The beautiful Chinese province of Hebei is located east of the Taihang Mountains and north of the Yellow River. It has numerous historical relics as well as gorgeous natural scenery making it a popular retreat.
Somewhat overshadowed by the neighboring metropolises of Beijing and Tianjin, Hebei boasts a long and proud history which can be backtracked to the Spring and Autumn Period dating from 770 to 476 BC. Back in this period it was then named ‘Land of Yan and Zhao’ since its northern part was controlled by the Kingdom of Yan and its southern part was ruled by the Kingdom of Zhao.
The provincial capital Shijiazhuang is home to several important historical attractions like the Zhaozhou Bridge, the country’s oldest stone-arch bridge, and Qiaoloudian Hall, one of the three hanging temples in China. Besides, the majestic Mt Taihang presents some delightful natural scenery, while the scenic areas of Mt Cangyan and Zhangshiyan pull tourists from all over the world.
Visitors to Hebei have an unparalleled chance to see numerous relics in this gorgeous province. The most renowned Chengde Mountain Resort used to be the largest summer retreat for the Qing Dynasty, which reigned in China between 1644 and 1911. Outside the enclosing wall of the resort, you will find a display of various magnificent temples called ‘Eight Outer Temples’ that form the largest imperial temple complex in the country.
Also named the ‘First Pass under Heaven’, Shanhaiguan Pass is at the easternmost tip of the Great Wall that winds through the north of Hebei. One of the three major passes, this First Class National Cultural site is another tourist draw in the area. The Mulan Paddock used to be the hunting ground for the emperors of the Qing era and is nowadays a natural grassland resort popular with visitors who long for serene countryside and a bit of fresh air.
Apart from viewing the diverse sites, visitors touring Hebei can also enjoy all the lovely landscapes the province has to offer. In the spring, go for a ride through the immense grassland; in the summer, head to the sunny beaches of Beidahe and Nandaihe at the Gulf of Bohai; in the fall, explore the captivating scenic region of Yesanpo near Baoding, with mountains, rivers, gorges and virgin forests; and in the winter, Bayang Lake is a spectacular destination featuring hundreds of shallow lakes, while the close-by Ancient Lotus Pool is one of China’s 10 most famous gardens.
Getting There & Away
The international airport in Shijiazhuang serves 44 air routes to around 30 domestic and international destinations. Trains link the provincial capital with more than 50 cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Kunming and Lhasa. The fastest train takes 2 hours from Beijing and the journey from Shanghai takes about 18 hours. Scattered around Shijiazhuang are also over 10 long-distance bus stations.