Shijiazhuang

Shijiazhuang is the capital of Hebei province, China. It is a newly industrialized city, experienced dramatic growth only after the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949 and was relatively unknown until then. Shijiazhuang stands on the edge of the North China Plain at the foot of the Taihang Mountains, which lie to the west, about 320 km south of Beijing.

Shijiazhuang has become a major industrial city in North China and is considered to be the economic center of Hebei province. The city is the largest base for the pharmaceutical industry and is also one of the most important textile industry bases. As a young industrial city, Shijiazhuang city proper is generally considered to have relatively few sights of historical or cultural interest. Shijiazhuang is also famous for its rock cultures. Several underground rock bands are active in this city, mostly performing in pubs.