National Day holiday train tickets are now on sale! Have you decided where to go for your vacation? No worries if you haven't. Here's a guide for traveling within Beijing’s 2-hour high-speed rail circle. Whether it's the beach, the grasslands, or the mountains, get ready to explore this National Day holiday!

Part 01 Tianjin

Jinwan plaza

Jinwan Plaza is located on the southern bank of the Haihe River, facing Tianjin Station. As night falls and the city lights begin to glow, Jinwan Plaza becomes especially beautiful. The architectural styles from various countries around the world blend harmoniously, creating a stunning scene.

The Century Clock and Jiefang Bridge are also located near Jinwan Plaza and can be visited together.

Tianjin Italian Style Area

The Tianjin Italian Style Area, established in 1902, is the only well-preserved cluster of Italian-style buildings outside of Italy. These diverse historical buildings have been preserved through the years, retaining their charm while standing the test of time.

Wudadao Sightseeing Street

The Wudadao Sightseeing Street is home to over 2,000 garden-style villas built in the 1920s and 1930s, including more than 300 historical buildings and former residences of famous figures. It is renowned as the “Exhibition of World Architecture.”

Minyuan Square is the “memory coordinate” of Wudadao, featuring a magnificent English classical-style building.

Part 02 Qinhuangdao, Hebei

Old Dragon's Head

Old Dragon's Head is the eastern sea entry point of the Ming Great Wall. It is named because the stone city entering the sea resembles a dragon's head reaching into the ocean, creating waves and dancing in the surf. Here, you’ll find the only sea-entry stone city along the Great Wall, the only maritime enemy tower, the first bastion and gateway of the eastern Ming Great Wall, the first sea-view pavilion, and the most complete surviving Ming-era coastal defense barracks along the Great Wall.

Dove Nest Park

Dove Nest Park is considered a symbol of Beidaihe. It features a massive rock resembling an eagle or falcon perched on a seaside cliff. The rock, known as Eagle Beak Rock, is marked with numerous fissures. Historically, sea pigeons have often roosted on this rock, leading to its name, Dove Nest.

Dove Nest Park is one of the best places in Beidaihe to watch the sunrise. From the Eagle Beak Pavilion, you can enjoy a panoramic view as the sun slowly rises above the horizon.

Part 03 Ulaanqab, Inner Mongolia

Huitengxile Grassland Huanghuagou Scenic Area

The Huitengxile Grassland Huanghuagou Scenic Area is a national 4A-level tourist attraction. It features majestic landscapes with rolling hills and fields of blooming flowers. It is one of the world's three major alpine meadow flower grasslands and showcases the unique and diverse landscapes of Inner Mongolia. Here, you can experience the vast, rugged beauty of the nomadic grasslands as well as the charming, picturesque scenery reminiscent of the Jiangnan water towns.

Wulanhada Volcano Geopark

The Wulanhada Volcano Geopark covers an area of 65.9 square kilometers and features a rich array of Quaternary volcanic geological relics. It boasts well-preserved volcanic craters and volcanic chains, resembling a string of pearls scattered across the grasslands.

Part 04 Jinzhou, Liaoning

Bijia Mountain

Bijia Mountain features Bijia Mountain Island and the Tianqiao (Sky Bridge) as its main attractions. The Tianqiao extends from the northern shore of the Bohai Sea to Bijia Mountain Island, spanning approximately 1,620 meters. It is exposed twice daily with the ebb and flow of the tides.

Sanqing Pavilion is the representative building in the Bijia Mountain ancient architectural complex and is the largest all-stone structure in the country. It is constructed entirely without nails or wood. The top features a statue of Pangu, presenting the only stone carving in China that fully depicts the “ancestor of humanity.”

Fengguo Temple

Fengguo Temple was founded in the ninth year of the Kai Tai era of the Liao Dynasty (1020 AD). It was established by Emperor Shengzong of Liao, Yelü Longxu, in his mother Xiao Chuo's (Empress Dowager Xiao) hometown as a royal monastery.

The main building of Fengguo Temple, the Daxiong Hall, is the largest single wooden structure remaining from ancient Chinese architecture. Inside the hall, you can find well-preserved examples of the world's oldest, largest, and most exquisite Liao Dynasty painted clay sculptures.

Part 05 Datong, Shanxi

Yungang Grottoes

The Yungang Grottoes began construction during the Northern Wei period. There are currently 45 main grottoes and 209 subsidiary grottoes, covering a total sculptural area of over 18,000 square meters. The largest statues reach 17 meters in height, while the smallest are just 2 centimeters. There are approximately 1,100 Buddha niches and more than 59,000 statues in total.

Compared to many other cave temples in China, the Yungang Grottoes exhibit the most Western influences. This makes them unique in the treasure trove of Chinese art.

Hanging Temple

The Hanging Monastery was named one of the "Top Ten Most Dangerous Buildings in the World" by Time magazine. The architecture of the monastery is extraordinary: it faces Mount Heng, with its back against the Cui Ping Mountains, perched precariously on a cliff and overlooking a deep valley. All the buildings are supported by cantilevered beams, suspended above the sheer rock face, creating a truly spectacular view.

Part 06 Jinan, Shandong

Baotu Spring

Jinan is renowned for its numerous springs and is famously known as the "City of Springs." When visiting Jinan, you must see Baotu Spring, which was honored by Emperor Qianlong as the "Number One Spring Under Heaven." Here, you can witness the three spring outlets gushing upwards, creating snowy torrents several feet high with a sound like distant thunder.

Daming Lake

Daming Lake features a vast, shimmering water surface. Strolling along the lake's shore, you'll see islands scattered across the lake, creating a picturesque and harmonious scene.

Climb the popular Chaoran Pavilion to enjoy the picturesque views of Daming Lake and the ancient cityscape. From here, you can also admire the majestic Mount Lishan and the misty charm of Quehua, experiencing a sense of transcendent serenity.

Qianfo Mountain

Qianfo Mountain, formerly known as Lishan, is one of Jinan's three major attractions. During the Sui Dynasty, thousands of Buddha statues were carved into the mountain's slopes, giving it the name Qianfo Mountain. From the summit, you can overlook the entire city of Jinan, where the mountain and city blend seamlessly, creating a picturesque scene. Here, you can truly experience the unique charm of Jinan.

Part 07 Tai'an, Shandong

Mount Tai

Mount Tai, historically known as Dai or Dai Zhong, is a symbol of Chinese national spirit and a microcosm of Chinese cultural history. It is one of China's first national key scenic spots, the first site to be designated as both a World Cultural and Natural Heritage, one of the first national 5A-level tourist attractions, and a third batch World Geopark.

Here, you can not only experience the tranquil beauty of the mountain and water in early autumn but, if the weather is favorable, also enjoy the breathtaking sunrise over a sea of clouds.

Translator: BAI Jing

Reviewer: NIU Lihua