On the morning of May 20, the Dachang–Tongzhou Tourism Cooperation and 2017 Dachang County Tourism Promotion Event kicked off at Beijing Tongzhou Wanda Plaza.
Dachang Hui Autonomous County is located directly east of Beijing, just 40 kilometers from Tiananmen Square, making it the ethnic minority autonomous county closest to Beijing nationwide. To advance the coordinated development strategy of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, fully implement the "Tongwu Lang Strategic Cooperation and Development Framework Agreement," and follow Dachang County’s strategic guidelines for developing all-for-one tourism, the Dachang Hui Autonomous County Tourism Bureau organized a series of tourism promotion events on May 20–21 in Tongzhou District, Beijing. The aim was to actively promote Dachang’s tourism resources and scenic beauty, enhance its image as the “back garden of Beijing’s urban sub-center,” and was jointly hosted by the People’s Government of Dachang Hui Autonomous County of Hebei Province and the Tongzhou District Tourism Development Commission of Beijing. It was organized by the Dachang Hui Autonomous County Tourism Bureau and Beijing Xiaoying Tianxia Culture Development Co., Ltd., with co-organization by the Beijing Jing Tong Tao Le Photography Association and the Tongzhou District Cycling Association. At the event, Wang Yanwei, Deputy County Chief of Dachang Hui Autonomous County, introduced the county’s tourism development. Zhang Lianfu, Deputy Director of Tongzhou District Tourism Commission, and Wan Yibing, Associate Researcher of Langfang City Tourism Commission, delivered speeches respectively, and the two regions signed a tourism promotion cooperation agreement.
According to relevant officials, this event highlights the resource foundation for Dachang Hui Autonomous County's development of all-for-one tourism. In recent years, the county has carried out construction around seven major afforestation projects: greening around the capital, urban and park greening, roadway greening, village greening, nursery stock breeding bases, farmland shelterbelt greening, and key landscape gardens. The forest coverage rate is 34.1%, and the tree cover rate reaches 45.2%. Leisure destinations with clear waters, swimming fish, green banks, beautiful scenery, and blooming flowers are now presented to visitors, truly becoming a “conservation area for the ecological environment of the capital” and an “ecological oxygen bar in eastern Beijing.” A beautifully designed nearly 20-kilometer rural tourism loop has been created. Entering the villages, you’ll find shaded paths and blooming flowers; stepping into the courtyards, the fragrance of fruits fills the air, bringing a rich taste of rural charm. This tourism loop connects beautiful rural villages, farm stays, and fruit-picking gardens within agricultural parks, forming a scenic greenway where each section has its own specialty and each stop offers a unique view.
In conjunction with the development of characteristic towns, Dachang Hui Autonomous County has started with exploring ethnic cultural features, focusing on halal cuisine, rural sightseeing, farming culture experiences, and agricultural science education to improve the tourism industry chain. The Beiwu Mosque has a history of over 600 years and is one of the top ten ancient mosques in Hebei Province. Nanwangzhuang Village is a provincial-level beautiful village, as well as a demonstration village for ethnic work in Hebei Province and a characteristic village for ethnic minorities. The farm stays under construction in the village’s east feature halal dishes, traditional Hui song and dance, and celebrations of Eid al-Adha as main activities. Traditional handicrafts such as Liangshengda Filigree Inlay and Dachang Cloisonné boast exquisite craftsmanship, with their production techniques listed in the national intangible cultural heritage. The county’s distinctive ethnic cuisines are also widely renowned. Dachang beef, represented by Fuhua’s “beef hot pot,” enjoys nationwide fame, while halal Eight Bowls and Damaqi meat pies attract visitors to stop and savor these beloved local flavors. Designed by Professor He Jingtang, the architect behind the China Pavilion at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo—known as the “Father of the China Pavilion”—the Ethnic Palace interprets the spirit of unity and integration of the Chinese nation, showcasing the blend of traditional and innovative regional architectural features. It has now become a landmark building in Dachang.
