Cool Summer Escape 💙—Element Hotel in Thaiwoo Town, Chongli

Chongli in Zhangjiakou, Hebei leveraged the Beijing Winter Olympics to significantly improve its infrastructure in recent years, developing numerous great vacation spots. This time, I visited Thaiwoo Ski Resort and stayed at the Element Hotel in Thaiwoo Town, Chongli. Here’s my review of the experience. 📍Location: Thaiwoo Ski Resort is usually accessed by car. From downtown Beijing, it takes about 2.5 hours by car if traffic is smooth, with the entire route being highway and easy to navigate. Alternatively, taking the high-speed train to Taizicheng Station is a great option—just a 5-6 minute taxi ride from the station to the Element Hotel in Thaiwoo Town, Chongli. 🏨Hotel Environment: The hotel is located right at the entrance of Thaiwoo Town, blending seamlessly with the town’s architectural style. It features an underground parking lot. The hotel’s environment is quite nice, emphasizing green and eco-friendly practices, with a fresh and modern decor. It’s also pet-friendly. The hotel even has a swimming pool (see attached photos), which is a rare luxury for an Element brand property. 🛏Room Facilities: I booked two rooms this time, and the hotel provided two connecting rooms, which was very convenient. One was a small suite, and the other was a king bed room. The rooms follow the same green, low-carbon theme with a fresh style. The suite came fully equipped with a large fridge, oven, and kitchenware, making it ideal for extended stays. The hotel opened in 2017, but the rooms are well-maintained with modern amenities, showing no signs of wear. 🍲Hotel Breakfast: The breakfast was quite disappointing—arguably the weakest point of the hotel. The selection was limited, the taste was average, and with the weekend crowd, it felt a bit chaotic. This was the only downside of the stay. 🖼Nearby Attractions: Thaiwoo Ski Resort, where the hotel is located, is essentially a scenic spot itself. The town is small, and a full walk-around takes about half an hour. It’s liveliest during the winter ski season and summer getaway season. I haven’t been there in winter, but in summer, there are performances in the town square, creating a lively atmosphere. There are also some small animals kept near the cable car station 🚡 (see attached photos). While in Thaiwoo Town, don’t miss the cable car ride to the mountaintop. The two-segment cable car requires a transfer midway. At the top, you’ll find the 2160 PEAK mountaintop restaurant and the large "THAIWOO" sign amidst the lush green trees 🌲—the view is reminiscent of Switzerland, earning it the nickname "Little Switzerland near Beijing" [Grin]. Apart from the 2160 restaurant, there aren’t many entertainment options at the summit—just photo opportunities, scenic views, and cool breezes. If you’re sensitive to cold, bring a thick jacket, as the temperature is at least 10 degrees lower than at the base. At the transfer point between the first and second cable car segments, you can snap a photo with the iconic giant silver headphones 🎧 (see attached photos) and a massive thermometer. On a scorching summer afternoon, it was only 16°C here [Surprising]—truly a perfect summer retreat. Dining options in Thaiwoo Town are limited, and prices are naturally higher than in Zhangjiakou, which is typical for tourist areas. [GlassesUU]Summary: Overall, my stay at the Element Hotel in Thaiwoo Town, Chongli, was excellent. It’s a fantastic escape during the hot summer months, offering great facilities and beautiful scenery. Aside from the subpar breakfast, the hotel excels in every other aspect, and I highly recommend it.