9 must-visit attractions in Guan County
🌄Guan County, known as the "City of Pear Blossoms," sits at the junction of Hebei, Shandong, and Henan provinces. Along the ancient Yellow River channel, it nurtures vast pear orchards and a hundred-mile forest.
1️⃣ China’s largest pear orchard (10,000-acre pear blossom sea | 3A)
⭐Why visit: Guan County’s top attraction, a national 3A-level scenic area and a national model for leisure agriculture and rural tourism. Located along the old Yellow River channel, the orchard stretches endlessly with pear trees over 300 years old, including the famous “King Pear Tree.” The park is divided into 13 scenic units, including Pear King Palace, Brotherhood Garden, Imperial Garden, and Tribute Pear Garden. In spring, pear blossoms cover the land like clouds and snow; in autumn, the branches are heavy with fruit.
💰Cost: Refer to official park announcements. Located north of Hanlu Village, Lanwo Township.
✨Highlights: Attend the April pear blossom festival for a spring feast of “pear blossoms before snow”; feel the strength of the 400-year-old “King Pear Tree”; pick Ya pears in autumn.
📌Tips: Attractions are worth visiting year-round—“spring for flowers, summer for greenery, autumn for fruit, winter for trees.” Driving is recommended as the blossom season attracts many visitors.
2️⃣ Xiaocheng ruins (a rammed earth wall, half a chapter of Song and Liao history | national protected site)
⭐Why visit: A nationally protected cultural relic and the only “national protected” site in Guan County. Built in 1004 (Song Jingde era), it is said to have been constructed by Empress Dowager Xiao of the Liao dynasty when leading 200,000 troops south. The ancient city is a perfect square, 1,340 meters per side, covering 1.69 million square meters. It is the best-preserved Khitan military city in western Shandong. Remains like the general’s platform and beacon towers still stand.
💰Cost: Free. Located southeast of Xiaocheng Village, Beigantao Town.
✨Highlights: Walk the thousand-year-old rammed earth walls and touch the history of Song and Liao; visit the Xiaocheng history museum to learn about the Treaty of Chanyuan; imagine the iron horses and soldiers led by Empress Dowager Xiao advancing toward Chanzhou.
📌Tips: The site is open field terrain; wear comfortable flat shoes. Afternoon visits are best to enjoy the beautiful light and shadow on the walls at sunset.
3️⃣ Wu Xun Memorial Hall (the legendary beggar who promoted education | 3A | free)
⭐Why visit: A national 3A-level scenic area and provincial key cultural relic. It honors Wu Xun, the “legendary beggar” who raised funds through begging to establish free schools. Born into poverty, Wu Xun was determined to promote education despite obstacles. The memorial, built in 1903, includes Wu Xun’s shrine, tomb, and Chongxian Free School.
💰Cost: Free. Located in Dongjie Village, Liulin Town. Open Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM–12:00 PM.
✨Highlights: Feel the spirit of “promoting education through begging” at Wu Xun’s tomb; visit Chongxian Free School to learn about his educational efforts; experience an interactive theater reenacting the begging scene to understand the weight of ideals.
📌Tips: The courtyard with blue bricks and gray tiles houses a yellowed handwritten copy of the “Song of Encouragement to Study” and weathered land deeds worth exploring.
4️⃣ Former site of the CPC Northwest Shandong Committee (Little Yan’an of northwest Shandong | 3A | free)
⭐Why visit: A national 3A-level scenic area and Shandong’s red education base. From 1938 to 1946, it served as the headquarters for the CPC Northwest Shandong Special Committee and Northwest Shandong Committee, earning the nickname “Little Yan’an on the northwest Shandong plain.” The site includes 17 ancient buildings and 7 courtyards. Leaders like Song Renqiong and Zhao Jianmin once worked and lived here.
💰Cost: Free. Located west of Hongqi Road, old city area, South Street, Guan County.
✨Highlights: Learn about the northwest Shandong resistance history at the Guan County Party History Museum; visit the former residences and offices of leaders Song Renqiong and Zhao Jianmin; stand in the courtyard and feel the “walls full of history.”
📌Tips: Allow 1.5–2 hours; maintain a respectful atmosphere and dress appropriately.
5️⃣ Majia River ecological tourism area (natural oxygen bar | 3A)
⭐Why visit: A national 3A-level scenic area located in Majia River Forest Farm. The water area covers nearly 3,000 acres, with over 90% forest coverage. It is home to 224 bird species and has an average of 16,000 negative oxygen ions per cubic meter, making it a true “natural oxygen bar.” It combines features of Taizhou’s water forest and Baoding’s Baiyangdian. Facilities include an RV camping base, wooden cabins, and a Mongolian yurt restaurant.
