Baoding is a prefecture-level city located in central Hebei province, China. It is situated approximately 150 kilometres (93 mi) southwest of the capital city, Beijing. The city serves as a significant population center, with its surrounding area including Zhuozhou City now considered part of the broader Beijing metropolitan region.
As of late 2024, Baoding has a resident population of 9,046,200, with an urban resident population of 5,527,200. The city's metropolitan area is primarily composed of four conurbated districts: Lianchi, Jingxiu, Qingyuan, and Mancheng. Historically, the city has been a major demographic hub, having previously ranked as one of China's top thirteen cities with a population exceeding 10 million.