Qinhuangdao Circuit
Location
Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China
Current Local Time
Track Info
Qinhuangdao Shougang Motorsport Valley - Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China
FIA Grade 2 circuit built through a former steelworks - anti-clockwise - fast, technical and surrounded by dramatic industrial architecture
When was the track built?
Qinhuangdao's circuit has one of the most unusual origins in motorsport. The site was originally a huge Shougang steelworks. When steel production ended in June 2018, much of the industrial machinery and buildings were deliberately preserved instead of being demolished.
The race circuit was created through this industrial landscape. Around 2 km follows existing factory roads, while another 1.8 km of new asphalt links them together. Chinese circuit designer Dr Yao Qiming created the layout, producing a 3.8 km track capable of hosting major national and international categories.
When was its first race?
The circuit's first event was held on 13-14 October 2018 with the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Racing Festival and Qinhuangdao GT Carnival. It was the public debut of a race track that had been created only months after steel production stopped.
A few weeks later the Chinese Truck Racing Championship held its 2018 finale here. Formula 4 and China GT followed in 2019, establishing Qinhuangdao as a serious national-level racing venue.
What's the circuit like?
- Fast but technical: Qinhuangdao has a design speed approaching 273 km/h, but its 17 corners mean drivers also spend plenty of time braking, changing direction and preparing for the next section.
- Constant rhythm changes: Fast corners are mixed with slower technical sections. A driver needs to switch quickly between carrying momentum and positioning the car accurately.
- Unlike almost anywhere else: Cars race between former furnaces, workshops and other steelworks structures. It feels partly like a permanent circuit and partly like a street course through an industrial city.
The track's roughly 20 metres of elevation change adds another challenge, while the surrounding buildings can make some sections feel much narrower and faster than they appear on a circuit map.
Lap records and benchmarks
- GT3: 1:34.193 - Alessio Picariello, Mercedes-AMG GT3, 2019.
- GTC: 1:38.507 - Dominic Ang / Song Bo entry, Radical RXC V6 Turbo, 2019.
- LMP3: 1:41.937 - Yang Kaiwen / Zheng Wancheng / Mi Qiyu entry, 2024.
- GT4: 1:42.457 - Guo Guoxin, Mercedes-AMG GT4, 2019.
- Production-based endurance: 1:47.777 - Chen Jialong / Wang Tao / Liang Qi entry, Hongqi H6, 2024.
These are published qualifying benchmarks from different categories rather than directly comparable outright race records.
Why go?
Qinhuangdao is worth visiting even before the racing begins. Instead of hiding its industrial past, the venue makes the old steelworks part of the experience. Racing cars passing huge factory structures creates scenery unlike almost any conventional circuit.
The wider Motorsport Valley also includes karting, drag racing, driving experiences and automotive entertainment. Major events have included China GT, Formula 4, motorcycle racing, truck racing and the China Endurance Championship.
Where's the best place to watch?
- Main straight: The easiest place for first-time visitors, with race starts, finishes and pit-lane activity all nearby.
- Heavy braking zones: Where spectator access allows, the slower corners offer a clearer view of overtaking attempts and the difference between drivers' braking techniques.
- Industrial sections: The most distinctive Qinhuangdao experience. Watching cars weave between preserved steelworks structures gives the circuit its unique character.
Spectator areas can vary considerably between events, so check the event map and follow circuit signage when choosing where to watch.
Transportation & Parking
Getting to Qinhuangdao Circuit (China)
Qinhuangdao Circuit is better known locally as Qinhuangdao Shougang Motorsport Valley or Shougang International Circuit. It is in Duzhuang Town on the outskirts of Qinhuangdao in Hebei Province. Taxi, ride-hailing or private car is the easiest way to arrive, while Qinhuangdao Railway Station provides a very useful connection from Beijing and other Chinese cities.
Which Qinhuangdao circuit?
If your ticket or race calendar simply says Qinhuangdao Circuit, it will usually mean the 3.8 km circuit inside Qinhuangdao Shougang Motorsport Valley.
You may also see the names Shougang International Circuit, Shougang GT Circuit or Shougang Racing Valley.
Taxi, ride-hailing & driving
- From central Qinhuangdao: head towards Duzhuang Town and the Qin-Qing Road area, then follow navigation to Shougang Motorsport Valley.
- Chinese navigation: search for 秦皇岛首钢赛车谷. This is usually more reliable than entering an English circuit name.
- Detailed location: Chinese maps currently place the venue near Qin-Qing Road, south-west of Mingxing Shengshi Jiayuan.
- From Beijing: drivers normally approach Qinhuangdao using the G1 Jingha Expressway before following local navigation to the circuit.
- Parking: use the parking area specified for your event, as large race meetings may separate spectators, competitors and support vehicles.
Tip: The circuit is outside the main beachfront tourist areas, so navigate directly to the raceway rather than travelling to Beidaihe first.
Train
- Qinhuangdao Station: the most useful railway station for most circuit visitors.
- From Beijing: direct high-speed services make Qinhuangdao an easy rail trip, with some journeys taking well under two hours.
- Station → circuit: complete the journey by taxi or ride-hailing because trains do not continue to Motorsport Valley.
- Tickets: use China Railway's 12306 service to check the exact timetable and reserve your train.
For visitors starting in Beijing, high-speed train plus taxi can be easier than hiring a car for the entire journey.
Airport transfers
- Qinhuangdao Beidaihe Airport (BPE): the local commercial airport and the obvious choice if a suitable flight is available.
- 2026 flights: the airport currently serves several Chinese cities, with its route network expanded for the summer season.
- Airport → circuit: taxi, ride-hailing or a pre-arranged transfer is the simplest option.
