Editing Hebei

{{Short description|Province in North China}}
{{redirect|冀|the surname|Ji (surname 冀){{!}}Ji (surname ''冀'')}}
{{Other uses}}
{{distinguish|Hubei}}
{{more citations needed|date=July 2014}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Hebei
| native_name        = {{lang|zh|河北}}
| settlement_type    = [[Province of China|Province]]
| translit_lang1     = Name
| translit_lang1_type = {{nobold|Chinese}}
| translit_lang1_info = {{lang|zh|河北省}} ({{tlit|zh|Héběi shěng}})
| translit_lang1_type1 = {{nobold|Abbreviation}}
| translit_lang1_info1 = {{hlist|HE|HEB|{{linktext|lang=zh|冀}} ({{tlit|zh|Jì}})}}
| image_map          = Hebei in China (+all claims hatched).svg
| mapsize            = 275px
| map_caption        = Location of Hebei in China
| coordinates        = {{coord|39.3|N|116.7|E|type:adm1st|format=dms|display=it}}
| named_for          = [[Yellow River]]
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = China
| seat_type          = Capital and largest city
| seat               = [[Shijiazhuang]]
| parts_type         = Divisions
| parts_style        = para
| p1                 = 11 [[List of administrative divisions of Hebei|prefectures]]
| p2                 = 121 Counties
| p3                 = 2207 Townships
| government_type    = [[Provinces of China|Province]]
| governing_body     = [[Hebei Provincial People's Congress]]
| leader_title       = [[Party Secretary of Hebei|Party Secretary]]
| leader_name        = [[Ni Yuefeng]]
| leader_title1      = [[Hebei Provincial People's Congress|Congress]] chairman
| leader_name1       = Ni Yuefeng
| leader_title2      = [[Governor of Hebei|Governor]]
| leader_name2       = [[Wang Zhengpu]]
| leader_title3      = [[Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference|CPPCC]] chairman
| leader_name3       = [[Zhang Guohua (politician, born 1964)|Zhang Guohua]]
| leader_title4      = [[National People's Congress]] Representation
| leader_name4       = 120 deputies
| area_total_km2     = 188800
| area_rank          = [[List of Chinese administrative divisions by area|12th]]
| elevation_max_m    = 2882
| elevation_max_point = [[Mount Xiaowutai]]<ref name="Mt Xwt Dili 360">{{cite journal |last=Liu |first=Yanlin |script-title=zh:太行山把最高的山脊留在了河北 |journal=Chinese National Geography |year=2015 |issue=2 |url = http://www.dili360.com/cng/article/p54ed2aee95d2c70.htm |access-date=20 May 2018 |language=zh |script-quote=zh:小五台山是太行山主脉上的最高峰，同时也是河北省的最高峰 }}</ref>
| population_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web |date=11 May 2021 |title=Communiqué of the Seventh National Population Census (No. 3) |url=http://www.stats.gov.cn/english/PressRelease/202105/t20210510_1817188.html |access-date = 11 May 2021 |publisher=[[National Bureau of Statistics of China]] }}</ref>
| population_total   = 74,610,235
| population_as_of   = 2020
| population_rank    = [[List of Chinese administrative divisions by population|6th]]
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_rank = [[List of Chinese administrative divisions by population density|11th]]
| demographics_type1 = Demographics
| demographics1_title1 = Ethnic composition
| demographics1_info1 = {{ubl|[[Han Chinese|Han]]: 96%|[[Manchu]]: 3%|[[Hui people|Hui]]: 0.8%|[[Mongol]]: 0.3%}}
| demographics1_title2 = Languages and dialects
| demographics1_info2 = [[Jilu Mandarin]], [[Beijing dialect|Beijing Mandarin]], [[Jin Chinese|Jin]]
| demographics_type2   = [[Gross domestic product|GDP]] {{nobold|(2023)}}><ref name="GDPdata">{{cite web|url=https://data.stats.gov.cn/english/easyquery.htm?cn=E0103|title=National Data|publisher=[[National Bureau of Statistics of China|China NBS]]|date=March 2024|access-date=June 22, 2024}}; see also {{cite web|url=https://www.hebei.gov.cn/columns/3bbf017c-0e27-4cac-88c0-c5cac90ecd73/202403/06/c5cd8698-2ec9-40d5-9a4b-5f4128266b0d.html |script-title=zh: 2023年河北省国民经济和社会发展统计公报|publisher=hebei.gov.cn|date=March 1, 2024|access-date=June 22, 2024}}</ref>
| demographics2_title1 = Total
| demographics2_info1 = {{CNY|4,394 billion}} ([[List of Chinese provincial-level divisions by GDP|12th]]; US$624 billion)
| demographics2_title2 = Per capita
| demographics2_info2 = {{CNY|59,332}} ([[List of Chinese provincial-level divisions by GDP per capita|26th]]; US$8,420)
| iso_code           = CN-HE
| blank4_name_sec2   = [[Human Development Index|HDI]] (2022)
| blank4_info_sec2   = 0.762<ref name="SHDI">{{cite web |title=Human Development Indices (8.0)- China |url=https://globaldatalab.org/shdi/table/shdi/CHN/?levels=1+4&years=2022&interpolation=0&extrapolation=0 |access-date=23 September 2024 |website=Global Data Lab}}</ref> ([[List of Chinese administrative divisions by HDI|22nd]]) – {{color|#090|high}}
| website            = {{URL|hebei.gov.cn}}
| image_skyline      = {{Photomontage
| photo1a = Jinshanling-facing-east-2019-Luka-Peternel.jpg
| photo2a = Beidaihe, Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China - panoramio (61).jpg
| photo2b = Chengde Mountain Resort 3.jpg
| photo3a = Fuqing Temple, Cangyan Mountain, Hebei.jpg
| photo3b = Puning Temple, Place in front of hall of Mahayana.jpg
| position = center
| size = 280
| color = #F5F5F5
| border = 2
| color_border = white
}}
| image_caption      = Clockwise:{{hlist|[[Great Wall of China|Great Wall]] at [[Jinshanling]]|[[Chengde Mountain Resort]], [[Puning Temple (Hebei)|Puning Temple]]|Fuqing Temple at [[Cangyan Mountain]]|[[Beidaihe District|Beidaihe]] in [[Qinhuangdao]] }}
}}
{{Infobox Chinese
| pic = Hebei (Chinese characters).svg
| piccap = "Hebei" in Chinese characters
| picupright = 0.5
| c = {{linktext|lang=zh|河北}}
| l = North of the [[Yellow River]]
| p = Héběi
| tp = Hé-běi
| bpmf = {{bpmfsp|ㄏㄜˊ|ㄅㄟˇ}}
| w = {{tonesup|Ho2-pei3}}
| psp = Hopeh
| mi = {{IPAc-cmn|h|e|2|.|b|ei|3}}
| j = ho4 bak1
| ci = {{IPAc-yue|h|o|4|.|b|ak|1}}
| y = Hòh-bāk
| wuu = Ghu<sup>平</sup>poh<sup>入</sup>
| poj = Hô-pak
| h = Hò-pet
| xej = حَ‌بُوِ شْ
| altname = Abbreviation
| c2 = {{linktext|lang=zh|冀}}
| p2 = Jì
| tp2 = Jì
| w2 = {{tonesup|Chi4}}
| bpmf2 = ㄐㄧˋ
| mi2 = {{IPAc-cmn|j|i|4}}
| j2 = kei3
| y2 = Kei
| ci2 = {{IPAc-yue|k|ei|3}}
| tl2 = Kī
| altname3 = Zhili Province
| s3 = 直隶省
| t3 = {{linktext|lang=zh|直隸|省}}
| l3 = Directly ruled
| p3 = Zhílì shěng
| tp3 = Jhíh-lì shěng
| w3 = {{tonesup|Chih2-li4 Sheng3}}
| mi3 = {{IPAc-cmn|zhi|2|.|l|i|4|-|sh|eng|3}}
| bpmf3 = ㄓˊ ㄌㄧˋ ㄕㄥˇ
}}

'''Hebei'''{{efn|{{zh|c={{Audio|zh-Hebei.ogg|河北|help=no}}|l=north of the [[Yellow River]]}}{{pb}}{{IPAc-en|UK|ˌ|h|ɜː|'|b|eɪ}}<ref>{{cite book |last=Longman |first=J. C. |title=Longman Pronunciation Dictionary |year=2008 |publisher=Pearson |isbn=978-1405881173 |edition=3rd }}</ref> or {{IPAc-en|h|@|'|b|eɪ}},<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.lexico.com/definition/Hebei |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518052007/https://www.lexico.com/definition/Hebei |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 18, 2021 |title=Hebei |dictionary=Lexico UK English Dictionary |publisher=Oxford University Press}}</ref> {{IPAc-en|US|ˈ|h|ʌ|'|b|eɪ}},<ref>{{Cite Merriam-Webster|Hebei}}</ref>{{pb}}[[Postal romanization]]: '''Hopeh'''}} is a [[Provinces of China|province]] in [[North China]]. It is China's [[List of Chinese administrative divisions by population|sixth-most populous province]], with a population of over 75 million people. [[Shijiazhuang]] is the capital city. It borders [[Shanxi]] to the west, [[Henan]] to the south, [[Shandong]] and [[Liaoning]] to the east, and [[Inner Mongolia]] to the north; in addition, Hebei entirely surrounds the [[direct-administered municipalities]] of [[Beijing]] and [[Tianjin]] on land. Its population is 96% [[Han Chinese]], 3% [[Manchu people|Manchu]], 0.8% [[Hui people|Hui]], and 0.3% [[Mongols in China|Mongol]]. [[Varieties of Chinese]] spoken include [[Jilu Mandarin]], the [[Beijing dialect]] of Mandarin,  and [[Jin Chinese]]. 

