###⚠️ [Important Temporary Notice] Affected by Typhoon No. 13 in 2026 "White Dolphin", ** Wa Palace Scenic Area will be temporarily closed from August 11 to August 13, 2026 ** and will suspend the reception of tourists. Tourists who have purchased tickets can refund their tickets in full through the original channel. Please pay attention to the follow-up announcement of the scenic area when the opening time is resumed (consultation phone: 0310-3922355/3922210). It is recommended to arrange the itinerary on and after August 14. Be sure to confirm the opening status of the scenic area before traveling. --- Basic information 📍 scenic spot Wa Palace is located in Zhonghuang Mountain, Suobao Town, Shexian County, Handan, Hebei Province. It is a national 5A-level scenic spot and a national key cultural protection unit. It was originally built in Northern Qi and is the largest and earliest Nuwa sacrificial building complex in China. It is known as the "Huaxia Ancestral Temple". - ** Regular opening hours **: Summer 08:00-18:00 (17:30 stop admission); Winter 08:30-17:00 (16:30 stop admission) - ** Ticket Reference **: Adult ticket 68-70 yuan/person; children under 1.2 meters, the elderly over 70 years old, active duty soldiers/veterans, journalists, disabled people, etc. are free of charge with valid documents; 1.2-1 meters children, full-time undergraduate students and below half price - ** Parking **: Scenic parking lot 10 yuan/time --- ##🚗 traffic guide 1. ** Self-driving (most recommended) **: Navigate "Wa Imperial Palace Scenic Area", take the exit of Shexian on Qinglan Expressway, drive from Handan City for about 1.5 hours, and drive from Shexian County for about 15 minutes 2. ** Public transportation **: - High-speed rail/train to Handan Station/Handan East Station, or to Shexian Station - Handan urban area can take bus No. 812 to Shexian, and then transfer to bus/taxi to the scenic spot (Shexian county seat takes a taxi to the scenic spot for about 20-30 yuan) --- 🎯 core must-see attractions ###1. [Mountain core area (must go) ] - ** Waihuang Pavilion **: A landmark building in the scenic area, a 4-story pavilion is built on the cliff in the air and fixed by 9 iron chains. It is called a "living building and hanging temple". It can overlook the Taihang Mountains and has an excellent view. It is the core point for taking pictures - ** Northern Qi Cliff Carving Scripture **: China's earliest existing cliff carving group with the largest number of words, a total of 6 scriptures, 137,000 words, engraved on 165 square meters of cliff wall, known as the "world's first wall scripture group", it is recommended to follow the explanation to understand the historical background - ** Northern Qi Grottoes (Vision Cave, Silkworm Cave) **: The statues of the Buddha in the Northern Qi period are preserved. Although some of them are damaged, the exotic style of the early Buddha statues can still be seen. There are also Northern Qi Stone Carvings Exhibition Hall to visit the stone carvings of past dynasties - ** Drum tower/dressing building/bell tower **: It is recommended to walk through the same mountainside building complex as the Waihuang Pavilion, so that you can see the suspended ancient buildings and mountain views from different angles ###2. [Yamashita area] - ** Mending the sky square **: There is a giant Nuwa statue, which is the iconic clock in the scenic spot, and it is also the core area to understand the myth of Nuwa mending the sky and making earth, suitable for taking ancient photos - ** Chaoyuan Palace/Stop Palace/Guangsheng Palace **: The ancient buildings of the Ming and Qing Dynasties at the foot of the mountain, Chaoyuan Palace is a temple where Buddhism and Taoism are integrated, you can visit and pray for blessings - ** Butian Garden, Butian Lake **: Natural ecological area, lake water with mountain forests, spring mountain flowers and autumn colored leaves are very beautiful, suitable for walking and leisure - ** Butian Valley **: An ecological tourist area developed in recent years, with streams, rivers, mountains and rocks, which can be accessed by cableway (40 yuan one way) --- 🚶 recommended tour route ✅ in-depth cultural tour (about 4 hours, suitable for the first time) Ticket gate → stone archway → Chaoyuan Palace → Stop at the palace → Guangsheng Palace → Butian Square (shooting Nuwa statue) → Beiqi Stone Carving Exhibition Hall → Walking mountaineering (eighteen trails) → Vision Cave/Silkworm Cave → Cliff Carving → Drum Tower → Dressing Building → Waihuang Pavilion (climbing to the top for viewing) → Yingshuang Building → bell tower → ** Optional to take a trolley down the mountain (40 yuan one way, stimulating and saving energy) ** → Butian Lake/Butian Garden walk → Exit the park - If you don't want to climb the mountain, you can take the scenic sightseeing car (10 yuan) to the mid-mountain, and then take the trail up the mountain, which can save about 1 hour of physical strength ###✅ Essence Quick Tour (about 2 hours, optional for tight time) Ticket gate → Take a sightseeing car to the mid-level → Mountaineering trail → Cliff carving → Waihuang Pavilion (core clock in) → Take a tackle/go down the mountain the same way → Exit the park ###✅ Featured Experience Tour - ** Lunar March Temple Fair (mid-to-late April of the Gregorian calendar) **: It is the day of the Nuwa Festival. There are grand folk sacrifice activities, intangible cultural heritage performances, and folk stalls to experience the most authentic Nuwa culture. It is recommended to arrange in advance - ** Hanfu experience **: There is a Hanfu makeup museum in the scenic spot. You can choose ancient Hanfu to take pictures in Butian Square, Wuhuang Pavilion, and Butian Lake, which are very popular. - ** Live performances **: Holidays (Spring Festival, May Day, etc.) will launch immersive ancient mythological live performances, with NPC interaction and folk performances. You can check the scenic spot activity announcements in advance before going. --- ##🍜 Food & Accommodation ###food - Must try: Nuwa cake (brown sugar walnut filling, eat while hot), Shexian pepper sprouts, farm stew, forsythia tea - There is a gourmet market in the scenic spot, you can also eat local dishes in the surrounding agritainment, and you can also bring your own drinking water and snacks (prices in the scenic spot are high) - Specialties can bring Shexian walnuts, prickly ash, persimmon cakes ###Accommodation - For convenience: choose Zhenjie Hotel near the scenic spot (3 minutes walk to the scenic spot, rating 4.8), Shexian Yuxi Inn (5 minutes walk) - Cost-effective: Wa Palace Butian Hotel (1.1 kilometers away from the scenic spot, some room types in the store can enjoy free ticket discounts, starting from 150 yuan in the standard room) - Many choices: You can also live in the county seat of Shexian County, choose more hotels and hotels, and the price is more affordable. It takes 15 minutes to drive to the scenic spot. --- ##💡 play tips 1. There are many mountaineering trails in the scenic spot, and some road sections are steep. ** Be sure to wear non-slip and comfortable sports shoes **, not high heels 2. There is less shade on the mountain, do a good job of sun protection in summer (wear hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen), and bring enough drinking water; bring a coat in spring and autumn, the wind is strong on the mountain 3. Cliff carvings and grottoes are precious cultural relics, do not touch the carvings, and abide by the regulations of the scenic spot 4. If you want to experience the tackle when going down the mountain, pay attention to follow the instructions of the staff and keep your belongings safe 5. The surrounding areas can be visited in series: the former site of the 129th Division Headquarters of the Eighth Route Army (red tour, 20 minutes by car), Taihang Wuzhishan (30 minutes by car), Hanwangshan (15 minutes by car), suitable for arranging 2-3 days itinerary 6. During the flood season, rain and snow weather, pay attention to the announcements of scenic spots. Some mountainous road sections may be temporarily closed. Do not take undeveloped routes without authorization