The Dachang–Tongzhou Tourism Cooperation and 2017 Dachang County Tourism Promotion Event featured a rich array of activities, including the signing of the 2017 Dachang–Tongzhou Tourism Promotion Cooperation Agreement; the release of Dachang tourism routes within Beijing’s urban sub-center “one-hour tourism circle” to the public; the launch ceremony of the Tongzhou–Dachang cycling event; and the inauguration of the “Back Garden of Beijing’s Urban Sub-Center” Dachang-style Travel Photography Exhibition. Additionally, relevant tourism enterprises set up information booths at Tongzhou Wanda Plaza to conduct promotional consultations and tourism recommendations.
Officials from Dachang County stated that the county will seize the major opportunity of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei coordinated development strategy, using the “Four Standardizations” (standardization of garden tourism, transportation tourism, sanitation tourism, and municipal tourism) as breakthroughs, and adhering to the “Five Cities Simultaneously Built” (creating a National Health City, National Garden City, National Ecological Civilization Construction Demonstration City, National Model City for Supporting the Armed Forces, and National Civilized City) standards to develop all-for-one tourism. The goal is to build the “back garden of Beijing’s urban sub-center,” continuously enhance Dachang’s tourism influence, and strive to establish an innovation-driven strong economic county.
East of Tongzhou is Dachang — An untouched paradise that captivates you. Three strengths make all-for-one tourism shine.
Separated from Beijing’s urban sub-center—Tongzhou—by just a river, Dachang is hauntingly beautiful. It is a bit unique, a bit mysterious, a bit rugged, and a bit secluded... This serene, picturesque, utopia-like haven remains humbly low-key, and this is Dachang.
Starting from Beijing, just 6 kilometers east of Tongzhou leads you to a stunning secret spot. Nowadays, when people think of Dachang, they envision mosques and the Ethnic Palace in distinctly different architectural styles, radiating a mysterious Islamic charm. It has become an outstanding example of the perfect blend of Islamic culture and modernity. The Chaobai River, the largest river in eastern Beijing, flows around the southwest of the county. Entering Dachang is like stepping into a vast natural oxygen bar. With a forest coverage rate as high as 38%, it is hailed as the “green oxygen bar of the capital” and is truly the back garden of Beijing’s urban sub-center.
In Dachang, you don’t need to rush between attractions while traveling, because the journey itself is the scenery. Starting from Tongzhou, three distinctive routes can get you to Dachang in less than an hour to enjoy the area and escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
Three tourism routes to explore the “Back Garden of Beijing’s Urban Sub-Center”
Advantage One: Profound Ethnic Cultural Heritage — The Muslim Countryside Exploration Route via National Highway 102
Travel Route: Start from Tongzhou, take the Jing-Tong Expressway and National Highway 102 to reach Dachang County.
Tongzhou — Beiwu Mosque — Ethnic Palace — Dachang Mosque — Yipinzhai Sticky Food Shop — Liangshengda Filigree Inlay — Jingrui Cloisonné
Experience: Design and craft your own cloisonné piece at Jingrui Cloisonné to take home.
Driving east along National Highway 102, you’ll soon come across a sacred and solemn ancient mosque — the Beiwu Mosque. It is a fusion of traditional Chinese architectural art and Islamic mosque design, with a history of over 600 years. Muslims come here daily for devout prayers.
The Beiwu Mosque is located west of Beiwu Village in Dachang. Built during the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty, it is steeped in history and widely renowned. Its graceful form features a small stone bridge in front — the Tianxin Bridge — which is simple and elegant. Stepping through the temple gate, you’re greeted by the newly renovated prayer hall, majestic and grand. The saddle-shaped roof ridges rise prominently, and the tower-like watchtower atop the mihrab stands firmly, its painted colors shining brilliantly.
The interior of the prayer hall features harmonious decorative tones and can accommodate up to a thousand worshippers. In the northwest corner of the hall is an exquisitely structured “Minaret” pavilion, offering a place for visitors to rest. A stone tablet erected by Li Yangquan, a Muslim official during the Wanli era, is the earliest written record in the mosque.
Covering an area of 216 mu with a total construction area of 32,000 square meters, the Ethnic Palace is located on the central axis in the core area of Dachang County. It enjoys convenient transportation, being about 1.5 kilometers in straight-line distance from the county center and approximately 10 kilometers from Chao Bai New Town. It serves as the cultural focal point of the entire county.
