Plan at a glance
Location and entrance
Northern Weapons City is an open-air park on Binggong Road in Qingshan District, Baotou, displaying retired military equipment. The entrance is to the right of the Visitor Center ticket office; follow the main loop on foot.
Tickets and opening hours
The reference adult ticket price is CNY 15. Children pay half price, and visitors aged 60 or older enter free with proof of age. From May 1 to September 30, listed hours are 08:00–19:00, with last entry at 18:30. From October 1 to April 30, the park is open 08:00–18:00. Check current notices for holiday or special arrangements.
How much time to allow
Allow about 1–2 hours to see the main displays along the loop. Most exhibits are outdoors. Whether you can enter a vehicle compartment or climb onto a display platform depends on the areas open on site.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
Choose your visit
203 mm howitzer and tanks
The main loop includes a 203 mm howitzer, a Type 59 tank and a twin 57 mm anti-aircraft gun. Follow the signs to see whether the driver's compartment of the Type 59 tank or the anti-aircraft gun's viewing platform is open to visitors.
Fighter aircraft and a steam locomotive
The route also passes J-5 and J-6 fighter aircraft and a steam locomotive, bringing land and air equipment from different periods together in one visit.
Places to photograph the displays
Beside the Type 59 tank, a low-angle view works well for photographing the vehicle. The fighter aircraft can be photographed from ground level to capture their overall profile. If you are interested in military equipment photography, use these as stops along the main loop.
Static displays and optional activities
Retired military equipment is the main focus of Northern Weapons City. Paid activities such as laser-simulated shooting and go-karting are also available; the shooting simulator has recoil simulation and does not use live ammunition. Check the activity details and price separately before joining.
How it differs from the Military Experience Base
Northern Weapons City mainly displays retired equipment. The Northern Military Experience Base offers tank rides, armored-vehicle experiences and military-themed activities. They are separate visitor areas with separate paid activities; confirm the current arrangements for each. A ride does not mean you can drive a tank freely or operate a weapon on your own.
For a public grassland walk and bike loop in Baotou, see Saihantala Urban Grassland.
Build your day
The 1–2 hour main loop
Enter through the checkpoint to the right of the Visitor Center ticket office. Follow the main path to the 203 mm howitzer, Type 59 tank and twin 57 mm anti-aircraft gun, then continue to the J-5 and J-6 aircraft and the steam locomotive before returning to the entrance. Allow about 1–2 hours, and view each display from the areas permitted by its barriers and signs.
See the equipment before adding an activity
The main loop is a walking route. Stop at equipment you are interested in where access is open. Laser-simulated shooting and go-karting cost extra; ticket concessions do not cover these activities.
Plan the two sites separately
If you also want to visit the Northern Military Experience Base, navigate to it separately and confirm its hours, activity prices and return arrangements. The static display area and the experience area require separate transport and entry planning; the distance of about 1.3 km is for route reference only.
Get there
Driving and parking
Navigate to Northern Weapons City on Binggong Road in Qingshan District. Free parking is available at the entrance. Begin the walking route at the checkpoint to the right of the ticket office.
Bus to the attraction stop
City buses 1, 25 and 33, among others, stop at Northern Weapons City Stop (北方兵器城站). From there, follow map directions to the Visitor Center entrance.
Going to the Military Experience Base
The Northern Military Experience Base is about 1.3 km from the static display area. Navigate to each site’s own address. If visiting both, check the experience area’s opening hours, paid activities and return arrangements in advance.
Know before you go
Where visitors may enter or climb
Only compartments, steps and display areas clearly marked as open may be approached or entered. Do not climb onto aircraft wings, closed equipment or hatches without an open-access sign.
Outdoor weather and footwear
Most of the visit is outdoors. Use sun protection in summer and dress warmly in winter. Wear comfortable walking shoes; the main route involves walking between displays.
Food options
Food choices inside the park are limited. Binggong Canteen (兵工食堂) serves simple local dishes such as zhajiangmian (炸酱面, noodles with soybean paste) and chatang (茶汤, a sweet, thick grain-based snack). For more choices, head to Wanda Plaza in Qingshan District after your visit; options include Beitou shaomai and Little Sheep hot pot.