Live Your Best Lives
Shunping, Baoding, Hebei, where is it? Many people might have this question after reading the title. I, too, had these questions in mind before setting off with the Shijingshan Cultural and Tourism Bureau to Shunping. This two-day, one-night trip to Shunping made me fall in love with the area, so I've compiled a list of the best places to eat, stay, travel, and explore.
I hope that everyone living near Beijing can go to Shunping in their spare time to live the life they long for.
Shunping County, which belongs to Baoding City, Hebei Province, is located in the western part of Hebei Province, on the western outskirts of Baoding City, and on the eastern foot of Taihang Mountains. The terrain is high in the northwest and low in the southeast. There are many mountains and hills in the area. It has a warm temperate monsoon continental climate with an average annual temperature of 12.2℃, which is particularly suitable for escaping the summer heat.
Shunping has a long history, dating back to the Xia and Shang dynasties, spanning over 4,000 years. Yiqi Mountain in the area is said to be the birthplace of Emperor Yao, earning it the nickname "Yao's Hometown."
Shunping, nestled in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei metropolitan area, enjoys significant transportation advantages. From Beijing, it's approximately 180 kilometers away, via the West Sixth Ring Road and the Beijing-Kunming Expressway, and only takes about two hours to reach Shunping Taohuayuan. Transportation is exceptionally convenient.
Starting from Tianjin, the whole journey is about 215 kilometers and takes about 3 hours, passing through Rongwu Expressway and Cangyu Expressway.
It is even closer from Shijiazhuang, a 1 hour and 40 minute drive, passing through Xibaipo and the Beijing-Kunming Expressway.
The Yaoshan Wang Family Manor Museum in Shunping County is a comprehensive castle-style mansion that integrates official residences and private residences, with complete functions and a wide range of coverage. It is located in Yaoshan Town, in the heart of Beijing, Tianjin and Shijiazhuang, 25 kilometers west of Baoding City and 9.5 kilometers east of Shunping County.
The manor's architecture is different from both imperial palaces and ordinary residential buildings, and is the pinnacle of residential architecture in northern my country. Hence, there is a saying that "the Forbidden City is the best example of royal architecture, and the Yaoshan (Wang Family) is the best example of folk architecture."
The manor, covering a total area of 186,000 square meters (279 mu), was first constructed in the early years of the Shunzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty and completed during the Qianlong reign. Originally, it was surrounded by a five-foot-wide brick wall, with a protective ditch outside, a watchtower inside, and a bridleway inside. Three east-west streets divided the manor into four main sections: from north to south, they are the "North Garden," the "Central Garden," the "South Garden," and the "Course Courtyard."
"North Garden" and "Central Garden" served as the residential areas for the Yaoshan Wang family, boasting over 50 courtyards and 300 houses. "South Garden," a heavily guarded and well-equipped mansion surrounded by inner city walls, was known as the "General's Mansion." Legend has it that it was built as a temporary residence outside Beijing by Wang Xigun, the first ancestor of the Yaoshan Wang family, with a large sum of money allocated from the imperial treasury by Prince Dorgon of the Qing Dynasty. South Garden covers an area of 21,000 square meters (33 mu) and features over 30 courtyards and 200 houses. Its "Renhe Hall," comprised of ten courtyards, boasts impeccable architectural structure, layout, functional configuration, and accompanying stone, wood, and brick carvings, making it a truly exquisite piece of ancient architecture. "Changyuan" housed the Wang family's carriages and horses, farm implements, storage, and rent collection.
Dismounting Stone
In recent years, it has become a popular film and television location, with scenes from the films "Storm and Cloud" and "The Decisive Battle" and the TV series "Hot Earth," "Song of Youth," "The World's Granary," "Cao Xueqin," and "Red Flag" filmed here. This is the closest compound to Beijing, and if you're a fan of ancient architecture, you definitely can't miss it.