Cloisonné, also known as “copper-bodied filigree enamel,” has a history of over 600 years. Dachang, just across the river from Beijing, is also a major heritage site and production hub for cloisonné, earning the reputation as the “Cloisonné Culture Hometown of Eastern Beijing.” It has often been presented as a national gift. Over the years, it has built a profound cultural and industrial foundation. Dachang’s application for “Cloisonné Production Techniques” has been included in the fourth batch of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Representative Project List. Visitors can not only view but also experience the culture of cloisonné firsthand here.
Dachang Film and Television Town, the rural-themed film and television base, and the Dachang Opera Troupe are among the film and creative brands that offer a glimpse behind the scenes and a taste of diverse lives. They have produced nearly 100 classic film and television works such as “Happy Comedy People,” “The Myth,” and “Orphan of Zhao.” Here, you can also satisfy your desires for film-related tours and character experience activities.
The Dachang Eco-Science and Technology Museum is open to the public free of charge, advocating for greater attention to Earth’s ecology, raising environmental awareness, and encouraging care for the planet. This multifunctional comprehensive exhibition hall covers an exhibition area of 2,000 square meters and consists of five major exhibition areas: “Hello Earth,” “Forest of Discovery,” “Source of Green Beauty,” “Start with Me,” and “City of Happiness.” It awaits you for an exploration journey~
The Dachang Painting and Calligraphy Academy is located in Dachang Hui Autonomous County, on the east bank of the Chaobai River, south of Changtong Road and east of Zhongzhou Road. It is a cultural park that integrates painting and calligraphy creation, education, exchange, recreation, and leisure. Come here to experience the unique charm of art and scenic beauty.
When in Dachang, you simply can’t miss its profound and rich culinary culture. Want to taste the most authentic Halal cuisine? Then this is the place to be. The time-honored restaurants here will leave you thoroughly satisfied and singing praises.
With the Dragon Boat Festival just around the corner, you absolutely must try the authentic reed leaf zongzi from Yipinzhai. The shop may be small, but it’s been around for decades. There aren’t many varieties, but every item is handmade with genuine ingredients. No wonder it has been rated as one of Langfang’s Top 10 Must-Try Snacks by many food connoisseurs — Yipinzhai made the list.
The “Eight Great Halal Bowls” are an essential feast for weddings, festivals, and entertaining guests among the Hui people. In the past, these delicious dishes weren’t something you could easily have.
Standing at the crossroads of modernity and tradition, nestled within a modest courtyard, it carries on the craftsmanship passed down through generations. A plaque, now stained with oil, quietly endures from the Kangxi era.
The meat pie has a wrapper as thin as rice paper, tender meat as soft as tofu, and is semi-transparent with even filling, golden color, soft texture, no fishy smell or greasiness, and juicy, delicate meat — delicious, fragrant, and unforgettable. This is the “Damaqi” meat pie, even enjoyed by Emperor Qianlong.
The most classic hot pot beef in Dachang, hands down. For those who’ve had Fuhua hot pot beef in Beijing, the flavor here will still amaze your taste buds with an exotic deliciousness you can’t find elsewhere.
Advantage Two: Idyllic Charm — Where the Scenery Is Truly Unique — Charming Sightseeing Tour via the National Highway 103 Entrance Route
Travel RouteDepart from Tongzhou, reach Dachang County via National Highway 103 and Wuxing Road.
Tongzhou — Wuhuan Park — Eco-Tech Museum — Painting and Calligraphy Academy — Film Town — Yixiang Forest Park — Qinxin Agricultural Picking Garden — Zitu Ecological Park — Dongyangxinzhuang Thousand-Mu Picking Base
Experiences: cycling fun, rural scenery, local entertainment, fruit and vegetable picking.
Depart from Tongzhou, take the Wuxing Road intersection along National Highway 103, pass through the Grand Canal Forest Park, drive along Wuxing Road, and once you cross Friendship Bridge, you’ll enter Dachang. The route connects the Dachang Film Town and Dachang Painting and Calligraphy Academy, offering beautiful scenery. Head to Yixiang Forest Park to enjoy the fresh and charming summer landscape, wander through the green sea, and experience the beautiful water town by the forest and flowers up close.
