Yu County Ancient Castles & Grassland Sky Road

Drive north from Yu County's ancient castles to Zhangjiakou, then take the eastern section of the Grassland Sky Road to Chongli for a summer escape.

A summer loop in northwestern Beijing, half cultural heritage and half grassland. The Yu County portion features ancient castles, opera stages, and Dashuhua (molten iron throwing), while Zhangjiakou offers Dajingmen and Paozili. Then, take the eastern section of the Sky Road to Chongli, and finally return to Beijing via Taizicheng. The entire route requires self-driving; there are many mountain roads, but the daily mileage is not long. Day 1 should ideally be scheduled on a Friday or Saturday to catch the Dashuhua performance; if it happens to be suspended, stay in Yuzhou Ancient Town instead.

The Sky Road is closed in winter, and the opening time in spring is uncertain; check the announcements of Zhangbei County before departure.

Day by day

Day 1 · Yuzhou Ancient Town to Nuanquan Dashuhua

Yuxian（Yuzhou Ancient City、Yuhuang Pavilion、Nan'an Temple Pagoda、Nuanquan Ancient Town、Nuanquan Dashuhua Molten Iron Show）

Drive from Beijing via the Beijing-Tibet and Zhangjiakou-Shijiazhuang Expressways for about 3.5 hours to Yu County. It takes about 25 minutes to drive to Nuanquan in the afternoon.

Dashuhua performances are mostly held on weekend evenings and schedules vary greatly; confirm with the scenic area in advance.

Stay: Nuanquan Ancient Town

Day 2 · Nuanquan Ancient Castle & Sky Grassland

Yuxian（Xigubao Fort、Beiguanbao Fort、Nuanquan Huayan Temple、Kongzhong Grassland）

Walk around the ancient castle in Nuanquan in the morning, drive about 1.5 hours up to the Sky Grassland in the afternoon, and return to Yuzhou Ancient Town in the evening.

The Sky Grassland is at an altitude of about 2,100 meters; bring a jacket, and note that the mountain road has many curves.

Stay: Yuzhou Old City

Day 3 · Heading North to Zhangjiakou for Dajingmen

Zhangjiakou & Chongli（Xuanhua Ancient City、Dajingmen Gate、Zhangjiakoubu Old Fort）

Drive from Yu County via the Zhangjiakou-Shijiazhuang Expressway for about 2.5 hours to downtown Zhangjiakou, with an optional stop at Xuanhua Ancient City on the way.

Dajingmen and Paozili are close to each other and can be visited in one afternoon.

Stay: Zhangjiakou City Center (Qiaodong)

Day 4 · Eastern Section of Grassland Sky Road to Chongli

Zhangjiakou & Chongli（Grassland Sky Road (Zhangbei)、Huapiling）

Drive from the downtown area via the Zhangbei South Interchange to Yexuling, take the eastern section for about 100 km to Huapiling, and drive down the mountain to Chongli (5 to 6 hours for the whole day).

There are few gas stations along the route, so fill up before entering; check the latest announcements as some sections have experienced closures.

Stay: Chongli Town

Day 5 · Taizicheng & 'Snow Ruyi' Back to Beijing

Zhangjiakou & Chongli（Taizicheng Ice and Snow Town、National Ski Jumping Centre 'Snow Ruyi'） → Beijing

It takes about 40 minutes from downtown Chongli to Taizicheng. In the afternoon, take the Beijing-Chongli Expressway for about 3 hours back to Beijing.

Traffic on the Beijing-Chongli Expressway heading towards Beijing is prone to slow down on weekend afternoons.