A peek at ancient Shengfang

The mighty Great Wall, Chengde and the Eight Outer Temples may be Hebei's biggest tourist hot spots but the province is home to other hidden jewels that are equally worth a journey.

The ancient town of Shengfang is one such site that Wang Jianjun, deputy chief of the marketing department at Hebei Tourism Bureau, particularly recommends.

The river town, 35 kilometers away from Tianjin to the east and 100 km from Beijing to the north, is a cultural art hub, particularly for festival lanterns, which are made in the town and sold across China and Asia.