Enter Yixiang Forest Park and experience the connected beautiful villages, elegant environment, and fresh air. If you want to feel the breeze, bring your bike and start a perfect 4+2 journey.
Arrive at Weiwutun, which is not only a haven for cyclists but also the province’s only rural-themed TV drama production base. Experience the strong rural charm, with its white walls, gray tiles, and various themed courtyard experiences that are truly captivating.
Want some fun? Stop by Zitu Garden on your way. The garden is full of swings that instantly take you back to childhood, plus CS games, fishing, adventure activities, and parent-child farming experiences... experience the simple beauty of the countryside.
Enjoy the summer travel loop without visiting Qinxin Agricultural Picking Garden, and you’ll miss out big time. The cherries are ripe. Red, shiny nectarines are also hanging from the branches. Cherries are 50 RMB per jin, nectarine picking is 15 RMB per jin, and the more you pick, the more discount you get — isn’t that great value?! Plus, there are various organic seasonal vegetables available at half the price of those in Beijing.
Nestled by a winding river, the quaint villages here form what is known as the “Water Town of the North” — Wuxinzhuang. With its waterside park, docks, boardwalks, and riverside scenic belt, it rivals the charm of the Jiangnan water towns. Just take a look...
The Baoqiu River scenic belt, vast forests, and a natural lake spanning over 100,000 square meters make this a perfect spot for fishing, leisure, and breathing fresh air. The feeling of light travel here is simply wonderful.
Advantage Three: A City of Beautiful Waters and Half Parks —— Rural Riverside Water Tourism
Travel Route: Depart from Tongzhou, take the Jing-Shen Expressway and S271 (Daxiang Line) to reach Dachang County.
Tongzhou — Yixiang Forest Park — Wuxinzhuang Northern Water Town — Jingtong No.1 Hot Spring — Yinchaoji Bao Park — Banbiandian Eco-Leisure Resort
Experience: Scenery along the Chaobai River, wellness hot springs, and water-themed parks.
Dachang boasts beautiful scenery with a forest coverage rate of 38%, earning it the title “Green Oxygen Bar of the Capital.” It is the ideal destination for rural leisure and waterfront eco-tourism. At a glance, the Chaobai River and Baoqiu River flow through the city, while parks like Wuhuan Park and Yixiang Forest Park are stunningly picturesque. Cool off by the riverside in the summer countryside—Dachang is the perfect choice.
The Chaobai River is one of the five major rivers in China’s Haihe River system, running through Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei Province, and is known as the “No.1 River of Jingtong.” It has two main sources: the eastern branch is the Chao River, and the western branch is the Bai River.
The Baoqiu River appears in maps and records from the Ming, Qing, and modern periods. It originates from the border area between Sanhe and Miyun, flowing south through Sanhe City and Dachang County in Hebei Province. The river runs from west to east across the entire county, covering a drainage area of 522 square kilometers and stretching 80 kilometers in length. The Baoqiu River is Dachang’s “ecological river, scenic belt, and cultural corridor,” a hub of the county’s distinctive image and landscapes, as well as a showcase of traditional ethnic culture.
Located in the Chaobai New Town of Dachang, Wuhuan Central Park attracts visitors from all directions during holidays and weekends.
babbling streams, distinctive alleys, and exquisitely designed cultural walls… strolling along the streets of Wuxinzhuang Village in Chenfu Town unfolds a picturesque rural scene that draws visitors in droves.
Situated in Qigezhuang Town, Dachang County, the Banbiandian Eco-Leisure Resort is a green jewel along the Beijing-Tianjin corridor. It is a rural tourism demonstration area integrating pastoral charm, wellness holidays, water recreation, dining and lodging, and agricultural experiences.
The only sulfur hot spring in the Beijing area and also the one with the best water quality nearby — the Jingtong No.1 Hot Spring Resort offers health-focused thermal bathing to wash away fatigue and fully relax your body and mind.