Chicheng County Travel

Hebei Zhangjiakou Chicheng County - Located at the junction of Beijing, Hebei, and Inner Mongolia, it is known as the "First Hot Spring Outside the Pass." It features hot springs, the Ice Mountain Range, and ancient Great Wall, integrating geothermal wellness, glacial wonders, and frontier culture. A 2-day, 1-night in-depth tour includes soaking in thousand-year-old hot springs, exploring glacial relics, visiting ancient towns and beacon towers, unlocking the secret land where the landscape north of Beijing intertwines with history.

1500+
Years of Chicheng Hot Spring Development History
2
4A-level Scenic Areas
9+
Core Attractions
10+
Specialty Foods and Products
Zhangjiakou City Chicheng County Chicheng Hot Spring
Chicheng Hot Spring - First Hot Spring Outside the Pass
Iconic landscape of Chicheng, known as the "First Hot Spring Outside the Pass." Its history can be traced back to the Northern Wei Dynasty, and it served as a royal bathing site during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The hot spring water temperature is 50-68°C, rich in minerals like fluorine and silicon. It has different spring eyes for different effects, such as Main Spring, Eye Spring, and Stomach Spring. Hot spring resorts are built around it, making it a famous wellness and recuperation destination in northern China.

Chicheng County Two-Day One-Night Hot Spring Wellness Tour

Soak in hot springs for wellness, climb Ice Mountain to view strange rocks, explore Dushikou for frontier history, taste Chicheng's mountain wild flavors.

Trip Duration
2 Days 1 Night
Main Destinations
Chicheng Hot Spring, Ice Mountain Range, Dushikou Ancient Town, Heilong Mountain
Suitable For
Wellness Enthusiasts, Outdoor Hikers, History Buffs, Families with Children, Photography Enthusiasts
Per Person Budget
¥400-¥800
01
Hot Springs & Ice Peaks
Chicheng Hot Spring Resort Area · Ice Mountain Range · Yunzhou Reservoir
Trip Highlights

Arrive at Chicheng Hot Spring in the morning, experience wellness bathing in different spring eyes, learn about hot spring culture. Drive to Ice Mountain Range in the afternoon, climb to the top to admire Quaternary glacial relics and strange rock formations. Visit Yunzhou Reservoir in the evening to watch the sunset blending with the lake and mountain scenery.

Attraction Arrangement
Chicheng Hot Spring Resort
National 4A-level scenic area, known as the "Hometown of Hot Springs." The core area covers 1.3 square kilometers, featuring 24 spring eyes including the Main Spring, Eye Spring, and Stomach Spring, with significantly different water temperatures (38-68°C) corresponding to various wellness effects. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, there were sights like "Heart-Clearing Pool" and "Sun Bathing in the Hot Spring." The stone inscription with the words "洗心" (wash heart) by Emperor Kangxi remains. Facilities such as hot spring hotels and sanatoriums are available nearby.
Ice Mountain Range
National 3A-level scenic area, a Quaternary glacial relic site. The main peak elevation is 2211 meters, named for the perennial glacial deposits and cold climate at the summit. The mountaintop is a vast grassland, featuring unique landforms like "Rocking Stones" and "Stone Sea." It is a rare glacial landform museum in North China. The average summer temperature is 18°C, suitable for camping and stargazing.
Yunzhou Reservoir
The largest reservoir in Chicheng County, built in 1958 with a capacity of 102 million cubic meters. The reservoir water area is vast, surrounded by mountains. It is an important water conservancy project on the upper reaches of the Bai River. There are Ming Dynasty "She Shen Ya" (Self-Sacrifice Cliff) cliff carvings on the west side of the dam. You can hike along the lake or take a boat tour. The scenery is especially beautiful in autumn with colorful foliage.
Practical Information
Accommodation Recommendations
  • Chicheng Hot Spring Resort Hotel
  • Ice Mountain Range Camping Base (Summer)
  • Chicheng County Express Hotels
Food Recommendations
  • Stewed Free-Range Chicken with Mushrooms
  • Chicheng Tofu
  • Yellow Rice Cold Cake
  • Wild Mountain Vegetable Platter
Travel Tips
  • Hot spring ticket approx. ¥80-150/person (varies by hotel), suggested bathing time not exceeding 30 minutes.
  • Ice Mountain Range has high altitude, bring windproof jacket, hiking shoes are essential.
  • Fishing at Yunzhou Reservoir must comply with regulations, motorized boats prohibited.
02
Ancient Town & Landscape
Dushikou Ancient Town · Heilong Mountain National Forest Park · Chaoyang Temple Grottoes
Trip Highlights

Explore Dushikou Ancient Town in the morning, visit the Great Wall beacon towers and ancient streets, learn about frontier military culture. In the afternoon, delve into Heilong Mountain National Forest Park, hike through the primitive forest and streams, visit the Chaoyang Temple Grottoes to experience religious stone carving art. Purchase local specialties in the evening before returning.