During the [[Spring and Autumn period|Spring and Autumn]] and [[Warring States period]]s (771–226&nbsp;BC), the region was ruled by the states of [[Yan (state)|Yan]] and [[Zhao (state)|Zhao]]. During the [[Yuan dynasty]] (1271–1368), the region was called [[Zhongshu Sheng|Zhongshu]]. It was called [[North Zhili]] during the [[Ming dynasty]] (1368–1644), and simply [[Zhili Province|Zhili]] during the [[Qing dynasty]] (1644–1912). The modern province of Hebei was created in 1928. Five UNESCO [[World Heritage Site]]s can be found in the province: the [[Great Wall of China]], [[Chengde Mountain Resort]], [[Grand Canal (China)|Grand Canal]], [[Eastern Qing tombs]], and [[Western Qing tombs]]. It is also home to five [[List of National Famous Historical and Cultural Cities in China|National Famous Historical and Cultural Cities]]: [[Handan]], [[Baoding]], [[Chengde]], [[Zhengding County|Zhengding]] and [[Shanhaiguan District|Shanhaiguan]].

Hebei's economy is based on agriculture and manufacturing; it is China's premier steel producer, which has contributed to serious air pollution.<ref>{{cite web |language=zh|script-title=zh:河北概况 |url=http://www.hebei.gov.cn/hebei/14462058/14462085/14471224/index.html |website=河北省人民政府 |access-date=2020-01-23 |archive-date=2020-08-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813033334/http://www.hebei.gov.cn/hebei/14462058/14462085/14471224/index.html}}</ref><ref name="工业概况">{{cite web |script-title=zh:河北省工业经济概况 |url=http://gxt.hebei.gov.cn/hbgyhxxht/xxgk6/hbsgyjjgk82/index.html |website=河北省工业和信息化厅 |access-date=2020-01-23 |archive-date=2020-01-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200121091327/http://gxt.hebei.gov.cn/hbgyhxxht/xxgk6/hbsgyjjgk82/index.html }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |script-title=zh:河北钢铁工业概况 |url=http://www.ferro-alloys.cn/News/Details/275284 |website=中国铁合金网 |access-date=2020-01-23 |archive-date=2020-02-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218064916/http://www.ferro-alloys.cn/News/Details/275284 |language=zh}}</ref>

==Etymology==
"Hebei" means 'north of the river', derived from the province's location north of the [[Yellow River]] in the [[North China Plain]].<ref>{{cite web |title=我国各省份名称的由来 |url=https://new.qq.com/rain/a/20181208A0M4OV |website=腾讯网 |access-date=2021-01-10}}</ref><ref>[http://www.people.com.cn/GB/shenghuo/1090/2435218.html Origin of the Names of China's Provinces] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427100058/http://www.people.com.cn/GB/shenghuo/1090/2435218.html |date=2016-04-27 }}, People's Daily Online.</ref><ref>{{in lang|zh}} [http://www.people.com.cn/GB/shenghuo/1090/2435218.html Origin of the Names of China's Provinces] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427100058/http://www.people.com.cn/GB/shenghuo/1090/2435218.html |date=2016-04-27 }}, [[People's Daily Online]].</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Yellow bridge Chinese Dictionary |url=http://www.yellowbridge.com/chinese/dictionary.php |access-date=15 April 2016 |website=Yellow Bridge}}</ref> In the ''[[Yu Gong]]'', the province is recorded as "[[Jizhou (ancient China)|Jizhou]]", lending to its traditional abbreviation of "Ji" ({{zhi|s=冀}}).

The province's nickname is "Yanzhao" ({{zhi|s=燕赵}}), which is the collective name of the [[Yan (state)|Yan]] and [[Zhao (state)|Zhao]] states that controlled the region during the [[Spring and Autumn period|Spring and Autumn]] and [[Warring States period]]s (771–221&nbsp;BC).<ref>{{cite web |title=河北省古称"燕赵之地"，为什么现在的简称却是"冀"呢? |url=https://www.sohu.com/a/294749251_353840|website=[[Sohu]]|access-date=2021-01-10}}</ref> In 1421, the [[Yongle Emperor]] of the [[Ming dynasty]] (1368–1644) moved the capital from [[Nanjing]] to [[Beijing]], and the province surrounding the new capital was first called [[North Zhili]] or [[Zhili]], meaning 'directly ruled'.<ref name=EB1911>{{cite EB1911 |wstitle=Chih-Li |volume=6 |page=133}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Yongle Emperor |url=https://www.worldhistory.org/Yongle_Emperor|website=[[World History Encyclopedia]]|access-date=2021-01-10}}</ref> When Nanjing became the capital of the [[Republic of China (1912–1949)|Republic of China]] in 1928, the province of Zhili was abolished and given its present name of Hebei.<ref>{{cite web |title=直隶省的称呼延续了几百年，1928年，为何被改成了河北省？|url=https://www.360kuai.com/pc/9b7b4962109a9be44?cota=3&kuai_so=1&sign=360_7bc3b157|website=快资讯 |access-date=2021-01-10}}</ref>

==History==
===Pre and early history===
[[Peking Man]], an early pre-historic [[Homo erectus]], lived on the plains of Hebei around 200,000 to 700,000 years ago. [[Neolithic]] findings at the [[prehistoric Beifudi site]] date to 7000 and 8000 BC.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kaogu.cn/en/detail.asp?ProductID=982|title=New Archaeological Discoveries and Researches in 2004 – The Fourth Archaeology Forum of CASS|publisher=Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences|access-date=2007-09-18|archive-date=2011-05-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110512174808/http://www.kaogu.cn/en/detail.asp?ProductID=982|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Many early [[Chinese mythology|Chinese myths]] are set in the province. [[Fuxi]], one of the [[Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors]], is said to have lived in present-day [[Xingtai]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gatzs.com.cn/zhms/province.action?ssdm=086130000|title=河北 – 中华名胜|publisher=内地（祖国大陆）高校面向港澳台招生信息网|access-date=2021-01-10}}</ref> The mythical [[Battle of Zhuolu]], won by the [[Yellow Emperor]], [[Yan Emperor]], and their [[Yanhuang]] tribes against the [[Chiyou]]-led Jiuli tribes, took place in [[Zhangjiakou]] and started the [[Huaxia]] civilization.

During the [[Spring and Autumn period]] (722–476 BC), Hebei was under the rule of [[State of Yan|Yan]] in the north and [[Jin (Chinese state)|Jin]] in the south. Also during this period, a nomadic people known as [[Beidi|Dí]] invaded the plains of northern China and established [[State of Zhongshan|Zhongshan]] in central Hebei. In the [[Warring States period]] (403–221 BC), Jin was partitioned and much of its territory in Hebei went to [[State of Zhao|Zhao]].

===Qin and Han dynasties===
The [[Qin dynasty]] unified China in 221 BC. The [[Han dynasty]] (206 BC – 220 AD) ruled the area under two provinces, [[You Prefecture]] in the north and [[Ji Province]] in the south. At the end of the Han dynasty, most of Hebei was under the control of [[warlord]]s [[Gongsun Zan]] in the north and [[Yuan Shao]] further south. Yuan Shao emerged as the victor of the two, but he was defeated by [[Cao Cao]] in the [[Battle of Guandu]] in 200. Hebei came under the rule of the [[Cao Wei|Kingdom of Wei]], established by the descendants of Cao Cao.

