[2025 Hancheng Attraction] Travel Guide for Hancheng Ancient City (Updated Mar)

In Weinan, two hours away from Xi'an by train, I found a truly living small city on the Yellow River in Shaanxi called "Hancheng". "Hancheng in the Records of the Grand Historian, the Wind Chasing Sima" This is the hometown of Sima Qian, the author of Records of the Grand Historian, and it was also the low-key and prosperous Rui State in the Spring and Autumn Period. With its well-preserved ancient city from the Ming and Qing dynasties, Dangjia Village, a treasure of residential buildings, and one-sixth of the country's existing Yuan Dynasty buildings, Hancheng still stands out even in the Guanzhong Plain with its profound cultural heritage. Trip Planning Day 1: Yuxiu Bridge - Hancheng Ancient City - Confucian Temple (Hancheng Museum) - Dongying Temple - Chenghuang Temple - Beiying Temple - Jiulang Temple - Sima Qian Temple Day 2: Dayu Temple - Rui State Ruins Museum - Puzhao Temple (Yuan Dynasty Architecture Museum) - Fawang Temple - Dangjia Village Attractions 1. Hancheng Old Town: Hancheng Old Town is still one of the few ancient towns I have visited that has not been overdeveloped. It starts from the Yuxiu Bridge of the Qing Dynasty, passes through three Yuan structures and two Ming structures, and ends at the Ganggangzhai Tower. The ancient city of Hancheng is using six national protected sites, intricate bracket sets and colorful glazed feasts to feast the eyes of visitors. 2. Liangdai Village Rui State Ruins Museum: The excavation of the jade pig dragon has made this vassal state that existed from the Western Zhou Dynasty to the Spring and Autumn Period full of unsolved mysteries. Tens of thousands of exquisite gold and bronze wares present this low-key and wealthy Rui Kingdom to the world. 3. Puzhao Temple: Based on Puzhao Temple, many Yuan Dynasty buildings were moved here to form the Yuan Dynasty Architecture Museum. The mountain gate is the former offering hall on the top of the hanging mountain of Tianyuan Temple. The main hall has colored sculptures of Buddha and painted caissons from the Yuan Dynasty. 4. Dangjia Village: A 700-year-old ancient village dominated by the Dang and Jia surnames. Influenced by the Shanxi merchant culture on the other side of the Yellow River, most villagers are engaged in business. Walking along the ancient roads from the Ming and Qing dynasties here, and looking at the original dwellings, ancient towers, and ancestral halls, you can feel that Bailuyuan is still "alive." 5. Sima Qian Temple: It was first built in the third year of Yongjia in the Western Jin Dynasty (310 AD) to commemorate Sima Qian. There are ancient stone tablets and Sima Qian's tomb in the Sima Qian Temple. The roads leading up the mountain are all ancient, and the ruts left by carriages and horses are marks of the long river of time, which is very impressive. Useful Information 🎫Tickets: Free for the ancient city, 50 for the Confucian Temple, 20 for the Puzhao Temple, and 80 for the Sima Qian Temple. 🚄Transportation: Xi'an → Hancheng, drive for 2 to 3 hours. It is recommended to rest at Fuping Service Area. You can also take the bullet train, but there are fewer trains. The taxi fare in Hancheng is not high, you can take a taxi for the entire journey, and you can ride shared electric motorcycles in most areas. 🍕Delicious food: mutton noodles, mutton soup with steamed buns, pepper and black yogurt. I heard that the local wontons are also very delicious. 🏨Accommodation: The hotel is located near Hancheng Central Plaza, with lively surroundings, convenient transportation, and a full range of food and drinks.

