Huaian County Tourism

Hebei Zhangjiakou Huaian County - located at the junction of Shanxi, Hebei, and Inner Mongolia, known as the "Throat of Northwest Hebei", featuring Zhaohua Temple and Chaigoubao smoked meat as its calling cards, integrating Ming Dynasty ancient architecture, border fortress castles, and natural landscapes. A 2-day 1-night in-depth tour explores thousand-year-old temples, tastes century-old smoked meat, unlocking the unique fusion of border fortress culture and local flavors.

600+

Years of Zhaohua Temple History

National-Level Cultural Relic Protection Unit (Zhaohua Temple)

Core Attractions

Specialty Foods and Snacks

Zhaohua Temple, Huaian County, Zhangjiakou City

Zhaohua Temple - Gem of Ming Dynasty Ancient Architecture Art

Iconic landscape of Huaian, built in the 30th year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty (1397 AD), a national key cultural relics protection unit, famous for its exquisite Ming Dynasty murals and wood carvings. The murals in the main hall cover an area of 120 square meters, depicting stories of Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian figures, with smooth lines and vibrant colors, known as the "Little Dunhuang beyond the Great Wall".

Huaian County Two Days One Night Ancient Fortress Culture Tour

Visit ancient temples to appreciate mural artistry, taste smoked meat to savor Huaian flavors, explore ancient forts to search for border fortress memories, unlock the historical code at the junction of Shanxi, Hebei, and Inner Mongolia

                        
Trip Duration
2 Days 1 Night

                        
Main Destinations
Zhaohua Temple, Chaigoubao Town, Huaian Ancient City, Huwosi Temple, Ancient Great Wall Site

                        
Suitable For
History enthusiasts, Food enthusiasts, Photography enthusiasts, Cultural study tour travelers

                        
Per Person Budget
¥350-¥600

Ancient Temple & Local Flavors

Zhaohua Temple · Chaigoubao Town · Yanghe Wetland

Trip Highlights

Explore Zhaohua Temple in the morning, appreciating Ming Dynasty murals and wood carving art, then visit Chaigoubao Town in the afternoon to taste authentic smoked meat, exploring century-old shops, and stroll along the Yanghe Wetland in the evening, enjoying riverside scenery and sunset glow.

Attraction Arrangements

Zhaohua Temple

National key cultural relics protection unit, built during the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, existing structures include the mountain gate, main hall, and back hall. The Ming Dynasty murals in the main hall are most famous, covering stories of Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian teachings, with vivid character depictions and colors that remain vibrant after over 600 years. It is an important relic for studying Ming Dynasty painting art.

Chaigoubao Town

County seat of Huaian County, famous nationwide for "Chaigoubao Smoked Meat", a China Geographical Indication product. The town preserves several century-old smoked meat shops where you can observe the production process (some shops offer experiences), and also has ancient residential buildings and time-honored shops, full of local life atmosphere.

Yanghe Wetland

An important ecological corridor in Huaian County, distributed along the Huaian section of the Yanghe River, with a total area of about 800 hectares, featuring interlaced water areas, reed marshes, and meadows. It is a paradise for water birds, with wooden walkways and viewing platforms. The sunset glow on the river surface in the evening creates charming light and shadow, suitable for walking and photography.

Practical Information

Accommodation Recommendations

Budget hotels in Chaigoubao Town
Homestays around Huaian Ancient City
Business hotels in the county town

Food Recommendations

Chaigoubao smoked meat
Huaian tofu skin
Yellow cake
Yiwosi pancake

Travel Tips

Zhaohua Temple ticket 20 yuan/person, guided tour recommended (50 yuan/session)
For Chaigoubao smoked meat, choose century-old brands like "Xi"
More mosquitoes at Yanghe Wetland in the evening, bring mosquito repellent

Ancient Fortress Exploration

Huaian Ancient City · Huwosi Temple · Ancient Great Wall Site (Huaian Section) · Xishacheng Ancient Fortress

Trip Highlights

Stroll through Huaian Ancient City in the morning, exploring the bell tower and ancient alleys, experiencing the border fortress ancient city layout; explore Huwosi Temple in the afternoon, seeking Zen tranquility in the mountains and forests; climb the Ancient Great Wall Site to overlook the mountains and rivers; visit Xishacheng Ancient Fortress in the evening, purchase local specialties and return.

