Chengde Summer Resort, Hebei

 

Chengde Summer Resort in Hebei

Chengde Summer Resort, located north of Chengde City, Hebei Province, is the largest surviving royal garden in China. It was first built in 1703 under the rule of Emperor Kang Xi and was completed in 1790 under the rule of Emperor Qian Long of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Occupying an area of 564,000 square meters, even bigger than the Summer Palace in Beijing, the summer resort contains the emperor's residential buildings, royal gardens and some magnificent temples. The gardens are divided into three themed areas: Lake District, Plain District, and Mountain District. The Lake District is comprised of a number of small fishing villages surrounding the area's lakes, the Plain District is a replica of typical Mongolian grasslands, and the Mountain District is characterized by dense forests. In late summer when the temperature of North China is climbing, Chengde is the most popular place near Beijing to escape the hot weather and have fun in summer.

Travel tips:

Admission: 120 yuan in season (Mar.- Oct.); 90 yuan out of season (Nov.-Feb.)

Opening Hours: 8:00-17:30

Getting there: Bus No. 5, 6, 10, 11, 15 to Summer Resort Stop, No. 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 15 to Huoshenmiao Stop.