Sanmiao Peak is located in Xingtanggou, Shunping County, Baoding City, Hebei Province. The canyon stretches over 10 li (approximately 10 km) and its main peak, Sanmiao Peak, rises 1,016 meters above sea level. A branch of the renowned Taoist mountain Qingxu, the area boasts a vibrant mix of mountains, valleys, streams, creeks, and waterfalls. Springs flow from the mountain's summit to its base, and the valley itself contains numerous cultural relics, including those related to revolutionary, Taoist, and Buddhist traditions.
The Wulongtan cascading waterfalls are cascading waterfalls built according to the terrain while preserving the original Wulongtan, which increases the layering and fluidity of the waterfalls.
The name "Yiantian" comes from the fact that a thin line of blue sky can be seen through the gap between two cliffs. A mountain spring flows through the canyon, and the rock walls on both sides are mainly karst in appearance. Because the sun shines directly into the valley for a short time, the environment is cool and humid, with a lot of water vapor.
Inside Yixiantian, there is a section of valley with towering stone walls on both sides, which are covered with bizarre stalactites. It is called "Tianmo Cliff". Due to the karst landform rarely seen in the north, a huge three-dimensional mural has been formed. Many painters have come here to collect inspiration, so it is also called "Chinese Painting Cliff".
There are many interesting spots to visit here, and the whole tour takes 3-4 hours.
There are mountains, water and wonderful scenery here, and most importantly, the temperature here is very low, making it the perfect place to escape the summer heat.
The convenience store in the cave, doesn’t the image below look like a divine turtle?
The only cave rafting site in North China, this 5-li (1.5-kilometer) long rafting experience offers the sound of rushing water even in the dry season. Kayak in and out, navigating through seven caves, some as high as ten feet and some as low as your head. Some require you to lie half-down on a boat to navigate. Floating through the deep caves, sometimes reaching a dead end, sometimes revealing a new light, feels like a journey through seven days and nights. The caves are home to a unique species of blue dragonfly, and the sound and light within the tunnels create a sense of discovery.
Tips:
Business hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm from April 15th to October 15th. Drifting will be suspended in case of heavy rain.
Price: 80 yuan/person (including parking, rafting, helmet, etc.); free for children under 1.2 meters; active military personnel can get free admission with valid ID
Address: Northwest of Shenbei Village, Shennan Township, Shunping County, Baoding City, Hebei Province
Tel: 0312-7658989
Note: People under 3 years old, over 70 years old, disabled people, people with excessive drinking, pregnant women, people with high blood pressure or heart disease are not allowed to participate in rafting;
The Baiyintuo Scenic Area is located in the deep mountains of Shennan Town, Shunping County, Baoding City. It is the first peak area of the Taihang Mountains in the northwest of Baoding City. The area is characterized by high mountains, dense forests, crisscrossing canyons, and mountain springs flowing year-round.
This is a natural garden area with over 400 species of wild plants, including nearly 300 species of wild medicinal herbs. With a forest coverage rate of 95%, and air containing 15,000 negative ions per cubic centimeter, Baiyintuo is beautiful year-round. Enjoy the autumn colors of Baiyintuo.
The picture shows the autumn scenery of Baiyintuo, the picture is from the Internet
The largest tourist attraction is the Laoye Temple Grand Canyon. It's named after Guan Laoye Temple, the patron saint of the Ming Dynasty's imperial silver mines. Under the Baiyintuo scenic area lies a vast silver mine. Precious silver mine relics and numerous fascinating stories and legends remain.
The second largest tourist area is Shihu Gorge. At Zhujiazhuang, at the end of Shihu Gorge, a mountain spring flows year-round, regardless of winter or summer, drought or flood, creating the stunning scenery of Shihu Gorge's one valley and five lakes. The most beautiful sight within Shihu Gorge is the Pothole Lakes, a cluster of potholes of varying sizes. Geologists call this cluster the largest in northern China due to its sheer number and scale.
