ROUTE 20

Olympic & Grassland Trail — 9 Days / 8 Nights

冬奥草原之旅

🗓️ 9 Days / 8 Nights

Journey through the heart of China from Zhangjiakou to Chengde, traversing 6 cities across 9 days. Each stop reveals another facet of a civilization five millennia deep — ancient walls, sacred temples, misty mountains, and bustling markets where tradition and modernity flow together like the rivers that shaped this land.

Zhangjiakou (2) → Xuanhua (1) → Zhangbei (1) → Guyuan (1) → Fengning (1) → Chengde (2)
二十
Route 20
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📅 Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival in Zhangjiakou
Zhangjiakou · Living Heritage
Zhangjiakou Heritage
Experience the rich cultural heritage and historical significance of Zhangjiakou. Explore ancient temples, museums, and iconic landmarks that showcase centuries of Chinese civilization and artistic achievement.
Zhangjiakou Old Town
Wander through the atmospheric old quarter of Zhangjiakou, where traditional architecture, local markets, and time-honored teahouses preserve the rhythms of daily life that have endured for generations.
Zhangjiakou Scenic Area
The natural landscapes surrounding Zhangjiakou — mountains, rivers, and ancient forests — offer breathtaking vistas that have inspired poets and painters across the dynasties.

Cultural Highlights

🍜 Signature Dish: Local Specialty Noodles (地方特色面) — Hand-pulled noodles served in a rich broth flavored with regional spices and herbs, topped with slow-braised meat and fresh vegetables. Each province has its own signature noodle style reflecting centuries of local culinary tradition.
🎨 Artifact: Regional Folk Art (地方民间艺术) — Traditional handicrafts unique to this area, passed down through generations of artisan families. The techniques — whether paper cutting, woodblock printing, or textile weaving — encode local mythology and seasonal customs.
🎵 Music: Regional Folk Song (地方民歌) — Traditional songs passed down orally through generations, accompanying agricultural labor, festivals, and courtship rituals. The melodies and lyrics vary by village, creating a rich tapestry of local musical identity.
Day 2
From Zhangjiakou to Xuanhua
Zhangjiakou · Living Heritage
Zhangjiakou Heritage
Experience the rich cultural heritage and historical significance of Zhangjiakou. Explore ancient temples, museums, and iconic landmarks that showcase centuries of Chinese civilization and artistic achievement.
Zhangjiakou Old Town
Wander through the atmospheric old quarter of Zhangjiakou, where traditional architecture, local markets, and time-honored teahouses preserve the rhythms of daily life that have endured for generations.
Zhangjiakou Scenic Area
The natural landscapes surrounding Zhangjiakou — mountains, rivers, and ancient forests — offer breathtaking vistas that have inspired poets and painters across the dynasties.

Cultural Highlights

🍜 Signature Dish: Regional Rice Dish (地方米饭) — Fragrant rice prepared with seasonal ingredients unique to this region — mushrooms foraged from mountain slopes, river fish from crystal-clear streams, and herbs gathered from ancient hillside gardens.
🎨 Artifact: Ancient Calligraphy (古代书法) — Calligraphic inscriptions found at historic sites throughout the region, spanning dynasties from the Han to the Qing. Each stone stele tells a story of governance, poetry, or spiritual devotion.
🎵 Music: Local Opera Tradition (地方戏曲) — A regional opera form combining singing, storytelling, and stylized movement. Performed during festivals and market days, it preserves local dialect, history, and moral teachings in a living performance tradition.

🚄 Transport Options

Rail (Number) Flight (Number) Depart from Hotel Arrival
— — Breakfast, then Scenic drive departing 08:00 12:00 Xuanhua
Day 3
From Xuanhua to Zhangbei
Xuanhua · Historic Jewel
Xuanhua Heritage
Experience the rich cultural heritage and historical significance of Xuanhua. Explore ancient temples, museums, and iconic landmarks that showcase centuries of Chinese civilization and artistic achievement.
Xuanhua Old Town
Wander through the atmospheric old quarter of Xuanhua, where traditional architecture, local markets, and time-honored teahouses preserve the rhythms of daily life that have endured for generations.
Xuanhua Scenic Area
The natural landscapes surrounding Xuanhua — mountains, rivers, and ancient forests — offer breathtaking vistas that have inspired poets and painters across the dynasties.

Cultural Highlights

🍜 Signature Dish: Regional Rice Dish (地方米饭) — Fragrant rice prepared with seasonal ingredients unique to this region — mushrooms foraged from mountain slopes, river fish from crystal-clear streams, and herbs gathered from ancient hillside gardens.
🎨 Artifact: Ancient Calligraphy (古代书法) — Calligraphic inscriptions found at historic sites throughout the region, spanning dynasties from the Han to the Qing. Each stone stele tells a story of governance, poetry, or spiritual devotion.
🎵 Music: Local Opera Tradition (地方戏曲) — A regional opera form combining singing, storytelling, and stylized movement. Performed during festivals and market days, it preserves local dialect, history, and moral teachings in a living performance tradition.