💰Cost: Free admission (fees apply for RV camping and other experiences). Located inside Majia River Forest Farm.
✨Highlights: Hike and breathe fresh air in the natural oxygen bar; RV camping and stargazing at night; birdwatching in the wetlands to see flocks of birds.
📌Tips: Open all day; best visited in spring and autumn; Tianmu Hot Spring Resort is located within the forest farm for a one-stop experience.
6️⃣ Qingquan River ecological scenic area (urban green heart | 3A | free)
⭐Why visit: A national 3A-level scenic area transformed from a main irrigation canal into an urban ecological corridor. The area covers 1.02 square kilometers with 97.2% forest and grass coverage. It features an ecological wetland park, Bird Island, Qingquan Lake Park, and seven other functional zones.
💰Cost: Free. Located north of Tuanjie Road, Guan County.
✨Highlights: Walk or bike along the riverside corridor; watch the sunset paint the sky red in the evening; take photos at the waterside platform and lake island.
📌Tips: Best experienced at dusk; located in the city, accessible by walking or taxi.
7️⃣ Zhao Jianmin’s former residence (cradle of the red revolution | 2A | free)
⭐Why visit: A national 2A-level scenic area and birthplace of Zhao Jianmin, Shandong’s first provincial governor. The residence, built in 1912, features blue bricks and tiles. The site includes a red culture corridor with 136 detailed panels showcasing his revolutionary journey.
💰Cost: Free. Located in Zhaoliangtang Village, Liangtang Town.
✨Highlights: Step into Zhao Jianmin’s childhood home and feel the environment that shaped a revolutionary; learn about his legendary life in the red culture corridor; pay respects at the statue of Chairman Mao.
📌Tips: Allow 1–1.5 hours; the corridor is shaded by trees with pavilions, offering a peaceful setting.
8️⃣ Lingzhi cultural industry park (China’s lingzhi hometown | 2A)
⭐Why visit: A national 2A-level scenic area located in Dianzi Town, Guan County, known as “China’s lingzhi hometown.” It integrates specialty edible mushroom production, modern agricultural sightseeing, and wellness tourism. Visitors can tour lingzhi cultivation and learn about lingzhi culture. The park’s products are certified organic.
💰Cost: Refer to official park announcements. Located in Yaozhanggu Village, Dianzi Town.
✨Highlights: Visit lingzhi cultivation greenhouses to see the process from spawn bags to finished products; explore the Lingzhi Culture and Technology Museum to learn about lingzhi wellness; shop for lingzhi bonsai, spore powder, and other specialty products.
📌Tips: Guan County has hosted multiple lingzhi culture festivals; ideal for wellness enthusiasts and family educational trips.
9️⃣ Guomian 1952 scenic area (new landmark of industrial heritage)
⭐Why visit: An industrial heritage tourism project converted from the Second Cotton Mill built in 1952. Covering 188 acres with an investment of over 17 million yuan, it includes the Guomian Textile Industrial Relics Museum, Wheels of Memory Exhibition Hall, Time on Film Exhibition Hall, and more than ten themed exhibition halls. Since opening on New Year’s Day 2025, it has welcomed over 200,000 visitors.
💰Cost: Free admission. Located in Liulin Town.
✨Highlights: Experience the industrial era in the old textile workshops; visit more than ten themed exhibition halls; enjoy immersive experiences in the folk customs, military, and automobile halls.
📌Tips: Recommended to combine with visits to Wu Xun Memorial Hall and the Colorful Farm study base; great for nostalgia and family educational trips.
📍 Guan County travel tips
🚗 Transportation: Attractions are spread out; self-driving is recommended. China’s largest pear orchard is in Lanwo Township, Xiaocheng ruins in Beigantao Town, Majia River ecological area in Majia River Forest Farm, and red and industrial heritage sites are in the county seat and Liulin Town. A one-day trip can follow the red route: CPC Guan County First Branch Memorial Hall > Zhao Jianmin’s former residence > CPC Northwest Shandong Committee site. A two-day trip can add Wu Xun Memorial Hall, Guomian 1952, and Colorful Farm.
🏨 Accommodation: Recommended to stay in Guan County city near Qingquan River and food streets; Majia River ecological area offers RV camping and wooden cabins; Tianmu Hot Spring Resort provides hot spring lodging.
🍽️ Food must-tries: Guan County Ya pear (national geographic indication product), halal kouwan, braised carp in sauce, clay pot stewed native chicken.
🌤️ Best travel seasons: Spring (April) when China’s largest pear orchard blooms, the highlight of the year; autumn when pears ripen and reeds snow at Majia River; red sites and museums are open year-round regardless of season.