===Jin through the Three Kingdoms===
After the invasions of northern nomadic peoples at the end of the [[Western Jin dynasty]], chaos ensued in the [[Sixteen Kingdoms]] and the [[Northern and Southern dynasties]]. Because of its location on the northern frontier, Hebei changed hands many times and was controlled at various times by [[Later Zhao]], [[Former Yan]], [[Former Qin]], and [[Later Yan]]. The [[Northern Wei]] reunified northern China in 440 but split in 534, with Hebei coming under [[Eastern Wei]]; then the [[Northern Qi]], with its capital at Ye near modern [[Linzhang]], Hebei. The [[Sui dynasty]] again unified China in 589.

[[File:Sancai Duck-Shaped Cup.jpg|thumb|200px|Tricolor Duck-Shaped Cup, Tang dynasty, unearthed from Anxin County]]
===Tang and Five dynasties===
During the [[Tang dynasty]] (618–907), the area was officially called Hebei for the first time. The [[Yan (An–Shi)|Great Yan]] State was established in Hebei from 756 to 763 during the [[An Lushan Rebellion]]. After the rebellion, [[Lulong Jiedushi]] retained its autonomy from Tang during most of the 9th century. During the late [[Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period]], Lulong was fragmented among several regimes including the short-lived [[Yan (Five Dynasties period)|Yan]]. It was eventually annexed in 913 by [[Li Cunxu]], who established the [[Later Tang]] (923–936). Emperor [[Gaozu of Later Jin|Gaozu of the Later Jin dynasty]] ceded much of northern Hebei to the [[Khitan people|Khitan]] [[Liao dynasty]]. This territory, called the [[Sixteen Prefectures]] of Yanyun, became a weakness in the Chinese defense against the Khitans for the next century because it lay within the [[Great Wall]].

===Song through Yuan dynasties===
During the [[Northern Song dynasty]] (960–1127), the sixteen ceded prefectures continued to be an area of contention between Song China and the Liao dynasty. Later, the [[Southern Song dynasty]] abandoned all of [[North China]], including Hebei, to the [[Jin dynasty (1115-1234)|Jurchen Jin dynasty]] after the 1127 [[Jingkang Incident]] of the [[Jin campaigns against the Song dynasty|Jin–Song wars]]. Hebei was heavily affected by the flooding of the Yellow River; between 1048 and 1128, the river ran directly through the province rather than to its south.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Zhang|first=Ling|title=The River, the Plain, and the State: An Environmental Drama in Northern Song China, 1048-1128|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2016|isbn=9781107155985|location=Cambridge|pages=1–4|language=English}}</ref>

The [[Mongol]] [[Yuan dynasty]] divided China into provinces but did not establish Hebei as a province. Instead, the area was directly administrated by the Secretariat at the capital [[Khanbaliq|Dadu]].

===Ming and Qing dynasties===
The [[Ming dynasty]] ruled Hebei as Beizhili, meaning Northern Directly Ruled because the area contained and was directly ruled by the imperial capital in [[Beijing]]. The "Northern" designation was used because there was a southern counterpart covering present-day [[Jiangsu]] and [[Anhui]]. When the [[Manchu]] [[Qing dynasty]] came to power in 1644, they abolished the southern counterpart, and Hebei became known as [[Zhili Province|Zhili]] or Directly Ruled. During the Qing dynasty, the northern borders of Zhili extended deep into [[Inner Mongolia]] and overlapped in jurisdiction with the [[Leagues of China|league]]s of Inner Mongolia.

===Republic of China===
[[File:Hbeisheng.jpg|thumb|Hebei in 2022]]
The Qing dynasty [[Xinhai Revolution|collapsed]] in 1912 and was replaced by the [[Republic of China (1912–1949)|Republic of China]]. In a few years, China descended into a civil war, with regional warlords vying for power. Since Zhili was so close to the capital of [[Beijing]], it was the site of the [[Zhiwan War]], the [[First Zhifeng War]], and the [[Second Zhifeng War]]. With the success of the [[Northern Expedition (1926–1927)|Northern Expedition]] in 1926 and 1927 by the [[Kuomintang]], the capital was moved from Beijing to [[Nanjing]]. As a result, the province's name was changed to Hebei, reflecting the relocation of the capital and its standard provincial administration.

During [[World War II]], Hebei was under the control of the [[Wang Jingwei regime|Reorganized National Government of the Republic of China]], a [[puppet state]] of [[Imperial Japan]].

===People's Republic of China===
The founding of the [[People's Republic of China]] saw several changes. The region around [[Chengde]], previously part of [[Rehe (province)|Rehe]] Province (historically part of [[Manchuria]]), and the region around [[Zhangjiakou]], previously part of [[Chahar (province)|Chahar]] Province (historically part of [[Inner Mongolia]]), were merged into Hebei. This extended its borders northwards beyond the Great Wall. Meanwhile, the city of [[Puyang]] was carved away, causing Hebei to lose access to the [[Yellow River]]. The city became part of the short-lived [[Pingyuan Province]] before eventually being annexed into [[Henan]].<ref>{{cite web |title=濮阳地区一直属于河北省，1952年，为何划归给了河南省？|url=https://www.sohu.com/a/205316427_628936|website=[[Sohu]]|access-date=2021-01-10}}</ref>

The capital was also moved from [[Baoding]] to the new city of [[Shijiazhuang]], and, for a short period, to [[Tianjin]]. On July 28, 1976, [[Tangshan]] was struck by the [[Tangshan earthquake]], the deadliest earthquake of the 20th century, killing over 240,000 people. There were a series of smaller earthquakes in the following decade.

Today, Hebei, along with [[Beijing]] and [[Tianjin]] municipalities which it includes, make up the [[Jing-Jin-Ji]] megalopolis region. With a population of 130 million, it is about six times the size of the [[New York metropolitan area]] and is one of the largest megalopolis clusters in China.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/20/world/asia/in-china-a-supercity-rises-around-beijing.html |title=In China, a Supercity Rises Around Beijing |newspaper=[[New York Times]] |first=Ian |last=Johnson |date=July 19, 2015 }}</ref> Beijing had also unloaded some of its non-capital functions to the province with the establishment of the [[Xiong'an]] New Area, which integrates the three municipalities.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.china-briefing.com/news/xiongan-new-area-beijing-tianjin-hebei |title=Xiong'an New Area: President Xi's Dream City |newspaper=China Briefing |first=Frank |last=Wong |date=March 16, 2019 |access-date=April 2, 2020 |archive-date=August 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220802060649/https://www.china-briefing.com/news/xiongan-new-area-beijing-tianjin-hebei/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[File:LangYaShan5.jpg|thumb|right|[[Mount Langya (Hebei)|Langyashan]] (Wolf Tooth Mountain), in [[Yi County, Hebei|Yi County]]]]
[[File:Fengning Jing Bei meadow.jpg|thumb|Bashang Meadows in [[Fengning County]]]]
==Geography==
Hebei is the only province in China to contain plateaus, mountains, hills, shorelines, plains, and lakes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sohu.com/a/124048424_384784|title=全国唯一兼有高原、山地、丘陵、海滨、湖泊的省份 |publisher=[[Sohu]]|access-date=2021-01-10}}</ref> Most of central and southern Hebei lies within the [[North China Plain]]. Western Hebei rises into the [[Taihang Mountains]] (Taihang Shan), while the [[Yan Mountains]] (Yan Shan) runs through northern Hebei. Beyond the mountains are the [[Mongolian–Manchurian grassland|grasslands]] of [[Inner Mongolia]]. The highest peak is [[Mount Xiaowutai]] in [[Yu County, Hebei|Yu County]] in the northwest of the province, with an altitude of {{convert|2882|m|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Mt Xwt Dili 360" />

Hebei borders the [[Bohai Sea]] on the east. The [[Hai River]] [[drainage basin|watershed]] covers most of the province's central and southern parts; the [[Luan River]] watershed covers the northeast. Excluding manmade reservoirs, the largest lake in Hebei is [[Baiyangdian]], located in [[Anxin County]], [[Baoding]].

Major cities in Hebei include: [[Shijiazhuang]], [[Baoding]], [[Tangshan]], [[Qinhuangdao]], [[Handan]][[Zhangjiakou|, and Zhangjiakou]].

Hebei has a [[monsoon]]-influenced humid [[humid continental climate|continental]] climate. Its winters are cold and dry, while its summers are hot and humid. Temperatures average {{convert|−16|to|−3|°C|°F}} in January and {{convert|20|to|27|°C|°F}} in July. The annual [[Precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]] ranges from {{convert|400|to|800|mm|in|abbr=on}}, concentrated heavily in summer.

