3-Day Trip to Langfang, Hebei (Family-Friendly Route)

Share a travelogue of Langfang, Hebei. Since my home is in Tianjin, this is definitely a weekend trip. We still drove, and the journey took just over an hour, which was no pressure at all. However, one thing worth noting is that there are some important tips in the itinerary for your reference.

Because the distance was short, we set off after work on Friday. Despite that, we miscalculated because (Tip 1) the vehicle tail number restriction in Langfang ends at 8 PM. There was no choice but to tough it out. Fortunately, there was a small parking area just off the highway exit. We had two cars, one of which had a restricted plate, so we parked that car temporarily in the small parking area and used the other car to shuttle everyone to the hotel in two trips. The hotel was about 10 minutes away from the parking spot, so it wasn't too much trouble.

Since the kids wanted to swim, we chose a hotel with a pool. After checking in, we took the kids swimming. While they were swimming, we went to buy food nearby and brought it back to the hotel to eat. The kids had a great time playing and eating.

The itinerary for the next day (Saturday) was: Langfang Mengdongfang Science Museum and Xianghe CITIC First City.

Langfang Mengdongfang Science Museum

Here's the key point: (Tip 2) The hotel was in Langfang, and the science museum was also in Langfang, but if you use Amap (Gaode) for navigation, it directs you into Beijing. We didn't have an entry permit for Beijing, and after trying two different routes, we still couldn't get through. So we had to detour back to Tianjin, cut through Hexiwu, and pass through a checkpoint that I think was the strictest I've ever encountered on my trips. After 1.5 hours of hassle, we finally arrived at the science museum the kids loved. (Tip 3) The museum is open from Thursday to Sunday. It's best to check if it's open before going. (Tip 4) I recommend buying a combo ticket online (all-inclusive), which is 50% cheaper than buying at the venue. (Tip 5) Since it seems to be privately owned, seniors aged 60-65 or 70+ don't get any discounts or free entry, so it's more cost-effective to purchase on platforms. (Tip 6) The museum has three levels: first floor, mezzanine (between 1st and 2nd), and second floor. I suggest everyone participate in the experiential activities on the first floor—they are quite good, and the other floors are not as impressive. The mezzanine is an arcade area (various game machines); the second floor has amusement facilities (indoor rides: double sky flyer, small outdoor training camp, small pendulum, etc.). There's a small cafeteria on the first floor. The food isn't great, but the dining environment is decent.

(There was a Dachang Film City on the way, which we planned to visit but gave up due to time constraints.)

After lunch, we went to the second attraction: Xianghe CITIC First City.

(Tip 7) The ticket is 40 yuan. You need to make an online reservation (you can also do it on-site) and purchase at the window. The scenic area is very large, but due to the pandemic, it wasn't fully open—all indoor exhibition rooms were closed. If you find it tiring, you can rent a bicycle (4-person or 2-person). The architecture here emulates the style of Beijing's city walls from the Ming and Qing dynasties. The complex boasts traditional Chinese cultural features and a uniquely designed royal garden. It also includes a large, fully equipped modern international convention center and five star-rated hotels of different architectural styles. The eastern outer city area is the Yuanming Scenic Spot, with pavilions, terraces, and verandas reflecting the style of Chinese imperial gardens—great for photos. I'm not sure if it was due to the pandemic, but there were no activities inside.

Back at the hotel, the kids went swimming again. The next day (Sunday), after checking out, we started the itinerary: Nature Park, Longfu Temple, Shengfang Ancient Town, and Dabei Chan Temple.

Nature Park was chosen for the kids. It's free to enter. Inside, you can rent bicycles or self-drive electric carts (40 yuan/hour). There are many amusement rides. The kids particularly liked the go-karts (100 yuan for 5 laps). After trying a few other activities, we left. [I won't include photos; it's just a big park with rides—you can search online.]

Longfu Temple: Free entry. It is said to have been built at the end of the Sui Dynasty and the beginning of the Tang Dynasty, with a history of nearly 1,400 years. But I think it's a site; the buildings are renovated. The octagonal 'Long-lasting Light Tower' (Changming Denglou) is probably a replica. The original, carved with dozens of Buddha statues and thousands of characters, is now in the Langfang City Museum and is a national first-class cultural relic. The architecture is beautiful, the Buddha statues are solemn, and the environment is quiet. Stepping inside calms the mind instantly.

Shengfang Ancient Town: Free entry, but... personally, I didn't think much of it. We took a quick stroll and left. The so-called 'ancient town' is not original, and the 'Wang's Courtyard' (Wangjiadayuan) has only one gate and a screen wall left.

Dabei Chan Temple: Very close to Shengfang Ancient Town. We stumbled upon it. Free entry. The buildings follow the conventional layout of a temple, with majestic halls and beautiful, solemn Buddha statues. We also happened to catch the monks performing a Buddhist ceremony. Not daring to disturb, we stopped outside for a while, paid our respects, and left. (Tip 8) Inside, the 'Guanyin Pavilion' is under construction, but it doesn't interfere with the visit. Once completed, it will surely add a beautiful touch to the temple.

This weekend trip is over. Thank you for your attention.