[2025 Daming Attraction] Travel Guide for Song Dynasty Damingfu CityRuins (Updated Jul)

Standing beneath the 600-year-old ancient city wall, as light and shadow flow over the mottled bricks telling the heroic tales of "Water Margin," I suddenly realize—this small county town holds half of China’s epic history. A summer night breeze gently brushes past as I stand in Meicheng Square, before me a 340-meter-long street glows with dazzling lights. This is the newly opened "Daming Jihui" market as of July 18, with 36 stalls lined up. The air is filled with the savory aroma of Ermao roast chicken, the crispy fragrance of Guo Ba’s baked goods, and the rich smoky scent of Wubai Ju sausages. Daming County has somehow “moved” the entire ancient city’s lively atmosphere right into the heart of Handan City! Suddenly, the sound of gongs and drums shakes the air. A group of dancers with vividly painted faces strides in boldly, their colorful sticks flashing like lightning—this is the nationally recognized intangible cultural heritage, the "Daming Yingge Dance"! The dancers’ agile movements and powerful rhythm ignite the crowd, with applause and cheers rising in waves. An elderly man beside me excitedly slaps his thigh: “This spirit is exactly like the heroic vigor of Daming Prefecture in ‘Water Margin’!” 🌃 Night Tour of Daming Prefecture: A Magical 24 Hours of Ancient and Modern Collision As night falls, I enter the city wall light and shadow show. The over 600-year-old Ming Dynasty bricks suddenly transform into a giant screen. Amid the neighing of warhorses, the Five Rites Stele inscribed by Su Shi and scenes of the Northern Song Dynasty’s Zhouqiao night market appear one after another. At the musical climax, a six-meter-tall mechanical Qilin emerges from the mist, its head gently swaying amid swirling clouds, parading alongside the Yingge Dance troupe—technology and millennia-old tradition perfectly fused at this moment! The ancient city revival plan is even more astonishing: - In the Metaverse D6 district, wearing AR glasses, I actually see Di Renjie judging cases in a virtual government office, and with a light touch, I can “pick up” a Northern Song porcelain vase to examine it closely. - In the immersive market on South Street, a flower girl dressed in Song Dynasty attire hands me a jasmine bracelet, while a coppersmith teaches me how to craft a Qilin-patterned copper lock on site. - Under the Hongjing Pavilion light show, the "Fish Leaping Lotus Glow" lanterns change with the music, young people sing along to "Small Town Story," and the air is filled with romance. The highlight is the Shuangtai Village script murder game! I drew the role of “Escorting the Birthday Tribute” and solved puzzles in real alleys. When I found the secret letter hidden in the sesame oil workshop, the sesame grinder winked and handed me a freshly baked fire cake: “Lord Yang Zhi, you need to eat well to have the strength to catch thieves!” 🍗 Intangible Cultural Heritage Food Guide: The Millennial Code on Your Taste Buds “You haven’t truly been to Daming if you haven’t burned your mouth on its snacks!” At 5:30 a.m., I crouch by the Huihui sesame cake stall. The third-generation inheritor, Uncle Ma, lifts the oven lid, releasing the fragrant burst of sesame. Grabbing a sesame paste and sugar double-flavored cake, the syrup mixed with rich sesame paste flows as I bite—1.5 yuan of happiness instantly explains why tourists buy thousands daily! The must-eat list is well known: - Ermao Roast Chicken Old Shop: 180 years of marinade soaking into free-range chicken, so tender the meat falls off the bone at a touch, with medicinal herbs scent rushing from tongue to nose (half chicken 38 yuan, perfect with sesame fire cake). - Guo Ba Fire Cake Main Store: The crisp “crack” sound is the ritual of eating fire cakes, the fresh meat filling’s oil fragrance mixed with the spicy lamb offal soup, 10 yuan per person to eat until you can barely stand. - Sesame Oil Workshop Experience: Grinding sesame by hand with a stone mill, watching amber-colored oil slowly seep out. Hot steamed buns dipped in freshly pressed oil smell so good neighbors might knock on your door! Surprises hide in the 330-meter-long Song Street banquet table. When lanterns light up at dusk, the “Hot and Spicy Skewers Feast” begins! A local auntie teaches me to dip secret recipe bean curd rolls: “We’ve been using this broth to entertain guests since the Northern Song!” Sitting on carved wooden stools, the hot pot steam warms my face, as if I can hear merchants’ laughter from a thousand years ago. 