A single photograph captures the essence of winter, revealing the profound tale of Hebei—a land embracing mountains and seas, bridging Beijing and Tianjin, gazing northward towards Liaodong and southward towards the Central Plains. This region, situated at the throat of North China, encompasses the heart of the nation.
Since the ancient times of Yao, Shun, and Yu dividing the land into nine states, Hebei has been a land of continuity and innovation. It earned its name from the storied era of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, and flourished under the splendor of the Ming and Qing dynasties in Beijing. Climbing the peaks of the Yanshan Mountains, one beholds the grandeur of the Great Wall, as majestic as the deity of the green mountains and rivers.
From the Shanhaiguan Pass in Qinhuangdao, one gazes at the verdant landscapes and prosperous people, both within and beyond the pass, embodying the pulse of civilization and cultural excellence. Hebei, one of the cradles of Chinese civilization, bears witness to epochal events like the Battle of Zhuolu, which ushered in the era of the Yellow Emperor’s descendants, and the subtle wisdom of Yu’s flood control efforts. The Nihewan Basin has rewritten our understanding of human origins, while its five World Heritage Sites are testament to its historical significance.
The vast skies of the Qin Dynasty, the intricate Grand Canal of the Sui Dynasty, and the serene Summer Palace of the Qing Dynasty all bear witness to the rise and fall of feudal dynasties. Brave and passionate individuals have infused this land with energy, from the tragic heroism of Li Dazhao to the觉醒者们who have carried on his legacy, writing the storied chapters of loving China on the vast plains of North China.
As a bridge between the north and south, Hebei is the backbone of China. The arrival of railroads, led by the Shijiazhuang hub on the Beijing-Guangzhou line, has transformed the once-obscure village into a beautiful provincial capital, connecting the nation’s destiny to the far reaches. From the early days of the Tangxu Railway, when Chinese people embarked on a journey of catching up, to the advent of the high-speed rail era, Hebei has shoulders the responsibility of safeguarding the transportation hub of the capital, facilitating leisure and trade for all. The railroads have transformed a once-weak China into a modern and prosperous nation.
Connecting Beijing and Tianjin to the south and embracing the Central Plains, Shijiazhuang has transformed from an obscure village into a beautiful provincial capital, climbing the ladder of development with the support of tourism resources and revolutionary soil. The steel industry has forged Tangshan into a new industrial hub, pointing the way forward and serving as the industrial backbone of China’s development. This is Hebei—a land that has guarded the Central Plains in ancient times and now encircles Beijing and Tianjin, protecting the heart of the motherland.
Just as it connects the highlands to the sea, Hebei bears the glory of history and shoulders the future and hopes of modern civilization for China.
