Handan, a city in southern Hebei with 3,000 years of history, is where stories from Chinese classics come alive. Think ancient palaces, walled towns, and food you won’t find in big cities. This one-day plan skips the boring stuff and focuses on what makes Handan special—no rushing, just good times.

8:30 AM – Start with Wu’an Wa Palace (娲皇宫)

Kick off early with a 1-hour drive to Wa Palace (¥65 ticket)—a must-see for anyone into history or cool architecture. It’s built into a cliffside, with wooden pavilions hanging over the rock. The main hall has colorful murals from the Ming Dynasty (1368–1912) that tell stories of Nüwa, a goddess in Chinese mythology who “mended the sky.”

Walk the stone steps up to the top—don’t worry, it’s not too steep. The view of the surrounding mountains is worth it, especially if the morning has a light mist. Grab a bottle of local spring water (¥2) from a vendor at the entrance—refreshing and cheap.

12:00 PM – Lunch: Try Handan’s Famous Donkey Meat

Head back to the city center for lunch at Laobai Donkey Meat Restaurant (老白驴肉馆). Don’t be scared—donkey meat here is tender, like beef but with a richer flavor. Order the donkey meat sausage (驴肉灌肠，¥30) sliced thin, served with garlic sauce, and a bowl of donkey bone soup (驴骨汤，¥15) to warm you up. Pair it with steamed buns (¥2 each) to soak up the soup—locals eat it this way, so follow their lead.

2:00 PM – Wander Guangfu Ancient City (广府古城)

Take a 40-minute taxi (¥40) to Guangfu Ancient City—a walled town that’s been around since the Sui Dynasty (581–618). The best part? It’s still lived-in—you’ll see grandmas hanging laundry on old walls, kids chasing each other down cobblestone lanes, and shops selling handmade toys.

Walk the city wall (¥20 ticket) for 30 minutes—you’ll get great photos of the red-tiled roofs below. Then wander the streets: stop at a shop to try Yongnian crispy fish (永年酥鱼，¥10/box)—fish simmered in soy sauce until it’s fall-off-the-bone tender. It’s a perfect snack for later.

4:30 PM – Visit Congtai Park (丛台公园)

Return to Handan and spend the late afternoon at Congtai Park (¥5 ticket). It’s built around the ruins of an ancient platform where kings held military parades 2,000 years ago. Walk through the lotus pond (beautiful even if not in bloom) and check out the small museum inside the park—they have old weapons and pottery from the Warring States Period (475–221 BCE).

Sit on a bench for 10 minutes and watch locals: some play chess, others dance to traditional music. It’s a slow, sweet way to feel the city’s rhythm.

6:30 PM – Dinner & Souvenirs

End with dinner at a street food stall near Congtai Park. Try Handan fried cakes (邯郸炸糕，¥3 each)—sweet red bean paste wrapped in dough, fried until crispy. For souvenirs, pick up Handan paper-cuts (¥15–30) from a nearby shop—intricate designs of dragons or flowers, easy to pack.

Quick Tips for Foreign Visitors

• Taxis are easy to hail—just show the driver the place name in Chinese (I’ll list them below!).
• Wear comfy shoes: lots of walking on cobblestones.
• Cash is better for small shops—most don’t take cards.

Chinese Names for Places

• Wa Palace: 娲皇宫
• Laobai Donkey Meat Restaurant: 老白驴肉馆
• Guangfu Ancient City: 广府古城
• Congtai Park: 丛台公园

Handan isn’t as famous as Beijing or Xi’an, but that’s why it’s great. No crowds, just real history and friendly people. Spend a day here, and you’ll leave feeling like you got a true taste of China—not just the tourist version.