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~
Xiangtangshan ancient called Gushan, the grottoes are located in Fengfeng mining area of Handan City, Hebei Province. Fengfeng mining area is named for the mine, but now it is a municipal area, and the locals read "peak" as two sounds. Xiangtangshan Grottoes were first opened in Beiqi, because the grottoes are deep, people in the caves can hit the palms and shake their sleeves, can make a loud echo, so call it "Xiangtang".
I like humanistic travel. Although the Xiangtangshan Grottoes are mostly damaged, it is still very shocking. The prosperity of the national strength and the piety of the people can create beautiful treasures. Although it is a pity that the loss is a lot of time and energy to pursue. Protecting the present, inheriting the culture is the most important thing now! The country must be rich and strong! !
Navigation is correct. There is a traffic car in the scenic spot (40 yuan), take a short car first, transfer to the grotto next to the tower, the sculpture here can really be touched, after the tour, go down the mountain, then take the car to Xiangtang Temple, then take the car back to the door, it takes less than three hours. There is also a Nanxiangtang Temple, 10 kilometers away from this, the grotto is also good (15 yuan), cost-effective, one hour there is enough.
Xiangtang Mountain is a historically charming feature of the monument, is a very worth visiting.
The grotto is on the mountainside, you can choose to climb up by yourself, you can spend 40 yuan to and from the bus, a single trip is 20 yuan, if you sit tight on the bus to the mountain, first take the ten-person car to Changle Temple to visit, in the queue to take the bus up the mountain.
It is worth a visit, after all, there are very few good grottoes that can be directly faced.