Hebei Tourism | A low-key ancient city from the Ming and Qing dynasties near Beijing, Zhangjiakou Xuanhua Ancient City

Xuanhua, one of the nine important border towns in history, has a profound heritage, more than 160 kilometers away from Beijing, a two-hour drive, and one hour by high-speed train. Even during a short holiday like the Dragon Boat Festival, there are not many tourists, making it an excellent choice for a holiday trip around Beijing without the crowds. The tourist resources of Xuanhua can be traced back to the Ming and Qing dynasties or even earlier. The main attractions are concentrated on Qingyuan Road, from north to south, they are Qingyuan Tower, Zhen Shuo Tower, Gong Ji Tower, as well as the nearby museum, Catholic church, etc., plus the Da Xin Gate on the far west. 📷 Tourist Attractions 1⃣️ Qingyuan Tower, also known as the Bell Tower, was built in the 22nd year of the Ming Chenghua period and underwent two major renovations in the 9th year of the Qianlong period of the Qing dynasty and in 1983. The tower is 25 meters high and is a tall building with a double-eaved multi-cornered cross-ridge hip roof. 2⃣️ Zhen Shuo Tower, also known as the Drum Tower, is located on the central axis of Xuanhua Ancient City. It is the tallest and most magnificent ancient building in the ancient city, built in the early Ming dynasty with a long history. 3⃣️ Gong Ji Tower, also known as the South Gate Tower, was called the Zhe Geng Tower in the Ming dynasty and renamed Gong Ji Tower during the Tongzhi period of the Qing dynasty, meaning to guard the capital and protect the northern border from foreign invasions. 4⃣️ Da Xin Gate: It was the west gate of Xuanhua during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The city gate is very long, and after walking just over half of it, I had already taken more than 5000 steps. The wind blowing through gives a strong sense of historical atmosphere. 5⃣️ Xuanhua Catholic Church: According to relevant records, Xuanhua Catholic Church was originally built during the Tongzhi period of the Qing dynasty. It was destroyed in the early 20th century and rebuilt in 1904, which is essentially the church we see now. It is also a church that has experienced a century of history. 6⃣️ Xuanhua Museum: Formerly a monastery attached to the church, it is now open as the Xuanhua Museum and is also a national key cultural relics protection unit. The Western-style courtyard and building provide an elegant environment, making it very pleasant to stroll and view the exhibitions. Travel TIPS 🎫: Qingyuan Tower and Zhen Shuo Tower do not charge for admission! You can register to climb the tower and enjoy the view, Gong Ji Tower cannot be climbed, perhaps because it is not open to the public, and Da Xin Gate has an admission fee of 20 yuan. The museum and the Catholic church are also open for free. 🏨 Accommodation: Because it is still relatively niche and less crowded, accommodation is not expensive. The top local hotels generally charge around 200 yuan per day for a standard room, which is very cost-effective.