Guangfu Ancient City in Yongnian, Handan, Hebei—one of the few ancient cities where aerial photography is allowed

Guangfu Ancient City is located 45 kilometers northeast of Handan City in Hebei Province, on the banks of the Fuyang River in Yongnian Depression, known as Guangfu because it was historically the seat of Guangping Prefecture, and has been referred to as the 'Little Jiangnan' of the north since ancient times. The city of Guangfu has a history of over 2,600 years. At the end of the Sui Dynasty, King Dou Jiande of Xia and King Liu Heita of Eastern Han established their capitals here, and it has since been the administrative center for counties, prefectures, and states under successive dynasties. The city boasts majestic and ancient city walls; the dignified and beautiful Hongji Bridge, known as the 'sister bridge' to Zhaozhou Bridge; the intriguing tomb of Mao Sui, weathered by time; the meticulously constructed Xiba Sluice, a Ming Dynasty water conservancy facility still serving agricultural production; and the Zangbing Cave, built during the Sui and Tang periods for strategic defense. The existing city walls were rebuilt during the Ming Dynasty, standing 12 meters high and 8 meters wide, covering an area of 1.5 square kilometers. The walls are largely intact, with a total circumference often referred to as 'nine li and thirteen steps'. Guangfu Ancient City is also a water town, surrounded by tens of thousands of acres of depression and endless reeds, with water on all sides, offering a rare northern scenic beauty of water towns. Encircling the ancient city is a smoothly flowing moat, beyond which lies the 46,000-acre Yongnian Depression, higher in the north and lower in the south, allowing water to flow naturally. The depression is perennially waterlogged, historically known as a famous natural aquaculture farm. In the deep water areas of Yongnian Depression's old pond and the moat, artificial breeding and release of crucian carp, river shrimp, and crabs will be implemented, while in the shallow waters, aquatic plants such as reeds, lotus roots, and Gorgon fruit will be cultivated, restoring the ancient city's beauty as a 'city in water'. This place is also the birthplace of Yang-style and Wu-style Tai Chi. It is a renowned city that combines an ancient city, a water town, and a Tai Chi city, features that are incomparable to other ancient cities. The former residences of Yang Luchan, the founder of Yang-style Tai Chi, and Wu Yuxiang, the founder of Wu-style Tai Chi, are well-preserved. From Handan East Station (high-speed rail station) to Guangfu Ancient City in Yongnian, there is a bus service requiring one transfer, taking about 1 hour and 40 minutes. The most convenient way is by taxi, which takes about 35 minutes. There is no entrance fee to the ancient city, but there is a charge to visit the attractions within the city. There is a combined ticket, or you can buy individual tickets. The ancient city has been commercially developed to a certain extent, but not excessively. And drones are allowed for aerial photography. Such ancient cities are now rare. The ancient city is not large, and can be thoroughly explored in a whole day. The Ganlu Temple, not far outside the city, is also recommended for a visit.