A Half-Day Trip To Xuanhua Old City

May 10,2024

One day, while reading about places accessible by a short train journey from Beijing, Xuanhua caught my attention. Its only about an hour by train from Beijing to Xuanhua North Station, which is a mere 11-minute drive from Xuanhua Old City. Old cities always sound appealing, don't they?

Brief Introduction to the City: Xuanhua Old City, situated in Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province, is renowned as the "First Prefecture to the West of the Capital" and was designated a famous historical and cultural city by the Peoples Government of Hebei Province in 1992.

The city was initially constructed during the Tang Dynasty and has served as a strategic military stronghold for successive dynasties, owing to its geographical significance. Particularly during the Ming Dynasty, the ancient city of Xuanfu was a pivotal frontier city essential for the nations defense.

On 26 April I arrived in Xuanhua North Station at 11:23 and departed the same station at 15:59, making it a half-day trip. Long story short: It was much fun for me as a Beijing resident to make this trip but it may not be worth it for someone traveling from afar to visit this destination.

But I still want to show you my experience there so you can make your own conclusion.
Let's take the train first.

Upon arrival, I took a taxi through Didi and got out of the car right at the first famous spot: Qingyuan Tower. Also known as the Bell Tower, it was constructed in the 18th year of the Ming Dynastys Chenghua reign (1482). Due to its magnificent appearance, it is often referred to as the "Second Yellow Crane Tower." The Bell Towers base is 26 meters long from north to south, 28 meters wide from east to west, and stands 8 meters high. The height from the ground to the top of the tower is 25 meters.

Then, I walked south toward the Zhenshuo Tower. The street between the two towers was bustling with activity, lined with numerous shops, restaurants, and stalls.

Zhenshuo Tower, also referred to as the Drum Tower, was constructed in the fifth year of the Ming Dynastys Zhengtong era (1440 AD) and boasts a history of nearly 600 years. The towers name, Zhenshuo, stems from an event in the Yongle seventh year of the Ming Dynasty when the commander-in-chief of Xuanfu Town was granted the "General of Zhenshuo" seal. The term "Zhenshuo" signifies the defense and protection of the northern frontier.

Further south lies the Gongji Tower, commonly known as the South Gate Tower, as it is situated above Changping Gate, the ancient citys southern portal. Initially constructed during the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty, the Gongji Tower was subsequently rebuilt during the Yongzheng period of the Qing Dynasty. The towers base stands over 9 meters high, and the two-storied city tower itself reaches a height of 14 meters, culminating in an overall height of 23 meters.

The most impressive site for me was the Xuanhua Museum. Though not a large museum, it houses some extraordinary artifacts. It features Liao tomb murals from the Liao Dynasty, an imperial dynasty in Chinese history established by the Khitan people, which lasted from 907 to 1125 AD. Theres also a bronze vessel from the Warring States period, containing wine from that era(the wine is still there!).

A highlight is a Liao Dynasty husband-wife joint burial tomb, showcasing a unique burial style. The male tomb owner, a Khitan nobleman, was interred wearing a "copper wire mesh." His wife, the female tomb owner, was buried with a "true-face wooden puppet statue"—a wooden effigy containing the ashes of the deceased—a custom prevalent among Han Buddhists. This joint burial tomb, which combines two distinct ethnicities and burial practices, is the first of its kind found in China.