Yuanshi County Travel

Hebei Shijiazhuang Yuanshi County - A thousand-year-old ancient county, serving as the capital of the State of Zhao during the Warring States period, featuring natural and cultural landscapes like Fenglong Mountain and Panlong Lake. Known as the "Hometown of Chinese Pomegranates". A 2-day, 1-night in-depth tour to experience the landscape scenery of the Taihang Mountain foothills and the historical sedimentation of ancient Zhao culture.

2300+
Years of County History
1
National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit (Kaihua Temple Pagoda)
7+
Core Attractions
10+
Specialty Foods and Products
Shijiazhuang City Yuanshi County Fenglong Mountain Scenic Area
Fenglong Mountain - Source of Cultural Heritage
The iconic scenic area of Yuanshi County, combining natural scenery with historical culture, known for the "Fenglong Academy" (a famous ancient northern academy). The mountain features Han Dynasty stone steles, grottoes, ancient temples, and other relics. The main peak is 812 meters high, with dense forests, making it an excellent destination for hiking and exploring ancient sites.

Two-Day One-Night Ancient Zhao Landscape Tour in Yuanshi County

Ascend Fenglong Mountain to trace ancient academy heritage, cruise Panlong Lake to enjoy lake and mountain scenery, explore the ancient city to discover Warring States ruins, taste Yuanshi flavors, and feel the historical depth and natural beauty of the ancient county

Trip Duration
2 Days 1 Night
Main Destinations
Fenglong Mountain, Panlong Lake, Yuanshi Ancient City, Kaihua Temple Pagoda, Pomegranate Industrial Park
Suitable For
History Enthusiasts, Hiking and Trekking Enthusiasts, Family with Children, Leisure Travelers
Per Person Budget
¥350-¥650
01
Fenglong Cultural Heritage
Fenglong Mountain Scenic Area · Fenglong Academy · Yuanshi Ancient City Site
Trip Highlights

In the morning, ascend Fenglong Mountain to explore historical relics like Fenglong Academy and Han Dynasty stone stele groups, experiencing ancient academic atmosphere. In the afternoon, visit the Yuanshi Ancient City site to explore the ruins of the Zhao State capital from the Warring States period. In the evening, return to the county town to taste local specialties.

Attraction Arrangement
Fenglong Mountain Scenic Area
The core scenic area of Yuanshi County, a provincial-level scenic spot, named for the dragon-sealing legend from the Han Dynasty. The mountain features Fenglong Academy (one of the four ancient academies alongside White Deer Cave Academy), the Eastern Han "Ode to Fenglong Mountain" stele, grotto statues, Thousand Buddha Cave, and other relics. Natural landscapes include One-Line Sky, Flying Stone, General Stone, with forest coverage reaching 80%.
Fenglong Academy
The core cultural relic of Fenglong Mountain, originally built in the Han Dynasty, reaching its peak in the Song Dynasty. It was once an academic center in northern China, with Confucian scholars like Cheng Hao and Cheng Yi lecturing here. Existing academy ruins include lecture halls, Pan Pond, stone inscriptions, etc., restoring ancient teaching scenes and showcasing the development of northern academy culture.
Yuanshi Ancient City Site
A Hebei Provincial Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit, the site of the Zhao State capital "Yuanshi City" from the Warring States period. Existing remains include rammed earth city wall fragments (up to 6 meters high) and moat ruins, with unearthed bronze ware, pottery, and other cultural relics from the Warring States period. It is an important relic for studying Zhao State history.
Practical Information
Accommodation Recommendations
  • Hotels in Yuanshi County center
  • Farm stays at Fenglong Mountain scenic area
  • B&Bs on the south bank of Panlong Lake
Food Recommendations
  • Yuanshi Fried Cake
  • Hele Noodles
  • Ganglu Baked Cake
  • Zhao Family Smoked Meat
Travel Tips
  • Hiking Fenglong Mountain takes about 4 hours round trip, wear anti-slip shoes
  • Fenglong Academy offers free guided tours (depart on the hour)
  • The Ancient City site is a field area, travel in groups
02
Lake Scenery and Return
Panlong Lake · Kaihua Temple Pagoda · Pomegranate Industrial Park · Return Trip
Trip Highlights

In the morning, cruise on Panlong Lake, enjoying the scenery and experiencing water leisure activities. In the afternoon, visit Kaihua Temple Pagoda to appreciate Song Dynasty architectural art. Finally, visit the Pomegranate Industrial Park for picking or shopping for local products, ending the Yuanshi tour.

