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Zhangjiakou: China's Winter Sports Capital

TripBlog
TripBlog
Nov 3, 2022

Catalogue

  • Location and Transportation
    • High-Speed Railway
    • Air Travel
    • Long-distance Bus
  • Getting Situated
  • Zhangjiakou Ski Resorts
    • Thaiwoo Ski Resort
    • Wanlong Ski Resort
    • Genting Snow Park
    • Cuiyunshan Ski Resort
  • Summer Attractions & Things to Do
    • Bashang Grasslands
    • Dajingmen
  • Show More

The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics featured lots of excellent alpine skiing and snowboarding venues. Known to many for years as China's ski capital, Zhangjiakou emerged from the 2022 Winter Olympics with a wealth of new transportation and recreation infrastructure. It is a fantastic destination to consider if you're looking for some winter sports adventure or a wonderful summertime retreat. In this guide, we'll tell you all about Zhangjiakou and recommend some great things to do there. Come along as we explore China's winter sports paradise!

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Zhangjiakou (张家口) is a prefecture-level city, an administrative division in China that typically comprises a main urban core surrounded by large rural areas and smaller towns. The central urban area often shares the name of the larger prefectural city, as is the case with Zhangjiakou, which can be the source of some confusion. Located in Hebei Province, Zhangjiakou borders Beijing, Inner Mongolia, and Shanxi Province. Zhangjiakou City is roughly 112 mi (180 km) northwest of Central Beijing and there are several ways to travel between them.

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For most visitors, the best option is the high-speed railway departing from Beijing North station (北京北). This is the same railway line visitors would take to reach the popular Badaling Great Wall section. From Beijing North, you can take the train directly to Zhangjiakou City in under an hour, a vast improvement over the 3 hours it used to take. If your goal is to go directly from Beijing to the ski areas, you will want to transfer to the Chongli Branch (崇礼支线) at Xiahuayuan North station (下花园北站) before reaching Zhangjiakou City. From Xiahuayuan North, you can go to Taizicheng railway station (太子城站), which is located only 1.2 mi (2 km) from the Olympic Village. China's high-speed rail is among the best in the world and, for most people, it provides the most hassle-free way to get to Zhangjiakou.

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Visitors traveling from more distant locations in China may want to consider flying to Zhangjiakou Ningyuan Airport (ZQZ), which is located about 5 mi (8 km) from Downtown Zhangjiakou City. The airport serves mostly domestic routes. It is normally possible to book flights from major cities like Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Shanghai, or Shenzhen, making it an attractive option for people coming up from the south who may want to avoid going into Beijing itself. China's domestic COVID-19 restrictions add to the attractiveness of this option. Flying to Zhangjiakou allows you to skip any testing requirements in effect in Beijing when you happen to be traveling. An airport shuttle bus runs to Zhangjiakou International Hotel and takes about 20 minutes. Public buses and taxis are also available from the airport.

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There are two long-distance bus stations in Zhangjiakou City. The south station is located very close to the railway station and has service to many of the surrounding districts and counties. You also can journey onward from Zhangjiakou to other provincial capitals such as Datong, Hohhot, or Taiyuan. Long-distance bus is often the only way to reach smaller destinations or mountainous regions not served by railway links. Buses in China are reliable if a somewhat chaotic experience. Generally, you will need to buy tickets directly at the bus station so it's useful to know some Mandarin if you're traveling by bus in China.

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Zhangjiakou City, though positively miniscule by Chinese standards, is home to over 330,000 people. Surrounding hills to the north, east, and west give the city something of an hourglass shape as it follows the Qingshui River. There are numerous hotels within the city itself; however, most people will want to look for accommodations closer to the ski areas. Zhangjiakou City is a typical Chinese city and mostly unremarkable. You might explore by Zhangjiakou Exhibition Hall, People's Park, and the densely packed residential areas near there. Otherwise, the main scenic and tourist attractions are all located outside the urban core.

By far the main draw in Zhangjiakou is the region's ski areas. Even before the Beijing Winter Olympics, these were regarded as among the best winter sports destinations in China. Following several years of investment leading up to the games, Zhangjiakou now ranks among the world's top ski destinations. In addition to the purpose-built Olympic venues, there are also several resort areas.

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Thaiwoo is practically next door to the Olympic Village. There resort boasts 12.4 mi (20 km) of slopes that are served by four chair lifts. Elevations range between 5,413 ft (1,650 m) and 7,086 ft (2,160 m) in elevation. The resort is divided nearly evenly between beginner, intermediate, and advanced runs, so there's a bit of something for everyone. Thaiwoo typically has snow 150 days out of the year. Though if you spent any time watching the Olympics, you'll know China is no slouch when it comes to making snow if necessary. There are several hotels at the resort as well as a number of fine dining and entertainment options. If you're looking for an ideal place for your first ski vacation in China, it's hard to go wrong at Thaiwoo Ski Resort.

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Wanlong claims to be the largest single ski mountain in China. Visitors can enjoy over 13 mi (22 km) of slopes that are served by six chair lifts. Wanlong features more challenging and fast slopes, making it a better choice for intermediate and advanced skiers. Equipment is available for rental including skis, snowboards, boots, and clothes. Non-skiers are permitted venture up to the wooden house on the top of Honghualiang Mountain where you can relax in the cozy spaces while enjoying a bird's eye view over the resort slopes. The Shuanglong Hotel at Wanlong Ski Resort allows you to stay right at the resort. If you're looking for fast slopes and beautiful scenery, Wanlong Ski Resort is for you.

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Genting played host to the freestyle skiing and snowboard events at the Beijing Winter Olympics. The area is sometimes referred to as Genting Resort Secret Garden or the Yunding Ski Park. Slopes at Genting are relatively wide and conditions are sometimes less windy than those found at other resorts in the region. Prior to the Olympics, Genting featured nearly 10 mi (16 km) of slopes served by five chair lifts. It's fair to say that with the attention generated by the Olympics, Genting is set to see a boom in popularity as visitors look to experience the same runs for themselves. Like Thaiwoo, Genting is located very near the Olympic Village.

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Part of the Cuiyunshan Scenic Area, this small ski resort features three runs, one each for beginner, intermediate, and advanced skiers. With an elevation change of only 1,036 ft (316 m), Cuiyunshan is a good choice for beginners or for those who fancy more than just flying downhill at top speed. The best option here is to book accommodations in Chongli, which is less than 3 mi (5 km) away. Cuiyunshan is not far from Wanlong Ski Resort. You can move from one to the other if you're looking to change things up a bit.

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Zhangjiakou may be known primarily as a winter sport destination; however, there are some outstanding summertime attractions as well. Here are a pair of places that are great to visit when the weather's warm.

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Bashang Grasslands are where the mountain areas north of Beijing open up onto the Eurasian Steppe. The wide grasslands here were once home to wild horses and nomadic Mongolian herders. In the summer, the rolling hills extend clear to the horizon. You and spend hours watching cloud formations dance across the sky. It's an excellent place for a weekend adventure from Beijing. You might even book a stay in a yurt-style accommodation for an extra touch of magic.

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Dajingmen is a famous gate in the Great Wall located on the northern edge of Zhangjiakou City. First constructed in 1644, the gate was an important access point in the Great Wall at Dajingmen Pass. Standing nearly 49 ft (14 m) tall, the gate is impressive even today, especially when you pause to contemplate the centuries of history represented here. Dajingmen was quite literally the border separating China from the nomadic tribes that dominated the Eurasian Steppe. If you're visiting Zhangjiakou, this is a good place to get in a small tour of the Great Wall. Plus you can snap some lovely photos while you're at it.



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