Qipanshan Scenic Area is located in Huangbeiping Township, Zanhuang County, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province, at the eastern foot of the middle section of the Taihang Mountains. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction, with ecological forest landscapes as its core feature. The forest coverage rate is over 90%, with fresh air and an excellent ecological environment. The total area of the scenic area is 36 square kilometers, of which the main scenic area is 20 square kilometers. The scenic area is famous for its four wonders: "pine waves, apricot rain, ancient roads, and strange peaks". It also has many ancient-style pavilions and rest corridors such as the mountain gate archway, Songyun Pavilion, and Wanniao Pavilion, providing a comfortable visiting environment for tourists.
History and Culture
Zanhuang County, where Qipanshan (Chessboard Mountain) is located, has a long history. According to Zanhuang County Records, during the Zhou Dynasty, Cuanshan within the territory of Zanhuang was named Zanhuang Mountain because King Mu of Zhou defeated the Quanrong army here while campaigning against ethnic minority tribes. In the 16th year of the Kaihuang era of the Sui Dynasty (596 AD), a county was established here and named Zanhuang County after Zanhuang Mountain. Qipanshan stands around this time-honored ancient county, carrying the profound historical heritage of the local area.
There is an ancient legend about the naming of Qipanshan. In ancient times, a shepherd often grazed his sheep here and always saw two old men playing chess on the top of the mountain. One day, the shepherd climbed to the top to watch the chess game and ate the leftover peaches by the chessboard. In the blink of an eye, the old men disappeared, leaving only a natural chessboard stone. When the shepherd went down the mountain, he found that his sheep had long been gone, his sheep whip had rotted, and when he returned to the village, he found that everything had changed. Only then did he realize that many years had passed. Since then, this mountain has been called Qipanshan, and this legend adds a mysterious color to the scenic area.
There are also many historical relics in the scenic area, such as the Great Wall and ancient passes built by the Tuoba clan during the Northern Wei Dynasty, which witnessed the history of ancient military defense; during the An-Shi Rebellion in the Tianbao period of the Tang Dynasty, Li Hua and his nephew took refuge in Sixiangongzhai and Dushuya, etc. These relics carry stories of specific historical periods and have important historical and cultural value.
Main Attractions
Qipan Peak
Qipan Peak is the highest peak of Qipanshan, with an altitude of 1318 meters. The mountain is towering and majestic. Climbing to the top, you can have a panoramic view of the surrounding beautiful peaks and rolling mountains. It is an excellent place to climb high and look far in the scenic area, especially in the early morning or evening, when the sea of clouds and sunrise are more charming.
Ten-Li Apricot Blossom Valley
Ten-Li Apricot Blossom Valley is a distinctive attraction in Qipanshan. There are 330,000 apricot trees in the valley, forming nearly 10,000 mu of apricot blossom forests. Every spring in March, apricot blossoms bloom in full, with pink and white flowers all over the mountains, like clouds and snow, and the fragrance is overwhelming. The valley also has many characteristic check-in spots such as Xinghua Pond, Xinghua Light Rain, and Ancient Apricot King, allowing tourists to immerse themselves in the beauty of blooming apricot blossoms.
Wotuo Peak
Wotuo Peak is composed of a group of peaks, whose main peak is Sixiangongzhai, with an altitude of 1342.3 meters. The peak has a unique shape, and its overall outline is vivid, like a lying camel, hence the name Wotuo Peak. Here, not only the mountain is steep, but also historical relics remain, with natural landscapes and cultural landscapes intermingling.
Northern Wei Great Wall
The Northern Wei Great Wall is located at the pass in front of the ancient road within the scenic area. It was built by the Tuoba clan during the Northern Wei Dynasty for military defense. Though it has gone through thousands of years of vicissitudes and some sections of the wall have become dilapidated, the grand scale of its heyday is still visible. It serves as important material evidence for studying ancient Great Wall architecture and military history. Wandering along it, one can feel the profound weight of history.
Linhai Tianti (Forest Sea Sky Ladder)
Linhai Tianti is a distinctive scenic spot developed in the scenic area to facilitate tourists' visits. The ladder is built along the mountain, winding through the dense forest. Climbing along the ladder, you can get close to towering ancient trees, listen to the birds singing in the forest, and feel the vitality of nature. It is an excellent place to experience the forest ecology.
Food
Braised Free-Range Chicken with Mushrooms
Braised free-range chicken with mushrooms is a signature specialty of the farmhouses at the foot of Qipanshan. It uses free-range chickens raised by local farmers, with tight and tender meat, paired with fresh wild mushrooms picked from the mountains. Simmered over low heat for several hours, the chicken fully absorbs the fragrance of the mushrooms, and the soup is rich and mellow, with rich nutrition. It is the first choice for tourists to taste local flavors.
Wild Vegetable Pancakes
Wild vegetable pancakes are made from various wild vegetables growing on the slopes around the scenic area, such as shepherd's purse and purslane. After being washed and chopped, they are mixed with flour, eggs, seasonings, etc., made into pancakes and fried until golden. They taste crispy outside and tender inside, with the fragrance of wild vegetables, green and healthy, and rich in nutrition. They are delicious dishes that let you feel the gifts of nature.
