Where to Go for the Holidays? Hebei’s Newest Hidden Gem Is Here!

Time races across the calendar. In memory, the world is still stirring with spring, myriad trees turning green—yet when you push open the window, the rising and falling chorus of cicadas announces that summer has arrived.

Before you know it, half the year has slipped by. Now it’s June, midsummer, the sun blazing with vitality everywhere you look. But this beautiful scene isn’t the topic of today’s article. What matters most right now is — we’ve got yet another holiday!

For hard-working office folk, is there anything more delightful than this?!

Temporarily put aside the messy work, wave goodbye to those bleak fluorescent lights, and bask in the warm sunshine in the freest of postures. Let your eyes, tired of black-and-white reports, fill once more with the green of nature. Such ease and joy make your heart race just thinking about it.

But a wandering spirit alone isn’t enough. The world is so big; you need a destination to set off for.

Coincidentally, today I’m sharing a perfect hidden gem of a destination, so that friends in Tianjin and Hebei can happily spend the three-day mini break.

That is Yandu Ancient City in Yi County, Hebei.

Evenings here are extremely lively.

For a country with a vast history, ancient cities are no unfamiliar tourist sights. Lijiang Ancient City in Yunnan, Pingyao Ancient City in Jinzhong, Tai'erzhuang Ancient City in Shandong, Langzhong Ancient City in Sichuan, Huizhou Ancient City in Shexian County — these historic relics scattered across the great land are all well known.

But precisely because of this, during holidays these ancient cities swarm with people from all corners of the world. One glance, and all you see is a dense “sea of people.” Just looking at such crowds dampens your enthusiasm by two or three degrees.

In Tai'erzhuang Ancient City, the streets are packed with people.

But Yandu Ancient City is different. Because it hasn’t been widely promoted yet, the city keeps a few traces of secluded charm amid the bustle. Walking down the streets, the coming and going of people becomes a vivid splash of color, not the slightest bit congested.

You could say, here you can leisurely savor that unique historical atmosphere. That is the very essence of an ancient city, but for most other old towns influenced by commerce, this is hard to come by. So Yandu Ancient City, possessing this quality, is all the more precious.

Apart from soaking up the ambience, the history and culture are also a major draw. And the most famous cultural site in Yandu Ancient City is none other than Babai Tower.

Just looking at its exterior, the exquisite Ming-Qing style architecture is steeped in history, already giving a sense of cultural depth. Inside the tower is a grand repository of Yan-Zhao culture. Each floor has a corresponding theme, and the forms of presentation are very diverse. There are paintings and calligraphy to admire, and physical objects on display, combining experience with learning — both adults and children can find something interesting here.

The three-day mini break is neither long nor short. Traveling far is a bit difficult, but staying close feels like a waste. And Yandu Ancient City happens to sit right in the Beijing-Tianjin-Baoding triangle area — not too far, not too close, very convenient no matter what mode of transport you choose. The ancient city itself blends food, fun, and historical culture perfectly. In three days, you can both soak up brilliant ancient culture and enjoy yourself to the fullest. It’s truly the best place to while away your holiday!

So friends reading this, what are you waiting for? If your heart is moved, get up and go!