[2025 Handan Attraction] Travel Guide for Hongji Bridge (Updated Jul)

Just got back from Handan and I'm completely obsessed❗️This wild 3-day itinerary will make you pack your bags immediately Sisters, you won't believe it! I rushed to organize this guide right after returning from Handan - this underrated gem of a city totally blew my mind! After walking 20,000 steps over three days, here's my foolproof wild guide👇 🌟TOP 5 Must-Visit Attractions🌟 1. Guangfu Ancient City The only water-surrounded ancient city in northern China! Cycling on the city walls through reed marshes is incredibly healing🌾, and the sunset at Hongji Bridge will take your breath away! Don't miss "Old Ma's Donkey Meat Wrap" - crispy wraps with fragrant donkey meat so good I packed two boxes to go! 2. Wa Palace The thousand-year-old hanging temple on the cliff is awe-inspiring! Take the cable car to the top for panoramic views of Taihang Mountains. On your way down, visit Xiangtangshan Grottoes - the seven fire dragon reliefs in the Great Buddha Cave are mind-blowing. Best photos in afternoon light📸 3. Fantawild Oriental Heritage Perfect for families! The live show "Meng Jiangnu" moved me to tears. The "Flooding Jinshan" ride will get you soaked - wear sandals and bring spare clothes👗 4. Handan Museum Free cultural treasure! Must-sees include the bronze horse and Tang Dynasty epitaphs. Book in advance and bring ID. Their creative ice cream designs are amazing🍦 5. Congtai Park Night views are divine! The Wuling Congtai light show + Hanfu-clad beauties by the lake will transport you to the Warring States period. Come mornings to see grandpas practicing tai chi🕺 🚗Travel Essentials & Tips ✅ Must-haves: ID, power bank, sun hat, mosquito repellent (lots in mountains), comfy shoes (20,000 steps/day) ✅ Transport: Shared e-bikes are super convenient downtown! Take bus C10 to Guangfu Ancient City. Taxi pooling is best for Wa Palace ⚠️ Avoid: Random fried fish vendors in ancient city - go to "Yongnian Fried Fish Heritage Shop" instead. Huiche Lane Night Market is overpriced - try "Fudong Food Forest Night Market" for zhuaimein noodles and Ermao Roast Chicken 🍜Local Food Guide 🍢 Night market must-tries: Handmade sugar paintings (with spinning tigers!) near Guangping Government Office. Cizhou stewed pork with garlic sauce pairs perfectly with Handan beer🍻 🍜 Breakfast picks: "Old Locust Tree" baked buns stuffed with braised eggs and smoked meat - pure satisfaction! Pair with Wu'an stewed noodles for rich broth and chewy texture 🍰 Hidden dessert: "Zhao King Tribute Pastry" near Xuebu Bridge - sesame filling is sweet but not cloying, perfect as gifts 🏨Accommodation Recs ✨ Congtai District: Near museum & park. "Yunli Impression Hotel" has amazing smart latex mattresses ✨ Inside Guangfu Ancient City: Stay at "Water Cloud Homestay" with lakeside views. Sunrise boat rides are breathtaking🌅 💡Local Secrets 1. Rent e-bikes to North Lake Flower Field - May's verbena blooms create dreamy photos 2. Catch open-air concerts at Handan Grand Theater at 7pm - magical vibes🎵 3. Visit "Idiom Street" on Guangming Avenue - perfect Instagram spot with "Handan Learning to Walk" sculpture Three days aren't enough! Plan 4 days to explore ancient towns deeply and see East Taihang's sea of clouds☁️. Pro tip: Wearing Warring States robes in Congtai Park makes for stunning ancient-style photos! Handan is worth revisiting again and again❤️