When in Xi'an, you can't miss the Terracotta Warriors and Horses and Hukou Waterfall! In three days, you can visit both of these attractions. Save this super useful guide now! -- 🚩Itinerary: D1: Huaqing Palace - Five-Room Hall, Site of the Xi'an Incident - Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum (Terracotta Warriors and Horses) - Pit 1 of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses On the first day, we will visit Huaqing Palace to experience the weight of history, and then head to the Five-Room Hall, the site of the Xi'an Incident, to relive that turbulent period of history. In the afternoon, we will visit Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum to see the awe-inspiring Terracotta Warriors and Horses with our own eyes. Pit 1 of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses is a highlight that you can't miss. 🏛️ D2: Mount Hua - Hancheng Ancient City On the second day, we will conquer the steep Mount Hua and experience the fun and excitement of climbing. Then, we will head to the ancient Hancheng Ancient City, where we will stroll along the ancient streets and experience the passage of time. 🏔️ D3: Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River in Shaanxi - National Geodetic Origin - Fucha Town On the last day, we will head to the spectacular Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River in Shaanxi to experience the majesty and power of the water. Then, we will visit the mysterious National Geodetic Origin to learn about the mysteries of geodetic surveying. Finally, we will end our trip in Fucha Town, where we will experience the local tea culture and enjoy the peace and tranquility. 🍵🌊 -- Must-See Attractions: Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum (Terracotta Warriors and Horses) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Address: Qinling North Road, Lintong District, Xi'an - Opening hours: Feb 4 - Mar 15, 08:30 - 18:00 - Duration: 4-5 hours The Terracotta Warriors and Horses in Pits 1, 2, and 3 are magnificent and lifelike, as if you have traveled back to the Qin Dynasty. Huaqing Palace ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Address: No. 38 Huaqing Road, Lintong District, Xi'an, Shaanxi - Opening hours: 07:30 - 18:10 - Duration: 2-3 hours A combination of hot springs and history and culture, you can not only relax in the hot springs, but also enjoy the ancient sites and experience the royal style. Mount Hua ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Address: 1,000 meters southeast of the intersection of Jiling Road and Huashan Road, Huashan Town, Huayin City, Weinan, Shaanxi - Opening hours: All day - Duration: 1 day As one of the Five Great Mountains of China, Mount Hua is famous for its steep scenery and numerous ancient sites, and is a paradise for hiking enthusiasts. Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River in Shaanxi ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Address: G309, Yichuan County, Yan'an, Shaanxi - Opening hours: Jan 1 - Sep 30, 08:00 - 17:00 - Duration: 2-3 hours Standing on the Shaanxi side of Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River, you can feel the spectacular sight of the golden waterfall leaping like a dragon, as if you can hear the roar of the Yellow River. -- Tips: 🚗It is more convenient to take a taxi from the airport to the Terracotta Warriors and Horses, which takes about 1 hour. ❄️Xi'an is still cold in February, so remember to dress warmly, and keep warm inside the Terracotta Warriors and Horses. 🎁Compare the prices of local specialties, don't rush to buy, and check out a few more stores to avoid being ripped off. 🎉Xi'an has a rich culture and customs, so respect local customs for a more authentic experience. -- 🎉After visiting the Terracotta Warriors and Horses, go and experience the magnificence of Hukou Waterfall. Your trip to Xi'an will definitely be an eye-opener! 🎉

|Visit historical sites. The amazing thing about Hancheng is that the way they protect the ancient city is simply textbook-level. Build a new city and preserve the ancient city intact. The ancient city of Hancheng is one kilometer long from north to south and more than 800 meters from east to west, covering an area of ​​about 0.79 square kilometers. The ancient city consists of many historical sites and cultural landscapes, such as the Confucian Temple, Jiulang Temple, Hancheng Beiying Temple, Dongying Temple, Qingshan Temple, Yuxiu Bridge, City God Temple, County Government Office, Zhuangyuan Mansion, King Chuang's Palace, Jincheng Old Street, former residences of celebrities, and courtyard houses. Walking in the ancient city, just turning a corner, you can come across an ancient monument full of stories. Each place is an unfinished historical novel, waiting for you to savor it carefully. Address: No. 45 Xuexiang, Hancheng City, Weinan City, Shaanxi Province Transportation: Self-driving, starting from Xi'an, direct access by highway Opening hours: All day

