Chengde Mountain Resort and Surrounding Temples

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Spot Introduction

Chengde Mountain Resort, located in Chengde City, Hebei Province, is the royal summer palace of the Qing Dynasty. Together with the surrounding Outer Eight Temples, it forms the largest ancient royal garden complex in China and is listed as a World Cultural Heritage site. Covering an area of 5.64 million square meters, it is the largest existing royal garden in China.

The resort features a unique layout, divided into three main areas: the lake district, the mountain district, and the plain district. The lake district, centered around Jingbo Lake, reflects pavilions and towers in its waters. The mountain district, dominated by stacked stone mountains, embodies the majesty of northern landscapes. The plain district, represented by the Rehe Main Palace, showcases the dignity of royal architecture. The garden design skillfully blends the delicacy of Jiangnan gardens with the grandeur of the northern scenery.

The Outer Eight Temples were built during the Qing Dynasty to accommodate ethnic minority leaders and demonstrate national strength. Each temple exhibits a distinct style. Among them, the Potala Palace of the Putuo Sect was built in imitation of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, while the Temple of Xu Mi Fu Shou integrates Han and Tibetan architectural features. Together, they embody the cultural diversity of the Qing Dynasty and serve as valuable material for studying the dynasty’s ethnic policies and architectural art.

Must-Visit Attractions

  1. Mountain Resort
    • Lake District: Centered around Jingbo Lake, surrounded by buildings such as Fanglin Court and Yuehua Tower, with water pavilions reflected in the lake, it is the essence of Jiangnan garden style.
    • Mountain District: Dominated by stacked stone mountains, incorporating ethnic architectural elements like Mongolian yurts and Tibetan-style buildings, it reflects the unique charm of “Jiangnan beyond the Great Wall.”
    • Plain District: With the Rehe Main Palace as its core, buildings like Wenchang Pavilion and Qingyin Pavilion showcase royal dignity, making it an important place to understand the political culture of the Qing Dynasty.
    • Suggested visiting time: 1-1.5 days.

景点介绍

参观建议

  1. It is recommended to visit the lake area in the early morning, the plain area at noon, and the mountain area in the afternoon.

  2. Putuo Zongcheng Temple

  • Imitating the architectural style of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, it is the largest temple among the Outer Eight Temples.
  • The red and white exterior walls and the splendid golden interior decoration showcase Tibetan Buddhist architectural art.
  • It contains a large number of exquisite Buddhist murals and sculptures, making it an important venue for studying Tibetan Buddhist art of the Qing Dynasty.
  • Suggested visiting time: 2-3 hours, with the best time being from 9-11 am, when the lighting is most suitable for photography.
  1. Xumi Fushou Temple
  • A perfect combination of Han and Tibetan architectural styles, featuring a Han-style courtyard with Tibetan architectural elements.
  • The temple houses a vast collection of Qing Dynasty Buddhist artifacts, including Thangkas, Buddhist statues, and more.
  • The rigorous layout and distinct hierarchy of the temple make it a model of royal temples in the Qing Dynasty.
  • Suggested visiting time: 1.5-2 hours, recommended to visit from 2-4 pm to avoid the strong midday sun.
  1. Selection from Other Outer Eight Temples
  • Anyuan Temple: Built in the style of a Mongolian Lama temple, it features an exhibition of Mongolian historical artifacts.
  • Puning Temple: Imitating the architecture of the Indian Sanchi Temple, it is known as the “Little Potala Palace.”
  • Shuxiang Temple: A showcase of Tibetan Buddhist art with a unique architectural style.
  • Suggested visiting time: 1-1.5 hours for each temple, choose to visit based on interest.

Visiting Suggestions

  1. Best Touring Route
    Day 1: Essential Tour of the Summer Resort

    • 8:00-12:00: Enter from the east gate and visit the lake area (Jingbo Lake, Fanglin Courtyard) where the lighting is optimal.
    • 12:00-14:00: Explore the plain area (Rehe Zhenggong, Wenchang Pavilion) and take a break to avoid the heat.
    • 14:00-17:30: Visit the mountain area (Dieshi Mountain, Xumi Lingjing), and enjoy the sunset in the evening.

    Day 2: Selected Tour of the Outer Eight Temples

    • 9:00-12:00: Visit Putuo Zongcheng Temple, where the lighting is most suitable for photography.
    • 14:00-16:30: Tour Xumi Fushou Temple, avoiding the strong midday sun.

    Day 3 (Optional): Deep Dive into the Outer Eight Temples

    • Morning: Anyuan Temple, Puning Temple
    • Afternoon: Shuxiang Temple or other temples of interest

  2. Seasonal Visiting Suggestions

    • Spring (March-May): With blooming flowers and pleasant temperatures, this is the best season for visiting.
    • Summer (June-August): A great summer resort, but with more tourists. Early morning or evening visits are recommended.
    • Autumn (September-November): The forests are ablaze with color, and the sky is clear, making it an excellent season for photography.
    • Winter (December-February): With fewer tourists and stunning snowscapes, some attractions may be closed.

