Cixian Travel
Handan Cixian, Hebei — the ancient capital of Cizhou, integrating the Northern Dynasties Tomb Complex, Cizhou Kiln site, and Yiquan Lake, blending Six Dynasties culture with mountain and water scenery. A 3-day 2-night in-depth tour decodes the history of the Northern Dynasties and ceramic art, showcasing the unique charm of the ancient Zhao region.
Cixian Three Days Two Nights Historical and Cultural Tour
Explore the historical legacy of the Northern Dynasties Tomb Complex, admire the thousand-year ceramic art of Cizhou Kiln, enjoy the ecological scenery of Yiquan Lake, taste authentic Cixian cuisine, and unlock the historical code and natural beauty of ancient Cizhou
Explore the Northern Dynasties Tomb Complex in the morning to feel the history of six dynasties, visit representative tombs like the Tomb of Lanling Prince. Visit the Cixian Museum in the afternoon to systematically understand local history, and pay respects to the ancient sage at Lin Xiangru's Tomb in the evening.
- Hotels in the county center
- Culture-themed homestays
- Resorts around Yiquan Lake
- Cixian Stewed Meat (Menzhi)
- Fatty Girl Smoked Chicken
- Cizhou Braised Noodles
- Hand-Pulled Noodles (Zhuai Mian)
- The Northern Dynasties Tomb Complex is scattered; self-driving or chartering a car is recommended
- Audio guides are available for free rental at the museum (200 yuan deposit required)
- There are farmhouse restaurants near Lin Xiangru's Tomb serving authentic home-style dishes
Visit the Cizhou Kiln Futian Site in the morning to learn about the thousand-year development of ceramic art and experience hand-made pottery. Visit the Cizhou Kiln Art Gallery in the afternoon to appreciate fine porcelain. Stroll around Yiquan Lake in the evening to enjoy the lake and mountain scenery.
- Futian Site is about 20 km from the county town; take a bus towards Guantai
- Yiquan Lake has a sightseeing bus (20 yuan/person)
- Taxi starting fare from the county town to attractions is 6 yuan
- Northern Dynasties Tomb Complex: 60 yuan
- Cizhou Kiln Futian Site: 50 yuan
- Cizhou Kiln Art Gallery: 30 yuan
- Yiquan Lake: Free (some entertainment items charge)
- Hand-made pottery experience at Futian Site requires advance booking (50 yuan/person)
- Yiquan Lake is best for photography in the evening with optimal lighting
- There are many mosquitoes and insects by the lake in summer; bring anti-mosquito products
Climb Lufeng Mountain in the morning to enjoy the Taihang Mountain scenery and overlook the panoramic view of Cixian. Visit the Zhang River Small Three Gorges in the afternoon to experience the canyon wonders and rafting fun. Purchase Cizhou Kiln handicrafts and return.
- Hiking on Lufeng Mountain
- Rafting at Zhang River Small Three Gorges
- Cizhou Kiln hand-throwing pottery
- Fishing at Yiquan Lake
- Cizhou Kiln porcelain
- Fatty Girl Smoked Chicken
- Cixian White Lotus Root
- Taihang walnuts
- Sichuan pepper
- Cixian is about 30 km from Handan Railway Station, a 40-minute drive
- Direct long-distance buses from the county town to Handan, Shijiazhuang, and Zhengzhou
- Fragile Cizhou Kiln items are recommended for courier shipping
Must-Try Foods in Cixian
Cixian Stewed Meat (Menzhi)
A traditional Cixian snack made by mixing pork, starch, and seasonings, then steaming. It can be fried or stir-fried, with a chewy texture and rich flavor. It is a must-have dish for local festivals and banquets.
Fatty Girl Smoked Chicken
A century-old delicacy in Cixian, made from locally free-range chickens, cured through multiple steps and smoked with cypress wood. It has a golden color, tender meat, and a unique aroma, making it a famous local specialty.
Cizhou Braised Noodles
A classic Cixian noodle dish, where steamed noodles are stir-fried with ingredients like bean sprouts and shredded meat, then drizzled with a special braised sauce. It has a rich taste and savory flavor, beloved by locals as a daily staple.
White Lotus Root
A specialty of Yiquan Lake in Cixian. Grown in the lake with excellent water quality, the lotus root sections are thick and long, with crisp and tender flesh, sweet when raw, and soft and glutinous when cooked. Rich in various vitamins, it is a famous pollution-free vegetable in the area.
- Spring (Apr-May): Mountain flowers bloom on Lufeng Mountain, suitable for hiking
- Summer (Jun-Aug): Rafting at Zhang River Small Three Gorges, escaping the heat
- Autumn (Sep-Oct): Bird watching at Yiquan Lake, pleasant climate
- Winter (Dec-Feb): Cizhou Kiln cultural experiences, fewer tourists
- Cixian Stewed Meat (Menzhi)
- Fatty Girl Smoked Chicken
- Cizhou Braised Noodles
- Stir-fried White Lotus Root with Pork Slices
- Hand-Pulled Noodles (Zhuai Mian)
- Tickets: About 150-200 yuan
- Accommodation: 80-150 yuan/night
- Meals: 30-60 yuan/day
- Transportation: About 50 yuan
- Total: 400-700 yuan
- Does the Cizhou Kiln pottery experience require booking? → Yes, booking 1 day in advance is recommended
- Is Zhang River Small Three Gorges rafting suitable for children? → Not recommended for children under 1.2 meters
- Where is the most authentic Fatty Girl Smoked Chicken sold? → Main store in the county town (Intersection of Cizhou Road and Chaoyang Street)
- Is hiking Lufeng Mountain difficult? → Moderate difficulty, about 3 hours round trip