Iron Pot Braised Fish
Iron pot braised fish is popular in farmyards at the foot of Qipanshan. The fish used is mostly fresh live fish just caught from nearby reservoirs, ensuring the freshness of the ingredients. When cooking, traditional large iron pots of farmers are used, simmered over firewood, paired with tofu, vermicelli and other ingredients. The fish meat is tender and flavorful, the soup is rich, and the taste is mellow. The scene of dozens of iron pots simmering at the same time has also become a unique landscape.
Tickets
As of August 10, 2025, the ticket price is 40 yuan per person. You can search for the official WeChat public account "河北棋盘山景区" to get the latest updates.
Opening Hours
The scenic area is open all year round from 8:00 to 18:00, and admission stops at 18:00 every day. It is recommended that tourists arrange their trips reasonably and enter the scenic area during the specified opening hours to ensure that they have sufficient time to experience the scenic spots.
Tour Routes
For different groups of tourists, the scenic area recommends the following tour routes: The Dynamic Exploration Grand Loop is suitable for hiking enthusiasts. Starting from the entrance of the scenic area, go along the outermost ring, pass through Hongfengkou, head towards Shentuo Yunwo, and finally reach the highest peak of Qipan Peak. Along the way, you can enjoy many main attractions such as Qipan Peak and Wenchang Peak. The whole journey takes about 5-6 hours, allowing you to fully experience the natural and cultural landscapes of the scenic area; The Parent-Child Leisure Small Loop starts from Huachengting, first goes to Qipan Peak and the Northern Wei Great Wall. This section of the road is relatively flat, suitable for children and the elderly to visit, then return, and climb part of the grand loop. The whole journey takes about 3-4 hours, which is relaxed and comfortable; The Mountain Forest Stroll Shentuo Yunwo Route goes 200 meters up from Huachengting to reach the Shentuo Yunwo attraction, then takes Linhai Tianti down to Qipanshan Homestay. This route has some steep sections, which is not suitable for the elderly and people with bad knees. The whole journey takes about 2-3 hours, allowing you to experience the tranquility and comfort of the mountains and forests.
Transportation
- Self-driving: Starting from downtown Shijiazhuang, you can take Pingshe Expressway and transfer to "Hengxi Expressway", get off at Zhangshiyan Toll Station, then drive for about 10 minutes to reach the scenic area, with a total driving time of about 1.5 hours; Starting from Beijing, you can drive along Beijing-Hong Kong-Macau Expressway, with a driving time of about 3.5 hours; Starting from Tianjin, take Jinshi Expressway, with a driving time of about 4 hours.
- Bus: Take bus 3 or 50 from Shijiazhuang Station to Shengnan Passenger Station, then take a bus to Zanhuang County (ticket price is about 9 yuan). After arriving in Zanhuang County, transfer to a small bus at Zanhuang Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital South Station to Qipanshan Scenic Area (ticket price is about 4 yuan). Bus schedules will be adjusted according to passenger flow, so it is recommended to check in advance.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Qipan Peak: The highest peak of the scenic area, with an altitude of 1318 meters. Climbing to the top, you can overlook the surrounding magnificent scenery, and it is an excellent location for climbing high and looking far, and watching the sunrise and sea of clouds.
- Ten-Li Apricot Blossom Valley: With 330,000 apricot trees and nearly 10,000 mu of apricot blossom forests, it is a highly ornamental attraction in the scenic area when apricot blossoms bloom in spring like a poem and a painting.
- Wotuo Peak: The main peak, Sixiangongzhai, is 1342.3 meters above sea level. The peak has a unique shape like a lying camel, and integrates historical relics, with both natural and cultural landscapes.
- Northern Wei Great Wall: A historical relic from the Northern Wei Dynasty, which witnessed ancient military history, has profound cultural heritage, and is an important attraction to understand the local history.
Travel Suggestions
- Since some stone roads in the scenic area will grow moss and are relatively slippery, it is recommended to wear non-slip hiking shoes and choose comfortable sportswear for easy hiking.
- In summer, you need to carry mosquito repellent, sun hats and other items to take mosquito and sun protection measures; in the rainy season, you should prepare raincoats to prevent sudden rain; it is recommended to put power banks, paper towels, and a small amount of cash in your backpack, because the signal in some areas of the scenic area is weak.
- There are no restaurants or other catering facilities in the scenic area, so you need to bring your own dry food and drinking water in advance, such as energy bars, self-heating rice, fruits, etc., to supplement your strength.
- It is recommended to arrange the visit time during the blooming period of apricot blossoms in spring or autumn. In spring, you can enjoy apricot blossoms, and in autumn, the climate is cool and the scenery is pleasant, so you can get a better visiting experience.
Matters Needing Attention
- There are free parking lots at the mountain gate, homestays, and the second mountain gate of the scenic area. There are many vehicles during the tourist season, so it is recommended to arrive early to occupy a parking space.
- The number of toilets in the scenic area is small and sparsely distributed. It is recommended that tourists use the toilets near the entrance of the scenic area before entering.
- Some mountain roads may be closed due to snow, ice, etc. in winter. Tourists planning to visit in winter can call the scenic area in advance to consult the opening status.
- During the visit, you must walk along the designated routes and do not enter undeveloped areas without permission; pay attention to the safety of your feet during climbing, especially when the road is slippery on rainy days.
- Take good care of the environment of the scenic area, do not litter at will, take waste out of the scenic area or put it in designated trash cans, and jointly protect the ecological environment.