The great hall
Where the viceroy held court.
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The seat of the Viceroy of Zhili, the imperial province that surrounded the capital, Beijing; it is the only provincial government compound of the Qing dynasty to survive intact in China, and a protected national monument since 1988. In the early Ming the site held the prefectural office of Baoding; the viceroy's seat moved here under the Yongzheng Emperor around 1730, and the province was governed from it for more than 180 years until the fall of the Qing. Visitors enter through the main gate between two tall flagpoles, pass the ceremonial archway to the great hall where the viceroy held court, then the second and third halls and the living quarters of the viceroy and his family with their old furniture, in a series of courtyards shaded by ancient trees, with exhibitions on the compound's history. Tickets cost CNY 35, and it is open Tuesday to Sunday from 8.30 am to 6 pm from mid-March to mid-November and from 9 am to 5 pm in winter, closed on Mondays except public holidays, per visitor guides.
Where the viceroy held court.
With old furniture.
Under ancient trees.
Yuhua Road, central Baoding, Hebei
The city has restaurants run by Hui Muslims under the halal sign serving noodles and lamb, while other restaurants may serve pork, so ask before ordering.