutra' and 'Maitreya Buddha Sutra'. I think it really takes perseverance and concentration to carve each character on the stone wall. There are mostly iron fences around here, and currently, you can view the statues up close. Perhaps when there is more visitor traffic and higher recognition, there will be some protective measures. Still, I hope we can start to value these cultural treasures left by our ancestors, to respect, cherish, and make the utmost effort to pass them on to future generations.
agleam_brianna
The Fifth Largest Grotto in China: Xiangtangshan Grottoes
Entering the territory of Handan, Hebei from Anyang, the Xiangtangshan Grottoes in the Fengfeng Mining Area are ranked as the fifth largest grottoes in China. The grottoes were built during the Northern Qi dynasty, with additional carving in later dynasties. The Northern Qi dynasty, established by the Xianbei people, lasted only 27 years in the long and vast history of China. During these brief 27 years, the throne changed hands six times. The economy was once prosperous, and Buddhism was highly revered, leaving behind the most unique and splendid legacy in the history of Chinese Buddhist statuary. The Xiangtangshan Grottoes inherited the concept of 'the emperor is the Tathagata' from the Yungang and Longmen grottoes of the Northern Wei dynasty. The main Buddha statues in the Great Buddha Cave are believed to be the images of the founding Gao family of the Northern Qi, characterized by their robust and heroic figures, high noses, long eyes, full faces, and tight clothing. Their style, distinct from the influence of the Southern Dynasties' scholar-officials' preference for slender and refined aesthetics, carries the trend of 'robes flowing like water,' serving as a transition to the Buddhist statuary of the later Tang dynasty. Additionally, the Sutra Carving Cave contains a large number of cliff-carved scriptures, which are said to have pioneered the carving of Buddhist scriptures in Chinese grottoes. The inscriptions play an important role in the transition from clerical script to Tang dynasty regular script in Chinese calligraphy.
TRAVIS GOODMAN
Even if you go nowhere else in Handan, you must visit this place
The experience of touring the Xiangtangshan Grottoes is really great. You can look as long as you want, take photos however you want, with no fences, barriers, or wire mesh, allowing for an immersive experience. You might miss the museum this year, but there will still be chances ten years later; however, if you don't cherish such a travel experience, who knows if it will still be available in the future.
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Because this attraction is quite popular, we went early in the morning and had no trouble enjoying the grottoes by ourselves. It was only when we were leaving that people started to arrive, proving that the early bird does indeed get the worm🤭.
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The entire scenic area (North Xiangtang) is quite large, with three must-see spots: the grottoes, the museum, and the Chang Le Temple ruins, which took me a total of 4 hours. Other attractions such as the Tang Dynasty pagoda on the mountain top, the newly built Xiangtang Temple, the plaza park, and the children's playground are also worth a visit if you want to spend a whole day there.
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This article will only share about the grottoes. The natural lighting is quite dim, and the photos have a lot of noise, which is a concern for quality, but at least it has captured precious visual memories and an indescribable wonderful experience. If you ask me, I highly recommend it; it's so worth it.
Travelicious Tastes
Handan Xiangtangshan Grottoes
I have always wanted to visit the Xiangtangshan Grottoes, and I finally made the trip this week. Despite the uncooperative weather, I went anyway. In fact, I set out on Friday night, which gave me plenty of time. I didn't get to visit the Nuwa Palace or the ancient city of Guangfu.
I personally think Handan is quite nice. The city is clean, with good greenery, and the food is economical. Vegetarian buns cost one yuan each, and the street vendors' steamed dumplings are 10-15 yuan per steamer. The noodles are indeed quite salty, which is due to the addition of broad bean sauce; the local taste tends to be strong. There are many snacks available at Xuebu Bridge, with spicy hot pot being particularly popular, and the sesame sauce is good. We stayed opposite Congtai Park, and it was a very short walk to the park and Xuebu Bridge.
We set out for Xiangtangshan on Sunday morning. Perhaps due to the weather, there weren't many people, and the environment was very pleasant. I chatted with the staff who said that before, no one came and it was all dusty, but now it's much better. Due to the weather, it was very dark inside the grottoes, so I only took a few direct photos. It's better to see and experience it with your own eyes. The cultural and creative store offers free stamping; just bring your own notebook.
