Fun Attractions in Zhangjiakou

The Grassland Sky Road sits at the border of Zhangbei County and Chongli District, Zhangjiakou City. It stretches from Yexu Ridge near the Yexu Ridge Fortress in the south of Zhangbei County eastward to Birch Ridge in Chongli District.

This highway across the Bashang Grassland boasts stunning scenery on both sides, featuring grasslands, wind turbines, terraced farmlands, villages, rock cliffs and birch forests. It is at its most gorgeous in summer and autumn. Thanks to its diverse landscapes, it is hailed as China’s Route 66, comparable to the famous scenic Route 66 in the United States. Moreover, it is not far from Beijing, making it an ideal destination for self-driving trips and landscape photography for tourists from Beijing and Tianjin.

Lying 70 kilometers northwest of downtown Zhangjiakou within Zhangbei County, Zhangbei Grassland consists of two major grasslands: Zhongdu and Anguli.

Blessed with picturesque vistas and a pleasant climate, visitors can ride horses at full gallop, draw bows and shoot arrows to unleash bold passion. They can also watch traditional grassland performances including equestrian shows, wrestling and Mongolian folk song and dance. The ecosystem here remains intact, inspiring ancient poetic lines: Boundless flat sands stretch under endless grass; White grasses sway beneath the boundless sky; Thick grass cradles resting cattle and horses.

Green grass, blue skies, white clouds, flocks of livestock, echoing camel bells, singing birds, Mongolian yurts, milk tea, hand-held lamb, lamb mushroom soup and fragrant steamed naked oat nests create an authentic frontier grassland atmosphere.

Located north of downtown Zhangjiakou, Dajingmen was built during the Shunzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty. It is a gate tower on the Great Wall and the northern gateway to Zhangjiakou. Today, as a precious historical relic, it stands as one of the city’s symbols, a must-see spot for all tourists visiting central Zhangjiakou.

Rolling mountains flank both sides of the gate, which rises amid the mountain valley. Four large Chinese characters — Magnificent Rivers and Mountains — are inscribed on the gate arch. They were written in 1927 by Gao Weiyue, the last military governor of Chahar Province, who was captivated by the spectacular mountain scenery beside the pass. Sections of the Great Wall wind up the hills on both sides of the gate. Inside the pass stand several reconstructed ancient buildings housing small shops for sightseeing and shopping.

Nuanquan Ancient Town is situated in Nuanquan Town, Yu County, Zhangjiakou City, a time-honored northern ancient town full of antique charm. First founded in the Yuan Dynasty, it underwent large-scale construction in the Ming and Qing dynasties and retains numerous ancient buildings to this day. Wandering through the old architecture delivers a timeless aesthetic perfect for photography.

Unlike over-commercialized ancient towns, it maintains a quiet, simple atmosphere, with many local residents still living here, filling the streets with authentic daily life vibes. During the tourist peak season, the molten iron fireworks show staged on the east side of the town is breathtaking and stunning to watch in person.

Lightning Lake on the Bashang Grassland lies in Guyuan County, Hebei Province. It is the largest lake in the upper reaches of the Luan River, named after the Lightning River that feeds it. Viewed from high ground, the lake’s outline resembles a bolt of lightning.

The lake water is shallow and crystal clear, dotted with swaying aquatic plants. River shrimp dart freely beneath the surface, while black and white water birds skim nimbly across the waves, adding vivid vitality to the lake at dusk.

Wanlong Ski Resort is located in Chongli District, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province, around a 60-minute drive from downtown Zhangjiakou and a 250-kilometer drive from central Beijing. Boasting a superior location with its highest peak over 2,000 meters above sea level, the resort has developed more than 20 ski runs, the longest stretching three to four kilometers. It ranks among the highest-standard, largest, earliest-opening and most renowned ski resorts around Beijing.