{|class="wikitable sortable" style="width:40%; font-size:95%;"
|+'''Average daily maximum and minimum temperatures for selected locations in Hebei Province, China'''<ref>{{cite web|title=Climate for Baoding|url=http://www.weather.com.cn/cityintro/101090201.shtml?|website=Weather China|access-date=10 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Climate for Qinhuangdao|url=http://www.weather.com.cn/cityintro/101091101.shtml?|website=Weather China|access-date=10 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Climate for Tangshan|url=http://www.weather.com.cn/cityintro/101090501.shtml?|website=Weather China|access-date=10 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Climate for Zhangjiakou|url=http://www.weather.com.cn/cityintro/101090301.shtml?|website=Weather China|access-date=10 June 2017}}</ref>
|-
!City
!July (°C)
!July (°F)
!January (°C)
!January (°F)
|-
| [[Baoding]] || 31.7/22.6 || 89.1/72.7 || 2.5/–7.7 || 36.5/18.1
|-
| [[Qinhuangdao]] || 28.1/21.7 || 82.6/71.1 || 0.1/–8.8 || 32.2/16.2
|-
| [[Tangshan]] || 30.2/21.7 || 86.4/71.1 || 0.9/–10.2 || 33.6/13.6
|-
| [[Zhangjiakou]] || 29.4/18.7 || 84.9/65.7 || 2.2/–12.9 || 36.0/8.8
|}

== Government ==
{{Main|Politics of Hebei|List of provincial leaders of the People's Republic of China}}

As with other provincial-level divisions in mainland China, Hebei is governed under a dual party-government system. The Governor of Hebei is the highest-ranking official in the People's Government of Hebei and is responsible for the provincial administration. However, the most powerful official in the province is the Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Hebei Provincial Committee, commonly known as the "Party Secretary", who holds greater influence than the governor within the province's political structure.

== Administrative divisions ==
{{Main|List of administrative divisions of Hebei|List of township-level divisions of Hebei}}

Hebei is divided into 11 prefecture-level divisions, all of which are prefecture-level cities:

* [[Shijiazhuang]]
* [[Tangshan]]
* [[Qinhuangdao]]
* [[Handan]]
* [[Xingtai]]
* [[Baoding]]
* [[Zhangjiakou]]
* [[Chengde]]
* [[Cangzhou]]
* [[Langfang]]
* [[Hengshui]]

These prefecture-level cities are further subdivided into 168 county-level divisions:
* 47 [[District of China|districts]]
* 21 [[County-level city|county-level cities]]
* 94 [[County (People's Republic of China)|counties]]
* 6 [[Autonomous county|autonomous counties]]

These in turn are divided into 2,207 township-level divisions, comprising:
* 1 [[District public office]]
* 937 [[Town (China)|towns]]
* 979 [[Townships of the People's Republic of China|townships]]
* 55 [[Ethnic township|ethnic townships]]
* 235 [[Subdistricts of China|subdistricts]]

As of the end of 2017, Hebei had a population of approximately 75.2 million.<ref>{{Cite web |title=中国统计年鉴—2018 |url=http://www.stats.gov.cn/tjsj/ndsj/2018/indexch.htm |access-date=2022-11-21 |website=www.stats.gov.cn}}</ref>

=== Map and division table ===
{{Image label begin|image=Administrative Division Hebei alt.svg|width=500|link=|font-size=85%}}
{{Image label|x=125|y=925|scale=500/1000|text='''[[Shijiazhuang]]'''}}
{{Image label|x=710|y=610|scale=500/1000|text='''[[Tangshan]]'''}}
{{Image label|x=855|y=545|scale=500/1000|text='''[[Qinhuangdao]]'''}}
{{Image label|x=150|y=1225|scale=500/1000|text='''[[Handan]]'''}}
{{Image label|x=200|y=1090|scale=500/1000|text='''[[Xingtai]]'''}}
{{Image label|x=260|y=750|scale=500/1000|text='''[[Baoding]]'''}}
{{Image label|x=235|y=390|scale=500/1000|text='''[[Zhangjiakou]]'''}}
{{Image label|x=610|y=290|scale=500/1000|text='''[[Chengde]]'''}}
{{Image label|x=480|y=900|scale=500/1000|text='''[[Cangzhou]]'''}}
{{Image label|x=440|y=700|scale=500/1000|text='''[[Langfang]]'''}}
{{Image label|x=335|y=990|scale=500/1000|text='''[[Hengshui]]'''}}
{{Image label|x=440|y=510|scale=500/1000|text={{nobold|''[[Beijing]]''}}}}
{{Image label|x=570|y=660|scale=500/1000|text={{nobold|''[[Tianjin]]''}}}}
{{Image label end}}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin:1em auto; width:100%; font-size:smaller; text-align:center"
! Division code<ref>{{cite web|language=zh-hans|url=http://files2.mca.gov.cn/cws/201502/20150225163817214.html|script-title=zh:中华人民共和国县以上行政区划代码|publisher=Ministry of Civil Affairs}}</ref>
! Division
! Area (km²)<ref>{{cite book|language=zh-hans|author=Shenzhen Bureau of Statistics|publisher=China Statistics Print|script-title=zh:《深圳统计年鉴2014》|url=http://www.sztj.gov.cn/nj2014/indexce.htm|access-date=2015-05-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150512184740/http://www.sztj.gov.cn/nj2014/indexce.htm|archive-date=2015-05-12|url-status=dead}}</ref>
! Population (2020)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/china/hebei/admin/|title=China: Hébĕi (Prefectures, Cities, Districts and Counties) - Population Statistics, Charts and Map}}</ref>
! Seat
! Districts
! Counties
! Autonomous counties
! County-level cities
|-
| 130100 || [[Shijiazhuang]] || 15,848 || 11,235,086 || Chang'an District || 8 || 11 || — || 3
|-
| 130200 || [[Tangshan]] || 14,334.6 || 7,717,983 || Lunan District || 7 || 4 || — || 3
|-
| 130300 || [[Qinhuangdao]] || 7,791.6 || 3,136,879 || Haigang District || 4 || 2 || 1 || —
|-
| 130400 || [[Handan]] || 12,066 || 9,413,990 || Congtai District || 6 || 11 || — || 1
|-
| 130500 || [[Xingtai]] || 12,433 || 7,111,106 || Xindu District || 4 || 12 || — || 2
|-
| 130600 || [[Baoding]] || 22,185 || 11,544,036 || Jingxiu District || 5 || 15 || — || 4
|-
| 130700 || [[Zhangjiakou]] || 36,861.6 || 4,118,908 || Qiaoxi District || 6 || 10 || — || —
|-
| 130800 || [[Chengde]] || 39,513 || 3,354,444 || Shuangqiao District || 3 || 4 || 3 || 1
|-
| 130900 || [[Cangzhou]] || 14,305.3 || 7,300,783 || Yunhe District || 2 || 9 || 1 || 4
|-
| 131000 || [[Langfang]] || 6,417.3 || 5,464,087 || Anci District || 2 || 5 || 1 || 2
|-
| 131100 || [[Hengshui]] || 8,836.9 || 4,212,933 || Taocheng District || 2 || 8 || — || 1
|}

== Urban areas ==
The following table lists major urban areas in Hebei based on the 2020 census, along with historical comparisons and total city populations. "Urban area" refers to built-up zones and may exclude newer administrative districts established since the 2010 census.

{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible" style="font-size:90%;"
! # !! City !! 2020 Urban Area<ref name="2020PRCcensus">{{cite book |author=国务院人口普查办公室、国家统计局人口和社会科技统计司编 |date=2022 |script-title=zh:中国2020年人口普查分县资料 |location=Beijing |publisher=[[中国统计出版社]] |isbn=978-7-5037-9772-9}}</ref> !! 2010 Urban Area<ref name="2010PRCcensus">{{cite book |author=国务院人口普查办公室、国家统计局人口和社会科技统计司编 |date=2012 |script-title=zh:中国2010年人口普查分县资料 |location=Beijing |publisher=[[中国统计出版社]] |isbn=978-7-5037-6659-6}}</ref> !! 2020 City Population
|-
|1||'''[[Shijiazhuang]]'''||4,805,079||2,770,344{{efn|New districts post-2010: Gaocheng, Luquan, Luancheng}}||11,235,086
|-
|2||[[Tangshan]]||2,667,603||2,128,191{{efn|New district post-2010: Caofeidian}}||7,717,983
|-
|3||[[Handan]]||2,280,755||1,316,674{{efn|New districts post-2010: Yongnian, Feixiang; Handan County merged}}||9,413,990
|-
|4||[[Baoding]]{{efn|Xiong'an New Area not included}}||2,167,607||1,038,195{{efn|New districts post-2010: Mancheng, Qingyuan, Xushui}}||11,544,036
|-
|5||[[Xingtai]]||1,371,150||668,765{{efn|New districts post-2010: Renze, Nanhe}}||7,111,106
|-
|6||[[Qinhuangdao]]||1,320,988||967,877{{efn|New district post-2010: Funing}}||3,136,879
|-
|7||[[Zhangjiakou]]||1,185,494||924,628{{efn|New districts post-2010: Wanquan, Chongli; Xuanhua County merged}}||4,118,908
|-
|8||[[Langfang]]||768,439||530,840||5,464,087
|-
|9||[[Cangzhou]]||727,879||499,411||7,300,783
|-
|10||[[Hengshui]]||707,905||389,447{{efn|New district post-2010: Jizhou}}||4,212,933
|-
|11||[[Chengde]]||548,329||540,390||3,354,444
|-
|12||[[Xiong'an]]{{efn|Xiong'an New Area established after 2010}}||717,120||—
|}