🏯 Exploring “City upon City”: The Temporal Fold of the Eastern Pompeii Daming Prefecture’s ancient city is called the “Eastern Pompeii” by scholars due to the rare “city upon city” phenomenon caused by Yellow River floods. Standing in the newly opened Ancient City Exploration Hall in 2025, 3D projections recreate astonishing scenes: Ming Dynasty city walls overlay the Northern Song Zhouqiao ruins, and deeper still, the Tang Dynasty Buddhist pagoda foundations faintly appear—seven dynasties’ relics converse vertically in space. The Stone Carving Museum is my secret treasure: - Facing the 12.23-meter-high Five Rites Stele, scanning the QR code activates AR, and the broken stele suddenly “restores”! Su Shi’s golden inscriptions float on the stone as a voice explains through headphones: “This stele survived the Tang Kaiyuan and Northern Song Zhenghe eras, and was damaged during the Jurchen invasion...” - In the experience area, children are rubbing copies of the Thousand Buddha Stele. A nine-year-old girl carefully lifts the rice paper, revealing 400 small Tang Dynasty Buddhas, exclaiming: “I’ve seen these Buddha images in my history book!” The most unforgettable is the Di Renjie Temple case-solving experience. Wearing a green official robe, I struck the judgment block and deduced the cattle thief from the “evidence.” When the verdict “Punish with three days of canal repair” was read, the staff playing the clerk stifled a laugh and handed me a bamboo slip: “Your honor is wise! Di Gong was just as kind back then.” 📜 Daming Must-Experience TOP 5 List 1. Climb the city wall at the hour of the Tiger: Spend 30 yuan to climb the wall in the dark, the blue-gray bricks reflecting the morning mist as the sun rises over the “Qilin City” ridge. 2. Sesame oil workshop breakfast: Freshly ground sesame paste on baked cakes, paired with lamb offal soup—5 yuan to taste the heroic spirit of "Water Margin." 3. Hanfu night tour at Jihui Market: Check in at Qilin Gate and Small Town Flower Alley, compose poetry with a two-person tumbler to win cultural souvenirs. 4. Ride the Rainbow Path along the Zhang River: Rent a bike for 15 yuan to weave through reed marshes, with autumn red cassia flowers white as snow. 5. Learn straw weaving and bring spring home: Follow intangible cultural heritage inheritors to weave dragonflies from wheat straw, reviving a living millennial craft in your hands. 📍 Practical Guide - Transportation: Take the free shuttle from Handan High-Speed Rail Station (with souvenirs!), taxi in the county costs 5-15 yuan. - Accommodation: Stay for 150 yuan in a Ming-Qing old house converted into a prefecture city inn, or 120 yuan at Daming Hotel with roast chicken just downstairs. - Tips: Rush to Huihui sesame cakes at 6 a.m., watch the mechanical Qilin parade at 7 p.m., and don’t forget to activate the AR function at the Stone Carving Museum! On the morning I left the city, I met volunteer guide Old Zhou at the city gate. Pointing to the wildflowers blooming outside the Weng City, he said: “These grew from seeds scattered by tourists last year—our Daming’s stories never end.” Suddenly, I understood why 2.97 million visitors flock to this small town: in the sound of the stone mill at the sesame oil workshop, in the fingers of the straw weaving elder, in the cracks of the ancient city wall, living history has never gone far. > While other attractions are busy building faux ancient streets, the people of Daming Prefecture pick up a piece of city brick, and it is the moonlight of the Northern Song.

