Holiday in Baoding

About Baoding

Baoding is located in the northern Chinese province of Hebei, just 140 km southwest of Beijing, and has been the government seat of the province for centuries. The city combines imperial administrative history with natural beauty and is an ideal starting point for excursions in the surrounding area. The Zhili Governor's Office (Zhili Zongdu Shu) is the best-preserved provincial government complex of the Qing Dynasty in China. The expansive complex with over 60 buildings provides a unique insight into imperial administration and shows how governors ruled on behalf of the emperor. The Baiyangdian Wetlands, often referred to as the Pearl of Northern China, are the largest freshwater wetland in the North China Plain. A labyrinth of lakes, lotus fields, and reed areas stretches over 360 square kilometers. Boat trips through the blooming lotus fields in summer are an unforgettable experience. The Old Lotus Pond (Gulianchiguan) in the city center is a historic garden from the Tang Dynasty featuring elegant pavilions, bridges, and — of course — lotus flowers. The Daci Pavilion and the pagoda of the Temple of Great Mercy are among the oldest structures in the city. Baoding is also known in China for its Baoding balls (health balls): the metal balls that are rotated in the hand date back to the Ming Dynasty and are said to promote health and concentration. Factories and shops in the city offer them in numerous variations.