=== Notes ===
{{notelist}}

== Economy ==
Hebei is one of northern China’s major industrial provinces, with a diverse economy shaped by its strategic location surrounding Beijing and Tianjin, and a strong manufacturing base—though by national standards, it ranks relatively low in per capita income and development indicators. As of 2023, Hebei's [[gross domestic product]] (GDP) was approximately 4.394 trillion yuan (about US$624 billion), ranking it 12th among China's provincial-level regions.<ref name="stats2023">National Bureau of Statistics of China, "2023 Provincial GDP Rankings", retrieved April 21, 2025.</ref> The province’s [[GDP per capita]] was around 59,300 yuan (roughly US$8,420), placing it 26th nationally.<ref name="stats2023" />

In terms of economic structure, Hebei’s economy in 2023 was composed of a primary sector (agriculture, forestry, and fisheries) contributing 446.6 billion yuan, a secondary sector (manufacturing and construction) contributing 1.397 trillion yuan, and a tertiary sector (services) contributing 2.551 trillion yuan.<ref name="ceicGDP">CEIC Data, "Hebei Provincial GDP Breakdown by Sector (2023)", retrieved April 21, 2025.</ref> The registered urban unemployment rate was 3.08% as of the latest available data from 2021.<ref name="unemployment">CEIC Data, "Urban Unemployment Rate in Hebei", retrieved April 21, 2025.</ref>

Hebei's economy is supported by a robust industrial base, with mining and heavy industry playing a central role. The province is a key hub for [[coal]] and [[iron ore]] mining, as well as for [[steel]] production. Other important industries include [[petroleum]] refining, chemical manufacturing, [[ceramics]], power generation, food processing, and [[textiles]].

Hebei possesses significant mineral resources, which form the backbone of its industrial development. The [[Kailuan]] coal mine in [[Tangshan]], with origins dating back to the late 19th century, is one of China’s oldest and most historically important modern mines. It remains operational today, producing over 20 million tonnes of coal annually.<ref name="kailuan">Kailuan Group official website, "Company Profile", retrieved April 21, 2025.</ref> In addition to coal, the province is rich in iron ore. Major deposits are found in [[Handan]] and [[Qian'an, Hebei|Qian'an]], both of which supply raw materials to nearby steel plants.<ref name="ironore">Hebei Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, "Overview of Mineral Resources in Hebei", retrieved April 21, 2025.</ref>

Hebei is also home to a portion of the [[:zh:华北油田|North China Oilfield]], one of China's largest inland oilfields, which supports the province's petroleum and petrochemical industries.<ref name="oilfield">China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), "North China Oilfield Company", retrieved April 21, 2025.</ref> 

Despite its industrial strength, Hebei also retains a significant agricultural workforce, with about 40% of the labor force engaged in agriculture, forestry, and animal husbandry. A large portion of Hebei’s agricultural output supplies the neighboring cities of [[Beijing]] and [[Tianjin]]. Principal crops include [[wheat]], [[maize]], [[millet]], and [[sorghum]], while cash crops such as [[cotton]], [[peanuts]], [[soybeans]], and [[sesame]] are also cultivated.

===Economic and technological development zones===
* [[Baoding]] Hi-Tech Industry Development Zone
* [[Langfang]] Export Processing Zone
* [[Qinhuangdao]] Economic & Technological Development Zone
* Qinhuangdao Export Processing Zone
* [[Shijiazhuang]] Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone
* [[Xiong'an]] New Area
{{Historical populations
|title       = Historical population
| percentages = pagr
|footnote    = Hebei Province was known as Zhili Province until 1928.<br />Beijing was part of Hebei Province<ref name=EB1911/> until 1928.<br />Tainjin was part of Hebei Province until 1928 and from 1954 to 1967.<br />[[Rehe Province]] dissolved in 1955. Parts of it were incorporated into Hebei Province.<br />[[Chahar Province|Qahar Province]] dissolved in 1952. Parts of it were incorporated into Hebei Province.
|1912<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:1912年中国人口|url=http://www.ier.hit-u.ac.jp/COE/Japanese/discussionpapers/DP97.9/fhyo2.html|access-date=6 March 2014}}</ref>  |26,658,000
|1928<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:1928年中国人口|url=http://www.ier.hit-u.ac.jp/COE/Japanese/discussionpapers/DP97.9/fhyo3.htm|access-date=6 March 2014}}</ref> |31,232,000
|1936–37<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:1936–37年中国人口|url=http://www.ier.hit-u.ac.jp/COE/Japanese/discussionpapers/DP97.9/fhyo4.htm|access-date=6 March 2014}}</ref> |28,644,000
|1947<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:1947年全国人口|url=http://www.ier.hit-u.ac.jp/COE/Japanese/discussionpapers/DP97.9/fhyo5.htm|access-date=6 March 2014}}</ref> |28,719,000
|1954<ref name="census1954">{{cite web|url=http://www.stats.gov.cn/tjgb/rkpcgb/qgrkpcgb/t20020404_16767.htm |script-title=zh:中华人民共和国国家统计局关于第一次全国人口调查登记结果的公报 |publisher=[[National Bureau of Statistics of China]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090805174810/http://www.stats.gov.cn/TJGB/RKPCGB/qgrkpcgb/t20020404_16767.htm |archive-date=2009-08-05 }}</ref> |35,984,644
|1964<ref name="census1964">{{cite web|url=http://www.stats.gov.cn/tjgb/rkpcgb/qgrkpcgb/t20020404_16768.htm |script-title=zh:第二次全国人口普查结果的几项主要统计数字 |publisher=[[National Bureau of Statistics of China]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120914173158/http://www.stats.gov.cn/tjgb/rkpcgb/qgrkpcgb/t20020404_16768.htm |archive-date=2012-09-14 }}</ref> |45,687,781
|1982<ref name="census1982">{{cite web|url=http://www.stats.gov.cn/tjgb/rkpcgb/qgrkpcgb/t20020404_16769.htm |script-title=zh:中华人民共和国国家统计局关于一九八二年人口普查主要数字的公报 |publisher=[[National Bureau of Statistics of China]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510075429/http://www.stats.gov.cn/tjgb/rkpcgb/qgrkpcgb/t20020404_16769.htm |archive-date=2012-05-10 }}</ref> |53,005,876
|1990<ref name="census1990">{{cite web|url=http://www.stats.gov.cn/tjgb/rkpcgb/qgrkpcgb/t20020404_16772.htm |script-title=zh:中华人民共和国国家统计局关于一九九〇年人口普查主要数据的公报 |publisher=[[National Bureau of Statistics of China]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120619002216/http://www.stats.gov.cn/tjgb/rkpcgb/qgrkpcgb/t20020404_16772.htm |archive-date=2012-06-19 }}</ref> |61,082,439
|2000<ref name="census2000">{{cite web|url=http://www.stats.gov.cn/tjgb/rkpcgb/qgrkpcgb/t20020331_15435.htm |script-title=zh:现将2000年第五次全国人口普查快速汇总的人口地区分布数据公布如下 |publisher=[[National Bureau of Statistics of China]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829052024/http://www.stats.gov.cn/tjgb/rkpcgb/qgrkpcgb/t20020331_15435.htm |archive-date=2012-08-29 }}</ref> |66,684,419
|2010<ref name="census2010">{{cite web|url=http://www.stats.gov.cn/english/newsandcomingevents/t20110429_402722516.htm |title=Communiqué of the National Bureau of Statistics of People's Republic of China on Major Figures of the 2010 Population Census |publisher=[[National Bureau of Statistics of China]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130727021210/http://www.stats.gov.cn/english/newsandcomingevents/t20110429_402722516.htm |archive-date=2013-07-27 }}</ref> |71,854,202
|2020<ref name="census2020">{{cite web|title=河北省第七次全国人口普查公报(第一号)|publisher=Hebei Provincial Bureau of Statistics|url=http://tjj.hebei.gov.cn/res/hetj/upload/file/20210519/%E5%85%AC%E6%8A%A5%E4%B8%80_101118.pdf|access-date=2021-07-10}}</ref> |74,610,235
}}