In Handan, Hebei, there is a county historically known as the "Northern Capital." It appears 19 times in *Water Margin*, one of China's Four Great Classical Novels. As the saying goes, *Water Margin* spread its fame worldwide, making Daming Prefecture known to all. You might have long heard of "Daming"— how to explore it? Follow these seven immersive routes to discover this ancient city. 👣 Route 1: "Hidden Gem Town" Tour East Gate of Daming Ancient Town—Cici Daming—D6 Block—Confucian Temple—Daming Academy—Arts and Crafts District—South Street of the Ancient Town—Nanguan Flavor Lunch—Yang Family Memorial Archway—Site of the Late Qing Dynasty Second-Class Post Office—Daming Gifts Shop—Ancient City Wall—North Gate Light Show—Daming Collection—Return. 👣 Route 2: Red Education Tour Zhou Enlai Inspection Memorial Hall in Daming—Wang Tianxiang Uprising Site—Zhili Seventh Normal School Memorial Hall—Yudong Ecological Garden in Jintan Town (Lunch)—Shanxi-Shaanxi Guild Hall in Jintan Town—Qinglong Ancient Street—Guo Longzhen’s Former Residence—Anti-Japanese Joint Defense Brigade Site—Jintan Town Specialty Snacks (Dinner)—Return. 👣 Route 3: Rural Scenery Tour Forest Ecological Park—Germplasm Resource Bank—Damingfu Ancient City Wall Ruins—Yuezhang Qieshan Homestay (Lunch)—Wuluxiang Scenic Area—Yushan Straw Weaving Intangible Cultural Heritage Experience Base—E-Commerce Live Broadcast Base—Daming Song Street—Daming Banquet (Dinner)—Return. 👣 Route 4: Ancient Exploration Tour Daming County Museum—Qieshan Lake—Daming Song Street Ancient City Ruins Museum—Daming Banquet Culinary Museum (Lunch)—Di Renjie Ancestral Hall Square—Stone Carving Museum & Tuopu Academy—Grand Canal Museum, *Long Heard of Daming* Performance—Hongjing Pavilion Lighting—Return. 👣 Route 5: Grand Canal Culture Tour Grand Canal Museum—Lijun Town—Canal Ancient Town Jintan Town—Yingzhen Folk Culture Town—Dragon King Temple Cultural Tourism Town—Aijiakou Specialty Town 🌈 Two-Day Itineraries 👣 Route 6: "Hidden Gem Town" Two-Day Tour **DAY1** Lijun Town—Germplasm Resource Bank—Damingfu Ancient City Wall Ruins—Yuezhang Qieshan Homestay (Lunch)—Ecological Park—Wuluxiang Scenic Area—Yushan Straw Weaving Intangible Cultural Heritage Experience Base—Daming Song Street Banquet (Dinner)—Ancient City Ruins Museum—Stone Carving Museum & Hongjing Pavilion Lighting Ceremony—Grand Canal Museum, *Long Heard of Daming* Performance—Stay at Water Margin Hotel. **DAY2** Daming Specialty Breakfast—Daming County Museum—Zhou Enlai Inspection Memorial Hall—Daming Collection (Lunch)—Ancient City Wall (North Gate to East Gate)—Cici Daming—D6 Block—Confucian Temple—Daming Academy—Arts and Crafts District—South Street of the Ancient Town—Daming Gifts Shop—North Gate Light Show—Return. 👣 Route 7: Family Study Two-Day Tour **DAY1** Guo Longzhen’s Former Residence—Weihe Ancient Canal Dock—Germplasm Resource Bank—Damingfu Ancient City Wall Ruins—Wuluxiang Scenic Area—Daming Song Street Banquet (Lunch)—Ancient City Ruins Museum—Di Renjie Ancestral Hall Stele—Grand Canal Museum—Stone Carving Museum, Tuopu Academy, Hongjing Pavilion Lighting Ceremony—Stay at Water Margin Hotel or Yuezhang Homestay. **DAY2** Yushan Straw Weaving—Daming County Museum—Zhou Enlai Inspection Memorial Hall—East Gate of Daming Ancient Town—Cici Daming—D6 Block—Confucian Temple—Daming Academy—Arts and Crafts District—South Street of the Ancient Town—Daming Gifts Shop—Daming Collection—North Gate Light Show—Return.

