Baoding Zhili Governor's Office—Experience the History of the Ming and Qing Dynasties

Baoding Zhili Governor's Office, a historical treasure embedded deep in the annals of time, traces its origins back to the Yuan Dynasty. It witnessed the administrative changes of the Ming Dynasty and was magnificently expanded in the eighth year of the Yongzheng reign (1730) of the Qing Dynasty, becoming the core stage of Qing political affairs. It is not only a whisperer of the ages but also a brilliant chapter intertwining the politics, military, and culture of the Qing Empire. 【Opening Hours】Open all day, from dawn to dusk, 08:30 to 17:30, waiting for every traveler seeking traces of history. 【Ticket Policy】Adult journey, 30 yuan carrying heavy history; student exploration, half-price discount enlightening the future; senior citizens, over 70 years old, free entry through this gate to the past, sharing the cultural feast. The Zhili Governor's Office, also known as the Zhili Governor's Department, stands proudly on the land of China. As a model of provincial administrative buildings of the Qing Dynasty, its completeness is rare in the world. Facing the prosperous south and backed by the north of time, it narrates the rigorous regulations and spatial aesthetics of the Qing provincial yamen with the stability and solemnity of northern yamen architecture. The East Route, Middle Route, and West Route run parallel, with multiple courtyards arranged in an orderly manner. The beauty of order is fully displayed in the symmetrical central axis. Each brick and tile in the deep courtyards tells the glory and vicissitudes of the past. The middle route on the central axis is like the main melody of history, with five courtyards progressing layer by layer. The main rooms are connected like a string of pearls, with side rooms and wing rooms silently accompanying each other. From south to north, the majestic main gate, the solemn ceremonial gate, the public justice archway proclaiming fairness, the grand hall solemnly handling state affairs, the second hall for private discussions, the elegant official residence, and the hidden upper residence—all these places are the soft whispers of history, making one feel as if they are traveling through time, experiencing the glory and changes of the Qing Dynasty. Here, it is not just an ancient site built of bricks and stones but a living fossil of the political affairs of eight Qing emperors. It once welcomed the wisdom of Zeng Guofan, the foreign affairs of Li Hongzhang, the rise of Yuan Shikai, and the diligent governance of Fang Guancheng. The governance of 74 governors intertwined here, painting a magnificent historical picture. Until 1911, with the fall of the Qing Dynasty, the Zhili Governor's Office quietly closed its historical scroll, leaving endless stories and imaginations. For your visit, we recommend using the "Whispers of History" explanation service. Whether it's a self-service electronic guide or a warm human guide, it can lead you deep into the texture of history. Every stop becomes a dialogue across time with wise men of the past, making this journey not only a visual feast but also a historical one, with profound significance.