Chongli is not a single ski resort, but a winter destination made up of a collection of mountains and ski resorts.

Located around three hours northwest of Beijing, the area has developed rapidly into one of China’s major skiing destinations. What makes Chongli interesting isn’t simply the scale of that development, but the variety of experiences across its different resorts - from expansive groomed terrain and modern lift systems to smaller, more relaxed ski areas with their own character.

I’ve returned to Chongli more than once, skiing across its different resorts and experiencing the area both on and off the mountain. Each visit has given me a slightly different perspective on what Chongli does well, where it falls short, and why it deserves a closer look from skiers considering China.

✈️ Getting There
One of Chongli’s biggest advantages is its accessibility.

It’s only about 3+ hours from Beijing, making it incredibly convenient to combine skiing with a city holiday.

If you book early enough, return flights from Kuala Lumpur are often around RM1,300–RM1,500, making Chongli a surprisingly accessible winter destination.

One of the host resorts for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, Yunding offers world-class facilities, modern lift systems, ski-in ski-out accommodation and night skiing.

This is where I usually spend most of my time because the runs are wide enough, long enough and offer varying pitches that are perfect for progression training.

Whether you’re working on linked turns, carving, edge control or simply building confidence, the terrain gives you plenty of room to practise and improve.

🎯 A run I particularly enjoy
One of my favourite beginner-friendly runs is 6A. Once you’re comfortably linking your turns, it’s a long scenic run that’s perfect for building mileage and confidence.

Halfway down, I always enjoy stopping to watch freestyle skiers and snowboarders training on the Olympic halfpipe. It’s one of those little moments that reminds me there’s always another level to work towards.

🌙 Night skiing
If you get the chance, don’t miss 6A at night. The atmosphere is completely different and it’s one of the most photogenic runs in Chongli.

🚡 When it’s freezing
When the wind starts howling, you’ll usually find me taking the gondola instead of the chairlift. It may be slightly slower, but those few extra minutes inside the enclosed cabin are well worth it on freezing days.

☕ A little stop I enjoy
Before heading back out, don’t miss the Burberry Café near the chairlift. Great coffee, great people-watching and definitely Instagram-worthy.

For longer runs, more vertical and plenty of mileage, Wanlong is usually my recommendation.

I think strong intermediate and advanced skiers will really appreciate the terrain here.

Fulong is fantastic for families and mixed-ability groups. It also offers ski-in ski-out accommodation, and a lively village atmosphere.

There are other resorts like Taiwoo, but personally I find Yunding, Wanlong and Fulong offer the best overall experience.

Some of the smaller resorts can feel a little limited, while others can get a little icier depending on the conditions.

👩‍🏫 Coaching
One thing I really appreciate is the instructor pool.

Many instructors are qualified to teach both skiing and snowboarding, making it much easier for mixed groups and families.

I’m also seeing more instructors who coach in both Chinese and English, although these bilingual instructors are always in high demand, so it’s worth booking them well in advance.

🚕 Getting Around
I Everything is accessible by Didi, so there’s really no need to rent a car.

This makes getting around Chongli considerably easier, particularly when you’re moving between the resorts, your accommodation and Chongli Town.

And if you don’t feel like going out for dinner, Meituan delivery can also bring dinner or even coffee directly to your room.

For a ski trip, those little conveniences matter.

🥢 Food
If you’re travelling with a mixed group, food is something worth thinking about before you go.

Halal food is relatively easy to find around Chongli Town, which makes things much easier for Muslim travellers and mixed groups.

🏙️ Add Beijing to Your Ski Trip
If you’re coming all the way to China to ski, why not add 2–3 days in Beijing before or after your time in Chongli?

It’s an easy way to turn the trip into more than just a ski holiday.

🛍️ Ciqikou Ski Gear Mall
If you’re interested in ski equipment, Ciqikou Ski Gear Mall is worth checking out.

You’ll find brands such as Override and Nobaday, among other ski-related options.

🏮Wangfujing
And then there’s Beijing itself.

Head to Wangfujing for shopping, food and the atmosphere of the city.

Of course, you can’t go to Beijing without having Peking duck.

Then there are the local snacks, bubble tea and all the little food discoveries along the way.

And yes — KFC China egg tarts are surprisingly good. 😂

Chongli is VERY, VERY cold.

Seriously.

Don’t underestimate it.

You might want to consider packing the following:

✅ Gloves / Hand warmers
✅ Scarves / Neck warmer
✅ Something to cover your face
✅ Proper layers
✅ Chocolates - quick source of energy

The cold can be a very different experience from skiing in Japan, particularly when the wind picks up.

And this is another reason why the gondola can become your best friend on particularly cold days.

❄️ What About Powder?
If your main reason for skiing is deep powder, Japan is still the destination I’d look towards.

Chongli is a different proposition.

What I enjoy about Chongli is the groomed pistes, progression opportunities, coaching and value.

🩺 My ACL Story
And then there’s the part of my Chongli story that I certainly didn’t plan.

I chose to have my ACL reconstruction in Chongli/China.

Having personally experienced the surgeons, medical facilities and care, I came away impressed with the healthcare experience.

It also gave me increasing confidence in the medical facilities there and made me more comfortable about returning to China — and bringing groups there.

It’s an unusual thing to include in a ski resort report, but it’s part of my actual Chongli experience.

And TSRR is about real experience, not just ticking off the usual resort-review categories.