|Majestic City Walls. Hancheng Ancient City is located in Hancheng, Shaanxi. It was built in the Sui Dynasty, more than 1,300 years ago, and is one of the best-preserved ancient cities from the Ming and Qing Dynasties in China. The majestic city walls surround the city. Despite the passage of time, the ancient charm remains, preserving the city's vibrant atmosphere. As you step into the ancient city, the winding bluestone roads connect many ancient courtyards in the Ming and Qing styles. The courtyard layouts are exquisite, and wood carvings, brick carvings, and stone carvings can be seen everywhere. The intricate patterns showcase the craftsmanship of the artisans. The streets are bustling, and the aroma of local delicacies fills the air. The mutton noodles and pepper yogurt are irresistible. Traditional handicrafts are abundant, and Hancheng flower buns and paper cuttings are unique. Here, historical relics and folk customs blend together, showcasing the rich heritage of Hancheng. 📍【Itinerary】 Arrive at the ancient city in the morning, enter from the south gate, and stroll along the Ming and Qing old streets🚶. Admire the ancient courtyards, and the exquisite wood carvings and brick carvings make for great photos📷. Try the mutton noodles for lunch, which are smooth and chewy, and deliciously authentic. 🍱【Food Recommendations】 You must try the pepper yogurt, which has a unique and addictive spicy aroma. There's also Hancheng wonton, with thin skin and fresh filling. Don't miss the sesame biscuits on the roadside while you stroll and eat, as they are fragrant and crispy. 🎁【Shopping Recommendations】 Hancheng flower buns come in various shapes and have auspicious meanings, making them perfect souvenirs. Don't underestimate the traditional paper cuttings, as the patterns are exquisite and full of folk flavor, making them very meaningful souvenirs🛍️. Slow down and immerse yourself in the ancient city's charm while you explore.

🚗 Transportation Guide - 🚄 High-speed rail: Take the high-speed rail to Weinan North Station, then transfer to a bus or taxi to Han City Ancient Town. - 🚗 Self-driving: Depart from Xi'an, drive along the Beijing-Kunming Expressway, about 2 hours' drive. 🏨 Accommodation Recommendations - 🏢 Yellow River Pearl Kaiyuan Mingdu Hotel: The tallest building in Han City, offering excellent views of the Yellow River, is a good choice for a high-end accommodation experience. 🍜 Food Exploration - 🥢 Han City Stir-fry: Authentic Han City flavor, with color, aroma, and taste. - 🫓 Scallion Pancake: Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a fragrant aroma. - 🍳 Chinese Toon with Egg: A spring-limited delicacy, the unique aroma of Chinese toon and the smoothness of eggs are perfectly combined. - 🍜 Lamb Noodles: Han City specialty noodles, with delicious lamb and chewy noodles. 🏞 Must-visit Attractions - 🏰 Three Temples of the Ancient City: Confucius Temple, Dongying Temple, and City God Temple, each with its own characteristics, are the essence of ancient city culture. - 📚 Confucius Temple: Dedicated to Confucius, feel the charm of Confucian culture. - 🗡️ Dongying Temple: Dedicated to Guan Yu, feel the majesty of the God of War. - 🏰 City God Temple: Large in scale, covered with glazed tiles, dazzling. - 📜 Sima Qian Temple: Pay homage to the birthplace of "Records of the Grand Historian" and feel the weight of history. - 🏞️ Liangdai Village Rui State Ruins Museum: Explore the ruins of the Rui State during the Spring and Autumn Period and experience the depth of history. 🛍 Shopping Recommendations - 🌶️ Pepper Products: Han City specialty, from yogurt to beer, the spiciness and fragrance of pepper are unforgettable. - 🧣 Handicrafts: There are many handicraft shops in the ancient city where you can buy some special souvenirs. 🎉 Festival Activities - 🏮 Art Festival: During the Spring Festival, Han City Ancient Town will have a variety of art festival activities, including yangko, gongs, and drums, to experience authentic folk customs. 📸 Photo Spots - 🌉 Yuxiu Bridge: Stand on the bridge and feel the vicissitudes of the thousand-year-old relics. - 🌌 Night View of the Ancient City: The ancient city is brightly lit at night, a good time for photography. 🌟 Special Tips - 🌧️ Weather: The weather in Han City is changeable, please check the weather forecast before traveling and prepare corresponding rain gear or sunscreen. - 👟 Clothing: There are many stone roads in the ancient city, it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes.

