Baoding

Baoding is a city in Hebei province, China, approximately 150 kilometres southwest of the national capital, Beijing. Baoding is a city with a history dating back to the Western Han Dynasty. It was destroyed by the Mongols in the 13th century, but after the Mongols established the Yuan Dynasty, it was rebuilt. It acquired the name "Baoding" during the Yuan dynasty- the name is roughly interpreted as "protecting the capital", referring to the city's proximity to Beijing. Baoding served for many years as the capital of Zhili, and was a significant centre of culture in the Ming Dynasty and early Qing Dynasty. During the Boxer rebellion, Boxer rebels killed a Turk, two Swiss, and an Italian in Baoding. After Zhili province was abolished in 1928 Baoding became the capital of the newly formed Hebei province. During World War II, the city was the site of a headquarters for Japanese occupation forces. In 1958, the role of provincial capital was assumed by Tianjin, which had lost its status as a provincial level municipality, but when Tianjin was elevated again in 1966, Baoding regained its position. In 1970, however, the rapidly growing city of Shijiazhuang became the provincial capital instead.

Yesanpo Scenic Area an emerging and developing tourist destination combining gorges, rivers, mountains and virgin forests Baiyangdian Lake the largest fresh water lake in North China consisting hundreds of shallow lakes and waterfilled depressions Western Qing Tombs one of the two grand groups of imperial Mausoleum architecture of the Qing Dynasty. Ancient Lotus Pool a famous classical garden in northern China built in 1227 and one of the ten famous gardens in China