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Hebei Province
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Introduction
The Province of Heibei is located in the northern part of the North China Plain and extending into the Inner Mongolian Plateau. The presence of a part of the Great Wall of China on its boundaries is a silent witness of Hebei’s historical role in preventing enemy invasion on the northern part of China. Hebei is a coastal province with a coastline that extends 487 km and an approximate land area of 72,471 sq mi (187,700 sq km).
In 1928, Hebei became a province with Shijiazhuang as its capital city.
From the North China Plain to the southeast, Hebei’s fabulous landscape descends from the mountainous terrain of Mt. Taihang, Mt. Yanshan, and Bashang Plateau to the fertile central and coastal provinces.
Hebei is derived from the Chinese word that means “north of the river” since the province is located north of the Yellow River.
In the North, Hebei adjoins Liaoning and Inner Mongolia, with Shanxi in the west and Shandong and Henan in the south border. On the east of Hebei is the Bohai Sea (Gulf of Chihli).
The Province of Hebei is geographically divided into two sections—the Hebei Plain in the east and the mountain ranges located along the arid western frontiers. The wind blowing in from the Gobi Desert and the Yellow River Basin gives the west its characteristic dry and arid conditions.
Hebei completely surrounds China’s capital, Beijing, and Tianjin, a city port.
Hebei sits in the temperate zone and with a continental monsoon climate. Most areas of the province receive 2,500-3,100 average sunshine per year while the frost-free period lasts for an average of 120 to 200 days annually.
Hebei receives four distinct seasons. Spring is arid and windy while summer is hot and rainy. Its winters are often dry and cold. The best time to visit and enjoy the place is during autumn when the climate is balmy and fine.
Hebei receives an average annual rainfall of 300-800 millimeters with an annual mean temperature of 0 to 14 degrees Celsius.
Hebei is the only province in China which is well endowed with majestic mountains, rolling plains, pristine lakes, and a long coastline with excellent beaches. A visitor to Hebei will have the unparalleled opportunity to experience history first-hand while enjoying the beautiful landscape. There are 304 ancient ruins scattered across the province including 58 key relics which have been placed under state protection. With the province of Shaanxi, it ranks number one in terms of the number of both historical and cultural relics.
These are some of the “must-see” places in Hebei that include both natural and man-made sights:
Mountain Resort of Chengde (also known as Jehol or Rehe) -- An 18th century Imperial Summer Villa, which used to be the largest summer resort of the royal family during the Qing Dynasty. Today, the resort boasts of the best preserved gardens in the whole of China. Outside the resort, one will find a stunning array of the gorgeous and glistening Eight Outer Temples, which are considered the largest imperial temples in China. Both of these historical spots are listed as World Heritage sites.
Mulan Paddock -- During the Qing Dynasty, Mulan Paddock was a favorite hunting place of the Emperors. Today, it is one of the few natural grassland nature parks in China. It has become a very popular place to visit when one loves the great outdoors while enjoying the calm and tranquility of the countryside.
Shanhaiguan Pass Scenic Spot -- the easternmost tail of the Great Wall of China near QinhuangDao. It is also known as “Old Dragon’s Head”.
Beidaihe and Nandaihe Resorts -- best summer getaways when one wants to bask in sunshine along magnificent beaches with fresh air blowing in from the Bohai Gulf.
Pule Temple -- home to the largest standing wooden GuanYin Statue in Asia.
The population of Hebei is made up of a myriad of ethnic Chinese groups a majority of which are Han Chinese. The minority is made up of Hui Chinese, Mongols, Zhuang, Korean, Tujia and Miao and Manchu. In 2006, the population was estimated to be 69 million.
Hebei Cuisine is also known as Ji Cuisine. The abundance of meat, vegetable and seafood give rise to mouth-watering dishes which are usually served with starchy sauce. Delicacies from this province generally have a salty flavor. The use of wheat, bean and mutton symbolizes the Hebei cuisine. Some of the special dishes served in this region include:
- Braised Chicken (Paji) of Shijiazhuang
- Motley Noodles (Zamian) of Xiaoyang
- Honey Twist (Fengmi Mahua) of Tangshan
- Prawns (Duixia) & Sea Crabs (Haixie) of Qinhuangdao
- Songhua Duck Eggs (Songhua Dan) - Salty Egg Pickle
Hebei's Local Specialty also include:
Roasted Beidaihe Prawns - serve with dressing, usually served with soup.
Changcheng Bolo Bing - Cake baked from flour, starch
and the leaves of the Bolo Tree. It is often stuffed with a variety of different fillings.
Sitiao Baozi - a stuffed bun with a distinctive taste and
appearance. It is named after a famous Baozi Stall on Sitiao Street in Shanhaiguan for 50 long years.
Huiji Lvdougao - Also known as Mung Bean Cake.
Laoerwei Majiang Shaobing - made of sesame
ingredients; it is often eaten with hotpot and the local mutton broth.
Mengheshang Sausage
Jinfa Donkey Meat with Soy Sauce
Xiaoxiao Fried Pork Chop
Agriculture and agricultural products form the base of Hebei’s economy. The province produces cereal crops like wheat, millet, maize and sorghum. It also produces a number of cash crops including soya bean, sesame, peanut and cotton.
The industrial sector of this province includes coal, iron, steel, engineering, textile, petroleum, chemical production, food, power and ceramic industries.
In 2008, the GDP of this province was 1.62 trillion Yuan (US$233 billion) and its per capita GDP was 23,239 RMB.
Other major industries: high-tech industries, construction, transportation (both freight and passenger), postal services, telecommunications services, retail sales, tourism
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