Baoding

Baoding is one of China's largest cities, with over 11 million inhabitants within its boundaries, and over 3 million in its inner metro area.
Historically the city was destroyed by the Mongols in the 13th century, but then subsequently rebuilt under the Yuan dynasty soon after when it acquired its modern name. Later it became a significant cultural centre through the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

By plane

Beijing Capital Airport is a good option, from where you can take an Inter-Provincial Bus that will take about 3 hours.

By train

Unlike many large Chinese cities, Baoding doesn't actually have a metro system.

• Western Qing tombsAn UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition to the tombs in Baoding itself, there are more of them in the surrounding Yi county.

• Tangut dharani pillarsThe 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 much later in the 16th century. It is one of the few examples of the complex Tangut script found outside of Western China.

• Baiyang LakeChina's largest natural lake offers peaceful water scenes and expansive lotus gardens. Boats are available for small groups, and some islands on the lake have restaurants that cook with local ingredients and hotels for overnight stays.

• Yesanpo National ParkYesanpo is a burgeoning tourist area, located in Hebei province Laishui County, the total area of 600square kilometers, is a national key scenic area, scenic natural landscape, trees flowers and trees mainly springs cave. Here only 100 kilometers away from Beijing, is in recent years capital rural travel outside of the heat.

Baoding Balls are famous for helping to relax your hands.

Baoding is famous for Donkey Burgers (驴肉火烧), which are literally made with donkey meat.

• Beijing - the nation's capital city
• Shijiazhuang is the provincial capital to the south