Nan Xiangtang is not far away, so I went there too. The damage inside is very severe, with only a few caves remaining. You can decide for yourself whether to visit.
Handan, Nanxiangtang Mountain Grottoes.
There are not many grottoes, a total of seven holes, most of the Buddha statues have no Buddha heads, some are also made up later.
The Nanxiangtang Mountain Grottoes flourished in the Northern Qi Dynasty, and it has a history of more than 1500 years. Most of the Buddha statues have been touched by later generations to become black and shiny. From the structure, only the seventh cave is a corridor surrounding the central Buddha statue column, and the rest are single rooms.
The grottoes are desolate!
Even if it is as hard as a stubborn stone, it can't withstand the butcher knife of time, let alone the hundred pounds of flesh of you and me?
Let go, let go...
Break away from it
Erich Smith I
The renowned Xiangtangshan Grottoes overseas
The Xiangtangshan Grottoes are the largest existing treasure trove of stone carving art from the Northern Qi Dynasty in China. It belongs to the third phase of the Northern Dynasty stone carving art. In terms of carving art, it inherits the skills of the Northern Wei and Eastern Wei Dynasties, and initiates the new trend of the Sui and Tang Dynasties, thus creating a grotto art with Chinese national style and era characteristics.
At that time, unknown Chinese artisans, based on mastering the traditional skills of their ancestors in painting, sculpture, architecture, etc., absorbed and integrated the techniques of Indian and Gandhara Buddhist sculpture art, and after the development of the first two phases, gradually blended into the traditional sculpture art of China. The form of the grottoes, the image of the statues, the face, the clothing, the patterns, etc., have basically completed the process of nationalization.
CASH COLLINS
The 'Xiangtangshan Grottoes' in Handan, Hebei, represent the artistic peak of the turbulent Northern Qi Dynasty
🗺 Overview of Xiangtangshan
❤️The Xiangtangshan Grottoes are listed as the first batch of cultural relics protection units and are also a must-see attraction in Handan. Due to inconvenient transportation and the need to climb more than 700 steps, there are not many tourists here, but it is suitable for appreciating art treasures in such a quiet environment.
❤️The Xiangtangshan Grottoes are located in the Fengfeng Mining Area of Handan City, and the grottoes were first excavated during the Northern Qi Dynasty. There are 16 existing grottoes, more than 450 cliff statues, more than 5000 large and small statues, and a large number of scriptures and inscriptions. The Xiangtangshan Grottoes are divided into North Xiangtangshan, South Xiangtangshan and Little Xiangtangshan. This article first introduces the North Xiangtangshan Grottoes, which has 9 caves, among which the Big Buddha Cave is the most shocking.
❤️Perhaps it is because you can watch and touch at close range, and there are few tourists. After seeing Mogao Grottoes and Yungang, I feel that Xiangtangshan Grottoes are more shocking and beautiful in comparison! ✨
⭐️Xiangtangshan Grottoes are known as the fifth largest grottoes in China. Although the scale of the grottoes is not very large, the style of the grottoes is very unique, which can represent the art, culture and Buddhist history of the Northern Qi Dynasty. What is regrettable is that many Buddha heads in the grottoes have been stolen, and the damage is quite serious. However, it is precisely because of this that everything that exists now is more worth protecting for future generations, perhaps this is the charm of Xiangtangshan Grottoes.
🚩Tour tips:
🚙Travel mode: It is recommended to rent a car or self-drive. The Xiangtangshan Grottoes are located in the Fengfeng Mining Area, more than an hour's drive from Handan city. There is no direct public transportation. If you choose to take a taxi, it is not easy to call a taxi when returning. The parking lot at the entrance of the scenic spot charges 10 yuan a day for parking at will.
💴Tickets: Full price ticket 60 yuan/person, shuttle bus 40 yuan/person. If you do not take the shuttle bus, you need to climb the mountain for more than 40 minutes. The mountain is not particularly easy to climb, but it is worth it to slowly climb up and see the scenery! (Note that the 40 yuan for the shuttle bus is one-way up the mountain. If you are physically ok, it is not recommended to do it, it is a bit expensive.) You can buy tickets directly at the entrance of the scenic spot.
🕰Tour time: It is recommended to leave 2-3 hours to slowly appreciate the North Xiangtangshan! It's really worth it!!! Especially when the sun shines from outside the grottoes to the Buddha statues inside, it's super beautiful and shocking!
