Where to stay in Zhangjiakou

Zhangjiakou (), also known as Kalgan and by several other names, is a prefecture-level city in northwestern Hebei province in Northern China, bordering Beijing to the southeast, Inner Mongolia to the north and west, and Shanxi to the southwest. In 2020, its population was 4,118,908 inhabitants, with an area of 36,861.56 square kilometres (14,232.33 sq mi), divided into 17 counties and districts.

Zhangjiakou is about 180 km from Beijing. It has long been an important gateway between northern China and Inner Mongolia, earning the nickname “The Northern Gate of the Capital.” The city’s strategic location made it a vital military and trading center along the Great Wall for centuries. Zhangjiakou gained international fame as one of the host cities of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. The Chongli District, in particular, was the venue for many skiing and snowboarding events. Visitors can enjoy both the natural beauty of the mountains and the cultural heritage of northern China in one trip.

Getting around

The urban area of Zhangjiakou is relatively large, and the main attractions are located in Chongli District and the city center. Traveling within the city mainly relies on buses and taxis. The starting price of a taxi is ¥5 (for the first 2 kilometers), and you can also use ride-hailing apps such as Didi. If you go to Chongli Ski Area, you can take a long-distance bus or ski resort shuttle bus from Zhangjiakou Station or Zhangjiakou South Station to major ski resorts such as Yunding, Taiwu, and Wanlong.

Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.