Handan Museum: A City's Memory and Glory

Handan, an ancient city with a history of 3,000 years, once served as the capital of the State of Zhao, one of the seven warring states, and has witnessed countless changes. To understand the soul of this city, the Handan Museum is undoubtedly the best place to go. Early in the morning, I walked towards the rising sun and arrived at the Handan Museum, located on Zhonghua Street in the city center. From afar, the museum building looks magnificent and imposing. The Hanque-style gate is solemn and dignified, as if telling the long history of this city. Stepping into the hall, the first thing that catches the eye is a huge mural depicting the development of Handan from ancient times to the present. From the dawn of the Cishan culture to the glory of the Zhao capital during the Warring States period, and then to the rise of modern industry, the pictures seem to take me through time and space, feeling the pulse of this city. I couldn't wait to walk into the exhibition hall and start my journey of history and culture. The "Cishan Culture Exhibition Hall" took me back to the Neolithic Age. Exquisite pottery and stone tools tell the wisdom of the ancestors. I seemed to see them cultivating, making fire, and multiplying, and felt the long history of Chinese civilization. The "Zhao Culture Exhibition Hall" is the essence of the entire museum. During the Warring States Period, Handan, as the capital of Zhao, ushered in its highlight moment. The exhibition hall displays a large number of precious cultural relics such as bronzes, jades, and pottery, among which the most eye-catching are the cultural relics related to the story of "The Orphan of Zhao." I stopped in front of the artifacts, as if seeing the figures of historical figures such as Zhao Wu, Cheng Ying, and Gongsun Chujiu, and felt their spirit of loyalty, righteousness, benevolence, and courage. The "Stone Carving Art Exhibition Hall" displays stone carvings from the Northern Dynasties to the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The shapes are beautiful, the carvings are exquisite, and it is amazing. I savored each Buddha statue carefully, feeling the superb skills and devout beliefs of the ancient craftsmen. The "Cizhou Kiln Exhibition Hall" showcases the brilliant achievements of Cizhou Kiln, the largest folk kiln system in northern China. Each piece of porcelain, either simple and elegant or fresh and beautiful, shows the unique artistic charm of Cizhou Kiln. I seemed to see the busy figures of the ancient kiln workers and felt their pursuit of a better life. The "Handan Ancient History and Culture Exhibition Hall" and the "Handan Modern History and Culture Exhibition Hall" respectively display the development of Handan from ancient times to the present. I strolled through the exhibition hall, as if traveling through time and space, witnessing the rise and fall of Handan, and feeling the city's tenacity and striving for strength. Before I knew it, I had spent the whole morning in the museum. Walking out of the museum, I was still immersed in the ocean of history and couldn't calm down for a long time. The Handan Museum is like a thick history book, recording the memory and glory of this city. It is not only a window to understand the history and culture of Handan, but also an important position for inheriting Chinese civilization. This museum trip gave me a deeper understanding of the city of Handan and a stronger sense of pride in Chinese civilization. I believe that this ancient and dynamic city will surely usher in a better tomorrow!