📌Tour order: North Xiangtangshan Grottoes-Changle Temple-South Xiangtangshan Grottoes
Remember to go to Changle Temple after seeing the grottoes down the mountain, it is very shocking, and the Buddha heads are also stolen.
🤗Do some homework: It is recommended to watch the documentary 'Exploring Xiangtangshan Grottoes' before visiting, to simply understand the history and construction background of the grottoes, so that you can appreciate it more during the visit~
REAGAN OWENS
One Day Tour｜Handan Xiangtang Temple Grottoes｜
✨Touring on the National Day, the tranquility of fewer people, gives the feeling of stepping into a sister chapter of the Longmen Grottoes. The murals of the Xiangtang Temple Grottoes are brightly colored, like elves popping out of the stone, making people can't help but appreciate them carefully.
✨Every Buddha statue on the mural is lifelike, as if telling a thousand-year-old story. It makes people can't help but admire its artistic value.
✨Although the Xiangtang Mountain Grottoes have experienced more than 1400 years of wind and rain, the Buddha statues are still as bright as ever, extremely shocking.
✨But the traces of history cannot cover the light of these statues. They are like precious works of art, allowing every visitor to feel the charm of human art.
💰Ticket Guide:
North Xiangtang Temple: ticket 88 yuan (including sightseeing car, there are shops inside, simple meals can be made)
South Xiangtang Temple: ticket 14 yuan (no shops inside)
🕘Some of the stories about murals and sculptures in Teacher Chen Danqing's 'Partial' will give you a deeper understanding of these works of art. Before going to the Xiangtang Temple Grottoes, you can watch this program first, which will definitely give you a deeper understanding and appreciation of sculpture art.
✨If you are looking for a good place to visit around Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei, then the Xiangtang Temple Grottoes are definitely worth exploring. Whether it is North Xiangtang Temple or South Xiangtang Temple, there are works of art worth stopping and appreciating waiting for you to discover.✨
ELSIE SALAZAR
The shock of Hebei Xiangtangshan Grottoes can only be felt in person
⛰️In Handan, Hebei, the Xiangtangshan Grottoes, a royal grotto carved during the Northern Qi Dynasty, is a national project built with one-third of the country's wealth during this 'short-lived' dynasty of only 28 years. It can be said that all of them are classics, each grotto is more shocking than the last.
⛰️The Xiangtangshan Grottoes are divided into the north and south. The North Xiangtang is grand in scale and is the essence of the grottoes. The South Xiangtang is smaller in scale but exquisite in design. Both are worth seeing. It is regrettable that at least 120 Buddha heads in the grottoes have been scattered around the world, and the few remaining heads were not stolen because they are not original Northern Qi artifacts and 'worthless'. Of course, in addition to modern theft, the anti-Buddhist movement of the Northern Zhou Dynasty is also one of the reasons for the destruction of the Buddha statues.
🌈Grotto Highlights
There are 16 grottoes remaining (9 in the north and 7 in the south)
North Xiangtang🎫60, tour for 3 hours+; South Xiangtang🎫15, tour for 1 hour+; Half an hour between the two grottoes🚗;
The most worth seeing grottoes:
📍The Great Buddha Cave and Sakyamuni Cave in North Xiangtang;
👉The Great Buddha Cave is the largest cave, with a central square column. The top of the column has the 'Gao Huan Tomb' recorded in the literature (Gao Huan: Emperor Shenwu of Northern Qi). When archaeologists opened the stone tomb at the top, it was already empty. The stone coffin bed components now housed in the Freer Gallery of Art in the United States are believed to possibly come from the Great Buddha Cave;
👉The highlights of the Sakyamuni Cave are the two Bodhisattvas at the entrance corridor, the style of the cave door and the door pillars;
📍The Thousand Buddha Cave and Scripture Carving Cave in South Xiangtang;
👉The lotus relief on the top of the Thousand Buddha Cave and the 8 flying apsaras;
👉The scriptures and details of the small Buddha statues in the Scripture Carving Cave;
Many exquisite details are not in the Great Buddha, perhaps on the base, perhaps on the door lintel, perhaps in the corner of the cave wall; reserve a little more time to discover surprises