One-Day Whirlwind Tour of Yuzhou Ancient City: A Special Forces-Style Check-in

Originally built during the Northern Zhou Dynasty and rebuilt in the tenth year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty, Yuzhou Ancient City, the westernmost fortress of the YanYun Sixteen Prefectures, stands as a historical landmark. Controlling the grasslands to the north and the Taihang Mountains to the south, it served as the dividing line between nomadic and agricultural civilizations, earning the title of "The First Prefecture West of Beijing." Today, it retains a blend of vibrant daily life and historical charm. 📍 Yuxian County, Zhangjiakou, Hebei 🚘 Tour Route: West Great God Fortress ➡ Yuzhou Ancient City ➡ Yuxian Snow Mountain See Figures 5-7 ✅️Check-in Spots 1️⃣ West Great God Fortress ▸ Wasteland Aesthetics Recommended Index: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ With its rammed earth walls and natural cliff defenses, this Ming Dynasty military fortress against foreign enemies also served as a filming location for the TV series *Zou Xikou*. It's a 50-minute drive from Yuzhou Ancient City, which might not be worth a special trip, but combining it with a visit to the ancient city makes for a perfect itinerary. 2️⃣ Jade Emperor Pavilion ▸ The Same Camera Angle as in *Black Myth: Wukong*, the Highest Point of the Ancient City Recommended Index: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The pinnacle of ancient architecture in Yuxian County! With ample parking, it's recommended to start your ancient city tour here, proceeding counterclockwise to cover most of the highlights. Refer to P8. 3️⃣ Lingyan Temple ▸ The Vibrant Four Heavenly Kings Recommended Index: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Initially built during the Jin Dynasty and imperially renovated during the Ming Dynasty, the temple boasts lifelike statues of the Four Heavenly Kings in the front hall and an impressive octagonal coffered ceiling in the rear hall. 4️⃣ Yuzhou Government Office ▸ Reconstructed on Its Original Site Recommended Index: ⭐️⭐️ A reconstructed Ming and Qing Dynasty government office, it's personally considered average and not worth the ticket price. 5️⃣ Nan'an Temple Pagoda ▸ Ancient Pagoda from the Northern Wei Dynasty Recommended Index: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Originally built during the Northern Wei Dynasty and renovated during the Liao Dynasty, this 8-sided, 13-story solid brick pagoda sits within a small area, making the ticket purchase less valuable. The stunning photos online are mostly taken from the next attraction, Wanshan Tower. 6️⃣ Wanshan Tower ▸ Check-in Point for Nan'an Temple Pagoda Recommended Index: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Wanshan Tower itself is ordinary, but its main draw is the photo opportunity with Nan'an Temple Pagoda, a popular spot for bloggers. However, the afternoon light creates backlight from this angle, making the pagoda appear dark in photos. A morning visit is recommended. 7️⃣ Drum Tower ▸ Overlooking the Ancient City Recommended Index: ⭐️⭐️ Located in the heart of the ancient city, ascending the tower offers a panoramic view. 8️⃣ Liyuan Xiaozhuang Village ▸ View of Yuxian Snow Mountain Recommended Index: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Shooting Location: Navigate to "Liyuan Xiaozhuang Village." You'll pass a culvert on the way, but the view is visible throughout the journey. The key is to capture the sunset moment. 🚫 Avoid: Zhenwu Temple has been closed for over half a year. Changping Granary is suitable for architecture enthusiasts; general tourists can skip it.