In the fourth year of Yongjia in the Western Jin Dynasty (310 AD), Governor Yin Ji 'admired the ancient texts, praised their merits, and thus built a stone chamber, erected a stele, and planted walls,' initiating the construction of the Sima Qian Temple. Since then, it has been continuously worshipped and maintained through the ages, with incense burning for over 1700 years. Puzhao Temple, located in Wucun, Zancun Town, Hancheng City, Shaanxi Province, was first built in the third year of Yuan Yanyou (1316 AD) and was renovated during the Qing Dynasty. It is an important Buddhist cultural site in the Weibei region. The main building, the Great Buddha Hall, is a precious relic from the Yuan Dynasty. Inside the hall, there are five colored statues sculpted in the third year of Yuan Taiding (1326 AD) and over 130 Ming and Qing dynasty caisson paintings. In 1998, the Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau planned to use the Great Buddha Hall as a base to gradually relocate existing Yuan Dynasty buildings within Hancheng, establishing the Shaanxi Yuan Dynasty Architecture Museum. In 1999, a group of three Yuan Dynasty buildings from Gaoshen Temple and one Yuan Dynasty building from Tianyuan Temple were relocated. In 2001, Hancheng Puzhao Temple was selected as part of the fifth batch of national key cultural relics protection units. The three temples in Hancheng Ancient City, including the Confucian Temple, Dongying Temple, and Chenghuang Temple, are all very ancient.

【Baili Qin Chuan·Hancheng·Zhong Ling Yu Xiu, Full of Radiance】With a bit too much gas, I crossed the Yellow River and arrived at the small town of Hancheng in Weinan, Shaanxi. This is the hometown of the great historian Sima Qian. The ancient city retains a large number of buildings from the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, making it a true 'ancient city.' Rewinding time by five hundred years, the most splendid structures in the ancient city are the Confucian Temple and the City God Temple complex built during the Yuan and Ming periods. Despite the passage of time, the Five-Dragon Wall of the Confucian Temple still shines brightly, and the dougong on the archway is the most beautiful I've ever seen. In front of the City God Temple, there are two Seven-Dragon Shadow Walls, which, despite some damage, still look magnificent. Inside the City God Temple, there is also a beautifully carved stage. A bit further from the City God Temple, there is another temple called Beiying Temple, also known as the Guan Di Temple, which also has an even more exquisite stage. Don't miss it. The ancient city is not large; in half a day, you can leisurely explore and capture the essence of the ancient city. To the south of Hancheng, there is the Sima Qian Temple; to the north, there is the Dangjia Village architectural complex, Puzhao Temple, Dayu Temple, and also the Rui State Museum, among others. Hancheng Ancient City, YYDS! 📝Note tips: Joint ticket for the Confucian Temple, City God Temple, and Dongying Temple is 50 yuan.

Jiulang Temple in Hancheng, Shaanxi (National Level 7) was built in the Yuan Dynasty during the Zhiyuan period (1308 AD). The existing main hall is a relic of the Yuan Dynasty, with a width of five bays and a depth of three bays, featuring a single-eave hipped gable roof, with colorful paintings under the front eaves. Inside the hall, the deities worshipped are Zhao Wu (Marquis Yiying), Cheng Ying (Marquis Chengxin), and Gongsun Chujiu (Marquis Zhongzhi). 'Jiulang' refers to Zhao Wu, where 'jiu' also means 'to save,' implying the meaning of 'saving Zhao Wu.' It is well known that Cangshan in Yangquan, Shanxi, is the place where Cheng Ying hid the orphan of the Zhao family. However, in Hancheng, locals believe that this is the birthplace of the Zhao orphan. Legend has it that Cheng Ying's home was located between Zhichuan West Shaocun and Tanzicun in Hancheng, at Chengzhuang. Today, there are still families with the surname Cheng living here, who have always considered themselves descendants of Cheng Ying. The hiding place of Cheng Ying and Gongsun Chujiu for the orphan was on Mount Yu, not far from Chengzhuang. On the mountain, there are still relics such as Jiulang Gully and Zanggu Cave. Later, to repay their kindness, Zhao Wu was buried together with Cheng Ying and Gongsun Chujiu after his death. Their tombs are located in An Village, Dongxiangbao, Nanwei, Hancheng City. Therefore, there are many Jiulang Temples in the Hancheng area, but most have been destroyed, with more than ten still traceable. The Jiulang Temple located within the ancient city of Hancheng is the best preserved.

