Changli Golden Coast

Changli Golden Coast

The Changli Golden Coast is a national nature reserve and a science education base.

Golden Coast

Located within Changli County, 17 kilometers east of Beidaihe Beach and southwest to the mouth of the Luan River, the 52.1-kilometer shoreline features soft, golden-yellow sand, hence the name Golden Coast. The area spans 3.76 million square meters and can host nearly 100 bathing beaches. Thanks to its fine sand, gentle beach, clear water, and calm tides, swimmers face no risk of injury from rocks or being swept away by the sea, even when venturing as far as 50 meters out, where the water only reaches waist-deep—making it one of the best natural beaches.

To the west of the Golden Coast lies over 5,000 hectares of sand dunes stretching more than 40 kilometers, undulating and rising up to 40 meters high. In 1985, locals in Changli established a sandboarding site here, further enhancing the international fame of the Golden Coast.

There are currently two sandboarding sites: one that descends from the sand hill to the valley floor, and another that slides toward the sea. Aside from Namibia in South Africa, the Golden Coast’s sandboarding sites are among the few of their kind in the world, ranking as the second-best globally.

When visiting the Golden Coast, start with the sandboarding site. Arriving in the morning helps you avoid waiting in lines. Sandboarders are taken to the top of the sand dunes via cable car, then sit on sandboards and slide down. As the slope steepens and momentum builds, speed increases, creating a thrilling rush with the wind whistling past. Upon reaching the valley, the inertia propels riders tens of meters across the flat ground; at the other site, riders may even plunge into the sea. This exhilarating yet safe activity offers a unique and exciting experience.

While the Golden Coast's sandboarding is unique, its land, sea, and air tourism offerings are also extraordinary. At sea, enjoy speedboat rides with speeds up to 60 km/h. Three types of boats are available: shuttle boats, amusement boats, and luxury yachts. You can cruise the shallow waters close by or venture as far as Jade Island.

For aerial tours, take an American-made helicopter to soar above the scenic spots, including all ten views of Mount Jieshi. Additional airborne attractions include a Taiwan-style Flying White House, hot air balloon rides, and bounce castles.

Land-based attractions offer a variety of options, such as the Kids’ Happy Forest, Sea World, and mythological or adventure-themed amusement palaces for all to enjoy.

Changli County has long been known as the "Home of Flowers, Fruits, Fish, Rice, and Culture." Especially in terms of culture, Mount Jieshi bears the historical traces of Qin Shi Huang, Emperor Wu of Han, and Emperor Taizong of Tang. During the Ming Dynasty, the Han Wengong Shrine was built here. It is said that Han Yu’s ancestral home was in Changli, and his nephew Xiangzi became immortal in the Eight Immortals Cave of Mount Jieshi. Li Dazhao also stayed here several times.

Jieshi Mountain Scenic Area

Located 4 kilometers north of Changli County and about 30 kilometers from the summer resort of Beidaihe. There are two theories about the origin of Jieshi: one claims it is in Changli, Hebei, and the other in Xingcheng, Liaoning. In the mid-1980s, archaeologists excavated ancient artifacts near the Meng Jiangnu Tomb (in Shanhaiguan District, Qinhuangdao City), confirming it as the true site of Jieshi.

Major attractions in the scenic area include:

Xiantai Peak is the main summit of Jieshi Mountain, standing 695 meters above sea level and celebrated as an ancient and modern vantage point for sea viewing. The peak features a uniquely shaped top that rises abruptly from a broad, sheer cliff. From a distance, the summit resembles an inverted bell, standing tall and piercing the clouds. It consists of two peaks facing each other from north to south; when viewed from the south, they appear as one, resembling a pillar thrusting from the earth (which inspired the mountain’s name). The stone is inscribed with three large characters: “Biyun Peak.” A stone staircase of over 2,000 steps leads from Shuiyan Temple (ruins) to Xiantai Peak, with over 10 rest pavilions built along the way.

Tianqiao Pillar is located about 2.5 kilometers northwest of Biyun Peak, atop a cliff, where a towering stone pillar stands like a tower. The square-shaped pillar has a base as wide as a room and rises over 30 meters. Its bluish-white stone is as smooth as if hewn by axe and chisel, standing steep and upright. The upper half consists of three massive stacked stones, creating a majestic sight that soars into the sky—this is the legendary “Tianqiao Pillar.”

East and west of Wufeng Mountain’s Xiantai Peak lie five peaks each, known as the Eastern Wufeng Mountain and Western Wufeng Mountain. The Eastern Wufeng Mountain features uniquely shaped peaks: Pingdou to the north, Wanghai to the east, Guayue to the west, Jinxiu to the northeast, and Feilai to the northwest. Midway up the mountain stands the Han Wengong Shrine, built in 1641 during the Ming Dynasty by Fan Zhiiwan, the censor-in-chief of Shanhaiguan, which houses a statue of the great Tang Dynasty literary figure Han Yu. Fan also had eight large characters engraved on the cliffs behind the temple: “Taishan Beidou” (Polestar of Mount Tai) and “Wufeng Huan Cui” (Jade-Green Ring of Five Peaks), each about 60 cm tall and 40 cm wide. Revolutionary pioneer Li Dazhao lived here seven times between 1908 and 1924, using it as both a residence and refuge, during which he wrote two major Marxist works—“My View of Marxism” and “Further Discussion on Problems and Isms”—as well as various poems. The original shrine collapsed in 1948. To honor revolutionary martyrs and preserve this historic site, in 1985, the people of Changli County raised 110,000 yuan to rebuild the Han Wengong Shrine, completing it on July 30, 1987. A standing stone statue of Comrade Li Dazhao was also erected on Wufeng Ridge opposite the shrine.

Longtan Cave is situated atop the cliffs northeast of Shuiyan Temple. The cave extends over ten meters deep, with a gated entrance leading to an inner pool around three meters deep. Water flows down the stone walls, producing rising mist. Below the cave stand massive rocks, one inscribed with over 200 characters of Khitan script from the Liao Dynasty, dated May 19, 1079 (the fifth year of Taikang). Beneath the rock is a cave that can hold around 100 people, called “Shanxin Cave.” On the southern cliff of the cave are inscriptions from a Jin Dynasty travel journal by Gao Hou’erche, the Beiping Shepherd.

Shuiyan Temple, also known as “Baofeng Temple,” is built on Baofeng Terrace at the southern foot of Mount Jieshi. Historical research suggests the temple’s origins date back to the Tang Dynasty, with fragmented steles tracing its roots. It was renovated during the Ming Dynasty but later destroyed. In the late 1920s, Yang Yuting, a warlord of the Fengtian Clique, oversaw its reconstruction, turning it into a popular springtime destination in eastern Hebei. From the early Republican period until before the founding of the People’s Republic, continuous warfare left the temple abandoned and desolate. After 1949, in 1955, the Changli County government allocated special funds for repairs. During the Cultural Revolution, the site was again neglected, suffering multiple collapses from weathering. The temple was demolished in November 1976.

Jieyang Lake is located at the foot of Mount Jieshi. Legend says it is where Qin Shi Huang visited the mountain and inscribed the “Jieshi Gate Proclamation.” Covering 0.6 square kilometers with a catchment area of 8.5 square kilometers, the lake is spanned by a 342-meter dam beneath the Jieshi Gate. Surrounded by mountains and reflecting their beauty, the clear waters and green peaks create a picturesque scene known as “Jieyang Blue Water.” Boat tours are available on the lake.