==Demographics==
The population in Hebei is mostly [[Han Chinese]]. There are 55 ethnic minorities in Hebei, representing 4.27% of the total population. The largest ethnic groups are [[Manchu]] (2.1 million people), [[Hui people|Hui]] (600,000 people), and [[Mongol]] (180,000 people).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://info.hebei.gov.cn/hbszfxxgk/329988/330059/3736560/index.html |script-title=zh:河北省少数民族及宗教概况 |publisher=Hebei People's Government |access-date=2014-08-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419145310/http://info.hebei.gov.cn/hbszfxxgk/329988/330059/3736560/index.html |archive-date=2017-04-19 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Population totals do not include those in active service with the [[People's Liberation Army]].<ref><nowiki>{{Source: Department of Population, Social, Science, and Technology Statistics of the National Bureau of Statistics of China and Department of Economic Development of the State Ethnic Affairs Commission of China, eds. </nowiki>''Tabulation on Nationalities of 2000 Population Census of China''. 2 vols. Beijing: Nationalities Publishing House ({{lang|zh|民族出版社}}), 2003. ({{ISBN|7-105-05425-5}}<nowiki>)}}</nowiki></ref>

{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="3" align="center" | Ethnic groups in Hebei, 2000 census
|-
! [[Nationalities of China|Nationality]] !! Population !! Percentage
|-
| [[Han Chinese]] || 63,781,603 || 95.65%
|-
| [[Manchu]] || 2,118,711 || 3.18%
|-
| [[Hui people|Hui]] || 542,639 || 0.78%
|-
| [[Mongol]] || 169,887 || 0.26%
|-
| [[Zhuang people|Zhuang]] || 20,832 || 0.031%
|}
In 2019, the [[birth rate]] was 10.83 births per 1,000 people, while the [[death rate]] was 6.12 deaths per 1,000 people.<ref>{{cite web|title=分省年度数据|publisher=[[National Bureau of Statistics of China]] |url=https://data.stats.gov.cn/easyquery.htm?cn=E0103&zb=A0301&reg=130000&sj=2020|access-date=2021-07-10}}</ref> The male population is 37,679,003 (50.50%), the female population is 36,931,232 (49.50%). The gender ratio of the total population was 102.02, decreasing by 0.82 from 2010.<ref>{{cite web|title=河北省第七次全国人口普查公报(第三号)|publisher=Hebei Provincial Bureau of Statistics|url=http://tjj.hebei.gov.cn/res/hetj/upload/file/20210519/%E5%85%AC%E6%8A%A5%E4%B8%89_101212.pdf|access-date=2021-07-10}}</ref>

===Religion===
{{Pie chart
|caption = Religion in Hebei<ref name="Wang2015">China General Social Survey 2009, Chinese Spiritual Life Survey (CSLS) 2007. Report by: [https://baylor-ir.tdl.org/baylor-ir/bitstream/handle/2104/9326/WANG-THESIS-2015.pdf?sequence=1 Xiuhua Wang (2015, p. 15)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925123928/https://baylor-ir.tdl.org/baylor-ir/bitstream/handle/2104/9326/WANG-THESIS-2015.pdf?sequence=1 |date=2015-09-25 }}</ref>{{NoteTag|The data was collected by the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS) of 2009 and by the Chinese Spiritual Life Survey (CSLS) of 2007, reported and assembled by Xiuhua Wang (2015)<ref name="Wang2015" /> to confront the proportion of people identifying with two similar social structures: ① Christian churches, and ② the traditional Chinese religion of the lineage (''i.e.'' people believing and worshipping ancestral deities often organized into [[Chinese lineage associations|lineage "churches"]] and [[ancestral shrine]]s). Data for other religions with a significant presence in China (deity cults, Buddhism, Taoism, folk religious sects, Islam, et al.) was not reported by Wang. The number of Muslims is taken from a survey reported in the year 2010.<ref name="2010-Islam" />}}
|label1 = [[Chinese folk religion|Deity worshippers]], [[Taoism|Taoists]], [[Buddhism|Buddhists]], [[Confucianism|Confucians]], [[Chinese salvationist religions|folk religious sects]], or not religious people
|value1 = 90.61
|color1 = Honeydew
|label2 = [[Chinese ancestral religion]]
|value2 = 5.52
|color2 = FireBrick
|label3 = [[Christianity]]
|value3 = 3.05
|color3 = DodgerBlue
|label4 = [[Islam]]
|value4 = 0.82
|color4 = Green
}}

The dominant religions in Hebei are [[Chinese folk religion]]s, [[Taoism|Taoist traditions]], and [[Chinese Buddhism]]. According to surveys conducted in 2007 and 2009, 5.52% of the population believe in and are involved in [[Chinese ancestral religion|ancestor veneration]], while 3.05% identify as Christian, belonging mostly to the [[Catholic Church]].<ref name="Wang2015" /> As of 2010 Muslims constitute 0.82% of the population of Hebei.<ref name="2010-Islam">Min Junqing. ''The Present Situation and Characteristics of Contemporary Islam in China''. JISMOR, 8. [https://doors.doshisha.ac.jp/duar/repository/ir/18185/r002000080004.pdf 2010 Islam by province, page 29]. Data from: Yang Zongde, ''Study on Current Muslim Population in China'', Jinan Muslim, 2, 2010.</ref>

Although the surveys did not provide specific data for other religions, 90.61% of the population are either nonreligious or are involved in [[Chinese folk religion|worship of nature deities]], [[Buddhism]], [[Confucianism]], [[Taoism]], and [[Chinese salvationist religions|folk religious sects]]. [[Zailiism]] is a folk religious sect that originated in Hebei. Local worship of deities organized into [[associations of good-doing|benevolent churches]] in reaction to Catholicism in the [[Qing dynasty]].

{{multiple image
| align             = center
| direction         = horizontal
| width             = 150
| image1            = Dafuo2.jpg
| caption1          = The giant [[Bodhisattva]] statue of [[Puning Temple (Hebei)|Puning Temple]]
| image2            = 张挥公大殿2.jpg
| caption2          = Great Temple of Zhang Hui, the central [[ancestral shrine]] of the [[Zhang (surname)|Zhang]] lineage, in [[Qinghe County, Hebei|Qinghe]]
}}

Hebei has the largest Catholic population in China, with one million members and 1.5 million Catholics according to the Catholic Church.<ref name="chinacath">{{cite web |url = http://www.chinacath.org/news/china/2010-09-15/8534.html |script-title=zh:河北地下教会主教成为爱国会成员 |website=chinacath.org |date=2010-09-15 |access-date=2014-08-27 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140903142132/http://www.chinacath.org/news/china/2010-09-15/8534.html |archive-date=2014-09-03 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |script-title=zh:天主教 |url=http://www.hebmzt.gov.cn/tabid/73/InfoID/1240/frtid/84/Default.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922194128/http://www.hebmzt.gov.cn/tabid/73/InfoID/1240/frtid/84/Default.aspx |archive-date=2017-09-22 |access-date=2014-08-26 |website=hebmzt.gov.cn}}</ref> In 1900, [[Our Lady of China|apparition of the Virgin Mary]] was said have appeared in the town of [[Donglu]] in [[Baoding]]. As a result, Donglu is "one of the strongholds of the unofficial Catholic Church in China".<ref>[http://www.refworld.org/pdfid/50f946dd2.pdf Country Advice China], Australian Government 13 February 2012</ref> Many Catholics in Hebei remain loyal to the Pope and reject the authority of the Catholic Patriotic Church. Four of Hebei's underground bishops have been imprisoned in recent years: Bishop [[Francis An Shuxin]] of Donglu since 1996; Bishop [[James Su Zhimin]] since October 1997; Bishop [[Han Dingxiang]] of Yongnian who died in prison in 2007, and Bishop [[Julius Jia Zhiguo]] of Zhengding since late 1999.<ref name="chinacath" /><ref name="pfc">[http://www.prayforchina.com/province/Hebei.htm Hebei] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924081030/http://www.prayforchina.com/province/Hebei.htm |date=2015-09-24 }}, Pray for China</ref>[[File:Zhengding Lingxiao Pagoda 3.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Lingxiao Pagoda]] of [[Zhengding]], Hebei Province, built in AD 1045 during the [[Song dynasty]]]]

==Culture==

===Language===
People speak dialects of [[Mandarin Chinese|Mandarin]] across the Hebei, with most classified as part of the [[Ji Lu Mandarin]] subdivision of Chinese. Along the western border with [[Shanxi]], dialects are distinct enough for linguists to consider them as part of [[Jin Chinese|Jin]], another subdivision of Chinese. In general, the dialects of Hebei are similar to the [[Beijing dialect]], which forms the basis for [[Standard Chinese]] and the official language of the nation. However, there are also some distinct differences, such as the pronunciation of some words, made by [[entering tone]] syllables (syllables ending on a [[plosive consonant|plosive]]) in [[Middle Chinese]].

