Baoding

Understand

Administratively, Baoding is vast with the prefecture's land area encompassing 11 million inhabitants. The metro area has a population of 2 million. There are several outerlying counties far from the center. In the north is Yi County has a multi-site tourist complex centered on the Western Qing Tombs that includes a Yishui Lake and a historic town. In the northwest of Baoding Prefecture is Laiyuan County which includes Baishi Mountain, one of north China's most picturesque mountains. Baoding was razed by the Mongols in the 13th century but was reconstructed under the Yuan dynasty, during which it received its contemporary name. It flourished as a cultural hub throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties. During the Qing Dynasty, Baoding housed the Viceroy of Zhili, a key administrative role overseeing Zhili Province—now primarily Hebei. This position held significant sway in imperial court politics, given the province encircled Beijing. The viceroy's office is now a museum.

Getting there

By plane Inter-provincial bus travel to Baoding from Beijing Capital International Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport. [1] High speed rail from Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport to Baoding East takes about 30 minutes.

By train 1 Baoding Station is near the city center. It offers less frequent train services from Beijing Station. Travel times vary between approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes to 2 hours and 10 minutes by high-speed rail. 2 Baoding East Station is roughly 7 km east of the city center, serves trains from Beijing West Station and Beijing Fentai Station. The journey by high-speed rail typically takes about 40 to 50 minutes.

Getting around

Taxis are plentiful. There is no metro system. Notably, some of the regular city buses are given a sort of fake 'antique' or actual 'museum' feel with plastic lining made to look like wood and some local specialties like ornate fans or bottles of liquor exhibited inside.

See

Central Baoding

1 Tangut dharani pillars (西夏文石幢 xī xià wén shí zhuàng). The Western Xia empire was destroyed by the Mongols in the 14th century, however a community of Tangut people from the Western Xia erected these pillars far away in Baoding in the 16th century. It is one of the few examples of the complex Tangut script found outside of Western China. (updated Dec 2016) 2 Baoding Museum (保定博物馆, 保定市博物馆), 1032 Qiyi East Road, Lianchi District (莲池区七一东路1032号) (take bus no. 4, 27, 29, 39, 61, 70, 806 or Tourist Bus 3), ☏ +86 312 4446098. Tuesday to Sunday 09:00-17:00 (doors closed at 16:30), closed on Mondays. The Baoding Museum is a large museum with a lot of city and Great Wall history. Free. (updated Dec 2022) 3 Baoding Natural History Museum (保定自然博物馆), Southeast corner of the intersection of East 3rd Ring Road and Dongfeng East Road, Lianchi District (莲池区东三环路与东风东路交叉口东南角方向) (take bus K1, Tourist Bus 1 or Tourist Bus 3), ☏ +86 312 5897333, +86 312 5950132. 09:00-17:00, no entry after 16:30, closed on Monday (except when Monday is a public holiday). Opened in early 2024, this new museum is a branch of the Paleozoological Museum of China, which is based in Beijing. It is many times larger than the Beijing branch and claims to be one of the largest natural history museums in Asia. Notable items in the museum’s collection include the world’s only complete skeleton of a Chinese velociraptor and some well-preserved pterosaur eggs. No longer free: they charge ¥40, and the only payment method accepted is WeChatPay, but there may be someone around who can help you circumvent that. (updated May 2024) 4 Office of the Viceroy of Zhili (直隶总督署, Zhili Governor-General’s Office), 301 Yuhua West Road, Lianchi District (莲池区裕华西路301号) (bus nos. 1, 4, 6, 8, 12, 26, 35, 39, 66 and K1), ☏ +86 312 2066455 (tourist services), +86 312 2016547 (complaints), +86 312 2066444 (office), [email protected]. 08:30-17:30 (March 16 to November 14), 09:00-17:00 (November 15 to March 15), no entry in last 30 minutes, closed on Monday. Built in 1729, this was the office of the Viceroy of Zhili from the time of its construction up until the fall of the Qing Dynasty. It is considered to be the best preserved Qing-era provincial governor’s office in China and has thus become one of the most popular attractions in central Baoding. ¥30. (updated May 2024) 5 Baoding Zoo (保定市动物园), 688 Yonghua South Street, Lianchi District (莲池区永华南大街688号) (take bus no. 3, 21, 26, 36 or 60 to get to the north gate (which is on the west side of the zoo); take bus no. 7, 19, 32, 39 or 66 to reach the east gate), ☏ +86

