2025 Shangyi Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in March)

What are the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun? The Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun is a historical and geographical concept, also known as the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, referring to the sixteen prefectures and their territories around Youzhou and Yunzhou during the hundreds of years between the Tang and Yuan dynasties in Chinese history. After the Tang Dynasty was destroyed by Zhu Wen and replaced by the Later Liang, the Later Liang was replaced by the Later Tang of Li Cunxu. Shi Jingtang, the Jiedushi of Hedong in the Later Tang, borrowed troops from the Khitan (later known as Liao), a minority regime in the north, to destroy the Later Tang and establish the Later Jin at the cost of the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun. Since then, the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun, which had always been controlled by the Central Plains dynasty, fell into the hands of the northern nomads. Why the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun? The Liao, Jin, and Yuan dynasties successively managed the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun for more than 400 years, and it was not until the Ming Dynasty that this land was completely recovered by the Central Plains dynasty. Before the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, the northern enemies faced by the Central Plains dynasty mainly came from the northwest; after that, the focus of the Central Plains dynasty shifted eastward, and the Yanshan and Taihang Mountains where the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun were located, together with the passes of the Great Wall, became a barrier against the northern barbarians. Losing the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun was equivalent to opening the door to the entire North China Plain, and even Guanzhong, the core of the Central Plains, with basically no natural barriers to defend. The Song Dynasty was called the "weak Song" not only because of its national policy of advocating literature and suppressing martial arts, but also because the Northern Song Dynasty did not control the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun. Where are the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun now? The two most important prefectures in the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun are Youzhou and Yunzhou, the former roughly corresponding to the urban area of Beijing, and the latter referring to Datong. The other fourteen prefectures of the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun are Shunzhou, Ruzhou, Tanzhou, Jizhou, Zhuozhou, Yingzhou, Mozhou, Xinzhou, Guizhou, Wuzhou, Weizhou, Yingzhou, Huanzhou, and Shuozhou. Historically, the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun spanned the present-day Beijing-Tianjin and Shanxi-Hebei provinces, specifically including the northern districts and counties of Beijing and Tianjin, the southeastern part of Zhangjiakou in Hebei, the northeastern part of Datong, Shuozhou, and Xinzhou in Shanxi, and the intersection of Baoding, Langfang, and Cangzhou in Hebei.

Charming Zhangjiakou, Shining Bright Zhangjiakou is a city full of charm and vitality. Here, you can find magnificent natural scenery. The snow in Chongli is pure white, shining silver in the sunlight. The high-quality ski resorts are a paradise for ski enthusiasts, allowing you to experience the charm of ice and snow in speed and passion. The Bashang Grassland is vast, with green grass and galloping horses, like a beautiful painting. Under the blue sky and white clouds, the wind blows the grass, bringing endless tranquility and comfort. Zhangjiakou is also a treasure trove of history and culture. The ancient Great Wall winds through the mountains, witnessing the vicissitudes and glory of time. Dajingmen, majestic and grand, is an important pass of the Great Wall, carrying countless historical memories. Here, you can also experience unique folk customs, traditional handicrafts, and delicious local cuisine, allowing you to appreciate the profound heritage of Zhangjiakou. Come, step into Zhangjiakou, feel the beauty of nature, explore the charm of history, and embark on an unforgettable journey.

Daqingshan International Tourism Resort is located in Erdaobei Village, Hongtuliang Town, Shangyi County, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province, at the western end of the Grassland Sky Road in Daqingshan National Forest Park. It is 18 kilometers north of Shangyi County and 90 kilometers east of Zhangbei County. It is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and a key project in Zhangjiakou City. After two years of construction by Beijing Guangsha Tourism Development Co., Ltd., it has become a comprehensive tourism resort integrating projects such as the Jingguang Glass Bridge, Qishi Flower Sea, Courtyard Hotel, Green Pasture, and Parent-Child Entertainment. In April 2023, Shangyi County Daqingshan International Tourism Scenic Area passed the AAAA-level tourist attraction landscape quality review. Ticket price: 96 yuan per adult Opening hours: 9:00-18:00 Transportation: No public transportation, self-driving is recommended Tour time: 2-3 hours Accommodation: It is recommended to stay at Daqingshan Jingguang Courtyard Hotel, which is 3.5 kilometers from the scenic spot entrance.

