Zhangbei Grassland Skyway
A scenic ridge road along the Bashang plateau in Zhangjiakou, running from Huapi Ridge in Chongli in the east to Yehu Ridge in Zhangbei in the west, with grassland, wind turbines and Great Wall ruins along the way.
The Zhangbei Grassland Skyway is a ridge-top scenic road on the Bashang plateau in Zhangjiakou, Hebei. It runs from Huapi Ridge in Chongli District in the east to Yehu Ridge in Zhangbei County in the west, covering about 133 km. It was completed around 2012. It winds along the edge of the Bashang plateau, seeming to run along the sky, which is where it gets its name. It is one of the most popular self-drive routes near Beijing.
The eastern section starts at Huapi Ridge (about 2,128 m), with open meadows and wildflowers across the grass in summer. The middle section has large fields of wind turbines and terraced fields of oats and potatoes. Photographing the wind turbines against the evening light is a classic shot. The western section passes Langwo Valley and Yehu Ridge. Yehu Ridge was a battlefield in the Jin–Mongol War, and Ming Great Wall remains are nearby. Many spots along the road have viewing platforms and parking areas.
From Beijing, it takes about 3 hours via the Beijing–Tibet or Beijing–Xinjiang Expressway. It suits a short one- or two-day self-drive and can be combined with the Chongli ski town, Zhangbei Zhongdu Grassland and the Bashang Grassland. Traffic is heavy on summer weekends, and jams are common. The road is narrow with many bends, so do not park by the roadside. Temperatures vary greatly on the Bashang plateau, so bring a jacket even in summer mornings and evenings. In winter, snow and strong winds can lead to road closures.