Hebei Attractions
Hebei province lies on the Gulf of Bo Hai in northern China, between 113°27' and 119°53'E and 36°04' and 42°37'N. Beijing and Tientsin lie within this province. It obtains its name from its geographical position - Hebei actually means ''north of the river'', namely the Huanghe.
Some 60 per cent of the total area is accounted for by the mountain ranges scattered over the north and west of the province, the remaining 40 per cent being taken up by the fertile, alluvial Hebei Plain. Most of Hebei lies within the catchment area of the Haihe river.
The climate is continental in character, with cold, dry winters and warm, humid summers.
From an historical aspect, until the 11th C Hebei was of importance only because it was a border region. It was only when the Yuan (1271-1368) made Beijing their capital that it found itself in the center of the new kingdom and so was able to develop its trade and crafts.
From 1421 to 1928 the region was called Chihli. Industrialization began in the mid-1800s. Since ancient times flooding had been an ever-present problem in Hebei, but after 1949 this danger was removed as a result of a program involving deforestation of the mountain region together with the building of water reservoirs and irrigation and drainage systems.
Available minerals include coal, iron and copper ore. Sea-salt is obtained from the salt-marshes along the Gulf of Bo Hai.
Hebei is also one of China's main cotton-growing regions. Wheat, maize, millet, soya beans, sweet potatoes and olives are also grown, together with fruit in the mountain regions.
Some 60 per cent of the total area is accounted for by the mountain ranges scattered over the north and west of the province, the remaining 40 per cent being taken up by the fertile, alluvial Hebei Plain. Most of Hebei lies within the catchment area of the Haihe river.
The climate is continental in character, with cold, dry winters and warm, humid summers.
From an historical aspect, until the 11th C Hebei was of importance only because it was a border region. It was only when the Yuan (1271-1368) made Beijing their capital that it found itself in the center of the new kingdom and so was able to develop its trade and crafts.
From 1421 to 1928 the region was called Chihli. Industrialization began in the mid-1800s. Since ancient times flooding had been an ever-present problem in Hebei, but after 1949 this danger was removed as a result of a program involving deforestation of the mountain region together with the building of water reservoirs and irrigation and drainage systems.
Available minerals include coal, iron and copper ore. Sea-salt is obtained from the salt-marshes along the Gulf of Bo Hai.
Hebei is also one of China's main cotton-growing regions. Wheat, maize, millet, soya beans, sweet potatoes and olives are also grown, together with fruit in the mountain regions.
Read More
Qinhuangdao, China
Qinhuangdao lies in the northeast of the Hebei province, on the Bohai Sea, 260km/161mi from Tianjin and 400km/248mi from Beijing.
The city's port plays an important role in Chinese trade. The city itself is separated into three districts about 15km/9mi apart: Beidaihe in the west, Qinhuangdao in the center and Shanhaiguan in the east.
The city's port plays an important role in Chinese trade. The city itself is separated into three districts about 15km/9mi apart: Beidaihe in the west, Qinhuangdao in the center and Shanhaiguan in the east.
Beidaihe
In 1898 the status of Beidaihe was raised when, by imperial decree, it was chosen as a health resort. At that time Europeans and wealthy Chinese built their villas here, but after 1949 Beidaihe became the health resort for the workers and sanatoriums were then erected.
The climate on this coastal stretch is very mild; in the summer the average temperature is around 23°C (72°F). The bathing season normally lasts from May to October.
(Hebei)
Beidaihe is one of the most popular holiday and health resorts in China with numerous guesthouses and sanatoriums. The beach, the mild climate, and the many parks attract large numbers of visitors.In 1898 the status of Beidaihe was raised when, by imperial decree, it was chosen as a health resort. At that time Europeans and wealthy Chinese built their villas here, but after 1949 Beidaihe became the health resort for the workers and sanatoriums were then erected.
The climate on this coastal stretch is very mild; in the summer the average temperature is around 23°C (72°F). The bathing season normally lasts from May to October.
Meng Jiangnu Miao Temple
The temple, consisting of two halls, was erected several hundred years ago by the residents in this area. The front hall houses a terracotta statue of Meng Jiangnu. Some of the dedications engraved on the many stone tablets here originate from the Qing emperors Qianlong, Jiaqing and Daoguang.
(Hebei)
The Meng Jiangnu Miao Temple lies about 5km/3mi to the west of the Shanhaiguan Fortress. By order of the Qin Emperor Shi Huangdi hundreds of thousands of laborers had to rebuild the Great Wall in the 2nd C BC According to an old legend, Meng Jiangnu came to Shanhaiguan from far away to search for her husband who was doing socage work here. When she discovered that he had long since died from the hard labor, she cried so much that a completed section of the wall collapsed, thus releasing her husband's corpse. Meng carried the section to the coast and threw it and him into the sea.The temple, consisting of two halls, was erected several hundred years ago by the residents in this area. The front hall houses a terracotta statue of Meng Jiangnu. Some of the dedications engraved on the many stone tablets here originate from the Qing emperors Qianlong, Jiaqing and Daoguang.
Shanhaiguan Fortress
Hanging on the east gate roof ledge is a large wooden tablet bearing the inscription: ''First gate on earth'' (Tianxia diyiguan). It was engraved by one of the graduates of the imperial examinations.
The extension of the citadel leading to the sea is known as the Head of the Old Dragon (Laolongtou) and forms the eastern end of the Great Wall.
(Hebei)
The Shanhaiguan is the most important pass in the east of the Great Wall. The fortress, originally constructed in 1381 - the present structure dating from 1639 - is situated in the center of Shanhaiguan. It has four gates protected by towers. There are 68 embrasures in the wall for archery purposes.Hanging on the east gate roof ledge is a large wooden tablet bearing the inscription: ''First gate on earth'' (Tianxia diyiguan). It was engraved by one of the graduates of the imperial examinations.
The extension of the citadel leading to the sea is known as the Head of the Old Dragon (Laolongtou) and forms the eastern end of the Great Wall.
