Langfang boasts a long history and profound cultural heritage, home to an enormous variety of local snacks and delicacies.

Among them, Xianghe Meat Pancake is the most famous among visitors. Pancake shops can be found all across Xianghe County today, yet even locals cannot reach a consensus on which old store serves the most authentic taste. It is said to have evolved from the Turkic pancake. In ancient times, nomadic tribes north of the Great Wall lived mainly on meat and wheat. The large, fragrant meat pancake became their ideal food for easy carrying. There is also a standard for authentic Xianghe meat pancakes: three stacked pancakes together should be no thicker than an adult’s thumb. A genuine one features a paper-thin crust that is crispy outside and tender inside, with well-stewed minced meat.

Driving around the counties of Langfang, you will encounter distinctive local delicacies everywhere. The Eight Great Bowls of Gu'an originated in Northeast China but have incorporated many local ingredients such as crispy fried dough slices and soft tofu.

The donkey burger in Dacheng County stands out from those in Baoding and Hejian. It has a round, crispy crust with relatively little gravy, forming its own unique style.

As for Wen'an braised fish, its rich sauce is perfect for dipping coarse grain flatbreads, boosting appetite and enhancing flavor. The vegetarian spicy soup is made with fried noodle strips, tasting tangy, smooth and crisp.

Located in central Hebei between Beijing and Tianjin, Langfang has nurtured numerous cultural relics and featured tourist attractions under the influence of the two major cities.

Shengfang Ancient Town in Bazhou was once connected to Tianjin via waterways. A bustling commercial hub in the past, it blends the charm of water towns and the style of traditional northern ancient towns. The town retains well-organized street layouts. After renovation, many ancient residences, courtyards and museums in the old town are open to tourists free of charge. Both the Shengfang Southern Music and Shengfang Lantern Festival are listed as national intangible cultural heritage.

The Huaxia Folk Collection Museum in downtown Bazhou is a local landmark. It houses China’s largest bicycle collection, showcasing fine vintage bikes of various brands from across the globe. Highlights include world-famous classics such as British Platinum and BSA, German Blue Label and Mercedes-Benz, as well as American Harley-Davidson bicycles.

Also situated in Bazhou is Yijin Pass, surrounded by water systems and green spaces. First built in the Tang Dynasty, this city tower features an ingenious layout with secret tunnels and an outer barbican, well worth a visit.

Dachang County, a well-known area east of Beijing, is renowned for its Hui culture. The time-honored Beiwu Mosque combines Arabian and traditional Chinese architectural styles. Its upper section connecting the main prayer hall adopts the classic Chinese pavilion design, creating a distinctive architectural feature unique to local mosques.

Adjacent to Dachang, Xianghe County got its name from the Grand Canal and lotus flowers in legend. Vast stretches of lotus ponds covering ten thousand mu still flourish here, presenting a spectacular sea of blossoms in midsummer. Grand Epoch City (ticket required) in Xianghe is constructed in imitation of old Beijing’s city pattern, with grand ancient temples and halls. It has long been a popular weekend retreat for people from Beijing.