Jimingyi, Ancient post station in Huailai County, China

Jimingyi, also called Jimingshan Yi, is a walled relay station in Jimingyi Township, Huailai County, Hebei. Its square enclosure has a perimeter of about 1,900 metres and walls roughly 11 metres high. Inside, many Ming- and Qing-era buildings survive, though most are dilapidated from age and lack of maintenance.

Jimingyi, also called Jimingshan Yi, was built in the early Ming dynasty; some accounts trace its origin to the Liao-Jin period with completion under the Yuan. It is the largest surviving post station in China and was listed as a national key cultural relic in 2001. After the Eight-Nation Alliance entered Beijing, Empress Dowager Cixi spent her first night fleeing west in the He family courtyard inside the station.

The He family compound, where Empress Dowager Cixi spent her first night after fleeing Beijing in 1900, later received the four-character plaque "Hongxi Jiefu" from her. The town also has a temple to the Goddess of Mount Taishan. Many Ming and Qing buildings remain, though most are dilapidated from age and lack of upkeep.

The best way to reach this site is by train to Xiahuayuan station from Beijing, followed by a short taxi ride to the entrance. A full walk around and through the grounds requires some time and comfortable footwear, as you will cover considerable distance exploring the perimeter and interior areas.

The walls underwent major renovation under Emperor Qianlong in 1738, showing that the route remained important long after the original construction. This investment in upkeep helped the structures survive centuries of harsh weather and freeze-thaw cycles in northern regions.