Hi-tech, traditional charms enthrall

Impressive venue

The effort of pulling off the Winter Olympics across scattered sites can best be appreciated by taking the high-speed train to Zhangjiakou.

Those wanting to focus on venues and immerse themselves in the Olympic atmosphere should head straight for Taizicheng Railway Station. To get the big picture of how Chongli district evolved into an international ski hot spot, the exhibition hall in Taizicheng resort, the core area of the Olympic venue, provides an excellent introduction. It chronicles preparations for the Winter Olympics through interactive exhibits.

A few minutes drive away, the National Ski Jumping Center, or Snow Ruyi, is one of Chongli's highlights. It was the venue for the ski jumping and Nordic combined (a sport that comprises ski jumping and cross-country skiing disciplines) events. There, visitors can ride the specially designed inclined elevator, one of the fastest of its kind in the world, which will take them up more than 250 meters in two minutes, to get stunning panoramic views of the area.

At nearby Snow Ruyi, a massive resort with 32 kilometers of ski trails over 135 hectares, new experiences like snow trekking and dog sledding with Alaskan huskies, add a delightful twist to the winter experience.

Visitors should be sure not to miss the Ice Jade Ring, a C-shaped skywalk with breathtaking views of major Olympic buildings, including the National Ski Jumping Center and the National Cross-Country Skiing Center, as well as of the area's natural beauty.