5-Hour Self-Drive Circle from Shijiazhuang - Qingming Travel Destinations

Departing from Shijiazhuang, you can reach within a 5-hour drive: 1️⃣ Jinan (🌟320 kilometers, 🕐 estimated 3.5 hours) The spring in Jinan is so beautiful. Sitting by the Black Tiger Spring, watching the locals fetch spring water, and enjoying a bowl of covered-bowl tea, Jinan is very suitable for a 3-day trip. Recently, Jinan's fridge magnets have become popular. Riding a shared bike, you can leisurely tour the whole city, where the attractions are very concentrated. 2️⃣ Tianjin (🌟310 kilometers, 🕐 estimated 3 hours) I just came back from Tianjin last weekend. The flowers on Wudadao have bloomed. Visiting Tianjin to see the architecture and various bridges gives you a sense of a mini Europe. Watching fireworks from the Tianjin Eye, the whole city is super cozy! Also, with a shared bike, you can tour all the core check-in spots. 3️⃣ Beijing (🌟300 kilometers, 🕐 estimated 3.5 hours) Qingming is actually not the best time to visit Beijing. It's crowded and hard to make reservations. Beijing is basically unplayable without reservations, and it's more suitable to go from Shijiazhuang to Beijing by high-speed train on weekends. If you drive to Beijing, you can park your car in Gu'an, as it's too difficult to park in the city of Beijing. 4️⃣ Gubei Water Town near Beijing (🌟440 kilometers, 🕐 estimated 4.8 hours) If you don't enter the city of Beijing during Qingming, you can choose Gubei Water Town. With 2 days' time, spend one day in the ancient town and one day at the Simatai Great Wall, and enjoy a hot spring, which is quite suitable for a family trip with elderly and children. 5️⃣ Datong (🌟380 kilometers, 🕐 estimated 4.3 hours) Datong is rich in history and culture, suitable for older children. It's not recommended for younger kids. Try to watch documentaries about Datong before going, and book a guide in advance to better understand Datong. 6️⃣ Xinzhou (🌟270 kilometers, 🕐 estimated 3 hours) I went for Wutai Mountain and the snacks in the ancient city of Xinzhou. You can climb Wutai Mountain in the morning to watch the sunrise, and the ancient city snacks cover Shanxi's specialties, only a few yuan per serving, cheap and good. 7️⃣ Pingyao (🌟320 kilometers, 🕐 estimated 3.5 hours) Go to Pingyao to be a 'Jin Merchant's young lady' for a day. The photo shoot in this outfit is super popular now! 8️⃣ Ulanqab (🌟490 kilometers, 🕐 estimated 5.5 hours) The temperature is a bit low during Qingming, and it's better to go to the grasslands in summer. However, it's less crowded now. Go to Ulanqab to see the volcanoes, and let the kids wear astronaut suits. 9️⃣ Weifang (🌟490 kilometers, 🕐 estimated 4.8 hours) The kite capital is too suitable for Qingming! It's relatively niche, less crowded, and Weifang has its own city characteristics. It's also worth a visit in the morning! 🔟 Luoyang (🌟530 kilometers, 🕐 estimated 5 hours) The city that surprised me the most last year, I predict it will be super crowded during Qingming because the Peony Festival begins, and the peonies bloom, which is the most beautiful time in Luoyang. The peony exhibitions in various parks are great, except for the crowds. 1️⃣1️⃣ Kaifeng (🌟440 kilometers, 🕐 estimated 4.4 hours) Kaifeng's matchmakers have become popular, so go to Kaifeng during Qingming to join the fun. Qingming Riverside Garden is also suitable for taking kids for a stroll, and even more suitable for wearing Hanfu. 1️⃣2️⃣ Zhengzhou (🌟410 kilometers, 🕐 estimated 4.2 hours) Go to Zhengzhou for the 'Only in Henan' experience. There are not many check-in spots in Zhengzhou's urban area, but you can plan a 3-day trip with the surrounding areas.