Xingtai

Xingtai is an underrated “spring city” of the Taihang Mountains. It has both 3,500 years of ancient-city heritage and magnificent Taihang scenery, while overall costs are budget-friendly, making it ideal for a relaxing weekend getaway.

Recommended Itinerary

• Day 1 (Urban culture and local life): In the morning, visit the Xingtai Museum (reservation required; closed on Mondays) to see Xing Kiln white porcelain and Shang-Zhou bronzes, then walk to Kaiyuan Temple to experience the quiet charm of this ancient Tang-dynasty temple. In the afternoon, stroll through Dahuoquan Park in search of spring sources. At dusk, climb Qingfeng Tower for views over the ancient city at night, then head to Hao Nanguan Food Street in the evening for a hearty meal.

• Day 2 (Taihang landscapes and ancient fortress): Drive to Xingtai Grand Canyon, hike through Yixiantian, and experience the Taihang Cloud Ladder. In the afternoon, visit Yingtan Ancient Fortress along the way, check in at the red stone-tower architectural complex known as the “No. 1 Ancient Stone Fortress north of the Yangtze River,” and return in the evening.

Must-Visit Attractions

Xingtai’s attractions mainly fall into two categories: urban cultural sites and Taihang mountain scenery. Here are the core destinations selected for you:

• Xingtai Grand Canyon: A national geological park known for being “narrow, long, secluded, and deep.” The narrowest point of Yixiantian is only 10 centimeters wide, and the Taihang Cloud Ladder is truly awe-inspiring.

• Yingtan Ancient Fortress: Known as the “No. 1 Ancient Stone Fortress north of the Yangtze River,” the entire fortress was built from locally sourced red quartz sandstone. It features 600-year-old Ming-Qing stone houses and 36 ancient stone bridges.

• Xingtai Museum: Free to visit, with a rich collection that offers a systematic look at Xingtai’s 3,500-year history as a city. Highlights include the Tang-dynasty Xing Kiln white-glazed tower-shaped covered jar and other treasures.

• Kaiyuan Temple: A thousand-year-old temple first built in the Tang dynasty. Divided into eastern and western sections, it houses the only Tang-dynasty sixteen-sided Dharani sutra pillar in China, with an atmosphere that is ancient, simple, and serene.

• Qingfeng Tower: A landmark building in Xingtai with preserved Ming-Qing style. It is especially photogenic when illuminated at night, and you can climb the tower for views over the ancient city.

• Xiagou Cliffside Road: A free, wild scenic spot and Hebei’s first over-water cliffside road. It was carved into crimson Danxia cliffs beside the emerald-green Xiagou Reservoir, making it suitable for light hiking.

Must-Try Local Foods

When in Xingtai, be sure to enjoy its hearty local carbs and meat dishes. The following specialties are not to be missed:

• Weixian Pancake Rolls with Meat: A signature Xingtai specialty. Thin pancakes are wrapped around deboned meat or pork head meat stewed in a rich master stock; the pancake is soft yet chewy, and the meat is tender, fragrant, and flavorful.

• Menbing Qiang: A soul-satisfying street staple found throughout the city’s lanes and alleys. Braised pancake strips with green beans and egg, or green peppers and shredded pork—carb-heavy, generous, and very filling.

• South Gate Shuan Fish: A top local hotpot favorite. Fish is coated in batter, fried first, then dipped into a sauerkraut hotpot base. It is crispy outside and tender inside, and you can eat your fill for around thirty to forty yuan per person.

• Hao Nanguan Snacks: This food street brings together authentic old-school flavors such as meat-filled baked flatbread, donkey-meat huoshao, and Nangong smoked dishes, full of lively local atmosphere.

• Big-Pot Stewed Beef: Beef simmered in huge roadside village pots, with plenty of meat in a big cauldron. Pair it with small thin pancakes to wrap the meat; it is tender, soft, and deeply flavorful.

Practical Travel Tips

• Transportation advice: Urban attractions are concentrated and can be reached on foot or by taxi. For mountain attractions such as the Grand Canyon, Yingtan Ancient Fortress, or Xiagou Cliffside Road, self-driving is the most convenient option.
• Accommodation: Staying in the city center is recommended, such as near Qingfeng Tower or Tianyi Square, where transport is convenient and there are many food options nearby.
• Pitfall reminders: Xingtai Grand Canyon has many mountain roads, so comfortable sneakers are recommended. When going to Xiagou Cliffside Road, SUVs and wide-bodied vehicles are prohibited from entering the tunnel; it is recommended to park and walk in.