Legends of the Great Wall meet mountain mists in Shanxi

Looking for a summer getaway that combines history, nature, and serenity? Xinzhou city in North China's Shanxi province offers exactly that.

Just a three-hour high-speed rail journey from Beijing, the city offers a cool respite from the summer heat. It invites travelers to explore a section of the Great Wall, tour a vibrant ancient city, hike mountain trails and experience natural wonders, making it an off-the-beaten-path weekend escape.

Steeped in frontier heroism, Yanmen Pass in Daixian county is a strategic section of the Great Wall. The Great Wall of China was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987.

Yanmen Pass is often depicted in Chinese martial arts novels as a legendary frontier stronghold and a powerful symbol of patriotism and chivalry.

Yang Jia Jiang, or Generals of the Yang Family, defended the key northern frontier garrison during the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), holding off repeated invasions by the nomadic Khitan people. This legendary military household has become a timeless symbol of loyalty, courage and patriotism in Chinese culture. It has been widely portrayed in literary works, operas and TV series, in which vivid stories of heroic female generals from the Yang family have been told and passed down.

Today, tourists can enjoy a grand welcoming ceremony featuring performers dressed in traditional costumes portraying the Yang family clan, along with exciting martial arts demonstrations and a spectacular parade.