Things to do in Baoding

My childhood visit to Yesanpo was unforgettable, but now that I'm older, it feels different. For those with limited stamina, I recommend taking the cable car up and down the mountain; there's not much scenery up there, mostly below. I revisited during the National Day holiday. There were many great activities at the entrance, including various photo opportunities suitable for all ages. It's a perfect summer retreat; you can play in the water, and the canyon is even cooler.

A great tourist attraction, well worth a visit. This used to be the office of what is now equivalent to that of a top-level city official. Besides the office space, there's also a very beautiful garden, comparable to the famous gardens of Suzhou.

A journey to Baishi Mountain took me across sheer cliffside walkways, winding through a forest of marble peaks. At the northern end of the 800-li Taihang Mountains, towering peaks rise majestically, mountain breezes sweep through the valleys, and clouds drift gently among the ridges. Though the climb was tiring, standing atop Foguang Peak and gazing at the surrounding mountains made all the hard work worthwhile. Millions of years of nature have sculpted this extraordinary landscape, both majestic and serene. Leave the worries of the city behind in the valley, and take with you the breathtaking scenery and the refreshing breeze. A perfect trip; I look forward to seeing the Baishi cloud sea again.

The Yishui Lake boat ticket includes a round trip, and a boat trip is necessary to visit Laozi Peak. The boat glides through the canyon and lake, offering beautiful scenery and a great sightseeing experience. The boat is stable and relatively safe. Online tickets are slightly cheaper than on-site tickets. The downsides are long queues at the pier during peak season, generally higher ticket prices, and the requirement to return to the same pier; changing piers is not possible. The last boat departs early, so time management is important. This is suitable for tourists who enjoy mountain and water scenery; traveling during off-peak seasons can significantly enhance the boat trip experience.

This road trip to Hebei included a special trip for the children to the Xiong'an Impression Exhibition Hall, allowing them to immerse themselves in understanding this city of the future. The exhibition hall is divided into three main areas: symbiosis, co-construction, and sharing. Naked-eye 3D light and shadow, AR interaction, and a huge city model vividly present Xiong'an's past, present, and future. The light and shadow painting of Baiyangdian Lake helped the children understand the original water town atmosphere of this land; the giant 3D sand table intuitively displayed the three cities above ground, underground, and in the clouds, captivating the children's attention. There were also digital cycling and interactive installations, offering educational experiences beyond dry text explanations. The only downside is that the first-floor exhibition hall is not large; the entire experience takes about thirty minutes.

I visited Bailixia during the National Day holiday, and it felt completely different from summer. We left Beijing in the morning and arrived in about two hours. I recommend not sleeping in; if you arrive around 7 am, there's still parking available, but by 9 or 10 am, the cars are lined up outside. The canyon in October already had a touch of autumn; the mountains were a mix of yellow and red, with steep, rocky cliffs on either side, making for beautiful photos from every angle. The key was the coolness. While the sun was blazing outside, a gentle breeze once you entered the valley was incredibly refreshing. It got a bit chilly after walking for a while, so bringing a light jacket was definitely a good idea. We entered through Haitangyu and exited through Shixuanxia. There were streams along the way, but the stone paths were a bit slippery, so wear non-slip shoes. The narrowest part of Yixiantian (One Line Sky) requires you to squeeze sideways to get through; it gets crowded during the National Day holiday, so don't stand there endlessly if you want to take photos. The Heavenly Ladder steps are quite strenuous, so I took the cable car up (50 yuan one way), which saved me the effort. There's a high-altitude bicycle show at the summit in the afternoon; if you happen to catch it, just take a quick look—it's quite thrilling. A leisurely stroll through the entire area takes three or four hours without getting tired. Things tend to be more expensive during holidays, so bring your own water and snacks. Anyway, if you're looking for a place that's not too sunny during the National Day holiday, where you can stroll around and enjoy autumn scenery, Bailixia is a good option, but you should go early.

Driving to Yi County, Baoding to visit the Western Qing Tombs was a truly unexpected and delightful experience! Compared to the Eastern Qing Tombs, it was much less crowded, and the entire area was surrounded by ancient pine trees, creating a tranquil and atmospheric ambiance. The Western Qing Tombs are the final resting place of four emperors: Yongzheng, Jiaqing, Daoguang, and Guangxu. The tombs are quite far apart, making a drive the most convenient option. Each tomb has parking available with a single payment. A few must-see spots: The Tai Mausoleum, Yongzheng's tomb, features three particularly grand stone archways and a long spirit path.

Stepping into the Huai Army Headquarters, the most captivating feature within the courtyard is this enclosed ancient opera stage from the Qing Dynasty, the largest existing building of its kind in China. Looking up, the spiral caisson ceiling, constructed from over 3,800 wooden components joined by mortise and tenon joints without a single nail, spirals like a chicken coop, with two dragons playing with a pearl at its center, still faintly retaining the gleam of its former gold leaf. This is the natural sound field of the ancients; no sound system is needed, the sounds of singing and music resonate throughout the room, their lingering resonance reaching the second-floor corridors. Surrounded by two layers of verandas, the former partitions once arranged for private boxes. Wood and brick carvings depict flowers, birds, auspicious beasts, and opera stories, adorning the beams and railings—a testament to the exquisite craftsmanship of the Huizhou style, a testament to the land of Hebei. In the past, after paying tribute to the fallen heroes, the soldiers of the Huai Army would listen to their native songs and melodies here. On stage, the joys and sorrows of life were portrayed, while those in the audience felt a deep longing for their homeland.

Baoding's old city boasts a treasure trove of ancient gardens, with 800 years of history and the former site of Lianchi Academy. A pond teems with vibrant lotus leaves, while pavilions, rockeries, and stele corridors are arranged in a harmonious and picturesque manner, offering a rare touch of Jiangnan charm within a northern garden. The park is quite large, perfect for a leisurely stroll and ideal for taking the elderly and children for walks and photo opportunities. Numerous steles within the park showcase its rich cultural heritage. Located not far from the Zhili Governor-General's Office, it's highly recommended as a convenient stop on a day trip through the ancient city.

Baiyangdian truly lives up to its name as the Pearl of North China. Boating through the reed marshes is incredibly atmospheric, and in summer, the vast lotus ponds stretch as far as the eye can see, creating a breathtaking scene. The Lotus Grand View Garden offers a variety of lotus flowers, while the Gazi Village and the Wild Goose Team Memorial Hall in the Cultural Garden are educational and suitable for families with children. Boating on the water is a fantastic experience, and you can even spot water birds. Overall, it's a great short trip for those from the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, and I highly recommend visiting during the summer when the lotus flowers are in bloom for the best experience.