Hengshui
Hengshui is a prefecture-level city in southern Hebei province, People's Republic of China, bordering Shandong to the southeast.
It borders the cities of Shijiazhuang, the capital of Hebei, to the west, Xingtai to the south, and Baoding and Cangzhou to the north. As of the 2020 census, its population was 4,212,933 inhabitants, out of whom 805,000 lived in the built-up area made of Taocheng urban district. At the end of 2024, the city's resident population was 4.1299 million, down 27,700 from the end of the previous year. The urbanization rate of the resident population is 58.17%. It is on the Beijing–Kowloon railway.
Getting to Hengshui
Hengshui is connected by high-speed trains from major cities such as Beijing, Tianjin, and Shijiazhuang. The Hengshui Railway Station offers frequent services, making it a convenient gateway. Long-distance buses from neighboring cities operate regularly to Hengshui. The nearest airport is Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport (石家庄正定国际机场), about 120 km away.
Worth seeing
Hengshui Lake (衡水湖; Héngshuǐhú). Zhulin Temple (竹林寺; Zhúlínsì).
- 01Hengshuisi
Things to do
Local Handicrafts: Hengshui is known for its traditional Chinese paintings and calligraphy, which can be purchased in local art shops. Hengshui Laobaigan Liquor: A famous local liquor that makes for a unique souvenir, available at specialty shops and local markets. Tea and Herbs: Various teas and medicinal herbs are sold in Hengshui’s markets, reflecting local health practices and culture.
Where to eat
Hebei Dishes: Hengshui cuisine is hearty, with dishes like noodles, dumplings, and locally sourced fish. Try Hengshui Laobaigan liquor, a famous local spirit, often paired with meals. Street Food: Local markets offer a variety of street foods, including steamed buns, fried pancakes, and skewers.
Text adapted from Wikipedia and Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photograph: Wikimedia Commons (see file page), Wikimedia Commons.