7 Days in Baoding

The 1730 office of the Zhili governors-general, then the 1227 garden with the Lianchi Academy added in 1733. Evening on West Street.

1. baoding zhili governors office
2. baoding ancient lotus pond

Nine cadet classes trained here between 1912 and 1923; the memorial hall stands on the original grounds, then Daci Pavilion and market-street food.

1. baoding military academy museum
2. baoding daci pavilion
3. baoding city markets

The rock tombs of Liu Sheng (died 113 BC) and Dou Wan, opened in 1968 — jade suits with some 2,500 plates and about 1.1 kg of gold wire; the Changxin Palace Lamp original is in Shijiazhuang.

1. baoding mancheng han tombs

North to Yixian, where four Qing emperors from Yongzheng on lie in a valley UNESCO listed in 2000; Guangxu's tomb keeps the open underground palace. Overnight in Yixian town.

1. baoding qing western tombs

A short hop back toward the city for the crags where the five soldiers of 1941 made their stand; a cable car, cliff paths and a memorial tower mark the ridge. Return to Baoding.

1. baoding langya mountain

West into Laiyuan county for the marble-peak ridge, its top at 2,096 m, walkways pinned to white cliffs and a glass walkway section. Overnight in Laiyuan town.

1. baoding baishishan

On the way home through Laishui county, walk the Baili Gorge's slot canyons and the Juma River banks, then the evening HSR from Baoding East.

1. baoding yesanpo