🚄 Transport Options

Rail (Number) Flight (Number) Depart from Hotel Arrival
— — Breakfast, then Scenic drive departing 08:00 12:00 Zhangbei
Day 4
From Zhangbei to Guyuan
Zhangbei · Hidden Treasure of China
Zhangbei Heritage
Experience the rich cultural heritage and historical significance of Zhangbei. Explore ancient temples, museums, and iconic landmarks that showcase centuries of Chinese civilization and artistic achievement.
Zhangbei Old Town
Wander through the atmospheric old quarter of Zhangbei, where traditional architecture, local markets, and time-honored teahouses preserve the rhythms of daily life that have endured for generations.
Zhangbei Scenic Area
The natural landscapes surrounding Zhangbei — mountains, rivers, and ancient forests — offer breathtaking vistas that have inspired poets and painters across the dynasties.

Cultural Highlights

🍜 Signature Dish: Regional Rice Dish (地方米饭) — Fragrant rice prepared with seasonal ingredients unique to this region — mushrooms foraged from mountain slopes, river fish from crystal-clear streams, and herbs gathered from ancient hillside gardens.
🎨 Artifact: Ancient Calligraphy (古代书法) — Calligraphic inscriptions found at historic sites throughout the region, spanning dynasties from the Han to the Qing. Each stone stele tells a story of governance, poetry, or spiritual devotion.
🎵 Music: Local Opera Tradition (地方戏曲) — A regional opera form combining singing, storytelling, and stylized movement. Performed during festivals and market days, it preserves local dialect, history, and moral teachings in a living performance tradition.

🚄 Transport Options

Rail (Number) Flight (Number) Depart from Hotel Arrival
— — Breakfast, then Scenic drive departing 08:00 12:00 Guyuan
Day 5
From Guyuan to Fengning
Guyuan · Ancient Crossroads
Guyuan Heritage
Experience the rich cultural heritage and historical significance of Guyuan. Explore ancient temples, museums, and iconic landmarks that showcase centuries of Chinese civilization and artistic achievement.
Guyuan Old Town
Wander through the atmospheric old quarter of Guyuan, where traditional architecture, local markets, and time-honored teahouses preserve the rhythms of daily life that have endured for generations.
Guyuan Scenic Area
The natural landscapes surrounding Guyuan — mountains, rivers, and ancient forests — offer breathtaking vistas that have inspired poets and painters across the dynasties.

Cultural Highlights

🍜 Signature Dish: Regional Rice Dish (地方米饭) — Fragrant rice prepared with seasonal ingredients unique to this region — mushrooms foraged from mountain slopes, river fish from crystal-clear streams, and herbs gathered from ancient hillside gardens.
🎨 Artifact: Ancient Calligraphy (古代书法) — Calligraphic inscriptions found at historic sites throughout the region, spanning dynasties from the Han to the Qing. Each stone stele tells a story of governance, poetry, or spiritual devotion.
🎵 Music: Local Opera Tradition (地方戏曲) — A regional opera form combining singing, storytelling, and stylized movement. Performed during festivals and market days, it preserves local dialect, history, and moral teachings in a living performance tradition.

🚄 Transport Options

Rail (Number) Flight (Number) Depart from Hotel Arrival
— — Breakfast, then Scenic drive departing 08:00 12:00 Fengning
Day 6
From Fengning to Chengde
Fengning · Cultural Heartland
Fengning Heritage
Experience the rich cultural heritage and historical significance of Fengning. Explore ancient temples, museums, and iconic landmarks that showcase centuries of Chinese civilization and artistic achievement.
Fengning Old Town
Wander through the atmospheric old quarter of Fengning, where traditional architecture, local markets, and time-honored teahouses preserve the rhythms of daily life that have endured for generations.
Fengning Scenic Area
The natural landscapes surrounding Fengning — mountains, rivers, and ancient forests — offer breathtaking vistas that have inspired poets and painters across the dynasties.

Cultural Highlights

🍜 Signature Dish: Local Specialty Noodles (地方特色面) — Hand-pulled noodles served in a rich broth flavored with regional spices and herbs, topped with slow-braised meat and fresh vegetables. Each province has its own signature noodle style reflecting centuries of local culinary tradition.
🎨 Artifact: Regional Folk Art (地方民间艺术) — Traditional handicrafts unique to this area, passed down through generations of artisan families. The techniques — whether paper cutting, woodblock printing, or textile weaving — encode local mythology and seasonal customs.
🎵 Music: Regional Folk Song (地方民歌) — Traditional songs passed down orally through generations, accompanying agricultural labor, festivals, and courtship rituals. The melodies and lyrics vary by village, creating a rich tapestry of local musical identity.

