A One-Day Tour Through the Qing Dynasty Yamen

The Zhili Governor's Office, located at No. 301 Yuhua West Road, Lianchi District, Baoding City, Hebei Province, is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction. Here is a travel guide: Opening Hours - April 15 to October 15: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM, ticket sales stop at 5:30 PM. - October 16 to April 14 (next year): 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM, ticket sales stop at 5:00 PM. - Closed on the 30th day of the 12th lunar month and the 1st day of the 1st lunar month every year. Transportation Guide - Bus: Take a bus from Baoding Railway Station or Baoding East Station to Zhili Governor's Office Station, then walk to the site. Bus lines 1, 4, 7, 8, 12, 20, 26, 35, 39, 66, 102, and others within the city can reach the destination. - Self-driving: From Beijing, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, and other places, take the Jinggang'ao Expressway to the Baoding exit, then follow the signs to Zhili Governor's Office. Parking lots are available around the scenic area. Cost Information - Tickets: Adult tickets are 35 RMB, group tickets are 28 RMB (for groups of 30 or more), students and seniors aged 60 to 69 enjoy half-price discounts, seniors over 70 and children enter for free. - Guided Tours: Manual guide service costs 100 RMB for up to 10 people (including 10 people), and an additional 10 RMB for each person up to 50 people. Special Snacks - Donkey Meat Huoshao: The crust is golden and crispy, the donkey meat has a balanced fat-to-lean ratio, firm but not dry, a specialty of Baoding. - Beef Zhaobing: Thin and flavorful beef with a rich broth; the flatbread soaked in the soup tastes excellent. - Governor's Tofu: Golden and tender, delicious in flavor. Scenic Environment The Zhili Governor's Office is the only complete surviving provincial-level yamen from the Qing Dynasty in China. It is designed according to Qing standards, featuring a front court and rear living quarters structure, divided into east, central, and west sections, all arranged in multiple courtyards with siheyuan layouts. Inside the courtyard are dozens of large cypress and cedar trees, where hundreds of owls roost in winter, known as the "Ancient Cypress and Owl Group," a notable scene within the yamen. Highlights - Main Gate and Flagpoles: Above the main gate hangs a plaque reading "Zhili Governor's Office Courtyard." Two flagpoles in front of the gate each stand 33.6 meters tall, the tallest ancient flagpoles in the country. - Ceremony Gate and Green Sedan Chair: The ceremony gate displays a plaque saying "Powerful Pacification of the Capital Region," with a green sedan chair beside it, used by officials of rank three and above. - Gongshengming Archway: Calligraphed by Huang Tingjian, with "Gongshengming" on the front and a 16-character admonition engraved on the back, serving as a Qing Dynasty "Integrity Slogan." - Main Hall: The main hall where the governor adjudicates cases, with three blue plaques hanging under the eaves and a screen behind the governor's seat symbolizing the status of a first-rank official. - Special Exhibitions: Includes exhibitions on government offices nationwide, Qing Dynasty secretariats, a digital experience hall, and anti-corruption education, offering multiple perspectives on history and culture. Notes - No video recording, flash photography, or tripod use is allowed inside the exhibition halls. - It is recommended to purchase tickets online in advance to save queuing time and to check real-time visitor flow announcements. - Wear comfortable shoes for extended walking within the scenic area. - Follow the rules, do not climb on closed areas, protect cultural relics and buildings, and do not graffiti or damage the site.