[2025 Huailai Hotels] Travel Guide for Crowne Plaza Hotel (Updated Aug)

Zhangjiakou: The Pearl Beyond the Great Wall Where Ice and Fire Intertwine Nestled where the Yanshan and Yin Mountains converge, at the crossroads of agricultural and nomadic civilizations, Zhangjiakou is like an amber gem embedded in Beijing's northern frontier, preserving the vastness of grasslands, the grandeur of the Great Wall, the weathered beauty of ancient forts, and the modern passion ignited by the Olympic flame. Known as the "Mountain City Beyond the Great Wall," it's one of the "Four Major Passes of the Great Wall," the starting point of the Grassland Silk Road, and the snowy stage for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Step into Zhangjiakou, and you step into a three-dimensional history of China's borderlands. I. Ancient Great Wall: Echoes of a Millennium Zhangjiakou's Great Wall is a frozen epic, a dialogue between nomadic and agricultural civilizations, with every brick engraved with memories of ancient battles. Dajingmen: "The First Gate of the Great Wall": Unlike other passes named "guan" or "zhai," Dajingmen is uniquely called a "gate," witnessing trade between the grasslands and the Central Plains. The bold inscription "Magnificent Rivers and Mountains" crowns its archway. From the tower, you can gaze at Chongli's snow peaks and the vast Bashang grasslands. Tea Horse Road Legacy: During the Ming and Qing dynasties, this was the starting point of the Zhangku Road, where camel caravans carried fur, tea, and porcelain between Zhangjiakou and Kulun (now Ulaanbaatar). Today, camel sculptures and ancient road relics at Dajingmen Square still whisper tales of the "Northern Silk Road." Great Wall Fortresses: Jimingyi Post Town: China's largest and most complete ancient postal relay site, with towering walls, post stations, temples, and stages. Stroll its stone-paved lanes, imagining couriers galloping with urgent messages, or visit filming locations from "A Chinese Odyssey" for timeless photos. Kaiyang Fort: Dubbed the "Loulan Beyond the Great Wall," this Warring States-era ruin features Tang Dynasty street layouts. At summer solstice, sunlight pierces the gate like a "light pillar," creating a time-travel illusion. Yangbian Great Wall: The "Model Section": A Ming Dynasty "demonstration project" with impeccably preserved bricks, watchtowers, and battlements. Hiking here lets you touch 600-year-old stones and feel the wall's indomitable spirit. II. Winter Wonderland: Olympic Legacy Meets Grassland Highways Zhangjiakou's winters are a snowy fairy tale; its summers, a poem of whirling windmills on the grasslands. Chongli Ski Resorts: Olympic Legacy: Seven major resorts, including Genting Snow Park and Wanlong Ski Resort, hosted freestyle and snowboarding events. Trails range from beginner to expert, with night skiing under star-like lights offering thrills. Four-Season Fun: Summer transforms ski slopes into mountain playgrounds for biking, UTV rides, and alpine hikes, with cloud-sea views from resort hotels. Grassland Highway: "China's Route 66": This 132-km scenic drive links birch forests, flower terraces, and wind turbines. Road-trip past dancing wildflowers and humming turbines to experience frontier vistas. Deep Dive: Stay in a Mongolian yurt at Dahuanlun Village, savor milk tea and hand-grabbed mutton, join bonfire parties, and listen to horsehead fiddle melodies. Zhongdu Original Grassland Resort: By the Yuan Dynasty ruins, summer brings flower-dotted meadows for horseback riding, archery, and grass sliding, plus epic "Zhongdu Memories" battle reenactments. III. Flavors of Zhangjiakou: Oats and Mutton Frontier Feast Local cuisine blends ruggedness and finesse, merging grassland flavors with Central Plains techniques—every bite radiates northern boldness. Must-Try Trio: Oat Noodle Rolls: Zhangjiakou's "top treasure," steamed oat tubes dipped in mushroom-lamb or tomato-egg sauce, praised in "A Bite of China." Chaigoubao Smoked Meat: Century-old recipe of crispy, fragrant pork belly, perfect in a "frontier burger" with baked buns. Huai'an Tofu Skin: Paper-thin, bean-rich sheets for hotpot or stir-fries, a "beyond-the-wall delicacy." Hidden Gems: Mushroom-Lamb Stew: Hearty broth with grassland mushrooms, a cold-weather classic from ancient texts. Roast Lamb Leg: Charcoal-grilled to crispy perfection, dusted with cumin—pure carnivorous joy. Millet Fried Cakes: Golden, red-bean-filled fritters symbolizing prosperity, a wedding staple. IV. Seasonal Adventures Spring (Apr-May): Cherry blossoms in Huailai, apricot blooms by Chicheng hot springs, and wildflowers along the Grassland Highway. Summer (Jun-Aug): Chongli music festivals, Grassland Highway road trips, and Nadam Fair wrestling/mounted archery in Zhongdu—all in 20°C bliss. Autumn (Sep-Nov): Red leaves at Huapiling Ridge, colorful forests in Haituo Valley, and "tree-flower" iron-fireworks in Nuanquan Ancient Town. Winter (Dec-Mar): Skiing in Chongli, hot springs in Chicheng, ice fishing at Kulun Nur Lake, and paper-cutting workshops in Yu County. V. Travel Tips Transport: High-speed trains from Beijing (1 hour); drive Grassland Highway west-to-east to avoid crowds. Stay: Luxury options like Element Chongli or rural homestays with kang beds and folk meals. Avoid Pitfalls: Ski newbies should hire instructors; confirm horseback riding fees upfront; pack layers for grassland temperature swings. Cultural Gems: Saturday night indoor "tree-flower" shows in Nuanquan, Liao Dynasty murals in Xuanhua, and the Yuan Zhongdu Museum's archaeological displays. VI. Deep Dives Great Wall Hikes: From Dajingmen to Shuimuguan, passing historic military sites. Handicrafts: Try paper-cutting in Yu County, fur-making in Yangyuan, or wine-tasting at Great Wall Sanggan Vineyard. Olympic Exploration: Ride cable cars up the "Snow Ruyi" ski jump for panoramic views. Zhangjiakou's beauty lies in the Great Wall's solemnity, the grasslands' expanse, the Olympics' fervor, and oat noodles' warmth. Here, desert grandeur meets pastoral tenderness, ancient ruins coexist with ski resorts. With this guide, let your soul gallop between history and modernity—where every brick tells a story, every snowflake whispers legend.