Attraction Arrangement
Dushikou Ancient Town
An important Ming Dynasty Great Wall pass, named after the "Solitary Stone" to the north of the town. It was a military fortress guarding the capital. Existing structures include the ancient city wall, Yuhuang Pavilion, and a mosque. Within the town, remnants of Ming and Qing-era government offices and shops are preserved. The Great Wall winds through the mountains north of the town, and "Lone Stone in Cold Clouds" was one of the eight ancient scenic spots of Chicheng.
Heilong Mountain National Forest Park
National-level forest park, total area 7034.4 hectares, forest coverage rate 84%. It consists of scenic areas like the Heihe River Source, Birch Forest, and Dong Hou Peak. It is the source of the Hei River. The mountains feature primitive secondary forests, alpine meadows, waterfalls, and streams. Wildlife such as leopards and gorals inhabit the area. It is a natural oxygen bar.
Chaoyang Temple Grottoes
A group of Ming Dynasty Taoist grottoes, built during the Jiajing reign. Carved into the mountain, it comprises over 10 grottoes including the "Thousand Buddha Cave" and "Guanyin Cave." The statues inside are exquisite, with Taoist scriptures and figure stories carved on the stone walls. It is an important relic for studying northern Taoist art in the Ming Dynasty. Above the grottoes, there is an inscription "First Mountain Outside the Pass."
Practical Information
Experience Activities
  • Chicheng Hot Spring Wellness Massage
  • Ice Mountain Range Stargazing Photography
  • Heilong Mountain Hiking (approx. 3-4 hours)
  • Dushikou Great Wall Cycling
Specialty Recommendations
  • Chicheng Wild Mushrooms
  • Heilong Mountain Honey
  • Yellow Rice Cold Cake (Vacuum Packed)
  • Hot Spring Wellness Gift Box
Return Guide
  • Chicheng County is about 180 km from Beijing, 2.5-hour drive; about 150 km from Zhangjiakou Station, 2 hours.
  • Chicheng Bus Station has buses to Beijing and Zhangjiakou.
  • Specialties can be purchased at the county farmers' market or scenic spot stores.

Must-Try Foods in Chicheng County

Stewed Free-Range Chicken with Mushrooms

A specialty farmhouse dish in Chicheng, made with locally raised free-range chicken and wild mushrooms from Heilong Mountain, stewed with ginger and scallions over low heat for 1.5 hours. The chicken is firm and tender, the broth rich and mellow, and the mushrooms absorb the umami flavor of the chicken. It is a classic dish for warming the body in the mountainous winter. Best enjoyed freshly cooked at a farmhouse.

Chicheng Tofu

A traditional soybean product of Chicheng, made with local mountain spring water and soybeans, coagulated with acid whey. The tofu has a delicate, elastic texture and rich bean flavor. It can be eaten cold, fried, or made into tofu balls. "Scallion Mixed Tofu" best showcases its original flavor. It is an essential dish for local banquets and home cooking.

Yellow Rice Cold Cake

A signature summer snack in Chicheng. Made by soaking local yellow rice, steaming it, then layering with red dates and sweet bean paste. Chilled and cut into pieces before serving. The texture is soft, sticky, and sweet, refreshing and cooling in summer. It is a sweet treat served in farmhouses during summer. Also commonly sold at street stalls. Tastes even better with honey.

Wild Mountain Vegetable Platter

Represents the mountain wild flavor of Chicheng. Uses wild vegetables like bitter herbs, shepherd's purse, and purslane harvested in spring. Blanched and served cold, seasoned with mashed garlic, vinegar, and sesame oil. The taste is refreshing with a slight bitterness, rich in dietary fiber. It embodies the locals' wisdom of "living off the mountains." It is a healthy dish that aids digestion and appetizes.

Chicheng County Travel Tips
Best Travel Time
  • Spring (Apr-May): Wild vegetable picking, hiking in Heilong Mountain.
  • Summer (Jun-Aug): Escape the heat at Ice Mountain Range, hike Heilong Mountain, avg. temp. 22°C.
  • Autumn (Sep-Oct): Forests with colorful foliage, great for photography.
  • Winter (Nov-Mar): Hot spring wellness, experience snow hot springs.
Must-Try Foods
  • Stewed Free-Range Chicken with Mushrooms
  • Chicheng Tofu (with scallions, served cold)
  • Yellow Rice Cold Cake
  • Wild Mountain Vegetable Platter
  • Fried Glutinous Rice Cake
Budget Reference
  • Tickets: Approx. ¥180 (incl. hot springs, main attractions).
  • Accommodation: ¥150-300/night (hot spring hotels are pricier).
  • Food & Beverage: ¥60-120/day.
  • Transportation: Approx. ¥300 for gas (Beijing round trip).
  • Total: ¥400-800.
Frequently Asked Questions
  • Is Chicheng Hot Spring suitable for the elderly and children? → There are constant-temperature pools suitable for children; the elderly are advised to bathe for 20 minutes and rest each time.
  • Can you camp at Ice Mountain Range? → Yes, there are designated camping areas. Bring your own tent or rent (¥100/tent).
  • How difficult is hiking in Heilong Mountain? → There are beginner routes (2 hours) and advanced routes (5 hours). Choose according to your needs.
  • Do you need a guide for Dushikou Ancient Town? → Elderly residents in the village can provide paid explanations (¥50/session) for deeper historical understanding.

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