Located in the southeast of Hebei Province, at the geometric center of the four provinces of Shanxi, Hebei, Shandong, and Henan, there is a charming small city growing increasingly popular. It sits at the crossroads of Hebei, Shandong, and Henan provinces, and for 3,500 years has been a key transportation hub and a bustling commercial center. It is the hometown of the legendary diva Teresa Teng, whose gentle and melodious legacy still resonates today. Known as the "Hometown of Sesame Oil," it is also a newly popular "treasure trove of carbohydrates." From shaobing (baked flatbread), huoshao (baked wheat cakes), to heluo (a type of noodle), a variety of noodle dishes abound, each bite solidly satisfying your taste buds. Quietly waiting for people to explore and discover, this city is none other than Daming, Hebei—a treasure city where beautiful scenery and rich cultural heritage coexist. Today, let's step into the twelve hours of Daming and unlock the millennium-old stories of this ancient city to start an unforgettable journey! ☀ Sunrise · Daming Ancient City — Start your day with a "carbohydrate feast" A paradise for carbohydrates and a gathering place for intangible cultural heritage foods. Daming’s "Two Five Eight" — Ermao Roast Chicken, Wubai Ju Sausage, and Guoba Huoshao — are absolute must-tries. Ermao Roast Chicken has an enticing color, tender meat, and a savory, fall-off-the-bone flavor; Wubai Ju Sausage is a perfect mix of fat and lean, with a rich aroma and balanced sweet and salty taste; Guoba Huoshao has many thin layers, a golden crispy crust, and a soft, chewy interior, bursting with a fragrant roasted flavor with every bite. Besides these, there are sesame crisp flatbreads, heluo noodles, and other specialty snacks, each allowing you to indulge and satisfy your craving for carbs. The streets also offer interactive experiences with specialty dining, cultural and creative products, and intangible cultural heritage, letting you eat and play while feeling Daming’s unique cultural charm. ☀ Early Morning · Daming Ancient City — Reflect on the millennium-old history of the Northern Song’s secondary capital As the Beijing Daming Prefecture of the Northern Song Dynasty, this place carries a thousand years of historical heritage. Entering the ancient city, the towering old city towers and weathered walls seem to tell stories of past prosperity and vicissitudes. Strolling along the ancient city streets, the winding bluestone paths and quaint traditional buildings are arranged in an orderly fashion. The Gothic spires of the ancient church pierce the sky, and under the morning light, they contrast beautifully with the simple Chinese architecture, creating a unique scene. Climbing the city wall and looking afar, the entire small city gradually awakens in the morning mist, with the scent of daily life filling the air, instantly transporting you back to that distant era. ☀ Morning · Daming Stone Carving Museum — Admire the unparalleled calligraphy of Tang and Song masters This Northern-style garden with Song Dynasty architectural style resembles a palace of art. The museum houses over 300 steles, epitaphs, and stone statues spanning more than a thousand years. Among them, the grand Chinese ancient stele "Wuliji Stele" is magnificent, with exquisitely carved inscriptions and vigorous calligraphy, fully displaying the style of great Tang masters; also notable is the large Chinese epitaph "He Hongjing Epitaph," whose scale and fine carving are breathtaking. Wandering through the museum feels like traveling through the river of history, with each stone carving carrying a story that impresses visitors with the profoundness of Handan’s stone carving culture. ☀ Afternoon · Grand Canal Museum — Explore the millennium changes of the canal The Grand Canal Museum is like a vivid history book, detailing the history of the Chinese Grand Canal and the canal within Daming. The exhibits use abundant artifacts, detailed historical materials, and modern multimedia technology to comprehensively showcase the deep cultural connotations of the canal. Here, you can learn about Daming’s important role in the canal’s development history and the profound impact of the canal on the local economy and culture. Additionally, at night, you can watch the first live performance at a Water Margin-themed museum — "Famous for Ages," which combines sound, light, and electric technology to restore the grandeur of Daming during the Northern Song Dynasty, taking you through time to experience that magnificent history. ☀ Sunset · Qieshan Lake — Savor the breathtaking scenery of lake and mountains Qieshan Lake is a