Map of Hebei Province

Author: Wang Ruiping, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-06-01
Features: Hebei Province is named after its location in the lower reaches of the Yellow River to the north. Some parts were historically part of Ji Province, hence the abbreviation "Ji." It borders the Bohai Sea in the east, and its southeastern and southern regions adjoin Shandong and Henan provinces. To the west, it shares a border with Shanxi Province across the Taihang Mountains. In the northwest, north, and northeast, it borders Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Liaoning Province. The province covers a vast area, spanning from 36°03′ to 42°40′ North latitude and 113°27′ to 119°50′ East longitude, with a total area of 187,700 square kilometers, accounting for 1.96% of the country's total land area and ranking 14th. Hebei Province administers: 11 prefecture-level cities (Shijiazhuang, Tangshan, Qinhuangdao, Handan, Xingtai, Zhangjiakou, Chengde, Langfang, Cangzhou, Baoding, and Hengshui), 23 county-level cities, 115 counties (including 6 autonomous counties), 910 towns, and 35 urban districts, with a population of 66.99 million. Over 5,000 years ago, the three great ancestors of the Chinese nation—Huangdi, Yandi, and Chiyou—initiated conflicts and eventual integration in Hebei, laying the foundation for the history of Chinese civilization. During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, the region was part of the Yan and Zhao states, earning the name "Yan Zhao." The establishment of Beijing as the capital during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties made Hebei a strategic frontier region surrounding the capital. Its long history has fostered a rich cultural heritage. Hebei is the only province in China to boast a combination of coastal, plain, lake, hilly, mountainous, and plateau terrain. Its diverse landscapes and mild climate have shaped Hebei's unique natural beauty. Located in North China, encircled by the Bohai Sea, and ringing Beijing and Tianjin, Hebei is a renowned province for tourism in China. Statistics show that Hebei has 542 provincial-level cultural relic protection units, including 58 national-level ones, ranking first in the country. Additionally, Hebei has two World Heritage Sites: Chengde Mountain Resort and its Surrounding Temples, and the Qing Western Tombs in Baoding. It also boasts four national-level historical and cultural cities: Chengde, Baoding, Zhengding, and Handan; two of China's Top Ten Scenic Spots; three of China's Top Forty Tourist Destinations; and five national-level scenic areas: Cangyan Mountain and Zhangshi Rock in Shijiazhuang, Chengde Mountain Resort, Beidaihe in Qinhuangdao, and Yesanpo in Baoding; eight national-level forest parks; and three national-level nature reserves. The brilliance of its historical culture and the beauty of its lakes and mountains intertwine, creating a unique tapestry of tourism in Hebei.