Do

Fuping Cat Village (阜平猫村), Longquanguan Town. A small rural village known for its large population of free-roaming cats. Access is mainly by self-driving, as there is only one main road leading into the village and public transport options are limited. The cats are generally calm and friendly. Many walls in the village are decorated with graffiti murals created by local residents. Visitors are not allowed to bring their own cat food; those who wish to interact with the cats can purchase food directly from villagers. ¥10. (updated Dec 2025) Lianchi Academy Museum (莲池书院), No. 246 Yuhua West Road, Yuhua Subdistrict, Lianchi District, ☏ +86 0312-2022579. Daily 09:00–17:30 (last entry at 16:30). A historic academy built in a Jiangnan-style courtyard layout, combining classical gardens, former official residences, and traditional academy spaces. In summer, the ponds filled with lotus flowers are a highlight. ¥30 per person. (updated Dec 2025)

Baoding Banquet Food Culture Museum (保定宴饮食博物馆), No. 2239 Chaoyang North Street, High-tech Zone, ☏ +86 15631240807. The museum recreates scenes of old Baoding, including traditional streets, shops, and workshops. It focuses on the food culture, history, and traditional culinary techniques of Baoding and the wider Hebei region. Visitors can sample local snacks and dishes on site, and some intangible cultural heritage activities are available, such as sugar painting and dough figurine making. (updated Dec 2025) Xingrui Holiday Hot Spring (兴芮温泉), Langwuzhuang Village, Gaolin Village Town, Xushui District, ☏ +86 15631240813. Daily 09:00–24:00. A hot spring resort combining indoor and outdoor pools with water-based recreation. The complex has around 50–60 different hot spring pools, along with sauna facilities and a buffet restaurant. It is a popular place to relax and unwind. ¥80 per person; ¥129 for two people. (updated Dec 2025)

Buy

Xidajie (West Street) is the main historical shopping street in the area, reopened in 2022 after renovations. A bustling hub for visitors, this street draws comparisons to Nanluoguxiang in Beijing and other historical shopping streets across China. One thing that sets Xidajie apart is a unique local offering: a shop specializing in Baoding balls (look for the storefront with the big sign 保定铁球). These traditional Chinese relaxation tools, consisting of two metal balls that are rotated in one hand, are a famed cultural hallmark of the city.

Eat

Baoding is famous around China for donkey burgers (驴肉火烧), which are sandwiches stuffed with donkey meat. Laolütou Donkey Burger (Intangible Cultural Heritage Branch) (老驴头驴肉火烧非遗店), No. 555-2 Ruian Road, Lianchi District, ☏ +86 13111677797. Daily 06:30–21:00. A well-known local spot for donkey meat burger (lǘròu huǒshāo), popular with residents. The signature set pairs a freshly baked donkey meat burger with a bowl of tofu soup, a classic Baoding combination. ¥20. (updated Dec 2025) Shiji Stir-fried Pork Kidney (史记炒腰花), Opposite Central Fengjing Block B, Yangguang South Avenue, Jingxiu District, ☏ +86 18400978387. Daily 10:30–14:00, 17:00–21:00. A restaurant specializing in Baoding-style dishes. The signature dish is stir-fried pork kidney, known for its slightly sweet-and-sour flavor. Another popular dish is Shiji dry-fried chicken, which is mildly numbing and spicy. A good option for trying local Baoding stir-fry cuisine. ¥40-70. (updated Dec 2025) Baifu Beef Broth with Flatbread (Niurou Zhaobing) (白府牛肉罩饼), No. 2837 Fuxing Middle Road, Jingxiu District, ☏ +86 18400979001. Daily 11:00–22:00. Beef broth with flatbread is one of Baoding’s well-known local foods, made by serving sliced beef and flatbread in a rich, slow-simmered beef broth. This restaurant specializes in the dish and also offers a range of classic stir-fried dishes, making it a good choice for a full local-style meal. ¥50. (updated Dec 2025) Shuaifude Hot Pot (帅福德火锅), No. 481 Yonghua South Avenue, Lianchi District, ☏ +86 18400978326. Daily 10:30–21:30. A traditional Beijing-style copper hot pot restaurant serving freshly sliced beef and lamb with a house-made sesame sauce. A good choice for visitors who want to try classic northern Chinese hot pot. ¥70-90. (updated Dec 2025)

