Hebei Travel Guide

Hebei is located in North China, surrounding Beijing and Tianjin, and boasts a rich history, culture, and natural scenery. As one of the important birthplaces of Chinese civilization, Hebei has both magnificent mountains and profound cultural heritage. First, I recommend the Mountain Resort in Chengde. This is a royal garden from the Qing Dynasty that combines the styles of both southern and northern gardens and is listed as a World Cultural Heritage site. The pavilions and towers in the resort are well-arranged, and the scenery in the lake area is particularly charming. The Eight Outer Temples adjacent to the resort are also worth a visit, showcasing the essence of multi-ethnic architectural art. The Chongli Ski Resort in Zhangjiakou is a popular destination for winter tourism. Some of the events of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics were held here. In summer, it is a summer resort, and the grassland scenic highway is picturesque. The vastness of the Bashang Grassland is exhilarating, and you can experience grassland activities such as horseback riding and archery. Baoding has the famous Baiyang Lake, the largest freshwater lake in North China, where boating in the reed marshes is a unique experience. The Xiong'an New Area is under construction, where you can feel the pulse of China's modern urban development. The Western Qing Tombs and Eastern Qing Tombs show the grandeur of the Qing Dynasty's royal mausoleums. The ancient city of Zhengding in Shijiazhuang is well-preserved, and the Thousand-Hand Guanyin in Longxing Temple is an artistic treasure. Zhaozhou Bridge is the oldest existing single-arch stone bridge in the world, embodying the wisdom of ancient craftsmen. Xibaipo is a revolutionary holy site, recording the important history of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Beidaihe in Qinhuangdao is a famous summer resort, and Pigeon Nest Park is particularly spectacular for watching the sunrise. The starting point of the Great Wall of Shanhaiguan, Laolongtou, extends into the sea with great momentum. The Jinshanling Great Wall in Chengde is well-preserved, and the hiking route is very popular among tourists. In terms of cuisine, donkey burger is a special snack in Hebei, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Zhengding Eight Bowls brings together local traditional dishes. Cangzhou hot pot chicken is spicy and delicious. The salted duck eggs and stewed mixed fish in Baiyang Lake are also very distinctive. Zhangjiakou's oat noodles and roasted whole lamb reflect the boldness of northern cuisine. Hebei has convenient transportation and a developed high-speed rail network. Most major cities are accessible within 1–2 hours from Beijing. It is recommended to visit in spring and autumn for pleasant weather. May to October is the best time to visit the grassland, while winter is the time to experience the fun of skiing. Hebei combines history and modernity, nature and humanities, making it an excellent place to learn about northern Chinese culture.