A Zhangjiakou road trip: Speed, heritage and wilderness

There's forest thrills, ancient architecture, and wide-open plains: In Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province, you can pack three kinds of travel into one route.

First stop, Chongli Olympic Park. Hop on the 1,500-meter monorail coaster – it zips through the forest, sunlight flickering through the leaves, with the Chongli mountains sprawled out below.

Next up, the pump track at Fulong Mountain Bike Park. You don't even have to pedal – just pump your way around the loop. The track itself is free to ride; gear rental runs $8.85/hour for a full set of pads and a helmet. Pure speed and adrenaline, without the price tag.

Third stop, Yuxian's Yuhuang Pavilion. It's been featured in the game "Black Myth: Wukong." It's also an example of Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) architecture with swooping eaves and detailed brackets. Climb up for a view of the ancient town – tickets are just $2.95.

Last stop, Zhangbei Bashang Grassland – free! Picture this: cattle and sheep grazing where the wind bends the grass. Herds wander lazily by the reservoir. Here, time slows down, and the sky opens wide.

Speed, heritage and wilderness – three kinds of travel, one single road.