The mountain village that served as headquarters of the Chinese Communist Party's Central Committee from 1947 to 1948, preserved as a memorial with the original meeting halls and a museum.
Xibaipo is a mountain village in Pingshan County, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, China, that served as the headquarters of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party between 1947 and 1948. From here, leaders including Mao Zedong directed the final campaigns of the Chinese Civil War, and the Second Plenary Session of the Seventh Central Committee, held in 1949, set out the path for the founding of the People's Republic. The village is now preserved as one of the best known sites of the so-called Red Tourism circuit.
The memorial site combines the original village buildings with a modern museum. In the old compound, visitors can see the simple earthen-walled houses used as offices and living quarters, the meeting hall where major decisions were made and the preserved rooms used by Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, Liu Shaoqi, Zhu De and others. Furnishings are sparse, which is part of the site's message about frugal revolutionary life. The adjoining memorial museum presents documents, photographs, maps and artefacts relating to the Liaoshen, Huaihai and Pingjin campaigns, and a large monument and square stand nearby.
A full visit takes two to three hours and is largely a walking tour on flat ground between the village lanes and the museum. Weekday mornings are calmer, as many domestic tour groups arrive later in the day and on weekends and holidays, particularly around 1 October and 1 July, when attendance is high. Entry is free, but visitors must show valid identification, and last entry is thirty minutes before closing. Interpretation is mainly in Chinese, so foreign visitors may find a local guide or translation app helpful. The surrounding Taihang hills and the nearby reservoir make the area pleasant in spring and autumn.
| Admission | Adult Free (valid ID required for entry) · Child Free |
|---|---|
| Hours | 9:00 AM-5:00 PM (May-Oct); 9:00 AM-12:00 PM, 1:00 PM-5:00 PM (Nov-Apr), last entry 30 minutes before close |
| Typical visit | 2-3 hours |
| Best time | Weekday mornings to avoid domestic tour groups |
| Getting there | Bus or taxi from Shijiazhuang, about 1.5 hours (90 km) |
| Address | Xibaipo Village, Pingshan County, Shijiazhuang, Hebei (西柏坡) |
Location
Xibaipo Village, Pingshan County, Shijiazhuang, Hebei (西柏坡)
38.2497, 113.8822 View on map
Highlights
- Walk the preserved village compound used as party headquarters
- See the meeting hall and the leaders' simple living quarters
- Study the museum exhibits on the 1948-49 military campaigns
- Visit one of China's best known Red Tourism sites
Tips for visiting
- Bring a passport or valid ID, which is required for entry
- Visit on weekday mornings to avoid domestic tour groups
- Arrive at least thirty minutes before closing, as last entry is earlier
- Use a translation app or local guide, as most signs are in Chinese
- Allow time for the 90 km journey from Shijiazhuang
When to visit
Weekday mornings for the fewest tour groups. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons, while national holidays are crowded.
Accessibility
The village lanes and museum are mostly level, so most visitors can move around without difficulty. Some old buildings have thresholds and uneven floors.
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Frequently asked questions
Is admission free?
Yes, entry is free but a valid ID such as a passport is required.
How long does a visit take?
Allow two to three hours to see the village compound and the memorial museum.
Is there English signage?
Interpretation is mainly in Chinese, so a translation app or local guide is useful.