There is an ancient bridge about 2.5 kilometers east of Guangfu Ancient City. It is said to be comparable to Zhaozhou Bridge, so I had to go and see it. I arrived at around 3pm. There is a parking lot in front of the scenic area. After entering the park, I saw a stone bridge about 50 meters away. The bridge was simple and vicissitudinous, and the bridge deck was full of traces of the years. Turning to the side, the carvings on the side railings and arches of the bridge were extremely exquisite. This is the sister of Zhaozhou Bridge - Hongji Bridge. Key points: 1. Age: It is unknown when Hongji Bridge was built, and it was rebuilt in the tenth year of Wanli in the Ming Dynasty (1582). 2. Features: It is a single-hole double-shoulder stone arch bridge, 48.9 meters long from east to west and 6.82 meters wide, all built of bluestone. 3. Status: It is one of the existing large-scale ancient stone arch bridges in China. It is basically similar to Zhaozhou Anji Bridge in terms of architectural structure and shape, and occupies an important position in the history of ancient Chinese bridges. 4. Value: Its feature is that it is carved all over the arch, which is rare. There are three large arches in the middle with dragon heads as water-dividing beasts, and other parts have exquisite shapes such as double dragons playing with beads, flying dragons, flying phoenixes, and flying horses. 5. Level: National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit. 6. Tickets: 30 yuan. (Guangfu Ancient City pass 90 yuan includes Hongji Bridge). Hongji Bridge is a single-hole double-shoulder stone arch bridge, all built of bluestone. Compared with the famous Zhaozhou Bridge: 1. The length of Hongji Bridge is slightly smaller than that of Zhaozhou Bridge, but the exquisite carvings on both sides of its large arch make it more delicate and beautiful. 2. Hongji Bridge may be older and more complete than Zhaozhou Bridge. It was only overhauled once during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, and the pillars and railings were replaced. The rest of the parts basically remained the same, showing full authenticity. 3. It is said that Hongji Bridge was built by Luban's sister, which adds a legendary color to its history. In addition, Hongji Bridge and Zhaozhou Bridge are called "sister bridges". They are extremely similar in age, appearance, style, structure, and function, which further proves their important position in the history of bridge construction. Walking on the bridge, seeing the bridge deck flowing through the years, you can feel the prosperity of the past. Now it is quietly lying on the Fuyang River, looking a bit lonely. Self-driving can go and see. Guangfu Ancient City has buses 906 and 908, but you have to walk about 2 kilometers. If you are not a fan of ancient buildings, it is not recommended.

| Exploring Ganlu Temple in Guangfu Ancient City. 🚗🏰 Time-Traveling Journey | Exploring Ganlu Temple in Guangfu Ancient City 🌟 🌿 Embark on a self-driving trip, heading towards the depths of history in Guangfu Ancient City. After wandering through the ancient charm of Hongji Bridge, my steps were drawn to an ancient temple called Ganlu Temple. 🏯 You might have heard of Ganlu Temple from the Three Kingdoms stories, but it has nothing to do with this Ganlu Temple. This Ganlu Temple, though not famous, has a history of 1400 years. It is said that Princess Nanyang, the third daughter of Emperor Yang of Sui, once practiced here, but the truth of history is always elusive. What remains unchanged is that Ganlu Temple has weathered storms and witnessed countless dynastic changes. 🌸 The current Ganlu Temple is located outside the east gate of the ancient city, separated from the ancient city by only a river. Entering the temple, the new halls and Buddha statues, though lacking the vicissitudes of history, are still solemn and magnificent. Along the central axis, the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Mahavira Hall, and the Sutra Library are arranged in sequence, with the Bell and Drum Towers and the Guanyin Hall cleverly interspersed. 🌳 Strolling between the corridors and streams, shaded by green trees, with fish playing in the water and birds singing. Arched bridges, flowing water, long corridors, and weeping willows, like a moving garden painting. This is undoubtedly a sanctuary for the soul. 📍 Location: Dongguan, Guangfu Town, Yongnian District, Handan City, Hebei Province, east side of Guangfu Ancient City, Temple East Street. 🕒 Opening hours: 8:30-17:30, the temple gate closes after dusk. 🕰️ Recommended visit duration: about 1 hour 🚙 Transportation guide: Drive to Ganlu Temple in Guangfu Ancient City, there are free parking spaces in front of the temple.