The Warm Spring Ancient Town (Nuan Quan Gu Zhen: 暖泉古镇) got its name because of the all-year-round warm spring and a long history, famous for springs, markets, ancient buildings and folk culture. The Warm Spring Ancient Town was built in the Yuan Dynasty and became prosperous in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it served as the only path for Shanxi businessmen to trade in Zhangjiakou and areas beyond.

The West Old Fort (Xi Gu Bao: 西古堡) is an important National Cultural Heritage Conservation Unit and is one of the three forts in the ancient town, located in the southwest of it. The West Old Fort is a building group of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, which consists of old residences, old temples, old city forts and old play towers. The most important is that people still live in it and keep their own traditional way of living and it is indeed worth your tour and research.

Now there are 180 ancient residential buildings in the village. Tall gate arches, elaborate bricks, carved colorful wood, nine interlocking links and very large courtyard houses, all tell the stories of the past. These residences are mostly brick-wood buildings, consisting of large stone strips, blue brick walls, house ridges, ceramic legendary beasts and blue slate tiles.

The locals are friendly and the village is surrounded by beautiful scenery on all of its sides. Standing on top of the fort gate to watch the faraway places, you will see large hectares of lush and beautiful paddy fields. Houses of the village are comprised of blue bricks and gray tiles. This building design exposes the plain feature of a mountain village. Each street and every corner of the village has witnessed the dramatic changes of history, but their attractive character still remains and welcomes new visitors.

Admission: 80 RMB (including Nuan Quan Shu Yuan, Xi Gu Bao, Nong Geng Wenhua Exhibition Room, History and Culture Showroom; Chinese: 暖泉书院、西古堡、农耕文化展馆、历史文化展馆)

Address: Nanquanguzhen, Weixian County, Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province 河北省张家口市蔚县暖泉古镇