Xuanhua District Tourism

Hebei Zhangjiakou Xuanhua District - known as the "First Prefecture West of Beijing", integrating Qingyuan Tower, Zhenshuo Tower, and ancient city walls, blending Liao-Jin culture with Ming-Qing ancient charm. A 3-day 2-night in-depth tour explores the historical context of the millennium frontier fortress town, experiencing the unique charm of ancient city and grape hometown.

1200+

Years of City History

National-Level Cultural Relic Protection Units

10+

Core Attractions

12+

Specialty Foods

Zhangjiakou City Xuanhua District Qingyuan Tower

Qingyuan Tower - First Tower West of Beijing

Iconic building of Xuanhua, initially built in the 18th year of Chenghua reign of Ming Dynasty (1482 AD), exquisite and magnificent structure, with "Qingyuan Tower" plaque hanging under eaves. Bronze bell once housed upstairs, sound transmitted 40 li, known as "Second Yellow Crane Tower", important example for studying Ming Dynasty architecture

Xuanhua District Three Days Two Nights First Prefecture West of Beijing Cultural Tour

Visit Qingyuan Tower for panoramic ancient city views, explore Liao tombs for mural art appreciation, taste grapes for northern frontier flavors, unlock the historical code of the millennium ancient city

                        
Trip Duration
3 Days 2 Nights

                        
Main Destinations
Qingyuan Tower, Zhenshuo Tower, Ancient City Wall, Xuanhua Liao Tombs, Bailin Temple

                        
Suitable For
History enthusiasts, architecture fans, food seekers, family trips

                        
Per Person Budget
¥400-¥700

Ancient City Core

Qingyuan Tower · Zhenshuo Tower · Ancient City Wall

Trip Highlights

Morning ascend Qingyuan Tower overlooking ancient city layout, visit Ming Dynasty bronze bell inside, afternoon stroll Zhenshuo Tower learning about frontier military history, evening cycle along ancient city wall, feeling ancient city scenery in sunset glow.

Attraction Arrangements

Qingyuan Tower

National-level cultural relic protection unit, commonly known as "Bell Tower", structure features cross-gable roof double-eave three-dripping style, total height 25.7 meters, ground floor with four arched doors, upper floors hang plaques like "Sound Connecting to Celestial Music" and "Shaking and Pacifying Borders", famous for exquisite architecture.

Zhenshuo Tower

Adjacent to Qingyuan Tower, named after Ming Dynasty "Zhenshuo General" guarding Xuanhua, initially built in the 5th year of Zhengtong reign of Ming Dynasty (1440 AD), structure hangs "Zhenshuo Tower" and "Divine Capital Screen" plaques, latter being Emperor Qianlong's imperial calligraphy, historical witness of Xuanhua as frontier fortress town.

Xuanhua Ancient City Wall

Initially built in Tang Dynasty, expanded in Ming Dynasty to 12-kilometer circumference brick-stone city wall, existing wall about 7.5 kilometers, height 12 meters, with 7 city gates, one of China's relatively well-preserved ancient city walls in the north, suitable for hiking or cycling tours.

Practical Information

Accommodation Recommendations

Homestays near ancient city wall
Hotels on Zhonglou Street
Central budget hotels in Xuanhua District

Food Recommendations

Xuanhua milk grapes
Oil noodle nests
Yellow cake
Flour soup

Travel Tips

Qingyuan Tower, Zhenshuo Tower combo ticket 35 yuan/person
Ancient city wall cycling bike rental available (20 yuan/hour)
Best sunset photography on south city wall in evening

Historic Sites Exploration

Xuanhua Liao Tombs · Bailin Temple · Five Dragons Wall

Trip Highlights

Morning visit Xuanhua Liao Tombs appreciating exquisite murals, understanding Liao Dynasty noble life, afternoon tour Bailin Temple experiencing ancient temple tranquility, evening view Five Dragons Wall's glazed art, appreciating Ming Dynasty craftsman skills.

Attraction Arrangements

Xuanhua Liao Tombs

National key cultural relic protection unit, represented by Zhang Shiqing Tomb, mural area total 360 square meters, including "Music and Dance Scene", "Travel Scene", etc., vivid colors, lifelike figures, important material for studying Liao Dynasty society.

Bailin Temple

Initially built during Zhenguan period of Tang Dynasty, renovated in Ming Dynasty, named for many ancient cypress trees inside temple, existing Mahavira Hall is Ming Dynasty structure, with well-preserved Three Buddhas statues, thousand-year ancient cypresses stand tall, tranquil environment.