===Arts===
[[File:Bowl_(Wan)_with_Peony,_Chrysanthemum,_and_Prunus_Sprays_LACMA_M.73.48.101.jpg|thumb|A [[Ding ware]] bowl]]

Traditional forms of [[Chinese opera]] in Hebei include [[Pingju]], [[Hebei Bangzi]] (Hebei Clapper Opera), and [[Cangzhou]] [[Kuaibanshu|Kuaiban Dagu]]. Pingju is especially popular because it tends to use colloquial language which is easier for audiences to understand. Originating from northeastern Hebei, Pingju was influenced by other forms of Chinese opera such as [[Beijing opera]]. Traditionally Pingju has a ''[[Sheng (Chinese opera)|xiaosheng]]'' (young male lead), a ''[[Dan (Chinese opera)|xiaodan]]'' (young female lead), and a ''[[Chou (Chinese opera)|xiaohualian]]'' (young comic character), though it has diversified to include other roles.<ref>{{cite web |title=评剧、河北梆子|url=http://182.92.234.121:8081/project/res/public.html?ename=44zgxqwh&second=3.%E8%AF%84%E5%89%A7%E3%80%81%E6%B2%B3%E5%8C%97%E6%A2%86%E5%AD%90|website=中华传统文化数字资源库系统|access-date=2021-01-10}}</ref>

[[Quyang County]], in central Hebei, is noted for [[Ding ware]], a type of [[Chinese ceramics]] which includes various vessels such as bowls, plates, vases, and cups, as well as figurines. Ding ware is usually creamy white, though it is also made in other colors.

[[File:Donkey sandwich, Hejian style (20160220143311).jpg|thumb|Hejian-styled [[donkey burger]]]]

===Cuisine===
Hebei cuisine is typically based on wheat, mutton, and beans. The [[donkey burger]], originating from the cities of [[Baoding]] and [[Hejian]], [[Cangzhou]], is a staple in provincial cuisine and has spread into the two municipalities. Other dishes include local variants of [[shaobing]].

===Entertainment===
[[Beidaihe]], located near Shanhaiguan, is a popular beach resort.

===Architectural and cultural sites===
[[File:Phillipvn2.jpg|thumb|Section of the [[Great Wall of China]] at [[Jinshanling]]]]
[[File:Xumipagodazhengding.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Xumi Pagoda]] of [[Zhengding]], built in 636 AD]]
The [[Ming Great Wall]] crosses the northern part of Hebei, and its eastern end is located on the coast at [[Shanhai Pass|Shanhaiguan]] (Shanhai Pass), near [[Qinhuangdao]]. Informally known as the First Pass of The World, Shanhaiguan Pass was where Ming general [[Wu Sangui]] opened the gates to Manchu forces in 1644, beginning nearly 300 years of Manchu rule.

The [[Chengde Mountain Resort]] and its outlying temples are a [[World Heritage Site]]. Also known as the Rehe Palace, this was the summer resort of the Manchu [[Qing dynasty]] emperors. The resort was built between 1703 and 1792. It consists of a palace complex and a large park with lakes, pavilions, causeways, and bridges. There are also several Tibetan Buddhist and Han Chinese temples in the surrounding area.

[[File:避暑山庄小金山.jpg|thumb|[[Chengde Mountain Resort]]]]

There are Qing dynasty imperial [[tomb]]s at [[Zunhua]] ([[Eastern Qing Tombs]]) and [[Yi County, Hebei|Yixian]] ([[West Qing Tombs]]). The Eastern Qing Tombs are the resting place of 161 Qing emperors, empresses, and other members of the Qing imperial family, while the West Qing Tombs have 76 burials. Both tomb complexes are part of a [[World Heritage Site]].

The [[Zhao County|Zhaozhou]], or [[Anji Bridge]], was built by Li Chun during the [[Sui dynasty]] and is the oldest stone [[arch bridge]] in China. It is one of the most significant examples of pre-modern Chinese [[civil engineering]]. [[Baoding]], the old provincial capital, contains the historic Zhili governor's residence and the former court.

[[Xibaipo]], a village about {{convert|90|km|abbr=on}} from [[Shijiazhuang]] in [[Pingshan County, Hebei|Pingshan County]], was the location of the [[Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party]] and the headquarters of the [[People's Liberation Army]] during the decisive stages of the [[Chinese Civil War]] between May 26, 1948, and March 23, 1949. Today, the area houses a memorial site.<ref>{{citation |author=Kenneth Pomeranz |title=Musings on a Museum: A Trip to Xibaipo |date=July 22, 2010 |url=http://www.thechinabeat.org/?p=2384 |author-link=Kenneth Pomeranz}}</ref>

==Sports==
The [[2018 Women's Bandy World Championship]] was held in Hebei. Sports teams based in Hebei include [[National Basketball League (China)]], Hebei Springs Benma, and the [[Chinese Football Association]] team [[Hebei F.C.]], [[Hebei Elite F.C.]], and [[Cangzhou Mighty Lions F.C.]] Baoding is home to the [[Baoding balls]], a kind of metal ball for exercise and meditation.

==Education==
{{see also|List of universities and colleges in Hebei}}
Under the national Ministry of Education:
* [[North China Electric Power University]] ({{lang|zh-Hans|华北电力大学}})

Under other national agencies:
* [[Central Institute for Correctional Police]] ({{lang|zh-Hans|中央司法警官学校}})
* [[Chinese People's Armed Police Force Academy]] ({{lang|zh-Hans|中国人民武装警察部队学院}})
* [[North China Institute of Science and Technology]] ({{lang|zh-Hans|华北科技学院}})

Under the provincial government:
* [[Chengde Medical College]] ({{lang|zh-Hans|承德医学院}})
* [[Handan College]] ({{lang|zh-Hans|邯郸学院}})
* [[Hebei Agricultural University]] ({{lang|zh-Hans|河北农业大学}})
* [[Hebei Engineering University]] ({{lang|zh-Hans|河北工程大学}})
* [[Hebei Institute of Architecture and Civil Engineering]] ({{lang|zh-Hans|河北建筑工程学院}})
* [[Hebei Medical University]] ({{lang|zh-Hans|河北医科大学}})
* [[Hebei Normal University]] ({{lang|zh-Hans|河北师范大学}})
* [[Hebei Normal University of Science and Technology]] ({{lang|zh-Hans|河北科技技师学院}})
* [[Hebei North University]] ({{lang|zh-Hans|河北北方学院}})
* [[Hebei Physical Educational Institute]] ({{lang|zh-Hans|河北体育学院}})
* North China University of Science and Technology ({{lang|zh-Hans|华北理工大学}})
* [[Hebei University]] ({{lang|zh-Hans|河北大学}})
* [[Hebei University of Economics and Business]] ({{lang|zh-Hans|河北经贸大学}})
* [[Hebei University of Technology]] ({{lang|zh-Hans|河北工业大学}})
* [[Hebei University of Science and Technology]] ({{lang|zh-Hans|河北科技大学}})
* [[Hengshui University]] ({{lang|zh-Hans|衡水学院}})
* [[Langfang Teacher's College]] ({{lang|zh-Hans|廊坊师范学院}})
* [[North China Coal Medical College]] ({{lang|zh-Hans|华北煤炭医学院}})
* [[Shijiazhuang College]] ({{lang|zh-Hans|石家庄学院}})
* [[Shijiazhuang Railway Institute]] ({{lang|zh-Hans|石家庄铁道学院}})
* [[Shijiazhuang University of Economics]] ({{lang|zh-Hans|石家庄经济学院}})
* [[Tangshan College]] ({{lang|zh-Hans|唐山学院}})
* [[Tangshan Teacher's College]] ({{lang|zh-Hans|唐山师范学院}})
* [[Xingtai University]] ({{lang|zh-Hans|邢台学院}})
* [[Yanshan University]] ({{lang|zh-Hans|燕山大学}})
There are also [[Tibetan Buddhism|Tibetan Buddhist schools]] in the province.