shining jewel of Daming. When the sunset’s afterglow falls on the lake, the shimmering waves are stunningly beautiful. The lakeside is lush with vegetation and shaded by green trees; a gentle breeze carries the fresh scent of grass and wood. Walking along the lakeside trail, enjoying the lake and mountain views, your body and mind are greatly relaxed. The park features multiple scenic functional areas, including an electric cart path, bicycle path, pedestrian path, and scenic spots such as squares, boardwalks, and pavilions. Whether walking, cycling, or sitting quietly to enjoy the view, you can fully appreciate the beauty of nature. Looking south, you can also take in the beautiful scenery of Daming County, feeling the harmonious coexistence of city and nature. 🌙 Moonrise · Daming Jihui — Experience the bustling night market of the Northern Song At sunset and moonrise, Daming Jihui becomes the most lively place in this small city. The entire street is decorated with colorful lights, creating a dreamy atmosphere. Neon lights flicker, and the air is filled with the tempting aroma of delicious food. Stalls line both sides of the street, gathering the various Daming specialty carbohydrate foods mentioned earlier, along with artisan booths showcasing exquisite craftsmanship and cultural creative products. During the Dragon Boat Festival, knowledge quizzes, themed performances, and health night market activities take place every night at the Daming Jihui night market. 🌙 Late Night · D6 District — Feel the vibrant rebirth of the ancient small city The D6 District is transformed from the original Dilou Distillery site, full of modern and creative vibes. It integrates "industrial-tourism fusion" and "digital empowerment" models, featuring digital government museums, naked-eye 3D projections, and other digital cultural tourism projects. Entering the Digital Government Experience Hall, through immersive experiences, you feel like an ancient official participating in government affairs, experiencing ancient officialdom culture. The naked-eye 3D light and shadow show is even more stunning, vividly presenting the historical stories of the ancient city with cool light effects, adding a brilliant color to Daming’s night and letting you experience the new vitality of this ancient small city. #DamingCountyHebei #HandanDamingPrefectureAncientCity #SoCloseSoBeautifulWeekendToHebei #HandanTourism #HandanSurroundingTours #DamingAncientCity

"The Water Margin is known throughout the world, and everyone knows Daming Prefecture." It is also a bustling city that frequently appears in the Water Margin! 1. Daming Prefecture Ancient City: 🎈 Located in Daming County, Handan City, Hebei Province, its history can be traced back to the Warring States Period and it has gone through many dynasties. It was once a foil to the Northern Song Dynasty and was known as "Beijing" in history. 2. Stone Carving Museum 🎈 There are more than 200 stone carvings, including the largest ancient stele in China, the "Five Rites Stele," which is the treasure of the museum and has considerable historical and artistic value. Opening hours: 9:00–17:00, free admission, closed on Mondays Lighting time (Hongjing Building): 19:00, 20:00, 21:00 3. Church of the Mother of Love 🎈 Located on Dong Street, Daming County, Handan City, it was built in 1918 and is the second largest Catholic church in China. It is a Gothic building with a bell tower and a chapel. The bell tower is 46 meters high, and each of the three sides of the tower is inlaid with a large clock with a diameter of 1.42 meters. Visiting hours: Tuesday to Friday, 9:00–11:00, 14:30–17:00 Saturday, 9:00–14:30 Sunday, 13:00–14:30, Not open to the public when ceremonies or events are held 4. Daming Museum 🎈 Located on the south side of the west section of Tianxiong Road, Daming County, Handan City, it consists of the Daming History and Culture Hall, the Tang and Song Famous City Hall, and the Ming and Qing Daming Hall. It introduces the 7,000-year civilization history of Daming, the 3,000-year architectural history, and the 2,000-year history of the county. It exhibits cultural relics from the Neolithic period to the Ming Dynasty, such as blue and white bowls. 🎟 Ticket information: Free Opening hours: 9:00–17:00, closed on Mondays Ming City Wall—600 years of enduring prosperity Open all day for free 🚌 Transportation: National Day direct bus or taxi, self-driving 🏠 Accommodation: Choose a hotel near the city center of Daming County, near Daming Prefecture, or near Daming Prefecture Bus Station 🍪 Food recommendations: Ermao roast chicken, Wubai sausage, Guoba baked cake, Huicun meat pie...

