Chongli stands as the Chinese equivalent of Davos

Much of Zhangjiakou lies in the transitional terrain between the mountains and the plains. Called "ba" by the locals, it refers to an elevation of 1,200-1,400 meters above sea level, which means it is several degrees cooler in summer than places like Beijing and hence a perfect retreat from the heat.

Hidden among the rolling steppes and gently sinuous mountain ranges is a 133-km road officially called "Grass Skyline" and often compared to Route 66 in the United States.

Meandering from Zhangbei all the way to Chongli, this scenic drive has been a big attraction since it opened in 2012.