Traditional cuisine in Handan, North China's Hebei Province Photo: VCG
Located in North China's Hebei Province, the city of Handan is known for its historical culture deriving from the Warring States Period (475BC-221BC), when the city was the capital of the vassal state of Zhao. Even earlier, around 8,000 years ago, the ancestors of the Cishan Culture had settled in this area and developed a thriving handicraft tradition that includes making stone millstones and grinding rods.
The city's rich history has transformed modern Handan in a treasure trove of time-honored archaeological sites. However, Handan is also a vibrant city and this is particularly evident in its unique local cuisine and folk traditions.
Ancient wonders
Handan's most iconic historical culture is the Cishan Culture. Originated in the Neolithic period, this ancient civilization represents a typical example of primitive agricultural tradition characterized by millet farming.
Since 1976, over 5,000 relics have been uncovered, including pottery, stone tools, shell implements, and domestic animal remains. Notably, approximately 50,000 kilograms of charred millet were discovered at the site, highlighting how the daily lives of ancient Chinese people were deeply connected to agriculture, and offering an insight into the early origins of China's agricultural civilization.
Through archaeological research, experts now believe that the Cishan people achieved several world's firsts, including the domestication of chickens through incubation and mastering the cultivation techniques for Central Plains walnuts. Such discoveries reflect the significant contributions of the Cishan people to human survival and development through their understanding, use, and transformation of nature.
The archaeological site of the Cishan Culture is in Wu'an city, Handan. Not far from it another archaeological wonder of the city called the Zhaoyao site attracts the interest of experts and authorities alike.
Since 2022, more than 170 architectural remains have been excavated from this site covering historical periods such as the early Yangshao period, the Shang (c.1600BC-1046BC) and the Warring States Period (475BC-221BC). A Shang Dynasty huokang, also known as heated kang bed was also excavated within the site.
"This discovery has pushed back the origins of huokangfrom the Western Han Dynasty to the Shang Dynasty," Wei Shuguang, lead archaeologist to the Zhaoyao site's excavation project, told the Global Times.
In recent years, the Zhaoyao site is among 30 Chinese sites that have been selected as candidates to compete for the recognition as the "2024 Top 10 Archaeological Discoveries in China."
"This site has helped us establish a relatively complete genealogy of the Shang culture," Wei explained. He also added that "the different heating arrangements we've observed in architectural remains inspired us to investigate the environmental changes that likely occurred during the mid-Shang period."
A tourist attraction architecture in Handan Photo: VCG
More to discover
Beyond its archaeological treasures, Handan city is also known as the cradle of Chinese idioms. According to incomplete statistics, over 1,500 Chinese idioms and proverbs are related to the city of Handan.
The idiom "Handan Xuebu" is the most iconic one. It roughly translates as one imitates others and thus loses his or her own individuality. The idiom first appeared in Chinese the philosophical text Zhuangzi, and refers to a young man's awkward journey in learning how to walk like people in the vassal state of Zhao, which is Handan.
Another idiom, "Huangliang Meimeng" is also related to Handan, and it describes an unrealistic and unachievable longing. The idiom derives from the story of Lu Sheng, a man who while visiting an inn in Handan lamented his poverty, and later fell asleep placing his head on a blue-glazed porcelain pillow. According to the tale, while he was sleeping, the innkeeper started cooking a millet porridge, and Lu dreamed of experiencing immense wealth and grandeur. However, when he awoke, the millet was still not cooked, and he realized that his dream of fortune had been fleeting.
In order to preserve this literary heritage, a dedicated park featuring Handan-related idioms has been opened in the city. In the park, a total of 58 Chinese idioms have been reproduced in the form of inscriptions, reliefs, paintings, and hieroglyphs, attracting many young visitors who love taking pictures of them to share on social media.
As one of the most livable cities in Hebei Province, Handan not only offers cultural depth but also a vibrant culinary scene. The city's streets and alleys are filled with the aroma of traditional snacks and dishes such as Wu'an "pulling noodles," also known as "Wu'an Zhuai Mian." This local delicacy showcases the exquisite craftsmanship of northern Chinese people's noodle-making technique. The chef needs to pinch both ends of the wide noodle strips, stretching and slapping them to ensure the noodles are of even thickness. Such noodles are typically served with a rich fried sauce made from meat, creating a savory, and satisfying dish that embodies the skill and flavors of northern Chinese cuisine.