Shiren Geological Park is the largest natural geological park in North China. It is located in the Nanba area of Taolizhuang Township, Shangyi County, 18 kilometers from the provincial highway Zhangshang Second-class Road, 55 kilometers from Shangyi County, and 120 kilometers from Zhangjiakou City. It covers an area of 10 square kilometers, with the highest altitude being 1848 meters and the lowest altitude being 1400 meters, resulting in a vertical drop of more than 400 meters. The average annual temperature is 2.5℃, with the highest summer temperature reaching 30℃. Shiren Geological Park is a geological landscape formed by volcanic activity and earthquake faults 25 million years ago. The mountain top features a 5000-acre aerial grassland formed by volcanic ash, with lush grass and blooming wildflowers stretching as far as the eye can see. The cooled volcanic magma in the mountains has formed various strange rocks resembling humans, objects, birds, and beasts, each with unique postures and lifelike appearances. Countless stone tables, stone benches, stone oxen, stone horses, stone frogs, stone elephants, stone lions, stone snakes, etc., either stand on the peaks or are embedded in the slopes. Some stand gracefully and solemnly, while others seem to dance and leap, making people marvel at the craftsmanship of nature. This is an excellent destination for sightseeing, summer leisure, geological science, and historical exploration. Shirenbei Geological Park is open to the public free of charge all year round. It is recommended to fill up your gas tank and drive there.

There are many scenic spots and place names called Wolong Peak across the country. The one shown in the picture is located on the west line of the Grassland Sky Road in Shangyi County, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province. Wolong Peak has an altitude of 1876 meters, just a few kilometers away from the 1919-meter-high peak of the Sky Road. Nearly 200 meters of granite boulders are arranged in an orderly manner, looking like a lying dragon from a distance. Opposite it is the 'Golden Toad Stone,' which has a peculiar and astonishing shape, vividly resembling a toad. One cannot help but marvel at the craftsmanship of nature. Wolong Peak is located on one side of the Grassland Sky Road, with a wooden plank road of several hundred meters leading to the top of the peak. Wolong Peak is open to tourists all year round for free. It is recommended to fill up your tank and drive there. You can dine and stay at Wolong Mountain Villa at the foot of the mountain.

Daqingshan National Forest Park is located between the northern Hebei mountains and the Inner Mongolia Plateau, situated in the Nanhaoqian Forest Farm of Shangyi County, Zhangjiakou. It is 70 kilometers away from Zhangjiakou city center and 170 kilometers from Beijing, with a planned total area of 3015.67 hectares. The highest peak of Daqingshan is 1919 meters, making it the highest peak in Shangyi County. It is named for its distant blue appearance. The Daqingshan suspended glass bridge spans the Erdaobei Gorge, with a total length of nearly 639 meters and a width of about 4 meters, capable of accommodating up to 800 people at the same time. Daqingshan National Forest Park has an annual average temperature of 0.6-1.5°C. In spring, the grass is green and the sky is blue; in summer, it is cool and pleasant (average temperature 14°C); in autumn, the forests are dyed in various colors; in winter, the land is covered with ice for miles, earning it the nickname "Little Tianshan beyond the Great Wall." Daqingshan has a forest coverage rate of up to 97%, and the negative oxygen ion content ranges from 100,000 to 1,000,000 per cm³, far exceeding the first-class standard of international tourist resorts. The air humidity of 58% is the most suitable for the human body. On December 5, 2017, Hebei Daqingshan Forest Park passed the national-level review and was awarded the title of National Forest Park. Ticket price: 96 yuan per adult Opening hours: 09:00-18:30 Transportation: No public transportation available, self-driving is recommended Tour duration: 2-3 hours Accommodation: It is recommended to stay at the Daqingshan Jingguang Courtyard Hotel, 3.5 kilometers away from the scenic area.