Xibaipo Memorial and Scenic Area

Xibaipo is a revolutionary memorial and scenic area in Pingshan County, about 85-90 km northwest of central Shijiazhuang in Hebei province. In 1948-49 the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, led by Mao Zedong, was based in the village before moving to Beijing, and the site is now one of the best-known Red Tourism destinations in northern China. The village has preserved the modest courtyard residences and meeting rooms used by the leadership, set among hills beside the Hutuo River reservoir area.

The journey takes about 1.5 hours each way by expressway. A taxi or hired car from Shijiazhuang costs roughly ¥350-500 one way, while long-distance buses run to Pingshan with a local connection onward; timetables should be confirmed at the bus station. A same-day return is practical, and a hired car for the day is often the simplest option for small groups.

The visit centres on the Xibaipo Memorial Hall, which presents the history of the period through documents, photographs and objects, followed by a walk through the village to see the former residences and the room where key decisions of 1949 were made. Admission is free, but a passport or ID card is required for entry, and visitors should expect security checks. The hours are about 09:00-17:00 with last entry around 16:30, and the site is reported closed on Mondays, so a weekday other than Monday is best.

A relaxed day begins with the morning drive and arrival soon after opening. The memorial hall takes about an hour and the village walk another one to two hours. Lunch is available at simple restaurants near the entrance serving noodles and local dishes. The afternoon can include the landscaped lakeside area and any additional exhibition halls before the return.

April-May and September-October bring comfortable temperatures and clear air. Summer is warm and busy with school and tour groups, and winters are cold. Most exhibition text is in Chinese, so a guide or translation app helps non-Chinese readers.