The third major tourist area is the Lingshang Loop. From the end of Shihu Gorge, heading west, you'll find the Lingshang Scenic Area. The view from the Lingshang Scenic Area is truly breathtaking, offering a breathtaking view of the vast sea of trees and flowers that fills the Baiyintuo Scenic Area. From early spring (February) to late autumn (October), various corolla trees bloom in succession, their fragrance lingering throughout. By Mid-Autumn Festival, the leaves blanket the mountains in crimson, creating a vibrant spectacle. The Baiyintuo Scenic Area has hosted seven consecutive Red Leaf Festivals. In 2017, the inaugural China-Canada Bethune Maple Leaf Festival took place, and in 2018, leveraging the China-Canada Tourism Year, the second China-Canada Bethune Maple Leaf Festival will be held, an even more vibrant event.
The fourth largest tourist area is the Golden Canyon and the Glacier Canyon, which are rich in vegetation and dense in forests. They are the original corolla forest. The Glacier Canyon within the forest has a precious geological wonder - glacial relics. This is a gold mining area with a rich gold vein. There are also gold mining sites where gold was mined for generations.
The fifth major tourist area is Xianfeng Valley, home to Baishi Lake, a scenic spot. Baishi Lake is the site where students from Bethune School perished during the Anti-Japanese War. Today, a memorial plaza has been built here, making it a key node on Bethune Avenue and designated a Hebei Provincial Patriotic Education Base.
With the accelerating pace of urban life, what we yearn for most now is a secluded place to watch the sunrise and sunset with our loved ones, listening to the birdsong and cicadas. About 35 kilometers northwest of Shunping, at the eastern foot of the Taihang Mountains, in Shunli Village, Tanghewan, Shennan Town, Shunping County, Baoding, lies Qingzishu, one of North China's most beautiful rice field guesthouses.
The village is said to have a history of more than 400 years, and the more than 200-year-old green seed tree at the entrance of the village is lush and towering, very spectacular, so the homestay opened here is named after this tree.
The 200-year-old green seed tree's seeds can be pressed for oil and roasted into snack nuts. Older villagers still remember the taste of the green seeds in their pockets during their childhoods of scarcity. On warm afternoons, after a leisurely meal, villagers enjoy sitting in the canopy-like shade of the tree and chatting. The elders remarked that the tree hasn't grown much year after year.
The Qingzishu B&B was rebuilt from several intricate houses around the old tree. These houses have blue-gray earthen walls and carved eaves. The murals on the walls are still lifelike, and the tiles on the eaves still retain the blessings of good fortune and luck. These were all paintings used by the owners to decorate the facades when the houses were built, and they have been completely preserved by the B&B, allowing people who live here to experience the serious attitude of the country owners towards farming and living.
It is said that rice is grown in the south and wheat is grown in the north. However, at the foot of the mountains more than 60 kilometers west of Baoding, the Tang River, which flows out of Taihang Mountain in the east, has deposited vast rice fields that are rare in the south of the Yangtze River.
Boundless fields, scattered villages, and a single rice crop each year—a place far from the hustle and bustle, yet close to tranquility. When rain fails to sustain the rice crops, farmers divert the Tang River into the canal. They seem oblivious to the existence of machinery. From a sheaf of rice to a single grain, the 140 days of growth are still spent weeding with shovels and transplanting by hand. The rice, grown using traditional methods, is so precious that the villagers keep it for themselves. As the sun rises over the mountaintops, the rice ears, like silk brocade, shimmer with delicate light. In everyone's heart, there is always a piece of this hometown field.
B&B photos from Secluded Township
■Practical information
Green Seed Tree B&B is the eighth project of Yinjuxiangli. Located in Shunli Village, Shunping County, Baoding City, Hebei Province, southwest of Beijing, Green Seed Tree takes its name from a 200-year-old tree in the village. Green Seed Tree B&B was renovated from the village's remaining old houses, the oldest of which is 200 years old. Currently, there are eight courtyards open to the public, all offering spacious and comfortable two-bedroom accommodations.
Qingzishu B&B Address: Shunli Village, Tanghewan, Shennan Town, Shunping County, Hebei Province
Room type and price: Two-bedroom, 1680 yuan/weekday room, 2380 yuan/weekend room, 2880 yuan/holiday room
Booking method: Search Yinjuxiangli official website or China-TravelNote official website for booking
■ Local transportation
Shunping County, where Qingzishu is located, is adjacent to Beijing and Tianjin in a triangle, about 140 kilometers away. You can directly navigate to "Qingzishu B&B".