This is not Xi'an, this is Handan Daming! ! ! Welcome to Damingfu, Handan, Hebei, China! ! Share a guide to visit Daming County, Hebei Province, follow it and avoid pitfalls (with introduction) Damingfu Ancient City "The Water Margin is known to the world, and everyone knows Damingfu." As a famous "Wulu City" in history, it can be said to have a long history and splendid culture. Daming Prefecture, the former seat of government is located in the northeast of Daming County, Handan City, Hebei Province. "Lucheng" in the Spring and Autumn Period was changed to Daming Prefecture in the Later Han Dynasty. It was built as a secondary capital in the Song Dynasty. It was mentioned many times in "Water Margin". It was still Daming Prefecture in the Ming Dynasty and was the first capital of Zhili Province in the Qing Dynasty. Our Lady of Grace Cathedral Daming Catholic Church, also known as the "Our Lady of Grace Cathedral", is a Gothic building with a history of nearly 100 years, which was built in the Republic of China. It was built by the French Catholic Church using the Boxer Indemnity. The architectural design of the church combines Chinese and Western cultural elements. Its unique bell tower and chapel integrated architectural style demonstrates exquisite architectural art. Damingfu Cultural District The Damingfu Song Dynasty Cultural District is built on the ruins of the ancient city of "Beijing Damingfu" in the Northern Song Dynasty. It is located on the Congfeng Line of Daming County and is about 800 meters long. The cultural district consists of old buildings, the Damingfu Ancient City Ruins Museum (which was once flooded), the Stone Carving Museum, the Grand Canal Museum, performances, characteristic homestays and other business formats. Stone Carving Museum The museum is themed on stone carving art. Its main buildings include the Five Rites Stele Pavilion, Hongjing Pavilion, Stele Gallery, Changleyuan, Wangjing Pavilion, etc. It has rich collections. The Five Rites Stele is the largest stone stele in China. Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9:00-17:00, closed on Monday, Hongjing Pavilion lights on at 19:00, 20:00 and 21:00. The Imperial Five Rites Stele Tower This stele tower is known as the "No. 1 stele in the world" for its grand scale and historical value. It is the largest ancient stone stele known in China. Its construction began in the Tang Dynasty and later became the work of Emperor Huizong of Song. Because the inscription on the stele is "New Rituals of the Five Rites" written by Emperor Huizong of Song Dynasty, it is also called the Imperial Stele of the Five Rites of the Grand View. There are characters by Tang calligrapher Liu Gongquan on both sides of the stele. 【Transportation & Accommodation Transportation: Daming County will provide free direct bus service for tourists from other places from September 17 to October 7. There are direct buses to Daming from Handan Airport and Handan High-speed Railway East Station every day. You can choose direct bus or taxi. Accommodation: It is recommended to choose a hotel in the center of Daming County, near Daming Prefecture or near Daming Bus Station. 【Daming traditional food】 Ermao roast chicken, Wubaiju sausage, Guoba fire cake, halal steamed buns, halal mutton cakes, sesame charred cakes, bean paste, wedding fruit, noodles, Luohan tripe, halal eight bowls, chicken nest biscuits, tofu skin roll dumplings, halal siu mai, stewed bones, tofu shreds, ganzi steamed buns, sand fried peanuts, deaf old Yang braised beef, sticky steamed buns, pig's trotters, fried cakes

The novel "Water Margin" made the famous Daming Mansion in Hebei known to the world. It is located in the northeast of Daming County, Handan City, Hebei Province, with a long history and profound cultural heritage. Its city gate is towering, the city wall is solid, and it is well preserved. The main attractions include the Catholic Church, the Song Dynasty Cultural District, the Stone Carving Museum, etc., with a variety of cultural and creative products and snacks. In September this year, a comprehensive renovation is underway to welcome the arrival of National Day. In October, a brand new look will be presented to everyone. The scenic area is free, and there is a parking lot at the door.