Attraction Arrangements

Huaian Ancient City

Built in the Tang Dynasty, expanded in the Ming Dynasty, with partial city walls, bell tower, and ancient alleys remaining. The ancient city has a "田" shaped layout, preserving Ming and Qing Dynasty shops and residential buildings. The bell tower is a Ming Dynasty structure, 15 meters high, serving as the landmark building of the ancient city. Climbing the tower offers a panoramic view of the ancient city.

Huwosi Temple

Built in the Tang Dynasty, named for the mountain shape resembling a crouching tiger. Existing structures include the main hall and Guanyin Hall. The temple has thousand-year-old pine trees and Tang Dynasty stone tablets. The surrounding mountains are lush with forests, with flowing streams, offering a tranquil environment. It is a Zen retreat away from the hustle and bustle, with historical records of "Tiger Crouching Zen Forest".

Ancient Great Wall Site (Huaian Section)

Huaian is located in the Xuanfu Town defense line of the Ming Dynasty's Nine Frontier Fortresses. The existing Great Wall site is about 40 kilometers, mainly consisting of earthen walls, with watchtowers and beacon towers remaining. The "Xiyanghe Fort" section of the Great Wall is relatively well-preserved, suitable for hiking exploration, experiencing the historical weight of the border fortress defense system.

Practical Information

Experience Activities

Photography at Huaian Ancient City
Chaigoubao smoked meat making experience (requires reservation)
Hiking at Huwosi Temple
Exploring the Ancient Great Wall Site

Specialty Recommendations

Chaigoubao smoked meat (vacuum-packed)
Huaian tofu skin
Yiwosi pancake
Handmade paper-cutting

Return Guide

Huaian County is about 70 km from Zhangjiakou Station, 1-hour drive
Chaigoubao Bus Station has buses to Zhangjiakou and Beijing
Local specialties can be purchased at century-old shops on the main street of Chaigoubao Town

Must-Try Foods in Huaian County

Chaigoubao Smoked Meat

Iconic food of Huaian County, China Geographical Indication product, originated during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. Made from local pork belly, smoked with cypress wood, with bright red color, fatty but not greasy, and rich aroma. It has a history of over 200 years. The "Xi" brand smoked meat is a century-old brand, serving as the first choice for Huaian locals to entertain guests and give gifts.

Huaian Tofu Skin

Specialty bean product of Huaian, made from high-quality soybeans through multiple steps of handmade production, thin as paper, golden yellow in color. Can be served cold, stir-fried, or in soup, with a tender and chewy texture and bean fragrance. Easy to preserve and carry, it is a traditional local home-style food and specialty.

Yiwosi Pancake

Traditional snack of Huaian, made from flour and oil through kneading, rolling, and stretching processes. After baking, it forms connected strands, crispy outside and soft inside, with distinct layers and a savory taste. Named for its shape resembling "a nest of golden threads", it is a common breakfast and festival food in the local area.

Yellow Cake

Traditional staple food of Huaian, made from local broomcorn millet flour steamed and kneaded. Soft, sticky, and chewy, can be steamed or fried, often served with Chaigoubao smoked meat or pickled cabbage. It is a daily necessity and festival essential for Huaian people, reflecting the unique flavor of northern coarse grain staples.

Huaian County Travel Tips

Best Travel Time

Spring (April-May): Mountain flowers blooming at Huwosi Temple, pleasant climate
Autumn (September-October): Rich colors in ancient city and mountains, suitable for photography
Winter (December-February): Can taste freshly made hot smoked meat, experience New Year atmosphere

Must-Try Foods

Chaigoubao smoked meat (with sesame cakes)
Huaian tofu skin (cold dish)
Yiwosi pancake
Yellow cake (with meat sauce)
Shan Yao Yu Yu (potato noodles)

Budget Reference

Tickets: About 50 yuan (main attractions)
Accommodation: 80-150 yuan/night
Food: 50-100 yuan/day (smoked meat purchase separate)
Transportation: Self-drive fuel about 150 yuan (entire trip)
Total: 350-600 yuan

Common Questions

How long is Chaigoubao smoked meat shelf life? → Vacuum-packed about 7 days at room temperature, can extend to 15 days refrigerated
Can I take photos of Zhaohua Temple murals? → Flash photography prohibited to avoid damaging pigments
Is the Ancient Great Wall Site suitable for hiking? → Some sections are steep, wear anti-slip shoes and travel with companions
Are there unique accommodations in Huaian Ancient City? → Some Ming and Qing style homestays available, need advance booking