Hancheng

Pictures

Located in the northeast of Weinan City, Hancheng is about 230 kilometers (143 miles) away from the capital city Xi'an. It is the hometown of the world cultural celebrity Sima Qian as well as many other historical celebrities such as Zhao Wu, the Ministerial Scholar-Bureaucrat of the Jin State in the Spring and Autumn Periods (770 BC-476 BC), Wang Jie, the Prime Minister of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), and Du Pengcheng, a noted writer of modern day China. It is thus known as the 'Land of Literature and History'. It is filled with cultural and historical relics, of which Sima Qian Temple, Dang Village and the Confucius Temple are the most attractive scenic spots. Moreover, the folk Shehuo (a kind of folk performing arts) here should not be missed.

The ancient architectures here are distinctive, and Hancheng is indeed regarded as a natural ancient architecture museum. In addition to the Siheyuan (Courtyards) of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it features more than 140 ancient architectural buildings of the Tang, Song, Ming, Yuan and Qing Dynasties (618-1911). This place contains more than 20 of the ancient architectures of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), more than any other site in Shaanxi.

Resources are abundant in the natural environment of Hancheng owing to its various terrains. The northwestern part is a mountainous area teeming with walnut, persimmon and apple, and the middle and eastern parts consist of fertile plain area producing wheat, cotton, vegetable and other crops. The industrial city is an important source of coal and electric power in Shaanxi and is well known as the bright pearl on the 'black waistband' of north Weinan.

A grocery store

A stall for repairing shoes

Additionally, the in-city transportation is very convenient. Many roads are built across Hancheng, such as the 108 National Highway from Beijing to Kunming, one provincial road, three civic roads and three special tourist roads.
 Recommended tour route for one day visit: Sima Qian Temple --> Confucius Temple --> Dang Village
Specialties: Chinese prickly ash, walnut and chestnut.
 1. Take a bus from Fangzhicheng Bus Station to Hancheng Xincheng Bus Station.
2. Take a train from Xi'an Railway Station to Hancheng Railway Station.
* Since Hancheng Xincheng Bus Station is only a few minutes' walking distance from the Railway Station, visitors can take the same route from there to local attractions.
 From Hancheng Xincheng Bus Station, walk eastward  for about 400 meters (437 yards) to take Hancheng No. 102 Tourist Line to the temple.
 From Hancheng Railway Station, take Hancheng 101 to Zhangxiangkou, then walk eastward for 600 meters (656 yards) to find the temple.
 Take a taxi or local car from the bus station or railway station directly to Dang Village, which costs about CNY30.
 
 Suggested Tour Itinerary:
Hancheng Trip: to visit Sima Qian Temple, Dang Village, and Confucius Temple.