Drink & nightlife

Old Nest Bar (老巢酒吧), No. 204 Yuhua West Road, Yuhua Subdistrict, Lianchi District, ☏ +86 16630230762. Daily 17:00–02:00. A small, private bar with a vintage-style interior. Jazz music is often played, and the menu focuses on house cocktails and a selection of beers. The bar occasionally hosts a “drinking challenge,” where finishing ten cocktails within a set time qualifies for a free bill. ¥60–130 per person. (updated Dec 2025)

Chao Martini Bar (马天尼露台), No. 88, Phase 3, SuSan Creative Park, Ginkgo Road, Hancun Township, Jingxiu District, ☏ +86 16630230756. Daily 17:00–03:00. An American-style bar with both indoor and outdoor seating. The menu includes cocktails, whisky, and a self-serve beer selection, along with a wide range of light meals such as burgers, tacos, and pasta. ¥80–150 per person. (updated Dec 2025) 5.2 R&B, No. 899, Chaoyang North Street, National High-Tech Zone, Hancun Township, Jingxiu District, ☏ +86 18634196459. Daily 20:00–04:00. A livehouse-style bar offering a range of house specialty cocktails. Live bands perform every night, making it a popular spot for music and nightlife. ¥60. (updated Dec 2025)

Sleep

JI Hotel (All Seasons) (全季酒店), No. 6 Jintai Middle Road, ☏ +86 0312-5877758. Check-in: 12：00, check-out: 14：00. A comfortable chain hotel offering luggage storage, parking, a gym, and a laundry room. A breakfast buffet is available for ¥40 per person. Twin room from ¥279. (updated Dec 2025) Modern Four Seasons Hotel (摩登四季酒店), No. 77 Cuiyuan Street, Hancun North Road Subdistrict, Jingxiu District, ☏ +86 0312-7933222. Check-in: 14：00, check-out: 12：00. Free breakfast, children’s play area, cafe, luggage storage, airport transfer service Single room from ¥148. (updated Dec 2025) Orange Hotel (桔子酒店), 1/F, Xuancai SOHO Business Building, northwest corner of the intersection of Tengfei Road and Fengqi Street, Dongjinzhuang Township, Lianchi District, ☏ +86 181311256973. Check-in: 14：00, check-out: 12：00. A mid-range chain hotel with clean and comfortable rooms. Facilities include a private parking lot, free buffet breakfast, luggage storage, and car rental services. Single room from ¥285; twin room from ¥355. (updated Dec 2025) Hanting Hotel (汉庭酒店), No. 733 Yuhua West Road, Yonghua Subdistrict, Lianchi District, ☏ +86 0312-5952818. Check-in: 14：00, check-out: 12：00. A mid-range chain hotel located about 250 m from Baoding Railway Station. The hotel includes a Chinese restaurant and a cafe, and offers luggage storage and parking. Check-in is self-service, with no traditional front desk. single room from ¥211. (updated Dec 2025)

Go next

Shijiazhuang - the modern day provincial capital to the south Zunhua - Visit the Eastern Qing Tombs after seeing the Western Qing Tombs