Book for Spring Festival! European-style castle family-friendly hotel in the suburbs of Beijing, Crowne Plaza Huailai As a five-star hotel, Crowne Plaza Huailai not only offers a wide range of activities and facilities, but is also family-friendly and more affordable than other hotels in the area! Read on to find out more~ The package includes breakfast for 2 adults and 2 children, a Spring Festival buffet dinner, water park tickets, Spring Festival market vouchers, children's facilities, and Spring Festival activities. It's almost like staying for free! Crowne Plaza Huailai is really showing its sincerity during the Spring Festival peak season! Although Crowne Plaza Huailai is located in Zhangjiakou, it takes the same amount of time to get there from downtown Beijing as it does to get to popular hotels in the Yanqing area, such as Hyatt Regency Beijing Shiyuan, Puxun, and Crowne Plaza Badaling! This means that Crowne Plaza Huailai can be added to your list of weekend getaways in the suburbs of Beijing! There are so many attractions in the area! The majesty of the Great Wall at Badaling, the colors of the Beijing Expo Park, the tranquility of the Wild Duck Lake Wetland Park, the fun of the Badaling Wildlife Park, and the grandeur of the Guanting Reservoir... Take your little one on an outdoor adventure for a whole day, and you won't regret it! The hotel itself is like a small attraction, and entering Crowne Plaza Huailai is like stepping into a fairytale world! The European-style castle architecture and floor-to-ceiling windows in the rooms allow you to enjoy the scenery and a visual feast! The hotel has an indoor water park and a children's play area, so you can have fun without leaving the hotel. The indoor water park is over 1,500 m², and the children's play area is specially designed for kids. Your little one is sure to have a great time, and you can relax in a comfortable environment! Exclusive 2-day, 1-night Spring Festival package [Stay] 1 night in a Crowne Plaza Superior Room [Dining] Breakfast for 2 adults and 2 children (under 1.2 m) the next day [Dining] Buffet dinner for 2 adults and 2 children (under 1.2 m) once [Play] Indoor water park tickets for 2 adults and 1 child (under 1.4 m) during your stay [Enjoy] CNY 60 Spring Festival market voucher [Dining] Bouncy castle, Spring Festival scroll, swimming pool, gym, indoor and outdoor children's play area Great Wall at Badaling Crowne Plaza Huailai Zhangjiakou

🏞️ Step into the grandeur of Huailai Crown Holiday Hotel, where classic meets contemporary in a dance of elegance. Nestled like a gem in a Chinese painting, the ambiance exudes cultural richness that'll steal your heart away. 🛏️ Dive into the lap of luxury with their tech-savvy suites that whisper 'home.' With a smart home system to boot, gadget gurus will find their slice of paradise! 🍽️ Elevate your taste buds in their executive lounge, where top chefs craft gastronomic wonders. From breakfast to dinner, indulge in a culinary journey that'll linger long after the last bite. 🏊‍♀️ Flex and unwind in their state-of-the-art fitness center or float under the stars by the outdoor pool. It's more than a stay; it's a lifestyle. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Perfect for family fun, the waterpark and kids club are a hit! Plus, the warmth of the staff, like Vivian's above-and-beyond service, makes every moment special. 📍 Crowne Plaza Hotel, Putao Avenue, Donghuayuan Town, Huailai, Hebei, China - where every stay is a story waiting to be told. #Huailai #HuailaiHotel #HuailaiTravel

Huailai Crown Holiday Hotel, experience extraordinary luxury. 📸📷🌞 The first time I stepped into Huailai Crown Holiday Hotel, I was deeply attracted by the perfect combination of classical and modern design style. It's like being in a vivid Chinese painting, full of rich cultural atmosphere.🏞️ 🛏️ I stayed in their luxury suite, and I could feel the warmth of home as soon as I entered the door. The room is fully equipped, and the high-tech smart home system makes me, a tech enthusiast, fall in love instantly.🤖 🌟 What surprised me most was their executive lounge. Here, I can enjoy exclusive services, whether it's breakfast, afternoon tea or dinner, all my needs can be met. Every dish is carefully cooked by top chefs, the taste is delicious, and it is unforgettable.🍽️🍷 🏊‍♀️ The hotel's fitness center also opened my eyes, with all kinds of advanced fitness equipment, allowing me to exercise freely.🚴‍♀️ 🌅 At night, I sat by the hotel's outdoor swimming pool, looking at the starry sky, enjoying the comfortable feeling of the breeze. This is the life I have always longed for.🌌 🌙 Every day at Huailai Crown Holiday Hotel is full of surprises. Not only does it have a comfortable accommodation environment, but also a wealth of entertainment facilities. This is an unforgettable experience, and I look forward to coming again.👋