Five Dragons Wall

Ming Dynasty glazed screen wall, built during Wanli period of Ming Dynasty, height 5 meters, width 9 meters, wall relief five giant dragons soaring through clouds, vivid and lifelike, below dragon wall features sea and cliff patterns, representative of Xuanhua glazed art.

Practical Information

Transportation Guide

Xuanhua Liao Tombs accessible by Xuanhua Route 6 bus to Xiabali Station
Bailin Temple about 10 km from city center, recommend self-driving or taxi
Five Dragons Wall located in city center, walkable or bikeable

Ticket Information

Xuanhua Liao Tombs: 40 yuan/person
Bailin Temple: Free (donations voluntary)
Five Dragons Wall: Free

Travel Tips

Photography prohibited inside Liao Tombs, need guide for mural stories
Farm-style cuisine around Bailin Temple
Best photography time for Five Dragons Wall morning (soft light)

Leisure Experience

Wanliu Park · Xuanhua Museum · Grape Valley

Trip Highlights

Morning stroll through Wanliu Park experiencing northern garden beauty, afternoon visit Xuanhua Museum systematically understanding ancient city history, evening go to Grape Valley picking and tasting Xuanhua milk grapes, purchasing specialties and returning.

Attraction Arrangements

Wanliu Park

Xuanhua District's largest city park, named for many willow trees inside, combines Jiangnan garden and northern garden characteristics, featuring lake, bridge, pavilion, waterside hall landscapes, ideal spot for citizen leisure walks, especially beautiful spring scenery with green willows and red flowers.

Xuanhua Museum

Located inside Zhenshuo Tower, collection over 1,000 cultural relics, systematically displays Xuanhua's development from ancient to modern times, highlighting military, cultural, commercial history as frontier fortress town, exhibits mainly from Liao-Jin, Ming-Qing periods.

Xuanhua Grape Valley

Famous for growing "Xuanhua milk grapes", over 1,300 years of history, grape trellis uses unique "funnel frame" shape, fruit thin-skinned thick-fleshed, juicy and sweet, national geographical indication product, autumn harvest picking experience available.

Practical Information

Experience Activities

Wanliu Park boating (30 yuan/hour)
Museum interactive history games
Grape Valley picking (charged by weight, about 15 yuan/jin)
Ancient city handmade glazed art experience

Specialty Recommendations

Xuanhua milk grapes (fresh or raisins)
Xuanhua Warring States period red agate
Oil noodles
Yellow millet

Return Guide

Xuanhua District about 30 km from Zhangjiakou Station, 40-minute taxi
Xuanhua Station has trains to Beijing, Hohhot
Specialties can be purchased at Xuanhua South Street Farmers Market

Must-Try Foods in Xuanhua District

Xuanhua Milk Grapes

Xuanhua specialty fruit, named for juicy fruit like milk, over 1,300 years cultivation history, using "funnel frame" cultivation, included in national intangible cultural heritage in 2008, famous for thin skin, thick flesh, sweet taste.

Oil Noodle Nests

Xuanhua traditional noodles, made from oat flour, hand-formed into nest shapes, steamed and served with lamb sauce or pickled vegetables, chewy texture, nutritious, common winter staple in local area.

Yellow Cake

Traditional food made from yellow millet flour, soft and sticky texture, can be eaten directly or fried and dipped in sugar. Xuanhua locals say "30 li oat noodles, 40 li cake", indicating its satiating properties, essential festival food.

Flour Soup

Xuanhua specialty soup, mainly potato starch noodles, with tofu, meatballs, meat slices, etc., delicious broth, sour and spicy flavor, common local breakfast or winter warming choice, street stall versions especially flavorful.

Xuanhua District Travel Tips

Best Travel Time

Spring (April-May): Wanliu Park outings, ancient city wall flower viewing
Autumn (September-October): Grape ripening season, suitable for picking and tasting
Winter (December-February): Can experience ancient city snow scenery, fewer tourists, quiet

Must-Try Foods

Xuanhua milk grapes
Oil noodle nests
Yellow cake
Flour soup
Chaigoubao smoked meat (Xuanhua branch store)

Budget Reference

Tickets: About 100 yuan (main attractions)
Accommodation: 80-180 yuan/night
Food: 30-70 yuan/day
Transportation: About 30 yuan
Total: 400-700 yuan

Common Questions

When do Xuanhua milk grapes ripen? → August-October, mid-September best
Can ancient city wall be toured entirely? → Existing 7.5 kilometers, some sections require ticket purchase
Do Liao Tombs have guide service? → Yes, 50 yuan/session (can share)
How to get from Xuanhua to Zhangjiakou city? → Take Route 8 bus about 1 hour, fare 5 yuan