A Guide to Avoiding Peak Travel During the Spring Festival in the Area Surrounding Beijing: Nuanquan Ancient Town, Yu County - A Complete Winter Fun Experience
Escape the Crowds and Enjoy a Winter Fun-Filled Getaway to Nuanquan Ancient Town in Yu County, Near Beijing
Looking to escape the crowds and experience authentic Northern Chinese New Year customs and winter wonderland with your kids this Spring Festival? Nuanquan Ancient Town in Yu County, near Beijing, is a hidden gem for families! Just a 3-hour drive from Beijing via the Jingwei Expressway, this 600-year-old border fortress offers a refreshing escape from the crowds, yet retains the rich flavor of a Northern New Year celebration. From traditional crafts like the "Da Shu Hua" (a type of traditional firework display) to snow activities and folk craft experiences, it's a one-stop destination for a fun-filled and memorable New Year with your children. A perfect winter getaway for kids without having to travel far!
8:30 AM is the ideal time to enter the park. At this time, Nuanquan Ancient Town is shrouded in winter mist, free from the noise of tour groups. The western fortress is covered in a blanket of snow, the rammed earth walls are covered with a thin layer of snow, and the tire tracks on the cobblestone streets bear the marks of time. Strolling through the town with your children feels like stepping into a Northern winter fairytale. First, explore the Chuanxin Tower, where children can understand the ancient town's frontier history explained. Then, head to the castle's exclusive snow and ice play area, featuring snow slides, ice spinning tops, snow tubing, and other fun activities for families. The park thoughtfully provides children's snow boots and protective gear. Kids can slide down the slopes on snow tubes, rolling and frolicking in the snow, while parents can easily capture memorable family photos. Next door, the Magic Children's Playground offers immersive folk games, allowing children to experience the charm of the castle through play.
Around midday, avoid the trendy restaurants on the main street and head to a small, rustic restaurant in the alley for an authentic Weixian warm meal. Order the children's version of Weixian's Eight Bowls – tender steamed meat and flavorful vegetable stew perfectly suited to children's tastes. Pair it with fried cakes, sugar-coated sesame leaves, and handmade rice noodles – a sweet, sour, and soft treat that's not greasy. A satisfying meal for around 30 yuan per person. Freshly roasted sweet potatoes and candied hawthorns coated in sugar, held warmly in your hands, instantly dispel the winter chill. The small shops are quiet and not crowded, allowing children to eat at their leisure and parents to take a short rest.
The afternoon's itinerary focuses entirely on the core of our winter children's trip—intangible cultural heritage handicraft experiences. This is the best way for children to experience traditional New Year customs. First, we visit the ancient town's paper-cutting workshop, where we learn to cut horse-themed window decorations and carve Weixian-style paper-cuts from intangible cultural heritage artists. The artisans provide hands-on instruction, ensuring even children with no experience can create exquisite works. The finished window decorations can be taken home as New Year decorations, adding a touch of festive spirit to handicrafts. Next, we go to the folk custom experience area to sculpt dough figurines of Fuwa (lucky dolls) and create sugar paintings. Children watch with wide-eyed curiosity as they draw dragons and rabbits on the stone slabs with hot sugar syrup. The joy of hands-on experience is far more meaningful than electronic devices. When we get tired, we can watch an intangible cultural heritage shadow puppet show and listen to a storytelling performance. The lively performances captivate the children, allowing them to learn about northern folk culture amidst laughter and joy.
The highlight of the evening is undoubtedly the intangible cultural heritage of "Da Shu Hua" (打树花, literally "beating tree flowers"). The secret to avoiding the crowds is to choose the 5 PM indoor morning performance of "Dreaming Back to Weizhou" (梦回蔚州). You won't have to wait for the evening crowds, and the warm indoor environment will keep your children warm. Find your family-friendly seats in advance. When the artisans vigorously splash 1600℃ molten iron onto the city wall, golden sparks explode before your eyes like a starry sky, eliciting gasps of amazement from your children. This visual feast, even more spectacular than fireworks, will surely become your child's most unforgettable New Year memory. Before the performance, there's a warm-up act of Weixian Yangko dance, filling the air with a rich festive atmosphere. After watching "Da Shu Hua," stroll through the ancient town's Spring Festival lantern exhibition. The walls and streets of Xigubao are adorned with red lanterns, and Year of the Horse themed lanterns are scattered throughout. Children chase after the lanterns while parents take photos, creating a heartwarming scene that perfectly captures the beauty of the New Year.
Practical Tips for Avoiding Peak Hours
1. For self-driving, navigate to Xigubao in Nuanquan Ancient Town. The entire route via the Jingwei Expressway has good road conditions. Parking is 10 yuan/day. Explore the ancient town's streets and alleys for free. Individual tickets for attractions are more cost-effective.
2. The "Da Shu Hua" (a type of fireworks display) is held at 5 am and 8 pm. The morning session is the best choice for families. Tickets booked one day in advance are 20 yuan cheaper than on-site.
3. A pass for the ice and snow play area is 60 yuan per child, including all family-friendly activities—excellent value.
4. Winter temperatures in Weixian are low. Dress your children in waterproof snow boots, fleece-lined gloves, and bring hand warmers and a thermos.
5. Stay in a guesthouse converted from the ancient castle. The rooms are well-heated, family rooms are good value, and all attractions are within a 5-minute walk. Experience the festive atmosphere of the ancient town.
6. Children under 6 years old can enter some intangible cultural heritage experiences free of charge. Remember to bring your child's ID.
Nuanquan Ancient Town in Yu County, near Beijing, offers a unique experience: a secluded journey through ancient castles and traditional customs, perfectly blending the grandeur of intangible cultural heritage, the fun of snow and ice, and the festive spirit of northern China. Here, children can experience traditional customs while playing in the snow and making handicrafts, while adults can rediscover the long-lost festive atmosphere while strolling around. This is the perfect way to enjoy a family trip during the Spring Festival and a winter getaway for children!