Xiangtangshan Grottoes, a site that rivals the Longmen Grottoes!!!

Hebei Tourism Bureau is really too low-key! This scenic spot, comparable to the Longmen Grottoes, is Xiangtangshan, and yet not many people know about it!

Xiangtangshan Grottoes were carved during the Northern Qi dynasty, with the royal family devoting a third of the nation's wealth to their construction, which gives you an idea of the effort involved. The grottoes are divided into northern and southern sections, with 16 caves still existing today. The northern caves are awe-inspiring, and the southern caves are exquisite; it is recommended to see both.

☑️ The northern caves feature three large grottoes: the Great Buddha Cave, the Sakyamuni Cave, and the Sutra Carving Cave. The scale and completeness of the Great Buddha Cave exceeded my expectations. The three-faced Buddha is 5 meters tall, and sunlight shines through the high cave entrance, with pigeons flying around the Buddha statues, a scene that shakes the soul.
According to the 'Zizhi Tongjian', the coffin of Emperor Gao Huan of the Northern Qi was once hidden in a stone cavity above the Buddha's head on the right side, but unfortunately, it can no longer be verified today.

☑️ Before going, I read that the southern caves were somewhat inferior, but I personally think they are also worth a visit. The ceiling of the Thousand Buddha Cave features lotus relief sculptures and 8 flying Apsaras musicians, carved so vividly! It has been stamped by Premier Zhou as a national treasure.

🚗 Transportation: It's a 1-hour drive from the downtown area of Handan, and self-driving is very convenient. The distance between the northern and southern Xiangtangshan is about a 20-minute drive, and parking is easy at both.

🎫 Tickets: The northern Xiangtangshan has separate tickets for entrance and the shuttle bus up the mountain. After getting off the shuttle bus, you need to climb another 200 steps to reach the grottoes. If you walk up the mountain, it takes about 40 minutes; the southern Xiangtangshan does not require climbing, only an entrance ticket.

🕑 Visiting Duration: It is recommended to spend 3+ hours at the northern Xiangtangshan. Remember to visit the Chang Le Temple before going up the mountain, and the digital museum after coming down. For the southern Xiangtangshan, 1+ hour is suggested, and there are also three small exhibition halls at the entrance.

👣 Nearby Attractions: Handan City Museum, Yecheng Archaeological Museum, Xiuding Temple Pagoda, Guangfu Ancient City.

Post by DANE MEDINA | May 15, 2024