Yesanpo is located in Laishui County, Baoding City, Hebei Province, where the Taihang Mountains and the Yanshan Mountains meet. It has unique geological landscapes, natural scenery and rich historical and cultural sites. It consists of several distinctive scenic areas, including Bailixia, Yugudong, Baicaopan, and Longmentianguan, etc.
Major Scenic Spots
Bailixia Scenic Area
Features: Known as “the First Gorge under Heaven”, the canyon is deep with towering cliffs on both sides. The air is fresh and it is very cool in summer, making it a summer resort. There are many strange peaks and rocks in the canyon, with streams flowing gently. As you walk, the scenery changes constantly. There are scenic spots such as Haitangyu, Shixuan Gorge, and Xiezigou.
Travel Tips: It is recommended to visit on foot to fully enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way. The whole tour takes about 4 5 hours. You can bring some water and snacks to replenish energy during the tour.
Yugudong Scenic Area
Features: It is mainly characterized by strange springs and caves. Inside the cave, stalactites, stalagmites, stone pillars and other formations are in various shapes. Under the illumination of lights, they are colorful, making people feel like they are in a mysterious underground palace. The Yugudong Spring has a spectacle where a large number of fish gush out around Grain Rain every year.
Travel Tips: Follow the tour guide of the scenic area or the signs. The tour takes about 2 3 hours. The temperature inside the cave is relatively low, so it is necessary to bring a coat.
Baicaopan Scenic Area
Features: The main peak has a relatively high altitude and is the highest point in Yesanpo. The vegetation here is lush and the forest coverage rate is high, known as the “Natural Botanical Garden”. There are alpine meadows, sea of clouds, sunrise and other landscapes on the mountain. Different seasons present different scenery. For example, in spring, the mountains are covered with blooming flowers, and in autumn, the mountains are full of red leaves.
Travel Tips: You can take the sightseeing bus of the scenic area to the mountainside and then climb on foot. Those with good physical strength can hike the whole way. The round trip takes about 5 6 hours.
Longmentianguan Scenic Area
Features: It combines natural landscapes with historical and cultural relics. There are historical sites such as the Longmen Castle of the Ming Dynasty and cliff carvings. On both sides of the canyon, the peaks are competing in beauty, and the mountains look as if they were cut by axes, which is very spectacular.
Travel Tips: You can visit the historical sites first and then enjoy the natural scenery. The playtime is about 3 4 hours.
Tour Route Planning
One-day Tour Route
Morning: Have an in-depth tour of the Bailixia Scenic Area.
Noon: Have a meal and take a rest in a restaurant near the scenic area.
Afternoon: Choose to visit the Longmentianguan Scenic Area to experience its historical culture and natural scenery.
Two-day Tour Route
First Day
Second Day
Transportation Guide
External Transportation
Self-driving: From Beijing, you can take G4 Jinggang’ao Expressway Langzhuo Expressway Zhangzhuo Expressway get off at the Yesanpo exit; from Tianjin, you can take Tianjin Baoding Expressway Daguang Expressway Langzhuo Expressway Zhangzhuo Expressway get off at the Yesanpo exit; from Shijiazhuang, you can take Jingkun Expressway Zhangzhuo Expressway get off at the Yesanpo exit.
Public Transportation: You can take a train from Beijing West Station to Bailixia Station; or take a long-distance bus from Beijing Tianqiao Bus Station to Yesanpo.
Internal Transportation: There are tourist buses or local vans and other means of transportation between the scenic areas, but the number of trips may be limited. It is recommended to understand and plan the time in advance.
Food Guide
Specialties
Juma River Fish
Introduction: The Juma River is rich in fish resources. The fish in the Juma River is fresh and tender with a delicious taste. The common cooking methods include braising in soy sauce and steaming.
Recommended Restaurant: “Hepan Renjia” near Bailixia, etc. uses fresh river fish as ingredients to cook authentic delicious food.
Roast Whole Lamb
Introduction: Selected local goats are marinated and roasted with special techniques. The outer skin is golden and crispy, and the inside meat is tender and juicy with a fragrant aroma.
Recommended Restaurant: Many farmhouses offer roast whole lamb, but “The First Roast Lamb in Yesanpo” has a good reputation. Its roast lamb technology is mature and the flavor is unique.
Sanpo Tofu
Introduction: Made with local mountain spring water and high-quality soybeans, it has a delicate taste and rich soybean flavor. It can be made into various dishes such as homely tofu and scallion mixed with tofu.
Recommended Restaurant: The “Sanpo Impression” restaurant has a variety of Sanpo tofu dishes and fine production.
Fried Chinese Prickly Ash Buds
Introduction: The Chinese prickly ash buds are the young shoots of the Chinese prickly ash tree that sprout in spring. They are wrapped in batter and fried until golden. They are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a unique aroma of Chinese prickly ash.
Recommended Restaurant: Generally, farmyard restaurants around the scenic area have this dish, such as “Lao Li’s Farmyard”, where you can taste freshly picked and made fried Chinese prickly ash buds.
Food Streets/Areas
Gouzhuang: It is a lively place in Yesanpo with many restaurants and snack stalls. Various local specialties are gathered here. Besides the above-mentioned delicacies, you can also taste roasted rainbow trout, baked corn bread, etc.
Bailixia Commercial Street: Located near the Bailixia Scenic Area, in addition to being able to buy special souvenirs here, there are also many restaurants and snack shops where you can stroll and eat while tasting local specialties and various snacks.
Accommodation Suggestions
Farmhouse
There are a large number of farmhouses to choose from in Yesanpo, distributed around each scenic area. Staying in a farmhouse allows you to experience rural life and taste farm meals. The price is relatively affordable, generally ranging from 100 300 yuan per night (fluctuating according to the peak and off seasons and accommodation conditions).
Hotel
There are some hotels in Yesanpo Town and other places. The facilities are relatively complete and the service is more standardized. The price is about 200 500 yuan, suitable for tourists with higher requirements for accommodation conditions.
Precautions
There are some sections in the Yesanpo scenic area that require a long walk, so it is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes.
When traveling in summer, pay attention to sun protection and mosquito prevention measures; the weather in the mountainous area is changeable, so it is best to bring rain gear and a coat.
When tasting local delicacies, especially river fresh and wild game, etc., pay attention to choosing regular restaurants to ensure food hygiene.