  3. Practical Tips

    • Transportation: Take advantage of the sightseeing bus (80 yuan/person) within the resort to save time and energy.
    • Guide Services: It is recommended to hire a professional guide (200-300 yuan/day) to understand the deep cultural connotation.
    • Photography Tips: The best lighting is in the morning and evening.

Visiting Suggestions

It is recommended to bring wide-angle and telephoto lenses.

  • Dress code: Comfortable sneakers are recommended. Long pants and long-sleeved shirts are required inside temples.

Transportation Guide

  1. External Transportation

    • High-speed rail:

      • Beijing North Station → Chengde Station (2 hours, second-class seat about 120 yuan)
      • Multiple trips daily, it is recommended to purchase tickets one week ahead.
      • Upon arrival, you can take the No. 4 bus or a taxi to the scenic area.

    • Self-drive:

      • Beijing → Chengde: Jingcheng Expressway, about 3 hours.
      • Parking: Both the east and west gates have large parking lots, 30 yuan/day.
      • Navigation address: East Gate/West Gate of Chengde Mountain Resort.

    • Long-distance bus:

      • Beijing Liuliqiao/Bawangfang → Chengde Passenger Station
      • About 4 hours, ticket price 70-90 yuan.
      • Multiple trips daily, no need to purchase tickets ahead of time.

  2. City Transportation

    • Bus:

      • Lines 4, 5, and 15 can directly reach the scenic area.
      • Fare is 2 yuan, operating hours are 6:00-19:00.

    • Taxi:

      • Starting fare is 8 yuan for the first 3 kilometers.
      • Approximately 20-30 yuan from the city to the scenic area.

    • Transportation within the scenic area:

      • Scenic area shuttle bus: travels between various attractions.
      • Operating hours: 8:00-17:00.
      • Price: 20 yuan one way, 80 yuan for the entire route.

  1. Chengde Palace Cuisine

    • Recommended dishes: Man-Han Feast, Bear Paw, and Roasted Venison.
    • Specialty: Recreates Qing Dynasty royal cuisine with exquisite ingredients and meticulous preparation.
    • Recommended restaurants: Dining Hall of the Mountain Resort (inside the scenic area), Chengde Palace Restaurant.
    • Average consumption: 200-500 yuan per person.

  2. Weichang Roasted Whole Lamb

    • Specialty: Traditional Mongolian cuisine, roasted on-site, preserving the original flavor.
    • Recommended restaurants: Saiwai Roasted Lamb City, Mongolian Camp.
    • Best season for consumption: Autumn and winter.
    • Average consumption: 150-300 yuan per person.

  3. Chengde Special Snacks

    • Recommended snacks:
      • Chengde Enema: The most authentic from the old brand “Detaiyong”.
      • Chengde Huoshao: “Laoma Jia Huoshao” is recommended.
      • Donkey Meat Huoshao: “Lao Zhang Jia” in Shuangqiao District is the most famous.
    • Location: Nancheng Snack Street (near the South Gate of the Mountain Resort).
    • Average consumption: 30-50 yuan per person.

  4. Restaurants Around the Mountain Resort

    • Cultural Theme Restaurant of the Mountain Resort:

      • Environment: Antique decoration, enjoy the garden view.
      • Specialty: Fusion of palace cuisine and local specialties.
      • Average consumption: 100-200 yuan per person.

    • Farmhouse:

      • Specialty: Authentic Northeastern cuisine.

景点介绍

参观建议

特别提醒

  1. 参观安全

    • The scenic area is large, so it is recommended to plan your route ahead of time and prepare comfortable shoes.
    • The steps in the mountainous area are steep, so elderly people and children need to be particularly careful.
    • In rainy weather, the ground is slippery, so it is advisable to wear non-slip shoes.
    • During summer visits, be aware of heatstroke prevention, and it is recommended to carry a parasol.

  2. 文物保护

    • Photography is strictly prohibited inside the temple, and violators will be punished.
    • Please do not touch cultural relics and wall paintings.
    • Please keep quiet and avoid loud noises.
    • Follow the instructions on the signs posted around the area.

  3. 住宿建议

    • During the peak season (May-October), it is advisable to book hotels 1-2 weeks in advance.
    • Recommended accommodation areas: near the south and east gates of the Summer Resort.
    • High-end hotel: Chengde Summer Resort Hotel.
    • Budget options: chained hotels like Home Inn and GreenTree Inn.

  4. 摄影建议

    • It is recommended to carry a wide-angle lens to capture panoramic views of the buildings.
    • The lighting is best in the morning and evening, allowing for silhouette effects.
    • Overcast days are suitable for photographing architectural details.
    • Please note that tripods are prohibited in some areas.

  5. 其他注意事项

    • Tickets can be booked ahead of time on the official website or Ctrip.
    • Please prepare some cash as some small shops do not support electronic payments.
    • Commodity prices in the scenic area are relatively high, so it is recommended to purchase souvenirs in the city.
    • It is advisable to download the electronic guide APP for the scenic area.
    • When visiting temples, please dress appropriately and avoid wearing revealing clothing.