Stay in a homestay in the ancient city of Baoding and wake up in the century-old Zhili era.

To be honest, before going to Baoding, my impression of this city was limited to just "donkey meat burger." After staying for three days, I realized that this is by no means a "pass-through city," but a severely underrated treasure trove of Zhili culture. The pace of the entire ancient city is so slow it feels like it's been set to 0.5x speed. Walking on the bluestone roads, flanked by old houses with gray bricks and tiles, occasionally hearing the sound of bicycle bells, I felt as if I had traveled back to the late Qing Dynasty. 🏛️ Stop 1: Zhili Governor's Office One Governor's Office, half a history of the Qing Dynasty. This is no exaggeration. I spent a full two and a half hours wandering inside, from the main gate to the inner residence; every courtyard has a story. Built during the Yongzheng era, it's nearly 300 years old now. Zeng Guofan, Li Hongzhang, and Yuan Shikai all worked here. Focus on three things: the "Ke Gong Shou Mu" plaque in the main hall, the "Eight Rules for Officials" in the second hall, and the pomegranate tree said to have been planted by Li Hongzhang himself. Tickets are very cheap, and student IDs get half-price admission. I recommend going in the morning; it's less crowded, the lighting is good, and the photos you take will have a built-in historical filter. 🌿 Stop 2: Ancient Lotus Pond It's right next to the Governor's Office, a three-minute walk away. Don't be fooled by the name; this is no ordinary park. It is one of China's top ten classical gardens, dating back to the Yuan Dynasty, and Emperor Qianlong stayed here six times. There are many stone inscriptions in the garden, including calligraphy by Wang Xizhi, Yan Zhenqing, and Mi Fu—calligraphy enthusiasts will never want to leave. Go in the summer for a pond full of lotus flowers, or in the autumn for the unique charm of the withered lotus. I went in early autumn, sitting in the Shuixin Pavilion, feeling the breeze and watching the koi swim—that kind of relaxation is something big cities just can't provide. 🏯 Stop 3: Daci Pavilion "If you haven't been to Daci Pavilion, you haven't been to Baoding." You have to listen to this old saying from the locals. This pavilion is the highest point of the ancient city of Baoding. Built in the Yuan Dynasty, climbing to the top offers a bird's-eye view of the entire old town. The stairs are very steep, so be careful when climbing, but the view from the top is definitely worth the price of admission. The old street below the pavilion is great for exploring, with vendors selling paper cuttings and sugar figurines—all traditional crafts at reasonable prices. 📜 Stop 4: Huai Army Office Not many people know about this place, but I highly recommend it. It was built by Li Hongzhang to commemorate the soldiers of the Huai Army who died in battle. The architectural style is a mix of Hui-style and Northern architecture, and the brick and wood carvings are incredibly exquisite. It is now part of the Baoding Museum, with many old photos and physical exhibits. It's very uncrowded; when I went, I was the only tourist in the entire courtyard. Spending over an hour quietly looking around, that feeling of being alone with history was so precious. 🗺️ Two-day itinerary (tested) · Day 1: Zhili Governor's Office > Ancient Lotus Pond > Daci Pavilion > Walk along the ancient city wall to watch the sunset · Day 2: Huai Army Office > Baoding Military Academy Memorial Hall > Memorial Hall of the Work-Study Program in France 💡 A few honest tips · The attractions are all concentrated in the old town. You can get around by walking or riding a shared bike; no need to take a taxi · The Baoding Museum is free but requires advance booking, so don't show up without one · There aren't many public restrooms in the ancient city, so plan ahead · Autumn is the best season, spring and summer are also good, but be cautious about winter due to the strong winds The place I stayed this time was in the heart of the ancient city, a renovated old courtyard house with gray brick walls and wooden lattice windows, and an old jujube tree in the yard. The room wasn't big but was kept clean, with coarse cloth sheets on the bed and the smell of sunshine on the pillows. Sitting in the courtyard drinking tea at night, I could hear the bells from the distant clock tower. That feeling of time travel was more direct than any tourist attraction.