Zhangjiakou张家口

Overview

Zhangjiakou is in northwestern Hebei, a strategic gateway between North China and Inner Mongolia. The historic Zhangku Trade Route was once an important international commerce corridor. The 2022 Winter Olympics snow events in Chongli District put this modest city on the global map. Chongli boasts premium ski resorts like Wanlong, Thaiwoo and Genting. In summer, the Zhangbei Grassland Sky Road offers picturesque scenery and the Grassland Music Festival bursts with energy. Historic sites like Dajingmen Gate and Jimingyi Station tell tales of a century-old trade route.

Key Facts

Top Attractions

Chongli Ski Resorts

Winter Olympics venue with Wanlong, Thaiwoo, Genting and Fulong resorts. Over 100km of runs for all levels. World-class dry powder snow and facilities.

Dajingmen Gate

One of the four great passes of the Great Wall. The inscription 'Magnificent Rivers and Mountains' is imposing. Only pass named 'Gate', starting point of Zhangku Trade Route.

Zhangbei Grassland Sky Road

A 130km scenic drive winding through mountains and grasslands. Terraced fields, windmills and villages form stunning views, known as 'China's Route 66.'

Jimingyi Postal Station

China's largest and best-preserved ancient postal station, founded in Yuan Dynasty. Features many Ming-Qing buildings, a living fossil of ancient postal system.

National Ski Jumping Center (Snow Ruyi)

Iconic 2022 Winter Olympics venue, shaped like a Chinese 'Ruyi' scepter. Spectators can view ancient Great Wall ruins from the stands, a perfect blend of Olympics and heritage.

Food & Snacks

Youmian Wowo (Oat Nests)

Zhangjiakou's most representative staple food. Oat flour shaped into nests, steamed, and dipped in lamb-mushroom sauce. Chewy and nutritious.

Roast Whole Lamb

Grassland specialty, whole lamb slow-roasted over charcoal until crispy outside and tender inside, with cumin and chili. Rich grassland flavor.

Grassland Hand-grabbed Lamb

Traditional Mongolian method, fresh lamb boiled in plain water, eaten by hand, dipped in garlic sauce or salt. Original flavor, tender meat.

Yam Fish Balls

Traditional Zhangjiakou snack, mashed yam mixed with oat flour, shaped into fish and steamed, then topped with broth. Soft and delicious, common at local banquets.

Festivals & Events

World & Intangible Heritage

• Great Wall (Zhangjiakou Section) (1987) — Inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. The Great Wall in Zhangjiakou stretches about 1,800 km across Yanshan and Taihang Mountains, featuring important passes like Dajingmen and Dushikou.
• Yuxian Paper Cutting (2006) — Listed as National Intangible Heritage in 2006. Yuxian paper cutting features mainly negative cutting supplemented by positive cutting, with vivid colors and full compositions, the only dot-color paper cutting in China.
• Yuxian Dashuhua (Splashing Molten Iron) (2021) — Listed as National Intangible Heritage in 2021. Dashuhua is a unique folk activity in Yuxian Nuanquan ancient town, splashing molten iron onto walls to create spectacular sparks, with over 500 years of history.

Practical Tips