- International visitors: Beijing can also work well because of its much larger flight network and fast rail connections to Qinhuangdao.
Driving in China for overseas visitors
- Foreign licences: an overseas driving licence or International Driving Permit alone is generally not enough to drive in mainland China.
- Temporary permit: eligible visitors can apply for a Chinese provisional driving permit.
- Simpler option: for a short race weekend, train plus taxi or ride-hailing avoids the extra driving paperwork.
Race-day tips
- Active venue: the circuit continues to host motorsport in 2026, including TimeAttack events.
- Industrial setting: the track runs through the former Shougang steelworks, so the venue is much larger than a simple stand-and-paddock race circuit.
- Event entrance: save your organiser's gate instructions because different activities within Motorsport Valley can use different access points.
- Food & facilities: availability can vary between large championship meetings and smaller track days, so check your specific event beforehand.
Where to stay
- Central Qinhuangdao: practical for railway arrivals, restaurants and city facilities.
- Haigang District: convenient for keeping the road journey to the circuit relatively short.
- Beidaihe: a popular coastal base if you want to combine the race weekend with a beach stay, but it is farther from the circuit.
- Camping: do not assume general spectator camping is available unless your event specifically confirms it.
Accessibility
- Limited mobility: taxi or private vehicle is normally the simplest way to reach the correct entrance with minimal walking.
- Large complex: confirm your drop-off point with the organiser because Motorsport Valley covers a substantial former industrial site.
- Before travelling: ask your event organiser about current accessible parking, seating and spectator routes.
Quick guide
- Coming by train? Use Qinhuangdao Railway Station, then take a taxi or ride-hailing vehicle.
- Flying? Qinhuangdao Beidaihe Airport is the local option; Beijing offers far more international connections.
- Using navigation? Save the Chinese name 秦皇岛首钢赛车谷 for the most reliable search.
Check your race organiser shortly before travelling, as tickets, gates, parking and spectator access can vary between events at the wider Shougang Motorsport Valley complex.
Nearby Activities
Things to do around Qinhuangdao Circuit (Qinhuangdao, China)
Qinhuangdao Circuit, better known as Shougang International Circuit or Shougang Motorsport Valley, is one of China’s most unusual racing venues. Built through a former steelworks, it combines motorsport with industrial scenery - while beaches, wildlife and famous sections of the Great Wall are all within the wider Qinhuangdao area.
Family-friendly highlights
- Karting at Shougang Motorsport Valley: The complex includes several kart tracks, including an outdoor circuit built to international competition standards. Check public-session availability before travelling.
- Qinhuangdao Wildlife Park: A popular family attraction near the Beidaihe coast where visitors can see a wide variety of animals in a large park setting.
- Pigeon Nest Park: A famous coastal viewpoint in Beidaihe known for sunrises, tidal flats and birdwatching.
- Beidaihe Beach: Swap engines for sea air with a walk or relaxed afternoon along one of northern China’s best-known seaside resort areas.
History & rainy-day stops
- Shanhaiguan: Explore the historic fortified pass where the Great Wall reaches the eastern edge of its famous Ming-era defensive system.
- Old Dragon’s Head: See the dramatic point where the Great Wall extends towards the Bohai Sea. It is one of Qinhuangdao’s signature sights.
- Qinhuangdao Museum of Glass: A useful indoor stop explaining the city’s long connection with glassmaking and industrial development.
- Shougang industrial heritage: Even the circuit itself is part of the sightseeing. Former steelworks structures were retained when the site was transformed into a motorsport and tourism complex.
Eat & drink like a local
- Seafood: Qinhuangdao’s Bohai Sea location means prawns, crab, shellfish and fish feature heavily on local menus, especially around the coastal districts.
- Shanhaiguan hun guo: A local-style hotpot traditionally combining meat, vegetables, tofu and seafood in a warming shared dish.
- Boluo leaf cakes: A regional snack with a savoury filling wrapped in a starch-based layer and cooked inside leaves.
- Beidaihe: The beachfront and surrounding streets offer an easy choice of restaurants if you want dinner after sightseeing by the sea.
Get outdoors by the coast
- Pigeon Nest Park: Go early for sunrise or visit during migration periods for birdwatching around the wetlands and tidal flats.
- Beidaihe: Walk the waterfront, relax on the beach or simply spend a quieter afternoon away from the circuit.
- Jiaoshan Great Wall: For something more active, climb a mountainous section of the Great Wall above Shanhaiguan for wide views across the surrounding countryside.
Easy trips if you’re extending your stay
- Shanhaiguan & Old Dragon’s Head: Combine the ancient pass and the Great Wall’s meeting point with the sea for an easy history-focused day.
- Changli Gold Coast: Head farther along the Bohai coast for beaches, dunes and a slower resort atmosphere.
- Zushan Scenic Area: Travel inland for mountain scenery, forest walks and a complete change from Qinhuangdao’s beaches and industrial landscape.
Good to know on event weekends
- Confirm the race schedule: Major circuit events are not held every weekend, so check that your chosen meeting is open to spectators before planning around it.
- The circuit feels different: Parts of the course run close to walls and old industrial structures, giving it a character closer to a street circuit than a typical open racetrack.
- Allow time for sightseeing: Qinhuangdao’s main attractions are spread between inland areas, the city, Beidaihe and Shanhaiguan, so avoid squeezing them into short gaps between sessions.
- Summer is busy: Qinhuangdao is a major seaside destination, so beaches, hotels and popular attractions can become crowded during the warmer holiday season.
Race calendars, karting availability, circuit access, attraction tickets and coastal conditions can change - check current information before you travel.