Shijiazhuang → Handan 3-Day Travel Guide! Explore Ancient Cities, Discover Stone Caves, Ride a Niche Train for 5 Yuan

“So close and so beautiful, spend the weekend in Hebei!” This 3-day itinerary for Shijiazhuang + Handan takes you to underrated museums, millennia-old ancient cities, unlocks historical idioms, and lets you savor authentic local snacks. A fully packed trip with no pitfalls! 📅 Day 1: Shijiazhuang · Museum + Asia’s Largest Night Market, Understand Hebei’s Heritage Itinerary 1. Morning: Arrive by high-speed train, check in at Hebei Museum - Transportation: Take the high-speed train directly to Shijiazhuang Station, then head straight to the Hebei Museum (advance reservation required, don’t miss it! A seriously underrated treasure). - Exhibition route: Start with authentic Anhui beef noodle soup in the basement (a hidden gem inside the museum), then rush to the second floor’s “Great Han Dynasty” exhibition to see treasures like the Changxin Palace Lantern. Explore other exhibits at leisure, and don’t miss the thoughtfully designed cultural and creative shop. 2. Evening: Visit Asia’s largest night market, taste all the special snacks - Head to Zhengding Small Commodities Night Market. For panoramic photos, go to the fourth floor of the parking lot for an unobstructed view. Must-try foods: Thai-style salty cheese, crispy fried mushrooms, authentic Wuhan hot dry noodles—eat until full! 3. Accommodation: Jianguo Puyin (Zhengding Ancient City Branch) - Close to the night market and ancient city, very convenient for exploring Zhengding the next day, saving travel time. 📅 Day 2: Zhengding Ancient City → Handan · From Millennia-Old Temples to the Hometown of Idioms Morning: Walk around Zhengding Ancient City, visit 6 major attractions for 80 yuan 1. Core route: Longxing Temple → Tianning Temple (Lingxiao Pagoda) → Kaiyuan Temple → Linji Temple (Chengling Pagoda) → Guanghui Temple (Hua Pagoda) → Zhengding South City Gate (for panoramic ancient city photos) 2. Tickets & highlights: - Buy an 80 yuan combo ticket directly at Longxing Temple ticket office, covering all 6 attractions, great value. - Longxing Temple (key visit): See the “Eastern Beauty” Mani Hall inverted Guanyin, Western Pure Land murals, bronze Vairocana Buddha, the largest prayer wheel, and the Longzang Temple stele; note that the Thousand-Hand and Thousand-Eye Guanyin at the Great Compassion Pavilion is under renovation and currently closed. - Kaiyuan Temple (must-see): Home to the only surviving Tang Dynasty bell tower in China (Tang base with later upper rebuild), a nine-story brick pagoda with dense eaves, and the largest Bixi turtle statue in the country, full of historical weight. 3. Lunch: Across from Guanghui Temple · Bone broth noodles + donkey meat sandwich - Authentic Hebei flavors, rich bone broth, crispy yet tender donkey meat sandwich, refuel before continuing. Afternoon & Evening: Take high-speed train to Handan, unlock the night view of the idiom city 1. Transportation: Take the afternoon high-speed train from Shijiazhuang to Handan, convenient and time-saving. 2. Night tour route: - Walk north along Huiche Road (the origin of the story where Lin Xiangru yields to Lian Po), passing Congtai Park (site of King Zhao Wuling’s “wearing Hu clothes and riding archery”), and Xuebu Bridge (origin of the “Handan Learning Walk” idiom). Explore historical sites in the evening for a rich atmosphere. 3. Accommodation: Atour Hotel (New Century Center Branch) - Central location, convenient for dining and shopping, close to Handan Station for the next day’s departure. 📅 Day 3: Handan · 5 Yuan Niche Train + Xiangtangshan Grottoes, Explore the Thousand-Year Buddhist Kingdom Morning: Ride the “hidden train,” visit Jiangbei’s First Pavilion 1. Transportation: Take train number 57125 for 5 yuan (important!) - Arrive at Handan Station by 7:18 AM, note this train is not listed on 12306 and only accepts cash, don’t waste time looking for tickets in advance. 2. Tour: Zhifang Yuhuang Pavilion → South Xiangtang Grottoes - Take the 5-yuan train to Xinshi District Station, then rent an electric bike to Zhifang Yuhuang Pavilion, known as “Jiangbei’s First Pavilion.” Focus on its unique coffered ceiling, an exquisite craft. - Walk to South Xiangtang Grottoes (20 yuan entrance fee), must-see highlights: - Cave 1: Unique Persian lion sculptures; - Cave 2: Fiery patterns formed by flying apsaras, vivid and lifelike; - Cave 7 (most exquisite): The only two complete statues, the only intact Ten Heavenly Kings, and the Thousand Buddha Cave. The ceiling’s four groups of flying apsaras symbolize “reincarnation.” Don’t miss the fish-holding statue at the base of the right tower, and try to find the popular “Don’t Want to Work Buddha.” Afternoon: North Xiangtangshan Grottoes, eat freshly baked crispy sesame cakes 1. Transportation: Taxi to North Xiangtangshan Grottoes (80 yuan entrance), take a 15 yuan one-way sightseeing bus up the mountain or walk 25 minutes with nice scenery along the way. 2. Tour route: - Digital Exhibition Center (learn grotto history) → Changle Temple (officially open on National Day, experience the ancient temple atmosphere) → 20 meters east of the Caishen Hall (try freshly baked sesame cakes, so crispy they crumble, a must-try!) → Great Buddha Cave → Shakyamuni Cave → Sutra Carving Cave (immerse yourself in thousand-year-old grotto statues and Buddhist culture). 3. Return: Take the direct shuttle bus from the scenic area to Handan Station, ending the 3-day trip.