Attraction Arrangement
Panlong Lake
A scenic area built around the Bayi Reservoir, covering 3.5 square kilometers of water area, with 3 small islands in the lake, surrounded by green hills. Facilities include a boat dock, fishing area, and beach bathing area. Peach blossoms bloom in spring, autumn foliage is colorful, making it a popular leisure destination around Shijiazhuang.
Kaihua Temple Pagoda
A National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit, originally built in the Song Dynasty. It is an octagonal, nine-story dense-eave brick pagoda, 25.2 meters high, with carvings of Buddha statues, flowers, and other patterns. The structure is rigorous, representing one of the few existing Song Dynasty brick pagodas in Hebei, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship of ancient northern pagoda architecture.
Yuanshi Pomegranate Industrial Park
Yuanshi is known as the "Hometown of Chinese Pomegranates". The industrial park covers over 10,000 mu, primarily featuring the "Dahongpao" variety, known for its large fruit, thin skin, abundant juice, and sweetness. September to October is the picking season, where visitors can experience picking fun and purchase deep-processed products like pomegranate juice and pomegranate wine.
Practical Information
Transportation Guide
  • Panlong Lake: Take Yuanshi Bus Line 3 to Ji Village Station
  • Kaihua Temple Pagoda: Walkable within the county town
  • Pomegranate Industrial Park: Recommended to drive (15 km from county town)
Ticket Information
  • Fenglong Mountain: ¥50/person
  • Panlong Lake: Free (boat rides and other activities charged separately)
  • Kaihua Temple Pagoda: ¥10/person
  • Pomegranate Industrial Park: Free (picking charged by weight)
Return Trip Guide
  • Yuanshi County is about 30 km from downtown Shijiazhuang, a 40-minute drive
  • Yuanshi Bus Station has buses to downtown Shijiazhuang (every 15 minutes)
  • Yuanshi Railway Station (high-speed) is 8 km from the county town, 15-minute high-speed train ride to Shijiazhuang

Must-Try Foods in Yuanshi County

Yuanshi Fried Cake

A traditional Yuanshi snack, made with yellow rice flour as the wrapper, filled with red bean or jujube paste, fried until golden and crispy. The exterior is crisp, the interior is soft, sweet but not cloying. It is a must-have for local festivals and breakfast. "Old Ma's Fried Cake" on Huaiyang Street has a century-old history.

Yuanshi Hele Noodles

A characteristic Yuanshi farmhouse staple, made from buckwheat or wheat flour pressed through a Hele noodle press. The noodles are thin and even, chewy and smooth, paired with lamb or pork sauce. The soup is flavorful and rich, warming the body and heart when eaten in winter. It is a favorite homestyle meal for Yuanshi locals.

Zhao Family Smoked Meat

A famous Yuanshi local delicacy, made with pork as the main ingredient, smoked with cypress wood and then braised. The meat is firm, with a rich smoky aroma, fatty but not greasy. It can be eaten directly or paired with baked cakes. It is a premium product for entertaining guests and gifting in Yuanshi, with a tradition passed down for three generations.

Ganglu Baked Cake

A classic Yuanshi pastry, made from flour and sesame, baked in a ganglu oven. The crust is crispy with sesame aroma, the inside is soft and layered. It can be eaten plain or stuffed with smoked meat or eggs. It is the perfect accompaniment to Hele noodles.

Yuanshi County Travel Tips
Best Travel Time
  • Spring (April-May): Spring outings at Fenglong Mountain, peach blossom viewing at Panlong Lake
  • Autumn (September-October): Pomegranate picking season, autumn foliage viewing at Fenglong Mountain
  • Summer: Escape the heat at Panlong Lake, experience water activities
Must-Try Foods
  • Yuanshi Fried Cake
  • Hele Noodles
  • Zhao Family Smoked Meat
  • Ganglu Baked Cake
  • Vegetable Pot Cake
Budget Reference
  • Tickets: Approximately ¥70 (including main paid attractions)
  • Accommodation: ¥100-¥180/night
  • Food & Beverage: ¥40-¥70/day
  • Transportation: About ¥40 (including round trip to/from the city)
  • Total: ¥350-¥650
Frequently Asked Questions
  • Does Fenglong Mountain have cable cars? → No cable cars, requires hiking, gentle trails suitable for general public
  • Can I camp at Panlong Lake? → Camping allowed in designated areas, requires advance registration with the scenic area
  • Can pomegranates be mailed? → The industrial park provides express delivery service, nationwide delivery during mature season
  • Is photography allowed at Kaihua Temple Pagoda? → Flash photography prohibited inside, normal photography allowed externally