Jizhou

Jizhou is Tianjin’s “back garden.” It not only has thousand-year-old Liao-dynasty architecture, but also stunning mountain-and-water scenery and internet-famous roads, making it perfect for a relaxing 2-day, 1-night weekend getaway. Below is a highly detailed guide covering culture, nature, and food.

Classic 2-Day, 1-Night Itinerary

• ​​Day 1 (Historic Architecture and Internet-Famous Road)​​: In the morning, head to Dule Temple, one of the three major surviving Liao-dynasty temples in China, and be awed by the 16-meter-tall clay Guanyin statue and the thousand-year-old mortise-and-tenon structure. Then stroll along Yuyang Ancient Street and try snacks such as Wandi. In the afternoon, drive along Road 233, the Most Beautiful Road. From the terrace of 233 Coffee, overlook the winding mountain road and Cuiping Lake. In the evening, head to Xijingyu Cultural and Art Village, soak up the relaxed atmosphere in its old stone alleys, and watch the sunset from Xiya Evening View.

• ​​Day 2 (Natural Scenery and Summer Water Fun)​​: Head to Limutai Scenic Area, known as the “Little Jiuzhaigou of the North.” Hike along the wooden boardwalk by the stream, check in at Tiandao Waterfall and Dengtian Crevice, and in summer, you can also trace the stream and play in the water on the shallows. Alternatively, choose Huanshan Lake Scenic Area, where you can experience a 3-kilometer-long alpine rafting route and various amusement activities before returning home in the afternoon with a full heart.

Must-Visit Attractions

Jizhou’s attractions mainly fall into two categories: historic architecture and natural landscapes. You can plan according to your energy level.

• ​​Panshan Mountain​​: Emperor Qianlong once said, “Had I known about Panshan, why would I have gone south of the Yangtze?” With abundant shade and streams, it is excellent for escaping the summer heat. Taking the cable car is recommended to save energy, and the views from the summit are expansive.

• ​​Dule Temple​​: One of the three major surviving Liao-dynasty temples in China. Its Guanyin Pavilion has withstood 28 earthquakes without collapsing, and the 16-meter clay Guanyin statue is extremely impressive. It is also a filming location for Black Myth: Wukong.

• ​​Xijingyu Cultural and Art Village​​: The only fully preserved ancient stone village from the Ming and Qing dynasties in Tianjin, known as a “stone castle.” It is ideal for an evening stroll through stone alleys, checking in at trendy cafés, and watching the sunset.

• ​​Limutai​​: Known as the “Little Jiuzhaigou of the North,” it has clear streams and dense forests. The wooden boardwalk is easy to walk throughout, making it suitable for stream tracing, water play, and light hiking, and friendly for seniors and children.

• ​​Road 233, the Most Beautiful Road​​: A 31-kilometer winding mountain road lined with lush trees. 233 Coffee is an excellent check-in and rest stop, making the route ideal for a self-driving cruise.

Local Food and Specialty Restaurants

When visiting Jizhou, be sure to try the local farmhouse dishes and specialty snacks. The following restaurants have good reputations among both locals and tourists.

• ​​Cuiji Iron-Pot Stewed Fish​​: Live fish are killed to order and slowly stewed over a wood fire in a large iron pot. Cornbread is stuck around the rim of the pot and eaten dipped in the broth, making it exceptionally fresh and savory. Booking in advance is recommended.

• ​​Sangzi Bean Sheets​​: A standard local breakfast choice. Bean sheets wrapped with fried flatbread, sesame-paste eggs, and a hot bowl of Korean-style noodles make for excellent value. Navigating to the Baitasi main branch is recommended.

• ​​Laoma Lamb Soup​​: A long-established lamb soup restaurant. The lamb offal soup is rich and flavorful, best paired with freshly griddled flatbread. The chili oil is the soul of the meal.

• ​​Shasi Wandi​​: Located on Yuyang Ancient Street, its steamed buckwheat-noodle Wandi is a Jizhou specialty. Once you leave Jixian, it is hard to find an authentic version.

In addition to the restaurants above, Jizhou’s sesame-paste eggs, gezha boxes, iron-pot stewed fish, and farmhouse wild vegetables are also very worth trying.

Accommodation and Pitfall-Avoidance Tips

• ​​Where to Stay​​: If you want to explore the ancient street and enjoy good food, it is recommended to stay near Yuyang Ancient Street or Dule Temple for convenient transport. If you want to enjoy the tranquility of the mountains and countryside, you can choose trendy guesthouses inside Xijingyu Village, such as Susuo · Nuanxiang Qingshe, or resort-style guesthouses near Limutai and Jiushanding, such as Shuiyunxiang. Some guesthouses have heated pools and farmhouse dining, making them suitable for family vacations.

• ​​Transportation Tips​​: Jizhou’s attractions are relatively spread out, so self-driving is the most convenient option. If taking the high-speed train, you can arrive at Jizhou Station or Jizhou North Station, then take a bus or taxi to the various scenic areas.
• ​​Pitfall-Avoidance Reminders​​: Road 233 and Xijingyu are prone to traffic jams on weekends, so it is best to set out early. The Dule Temple combo ticket includes Baita Temple, Luban Temple, and the Confucian Temple, but the latter two are relatively small, so you can choose based on your interests. For some guesthouses in mountainous areas, be sure to confirm in advance whether meals are included and what the parking situation is.