Xingtai Travel Guide

Nickname: Ox City

Population: 6,730,000

Area: 12,486 square kilometers (4821 square miles)

Nationalities: Han

Administrative Division: 2 districts; 15 counties, 2 county-level cities

Useful Numbers:
Tourist Complaint: 0319-5212007
Weather Forecast: 121
Zip Code Inquiry: 184

Location: Seated in the southern part of Hebei Province, the city borders Shangdong Province in the east with Taihang Mountains rising in the west. It is 108 kilometers (67 miles) south of Shijiagzhuang City and 396 kilometers (246 miles) away from Beijing.

History: Historically, Xingtai has borne many names. As a fiefdom of Zhao Kingdom in early Warring States Period (476BC-221BC), it was called Xiangguo. During Sui (581-618) and Tang (618-907) dynasties, it was named Longgang, and then got the name of Xingtai in the year of 112 in Song Dynasty (960-1279). In addition, it is the site where one of the seven famous kilns in Tang Dynasty, Xing Kiln, is seated having a brilliant history of white porcelain making.

Physical Features: Located at the convergence of Taihang Mountains and North China Plain, Xingtai city slopes from the west to the east. Its main topography is plain occupying more than half of the city area. Xingtai has reserves of black metal and other minerals.

Climatic Features: Enjoying a warm-temperate monsoon climate, the city is dry and usually windy in spring. In summer, it is rainy and damp and the weather is cool and stable in autumn. Like in all the cities in northern China, people will spend a dry and cold winter with less rain and snow. Their hottest and coldest months are respectively July and January with average temperature of 26C (78.8F) and -3C (26.6F).
When to Go: Visitors often choose to visit Xingtai in autumn not only for the favorable weather but also for the well known Xingtai chestnuts.

Local Highlights: Yangge Songs: a kind of folk song with dance originating from the Rice-sprout songs while doing farm work.
Meihuaquan: Plum Blossom Fist, a kind of martial art that especially famous for its Meihuazhuang (quincuncial piles)

Special Local Products: medlar, Chuanzhihong apricot, honeysuckle flower, sesame candy, cashmere of Qinghe County

Scenic Spots:
White Cloud Cave of Mount Kong: It is a Karst cave reputed as a marvelous spectacle in North China and it is a noted spot of Xingtai combining landscape of caves, mountains, waters, forest and historical relics.
Gorges of Taihang Mountains: It is a forges community comprised of total 24 gorges along the Taihang
Mountains forming a series of spectacular sights.
Other scenic spots:
Qingfeng Tower, Lingxiao Mountain, Kaiyuan Temple, Qiannanyu Ecological Tourist Zone

Tourist Tips: Visitors can have a five and a half hours ride from Xingtai to Beijing. There are also buses running every 30 minutes to Shijiazhuang and Jinan.