The Snow Ruyi ski resort is one of the new additions in the burgeoning ice-and-snow industry in Chongli district, Zhangjiakou, Hebei province. [Photo by YANG WEI/FOR CHINA DAILY]
The 2022 Winter Olympics not only put Beijing and Zhangjiakou in Hebei province on the map of winter tourism but left world-class infrastructure behind that has transformed them into globally recognized tourism hot spots.
In Beijing's northwestern Yanqing district, where the Alpine skiing events took place, and Zhangjiakou, which hosted the snowboarding, freestyle, and cross-country skiing events, state-of-the-art venues have become key attractions for winter sports enthusiasts.
Throw in the Beijing-Zhangjiakou high-speed railway, which has reduced travel between the two cities to an hour, and visitors are able to enjoy the best of both worlds.
A child plays on the Badaling Great Wall in Beijing after a snowfall in 2023. [Photo by GREG BAKER/AFP]
Olympic zone
Those seeking a professional ski experience can make the National Alpine Skiing Center in Yanqing's Olympic zone their first stop. The center has officially opened Ruixue Avenue, its signature downhill course, for the 2024-25 ski season.
Running nearly 2,200 meters, with a maximum gradient of 64 percent, the course is located in the mid-to-upper section of the center and was used for the downhill event during the Olympics. It's an ideal fit for advanced and professional skiers in search of a challenging run. With this latest addition, the center now has 10 ski runs covering all levels, including beginner-friendly areas, and trails of intermediate to expert difficulty.
To enhance the visitor experience, the Olympic zone has introduced the Ski Association of Japan training and certification system, which provides professional training and exams to skiers of all levels.
In addition, the zone has developed a commercial street and a winter-themed town with dining, accommodation, entertainment, and shopping options.
Just 40 minutes' drive away, the Badaling Great Wall is a Yanqing must-see, especially now that the scenic area administration has developed winter tours, including night hikes on the wall, with gourmet food, creative cultural gifts, professional photography services, intangible cultural heritage experiences available, as well as a stage show that takes visitors back to the ancient stories behind the wall.
The Great Wall runs like a winding dragon atop snowcapped peaks. [Photo provided to China Daily]
Another 40-minute drive away from Badaling, the annual Longqing Gorge Ice Lantern Festival is every bit as exciting at night as the Great Wall. The hundreds of figures carved from snow and bathed in colorful lights, as well as the thousands of ice lanterns in various shapes and sizes, create a fantasy land amid stunning natural rock formations at the geological park. This year's event will last until late February, and at 500,000 square meters, is much larger than in previous years. Enjoyable sports, like a tug-of-war, as well as gourmet food and folk performances, will be staged for visitors to experience winter's charm.
For more of a Yanqing lifestyle vibe, visitors can continue on to the Yeyahu National Wetland Park where 10 winter fun activities are available, including snowmobiles, as well as hotpot in tents and making tea by the fire.
The National Alpine Skiing Center in Yanqing draws a crowd of skiers. [Photo by SONG YU/FOR CHINA DAILY]
Downtown appeal
Beijing's numerous ancient architectural landmarks, from the Palace Museum and the Summer Palace to the Drum and Bell towers, have a way of glowing in cold, crisp air and the delicate beauty of snow. Apart from being popular with photographers, several sites have tapped into winter resources that add to their charm.
After experiencing more than 600 years of history at the Palace Museum in the center of Beijing, and soaking up the traditional architecture and culture behind it, visitors can enjoy nearby Beihai Park, which is immediately northwest of the museum. It dates back to the Liao Dynasty (916-1125) and covers an area of some 680,000 square meters, a good part of which is water. Originally a royal pleasure garden and place of sacrificial rituals, the park offers enjoyable activities on its frozen expanses.
For a grander and more expansive journey through imperial history and nature, the Summer Palace is a safe bet for travelers with high expectations. In the winter, Kunming Lake, which is about four times the size of Beihai, turns into a playground for people to stroll around when it freezes over. The fun is complemented by the picturesque beauty of the royal garden, where imposing pavilions and bridges blend seamlessly with the snowy landscape in a captivating fusion of history and nature.
For those seeking more Olympics-oriented experiences, the Olympic Forest Park, 15 kilometers from the Summer Palace, offers stunning views of the ingenious National Stadium and the National Aquatics Center, both of which were built for the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Impressive venue
The effort of pulling off the Winter Olympics across scattered sites can best be appreciated by taking the high-speed train to Zhangjiakou.
Those wanting to focus on venues and immerse themselves in the Olympic atmosphere should head straight for Taizicheng Railway Station. To get the big picture of how Chongli district evolved into an international ski hot spot, the exhibition hall in Taizicheng resort, the core area of the Olympic venue, provides an excellent introduction. It chronicles preparations for the Winter Olympics through interactive exhibits.
A few minutes drive away, the National Ski Jumping Center, or Snow Ruyi, is one of Chongli's highlights. It was the venue for the ski jumping and Nordic combined (a sport that comprises ski jumping and cross-country skiing disciplines) events. There, visitors can ride the specially designed inclined elevator, one of the fastest of its kind in the world, which will take them up more than 250 meters in two minutes, to get stunning panoramic views of the area.
At nearby Snow Ruyi, a massive resort with 32 kilometers of ski trails over 135 hectares, new experiences like snow trekking and dog sledding with Alaskan huskies, add a delightful twist to the winter experience.
Visitors should be sure not to miss the Ice Jade Ring, a C-shaped skywalk with breathtaking views of major Olympic buildings, including the National Ski Jumping Center and the National Cross-Country Skiing Center, as well as of the area's natural beauty.
The district also boasts top ski resorts that have proved big magnets alluring skiers from neighboring areas, especially Beijing. The Wanlong, Thaiwoo and Genting sites have stood out for their superb facilities, such as an impressive range of runs that are friendly to beginners while giving veteran skiers the thrill of challenges.
If you go
Beijing: Yanqing district is easily reachable by high-speed rail or bus from central Beijing. The cuisine is uncomplicated yet rich in flavor, highlighting natural, locally sourced ingredients.
Hebei: Chongli district in Zhangjiakou is likewise accessible by high-speed train from Beijing, with the journey lasting approximately an hour. Alternatively, visitors can opt to fly to Zhangjiakou, which boasts connections to major cities across the country.
