Chengde Travel Guide
Chengde is a vibrant and dynamic city, gradually revealing its charm to the world. Known for its blue skies, green landscapes, clear mountains, beautiful waters, refreshing air, smooth roads, clean cityscape, and harmonious community, Chengde is a picturesque garden city.
The city’s tourism resources are proudly summarized by the locals as the “Three Royal Crowns” and the “Three Wonders of the Purple Frontier.” The “Three Royal Crowns” include the world’s largest existing imperial garden, the Mountain Resort (Bishu Shanzhuang), the world’s largest complex of royal temples, the Eight Outer Temples (Wai Ba Miao), and the world’s largest royal hunting ground, Mulan Weichang.
The “Three Wonders of the Purple Frontier” highlight the essence of the Great Wall at Jinshanling, known for its architectural brilliance and strategic importance. They also include the majestic Wuling Mountain, the main peak of the Yanshan Mountains, celebrated as the “Natural Plant Treasury of North China.” Lastly, Panlong Lake, often referred to as the “Guilin of the North,” is renowned for its stunning scenery and picturesque views, earning it the nickname “Little Li River Beyond the Great Wall.”
I spent a day in Chengde. I arrived at the Putuo Zongcheng Temple at eight in the morning, and it was a bit chilly. Before the temple opened at 8:30, I took a moment to admire the lions in front of the entrance and enjoyed the view of the shining golden roof under the sunlight. The small elephant in front of the glazed archway looked a bit cute, and I even encountered a squirrel. The Wanfa Guiyi Hall and its… Read more »
1️⃣ Summer Resort (避暑山庄) Duration: 6 hours Make sure to take the mountain loop car; you’ll see deer, and the view from the top of the Small Potala Palace and Bangchui Mountain is stunning. Coming down, you don’t need to take a boat – the highlights are along the lake. P.S. The Clock Museum features one of the largest collections of European court clocks after the Palace of Versailles and is worth a closer look. 2️⃣ Chengde Museum (承德博物馆) Duration:… Read more »
Two highly recommended attractions in Chengde:
1. Rehe Valley (热河谷) – Beautiful scenery, not crowded, very peaceful, and quite suitable for walking with kids.
2. The Grand Ceremony of Emperor Kangxi at the Dynasty of Prosperity (鼎盛王朝·康熙大典演出) – The live performance is truly impressive.
The long-awaited trip to Chengde was filled with many attractions and clear themes. However, the area is too small to accommodate such a large number of tourists. The city’s core area is centered around the Summer Resort and the surrounding Eight Outer Temples. This results in local residents and tourists crowding together, leading to a conflict between the convenience of local residents’ daily lives and the experience of visitors.
I knew in advance that the Summer Resort was not really a place for escaping the heat, but I was surprised to find that there were almost no convenient facilities inside. They seem to prioritize profit over the visitor experience.
During the weekend, I went to Chengde (承德) with my family, thinking we would escape the heat and enjoy cooler temperatures. However, it turned out to be even hotter than in Beijing! I really can’t understand how the emperors of the Qing Dynasty managed to keep cool during the summer.
Itinerary Plan Day 1: Take the high-speed train from Beijing to Chengde South Station, spend the afternoon exploring the Summer Resort (避暑山庄), and experience the grandeur and delicacy of the royal garden. Day 2: Visit Putuozongcheng Temple (普陀宗乘之庙), Xumi Fushou Temple (须弥福寿之庙), Chengde Museum (承德博物馆), and Puning Temple (普宁寺), to explore the “Eight Outer Temples” and appreciate the profound Buddhist culture. Day 3: Explore Anyuan Temple (安远庙), Pule Temple (普乐寺), Qingchui Peak (磬锤峰), and head to Chengde Station to experience… Read more »
3 days and 2 nights itinerary sharing in Chengde About Transportation: High-Speed Train: From Beijing Chaoyang to Chengde South, 08:30-09:22 (G931) From Chengde South to Beijing Chaoyang, 21:33-22:25 (G974) About Itinerary: 1️⃣ Day 1: Beijing Chaoyang Station—Summer Resort (避暑山庄)—Putuo Zongcheng Temple (普陀宗承之庙)—Xumi Fushou Temple (须弥福寿之庙) 2️⃣ Day 2: Mulan Weichang—Saihanba National Forest Park (塞罕坝国家森林公园)—National Highway 1 Scenic Road—Dream-chasing Bashang Grassland (追梦坝上草原) 3️⃣ Day 3: Ulan Butong Grassland (乌兰布统草原) Tips: Chengde city is not large, and the attractions are concentrated. Since… Read more »
Day 1: In the morning at 8:30, visit Puning Temple (普宁寺) to experience the atmosphere of morning chanting. Inside the temple, there is a unique combination of Han and Tibetan architecture with a Thousand-Armed Guanyin statue. Head to the Mountain Resort in Chengde (避暑山庄) where you can take a sightseeing car in the northern mountain area, covering a total of 13km. Along the way, you can catch distant views of the Small Potala Palace, Banquet Palace, and observe sika deer.… Read more »
Chengde Two-Day Travel Guide: Day 1: In the morning, visit the Chengde Museum. Before exploring the attractions, learn about the splendid historical and cultural heritage of Chengde. Follow the exhibits to envision the grand scene of Emperor Kangxi’s Mulan Hunting Grounds. In the afternoon, visit the Chengde Mountain Resort. This is not only a national 5A-level scenic spot but also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, you can see many replicas of famous landscapes and gardens from various parts of… Read more »