🚄 Transport Options

Rail (Number) Flight (Number) Depart from Hotel Arrival
— — Breakfast, then Scenic drive departing 08:00 12:00 Chengde
Day 7
Discovering Chengde
Chengde · Cultural Heartland
Chengde Heritage
Experience the rich cultural heritage and historical significance of Chengde. Explore ancient temples, museums, and iconic landmarks that showcase centuries of Chinese civilization and artistic achievement.
Chengde Old Town
Wander through the atmospheric old quarter of Chengde, where traditional architecture, local markets, and time-honored teahouses preserve the rhythms of daily life that have endured for generations.
Chengde Scenic Area
The natural landscapes surrounding Chengde — mountains, rivers, and ancient forests — offer breathtaking vistas that have inspired poets and painters across the dynasties.

Cultural Highlights

🍜 Signature Dish: Traditional Dumpling (传统饺子) — Hand-wrapped dumplings filled with locally sourced ingredients, pleated in the distinctive style of this region. The filling varies by season — pork and chive in spring, lamb and carrot in autumn.
🎨 Artifact: Traditional Architecture (传统建筑) — Regional architectural traditions reflecting the local climate, materials, and cultural values — from courtyard compounds to stilted riverside dwellings, each structure a testament to centuries of accumulated building wisdom.
🎵 Music: Instrumental Ensemble (器乐合奏) — Traditional ensemble music featuring instruments native to this region — bamboo flutes, stringed lutes, and percussion — performing melodies associated with seasonal celebrations, temple ceremonies, and communal gatherings.
Day 8
Exploring Chengde
Chengde · Cultural Heartland
Chengde Heritage
Experience the rich cultural heritage and historical significance of Chengde. Explore ancient temples, museums, and iconic landmarks that showcase centuries of Chinese civilization and artistic achievement.
Chengde Old Town
Wander through the atmospheric old quarter of Chengde, where traditional architecture, local markets, and time-honored teahouses preserve the rhythms of daily life that have endured for generations.
Chengde Scenic Area
The natural landscapes surrounding Chengde — mountains, rivers, and ancient forests — offer breathtaking vistas that have inspired poets and painters across the dynasties.

Cultural Highlights

🍜 Signature Dish: Local Specialty Noodles (地方特色面) — Hand-pulled noodles served in a rich broth flavored with regional spices and herbs, topped with slow-braised meat and fresh vegetables. Each province has its own signature noodle style reflecting centuries of local culinary tradition.
🎨 Artifact: Regional Folk Art (地方民间艺术) — Traditional handicrafts unique to this area, passed down through generations of artisan families. The techniques — whether paper cutting, woodblock printing, or textile weaving — encode local mythology and seasonal customs.
🎵 Music: Regional Folk Song (地方民歌) — Traditional songs passed down orally through generations, accompanying agricultural labor, festivals, and courtship rituals. The melodies and lyrics vary by village, creating a rich tapestry of local musical identity.
Day 9
Departure — Farewell to Chengde
Chengde · Cultural Heartland
Chengde Heritage
Experience the rich cultural heritage and historical significance of Chengde. Explore ancient temples, museums, and iconic landmarks that showcase centuries of Chinese civilization and artistic achievement.
Chengde Old Town
Wander through the atmospheric old quarter of Chengde, where traditional architecture, local markets, and time-honored teahouses preserve the rhythms of daily life that have endured for generations.
Chengde Scenic Area
The natural landscapes surrounding Chengde — mountains, rivers, and ancient forests — offer breathtaking vistas that have inspired poets and painters across the dynasties.

Cultural Highlights

🍜 Signature Dish: Regional Rice Dish (地方米饭) — Fragrant rice prepared with seasonal ingredients unique to this region — mushrooms foraged from mountain slopes, river fish from crystal-clear streams, and herbs gathered from ancient hillside gardens.
🎨 Artifact: Ancient Calligraphy (古代书法) — Calligraphic inscriptions found at historic sites throughout the region, spanning dynasties from the Han to the Qing. Each stone stele tells a story of governance, poetry, or spiritual devotion.
🎵 Music: Local Opera Tradition (地方戏曲) — A regional opera form combining singing, storytelling, and stylized movement. Performed during festivals and market days, it preserves local dialect, history, and moral teachings in a living performance tradition.

📸 Journey Reflections — Photographs You'll Treasure Forever

As you depart, carry with you not just photographs but the weight of lived experience across 6 cities and 8 nights.

📷 Zhangjiakou: The unforgettable sight of Zhangjiakou Heritage — a moment etched in memory.
📷 Xuanhua: The unforgettable sight of Xuanhua Heritage — a moment etched in memory.
📷 Zhangbei: The unforgettable sight of Zhangbei Heritage — a moment etched in memory.
📷 Guyuan: The unforgettable sight of Guyuan Heritage — a moment etched in memory.
📷 Fengning: The unforgettable sight of Fengning Heritage — a moment etched in memory.
📷 Chengde: The unforgettable sight of Chengde Heritage — a moment etched in memory.

再见中国 — Zàijiàn Zhōngguó. Until we meet again.

Ready to begin your Olympic & Grassland Trail journey?

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