From Beijing: Take the Beijing-Kunming Expressway, transfer to the Cangyu Expressway, exit at the Baihe Exit, turn left onto S335, and drive for about half an hour. When you come across Shunxin Furniture City, turn left and continue following the navigation. If you are unsure, please contact your local guide. (The direction towards Mancheng is heavily congested, so it is best not to take this route.)
From Tianjin: Take Rongwu Expressway - S332 - Qingzishu B&B
From Baoding: Qiyi West Road - S332 - Qingzishu B&B
■ Qingzishu Restaurant Features
Regular dining: Handmade noodles + pastoral afternoon tea + seasonal farm dishes
Afternoon tea: steamed sweet potato, steamed pumpkin, seasonal fruit platter, hawthorn juice/lemonade
Dinner: Seasonal farm dishes + handmade noodles with gravy, two kinds of gravy: eggplant and pork belly and tomato and egg. The hand-kneaded noodles have the original wheat aroma and the caring and stomach-warming mother's taste.
Breakfast: millet porridge, handmade steamed buns, firewood eggs, seasonal side dishes
National Geographical Indication Product Protection List-Shunping Peach
Shunping County boasts 140,000 mu (approximately 16,000 mu) of peach cultivation, producing 420 million jin (approximately 100 million kg). The county boasts a long history of peach cultivation, having cultivated peaches as tribute products before the reign of Emperor Yongzheng of the Qing Dynasty, earning it the reputation of "China's Peach Town." Located at the eastern foot of the Taihang Mountains, Shunping County boasts a unique soil quality, alternating between red and white soils. The abundant sunlight, long frost-free period, and large temperature swings between day and night create a unique microclimate. With its unique soil resources and exceptional climatic conditions, the mountains have endowed Shunping with exceptional conditions for the development of its forestry and fruit industry.
At the end of June and the beginning of July, Dajinghong: large in size, red in color, durable in storage and transportation, and moderately priced.
Mid-July, Okubo: Juicy, sweet, peelable flesh, high price.
In early August, Honggangshan: large, sweet and sour, durable in storage and transportation, and relatively high in price.
Mid-August, Green Nine: juicy, soft and sweet flesh, medium to high price.
In early September, Cold Dew Honey: large, sweet, with pointed peaches like longevity peaches, and moderately priced.
Shunping's agriculture has developed particularly well, especially new agriculture. For example, selenium-rich watermelons are operated in a "company + cooperative + farmer" model. The company is responsible for the development and promotion of new products, unified production processes, strict quality control, and the expansion of sales channels in multiple ways; the cooperative is responsible for the management of selenium-rich watermelon planting; and farmers are responsible for production, and they are getting further and further on the road to wealth.
The farmers' main industry is the cultivation of selenium-rich watermelons, with small varieties like Huacai and Huamei being the main varieties. This year, the cooperative successfully signed a sales agreement with Wumart Commercial Group, establishing a dedicated watermelon display and sales counter in Wumart hypermarkets, becoming one of the first pilot enterprises in Shunping County to enter a major Beijing supermarket.
Shunping's Peach Blossom Festival, one of Baoding's 15 major tourist festivals, takes place every April, just as the delicious strawberries and peaches ripen in the greenhouses. Enjoy the blossoms and pick them, making it a prime spot for an early spring outing. During the festival, there are farmhouses and hotels in the county town offering dining and rest.
Time: Mid-April every year
The main venue of the Peach Blossom Festival is Yiqi Mountain, the hometown of Emperor Yao (Qigezhuang Village, Hekou Township, Shunping County).
Ticket price: 20 yuan
Shunping County is rich in tourism resources and has numerous cultural attractions. It is such a beautiful place with mountains, water, delicious food, homestays, and folk customs. What are you waiting for? Take some time to come to Shunping and enjoy life.
