Location: Baoding (保定) is situated in the middle part of North China Plain, composing of Golden triangle with Beijing and Tianjin.
Population: 11,194,400
Area: with an area of 22,185 square kilometers
Nationalities: Han
History: Baoding is the hometown of Yao Emperor. Its history could be traced back to 3,000 years ago. It was the territory of Yao Kingdom and Zhao Kingdom in West Zhou and Warring States. It acquired the name “Baoding” during the Yuan Dynasty with the interpretation of “protecting the capital”. In 1669, Baoding served as the capital of Zhili and was s center of politic, economy, culture, education and military affairs of Hebei Province.
Climate: With the influence of continental monsoon climate, Baoding has four distinctive seasons. The summer is hot and humid due to the East Asian monsoon. The winter is cold, windy and dry with the influence of vast Siberian anticyclone. Its annual average temperature is 12℃and the rainfall of 550mm.
Transportation: Railway- Beijing-Guangzhou Railway passes through the whole city. The inter-city trains shuttle between Beijing and Baoding every day. It is convenient to Handan, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Xian, Lanzhou, Hankou, and Guiyang from Baoding.
Highway- Beijing-Shijiazhuang Highway is across Baoding city. It takes only 2 hours from Baoding to Beijing and Shijiazhuang.
Local Specialties: Black Pottery in Xiong County, Quyang Stone Carving, Baigou Clay figurine, Quyang Ding Porcelain, Inkslab of Yishui, Reed Knitting
Local Food: Donkey Burger is the most famous local specialty food.
Attractions: The Mansion of the Governor of Zhili- The Mansion of the Governor of Zhili (直隶总督署) is the government office of stratocracy of Qing Dynasty, stationed from 1730 to 1911. It is the most complete provincial-lever government office at present.
Western Royal Tombs of the Qing Dynasty- Western Royal Tombs of the Qing Dynasty (清西陵), listed as the World Heritage in 2000, is situated in Yi County, Baoding City, about 140 km southwest of Beijing. Occupying as large as 50 thousand square meters, it consists of 14 tombs including Tailing for Emperor Yongzheng, Changling for Emperor Jiaqing, Muling for Emperor Daoguang, Chongling for Emperor Guangxu as well as 9 empresses, 56 concubines.