A leisurely ancient city - Hancheng, Shaanxi Hancheng Ancient City: The old city of Hancheng was built during the Sui Dynasty and has a history of 1500 years. It is one of the most well-preserved ancient cities in the country, retaining architectural styles from the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. Among them, there are 16 Yuan Dynasty buildings. Hancheng's 'Yuan Jian' is one of the most concentrated places in the country. A Ming and Qing ancient street, a group of ancient buildings, a batch of quadrangle ancient residences, all well-preserved, make it one of the six best-protected Ming and Qing ancient cities in China. The ancient city of Hancheng contains many historical relics and cultural landscapes, including the Confucian Temple, Jiulang Temple, Hancheng North Camp Temple, East Camp Temple, Qingshan Temple, Yuxiu Bridge, City God Temple, County Government Office, Top Scholar Mansion, Li Zicheng's Palace, Jincheng Old Street, homes of famous people, and quadrangle residences. 1. Navigate to Hancheng Ancient City to arrive It is recommended to first visit Hancheng's mutton restaurant for a delicious Hancheng mutton meal before heading to the ancient city, where there is a food street, but it mostly offers snacks and tends to be crowded. Location: Near 54 Huomiao Alley, Hancheng City, Weinan, Shaanxi 2. Parking: There is an underground parking lot in the ancient city 3. Admission: Free 4. Estimated visiting time: 2-3 hours Pass through the food street to reach the ancient street, where merchants line both sides, interspersed with ancient buildings, small attractions, folk museums, etc. 5. Opening hours: 11:00-20:30 (all year round) 6. Special recommendations: Hancheng Sichuan pepper, Sichuan pepper yogurt, Sichuan pepper-related foods (available for tasting), flour-based foods, wontons, fried dough twists, mutton...

The ancient city of Hancheng, the city was first built during the Sui and Tang Dynasties. In the fourth year of Dading in the Jin Dynasty (1164), the city wall was built with soil. In the thirteenth year of Chongzhen in the Ming Dynasty (1640), Xue Guoguan, the prime minister of the city, proposed to the court for approval, advocating local officials and gentlemen to donate funds to change the soil city wall into a brick city wall. The four city gates are inscribed with 'East with the Yellow River', 'Liang Yi West Lapel', 'Pubei Hancheng', and 'Longmen Shengdi'. In order to protect the ancient city, the municipal government made a decision in the early 1980s to protect the ancient city area and build a new city area, so that the ancient streets are well protected. The main street that runs through the north and south of the ancient city of Hancheng is the main street, which is dragon-shaped, reaching a kilometer long, slightly curved, like a dragon lying horizontally; the Jin Dynasty pagoda at the top of the Yuanjue Temple on the north side of the ancient city is like a dragon head, and the ancient stone bridge at the south end is like a dragon tail. The dragon-shaped main street has 72 lanes that crisscross, are orderly, and accessible in all directions. There are more than 5,200 houses in the ancient city, including more than 770 buildings and shops and houses of certain protection value. The ancient shops along the main street are Ming and Qing buildings, most of them are two-story buildings, with warehouses upstairs and shops downstairs, front shops and rear residences, brick and wood structures, and blue brick gray tile sloping roofs, which are typical of the northern ancient city. The well-preserved concentrated courtyards in the ancient city include Zhang Lane, Gaojia Lane, Bozi Lane, Nanying Temple Lane, Wanwan Lane, etc. There are 13 ancient buildings with more than 70 buildings protected in the block, with a large number, large scale and various types, especially the Confucian Temple, the City God Temple, and the Dongying Temple are connected into a piece, reaching more than 700 meters, which is a major feature of the ancient city.

🚗🚗🚗Travel route: Day1: Tongguan Yellow River Ancient Ferry→Guoquelou→Yongle Palace→Yuncheng Salt Lake Day2: Hongtong Dahaitu Root-seeking Ancestor Worship Park→Shanxi Wang's Grand Courtyard→Zhangbi Ancient Castle→Mianshan Scenic Area Day3: Pingyao Ancient City→Qiao's Grand Courtyard Day4: Yungang Grottoes→Hanging Temple Day5: Mengshan Giant Buddha→Shanxi Museum Day6: Dangjia Village→Hancheng Ancient City