Winter resorts in Zhangjiakou attract visitors for their perfect skiing conditions and scenery. [PHOTO BY WANG WENKANG/FOR CHINA DAILY]

ZHANGJIAKOU

Huailai Station

Here travellers can disembark to explore and enjoy activities that cater to a range of tastes, from visiting the national desert and wetland parks to learning about ancient postal culture and sampling gourmet wine. Tianmo stands out as a boundary from the surrounding farmland, mountains and reservoir and boasts distinctive natural beauty. Many famous Chinese movies and series have been shot in the small desert. Nearby sits the Guanting Reservoir, an ideal place for fishing and boating, or simply just to meander along the shore. The reservoir area harbors many wetlands, replete with lotus ponds, verdant reed marshes and swaying willows. In the spring, it's a good place to observe migrant birds. A wetland museum offers visitors greater insight regarding the local natural landscape. Should naturalists feel inspired and want to write home about the area's charm, they can head to Crowing (Jiming) Post House and learn about the ancient postal service. Built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and serving as a transport hub and a military garrison for the region, it can boast being among the best preserved examples of its kind. Many beautiful murals can be spotted on the buildings in the neighborhood, featuring Taoist goddesses, flowers, birds and other auspicious animals. The ancient masonry technique of brick carving can also be widely seen. Wrap up the visit at the nearby Chateau SunGod Greatwall, where wine tasting and grape picking activities are available for visitors as they learn about the process of winemaking and storage in the chateau's underground cellar.