==Infrastructure==

===Transportation===

====Intracity Rail====
The [[Shijiazhuang Metro]] is the only operational rapid transit system in Hebei. [[Xiong'an Rail Transit]] is a planned metro system in [[Xiong'an]].

====Intercity Rail====
As of early 2013, railway schedule systems listed 160 passenger train stations within the province.<ref>[http://qq.ip138.com/train/hebei/ List of train stations in Hebei] {{in lang|zh}}</ref> Because Hebei surrounds Beijing and Tianjin, all the important railway lines from these cities pass through Hebei. The [[Beijing–Guangzhou railway]] is one of the most important. It passes through many major cities, including [[Baoding]], [[Shijiazhuang]], [[Xingtai]] and [[Handan]] on its way south to [[Henan]]. Other important railways include the [[Beijing–Kowloon railway]], [[Beijing–Shanghai railway]], [[Beijing–Harbin railway]], [[Beijing–Chengde railway]], [[Beijing–Tongliao railway]], [[Beijing–Baotou railway]] and [[Fengtai–Shacheng railway]]. High-speed rail lines crossing the province include the [[Beijing–Shanghai high-speed railway]], [[Beijing–Guangzhou high-speed railway]], and [[Shijiazhuang–Taiyuan high-speed railway]].

During the [[Eleventh Five-Year Plan (People's Republic of China)|Eleventh Five-Year Plan]], Beijing and Hebei collaborated on a new passenger railway. The RMB 82.6 billion network will add {{Convert|844|km|mi}} to the system. Current railway systems for Hebei are also being upgraded and will soon be able to travel at speeds of between {{Convert|160 and 200|km|mi}} per hour.

====Highways and primary routes====
The recent expressway boom in China included Hebei. There are expressways to every prefecture-level city in Hebei, totaling approximately {{Convert|2,000|km|mi}}. The total length of highways within Hebei is around {{Convert|40,000|km|mi}}.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

====Air transit====
Shijiazhuang's [[Zhengding Airport]] is the province's center for air transportation, with domestic and international flights. Parts of Hebei are served by the [[Beijing Daxing International Airport]] in [[Beijing]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Moore |first=Malcolm |date=September 9, 2011 |title=China to build world's biggest airport |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/8752665/China-to-build-worlds-biggest-airport.html}}</ref>

====Ocean transit====
There are several ports along the [[Bohai Sea]], including [[Huanghua, Hebei|Huanghua]], [[Jingtang]], and [[Qinhuangdao]]. Qinhuangdao is the second busiest port in China and has a capacity of over 100 million tons.

==Media==
Hebei is served by the province-wide [[Hebei Television]], abbreviated HEBTV. Shijiazhuang Radio & Television is a regional network that covers the provincial capital. Hebei is also served by three major newspapers: ''[[Hebei Daily]]'', ''[[Yanzhao Metropolis Daily]]'', and ''[[Yanzhao Evening News]]''. Hebei Daily Newspaper Group publishes all three newspapers.

==Notable people==
*[[Zu Chongzhi]] (429–500) – astronomer, mathematician, politician, inventor, and writer known for calculating [[pi]] to an accuracy that was not surpassed for 800 years
*[[Feng Dao]] (881–954) – inventor, printer, and politician
*[[Zhang Fei]] (?–221) – military general during the [[Eastern Han dynasty]] and  [[Three Kingdoms period]] who became [[Blood brother|sworn brothers]] with [[Liu Bei]] and [[Guan Yu]]
*[[Xia Gengqi]] (born 1933) – [[curator]] in the [[Collections of the Palace Museum|Beijing Palace Museum]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Xue |first=Li |date=19 July 2010 |script-title=zh:杂项专家夏更起:全国有十几家拍卖公司足矣(图) |language=zh-hans |newspaper=Beijing Business Daily |url=http://news.xinmin.cn/rollnews/2010/07/19/5843103.html |access-date=1 January 2011}}</ref>
*[[Qin Shi Huang]] (259 BC–210 BC) – founder of the [[Qin dynasty]] and the [[Emperor of China|first emperor of a unified China]]
*[[Guo Jingjing]] (born 1981) – [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] gold medalist diver and world champion
*[[Jing Ke]] (?–227 BC) – retainer of [[Crown Prince Dan]], assassin who attempted to murder [[Qin Shi Huang]]
* [[Jizi (artist)|Jizi]] (1942–2015) – ink painter
*[[Zhao Lirong]] (1928–2000) – Singer, film actress, and [[Ping opera]] performer
*[[Deng Lun]] (born 1992) – actor who gained popularity from the [[xianxia novel|xianxia]] drama, ''[[Ashes of Love (TV series)|Ashes of Love]]''
*Liu Shichao or [[Hebei Pangzai]] – Internet personality known for his food and drink stunts
*[[Yan Yuan (Qing dynasty)|Yan Yuan]] (1635–1704) – Confucian philosopher
*[[Zheng Yuanjie]] (born 1955) – Children's books author, and founder and writer of ''King of Fairy Tales'' 
*[[Zhao Liying|Zanilia Zhao]] (born 1987) – television actress 
*[[Zhao Yun]] or Zhao Zilong (?–229) – military general who lived during the same period as Zhang Fei
*[[cmn:柳哲生|Liu Zhesheng]] (柳哲生, 1914–1991) – ace-fighter pilot of [[Development of Chinese Nationalist air force (1937–1945)#Chinese-American volunteer and/or former provincial/warlord air force pilots|Nationalist Air Force of China]], a veteran of the [[Second Sino-Japanese War|War of Resistance-WWII]]

==Sister subdivisions==
Hebei is a sister district with the following country states, districts, and other subdivisions:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.he.xinhuanet.com/zhuanti/2006-04/13/content_6734329.htm |script-title=zh:河北省地级市及部分县级市缔结国际友好城市列表 |work=[[Xinhua]] Hebei |date=2006-04-13 |language=zh-cn |access-date=2020-02-06 |archive-date=2015-09-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924025612/http://www.he.xinhuanet.com/zhuanti/2006-04/13/content_6734329.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

* {{flagdeco|GRC}} [[Athens]] (September 26, 2002)
* {{flagdeco|ARG}} [[Buenos Aires Province]] (May 19, 1992)
* {{flagdeco|BEL}} [[East Flanders]] (October 4, 1991)
* {{flagdeco|BRA}} [[Goiás]] (March 24, 1999)
* {{flagdeco|FRA}} [[Hauts-de-Seine]] (February 11, 1997)
* {{flagdeco|US}} [[Iowa]] (July 22, 1983)
* {{flagdeco|RUS}} [[Leningrad Oblast]] (July 20, 1992)
* {{flagdeco|US}} [[Missouri]] (January 25, 1994)
* {{flagdeco|JPN}} [[Nagano Prefecture]] (November 11, 1983)
* {{flagdeco|HUN}} [[Pest County]] (May 27, 2015)
* {{flagdeco|ROK}} [[South Chungcheong Province]] (October 19, 1994)
* {{flagdeco|JPN}} [[Tottori Prefecture]] (June 9, 1986)
* {{flagdeco|ITA}} [[Veneto]] (May 17, 1988)

==See also==
* [[Dahe Solar Park]]
* [[Dongyi Protectorate]]
* [[Hebei people|Hebei People]]
* [[List of prisons in Hebei]]
* [[Major national historical and cultural sites (Hebei)|Major national historical and cultural sites in Hebei]]

==Notes==
{{NoteFoot}}

==References==
===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

===Sources===
{{refbegin}}
* [http://info.hktdc.com/mktprof/china/hebei.htm Economic profile for Hebei] at [[Hong Kong Trade Development Council|HKTDC]]
*[https://www.academia.edu/6168801/Ponds_Paddies_and_Frontier_Defence_Environmental_and_Economic_Changes_in_Northern_Hebei_in_Northern_Song_China_960-1127_ Ponds, Paddies and Frontier Defence: Environmental and Economic Changes in Northern Hebei in Northern Song China (960–1127)]
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}{{Clear}}
{{Geographic location
|Centre    = Hebei (surrounds [[Beijing]] and [[Tianjin]])
|North     = [[Inner Mongolia]]
|Northeast = [[Liaoning]]
|East      = ''[[Bohai Sea]]''
|Southeast = [[Shandong]]
|South     = [[Henan]]
|Southwest = 
|West      = [[Shanxi]]
|Northwest = 
}}

{{Hebei topics}}
{{Hebei}}
{{Province-level divisions of the People's Republic of China}}

{{Authority control}}

<!--Categories-->
[[Category:Hebei| ]]
[[Category:Provinces of the People's Republic of China]]
[[Category:North China Plain]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1928]]