[2025 Chengde Attraction] Travel Guide for Eight Outer Temples (Updated May)

Hebei is located in North China, surrounding Beijing and Tianjin, and boasts a rich history, culture, and natural scenery. As one of the important birthplaces of Chinese civilization, Hebei has both magnificent mountains and profound cultural heritage. First, I recommend the Mountain Resort in Chengde. This is a royal garden from the Qing Dynasty that combines the styles of both southern and northern gardens and is listed as a World Cultural Heritage site. The pavilions and towers in the resort are well-arranged, and the scenery in the lake area is particularly charming. The Eight Outer Temples adjacent to the resort are also worth a visit, showcasing the essence of multi-ethnic architectural art. The Chongli Ski Resort in Zhangjiakou is a popular destination for winter tourism. Some of the events of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics were held here. In summer, it is a summer resort, and the grassland scenic highway is picturesque. The vastness of the Bashang Grassland is exhilarating, and you can experience grassland activities such as horseback riding and archery. Baoding has the famous Baiyang Lake, the largest freshwater lake in North China, where boating in the reed marshes is a unique experience. The Xiong'an New Area is under construction, where you can feel the pulse of China's modern urban development. The Western Qing Tombs and Eastern Qing Tombs show the grandeur of the Qing Dynasty's royal mausoleums. The ancient city of Zhengding in Shijiazhuang is well-preserved, and the Thousand-Hand Guanyin in Longxing Temple is an artistic treasure. Zhaozhou Bridge is the oldest existing single-arch stone bridge in the world, embodying the wisdom of ancient craftsmen. Xibaipo is a revolutionary holy site, recording the important history of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Beidaihe in Qinhuangdao is a famous summer resort, and Pigeon Nest Park is particularly spectacular for watching the sunrise. The starting point of the Great Wall of Shanhaiguan, Laolongtou, extends into the sea with great momentum. The Jinshanling Great Wall in Chengde is well-preserved, and the hiking route is very popular among tourists. In terms of cuisine, donkey burger is a special snack in Hebei, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Zhengding Eight Bowls brings together local traditional dishes. Cangzhou hot pot chicken is spicy and delicious. The salted duck eggs and stewed mixed fish in Baiyang Lake are also very distinctive. Zhangjiakou's oat noodles and roasted whole lamb reflect the boldness of northern cuisine. Hebei has convenient transportation and a developed high-speed rail network. Most major cities are accessible within 1–2 hours from Beijing. It is recommended to visit in spring and autumn for pleasant weather. May to October is the best time to visit the grassland, while winter is the time to experience the fun of skiing. Hebei combines history and modernity, nature and humanities, making it an excellent place to learn about northern Chinese culture.

📍Location: Excellent location with super convenient transportation The hotel is located in Shuangqiao District, Chengde, only 2 km from the Mountain Resort, a few minutes away by taxi. It is next to Jinlong Shopping Plaza, providing a one-stop solution for dining, shopping and entertainment. It is also only 3.5 km from Chengde Station by car, about a 7-minute drive, which is a very convenient location for tourists. 🏨Hotel Environment: Simple yet stylish The hotel opened in 2024 with a modern wood-tone decor. As soon as you enter the lobby, you can smell a faint tea fragrance. There is also a book bar and rest tables, creating a great atmosphere. The corridors and public areas are clean and tidy, and the lighting is warm and inviting, making you feel relaxed. 🛏Room Amenities: Smart and thoughtful The rooms are spacious and bright with a reasonable layout. The bedding is soft and comfortable, ensuring a great night's sleep. The bathroom has a wet and dry separation design and is equipped with a smart toilet, which is great to use. The rooms have smart curtains, a 65-inch LCD TV, and complimentary bottled water and tea bags. The mini-fridge and sensor hair dryer are nice added touches. The only drawback is that the soundproofing in the rooms is average, and you can hear footsteps and conversations in the hallway. 🍱Dining Experience: Rich breakfast with quality online Breakfast is in the form of a buffet, with a wide variety of Chinese-style buns, fried bread sticks, and porridge, as well as Western-style bread, milk, and fruit. The hot and cold dishes are also tasty and can meet the needs of different people. The dining environment is clean and tidy, and the staff will promptly clear the tables. 💁Service Quality: Warm, attentive, and welcoming From check-in at the front desk to room service, the staff is very welcoming. Check-in is quick, and they will proactively introduce nearby attractions and food. Any requests, such as extra towels or a charger, can be quickly resolved, which is really thoughtful.

**🌿【Chengde 2-Day Itinerary｜The Perfect Collision of Imperial Summer Retreat and Frontier Charm】🏞️** **✨ Day 1: Royal Sanctuary + Tibetan Buddhist Kingdom** 📍 **Mountain Resort**: China's largest imperial garden! Take the mountain shuttle to the Second Horse Path, overlook the "Mini Potala Palace," experience Jiangnan poetic charm at Yanyu Tower, and enjoy emperor-style cooling while boating on the lake (entrance fee: 130 yuan). 📍 **Putuo Zongcheng Temple**: A 1:5 replica of the Potala Palace, with the golden roof of Wanfa Guiyi Hall shining brilliantly. Wear Tibetan robes for great photos, and witness the divine spectacle of golden light at dusk. 📍 **Puning Temple**: Touch the world's tallest wooden Thousand-Hand Guanyin statue (22.28m), spin prayer wheels for blessings, and let the chanting purify your soul. **✨ Day 2: Danxia Wonders + Grassland Fantasy** 📍 **Qingchui Peak (Bangchui Mountain)**: Take the cable car for an aerial view of the extraordinary peaks, marvel at the 38m stone pillar standing proudly at the summit, touch the "Fortune Stone" for good luck. 📍 **Bashang Grassland** (1.5h drive): Horseback riding, archery, off-road adventures, stay in a Mongolian yurt to view the Milky Way, taste hand-pulled mutton + mare's milk wine (summer only), and enjoy sunrise and sea of clouds in the morning. **🍜 Must-Try Delicacies**: • **Imperial Almond Tea** | **Pingquan Mutton Soup** (with hanging-oven baked flatbread) | **Royal Lotus Leaf Chicken** • **Hidden Gem**: Slurp mutton offal soup at Erxianju Night Market, a late-night food haven for locals! **🚗 Transportation Tips**: • 1h high-speed train from Beijing to Chengde South Station, 15 yuan taxi to downtown; • Combined ticket for scenic spots: 260 yuan (includes Mountain Resort + Eight Outer Temples), self-driving/chartered car recommended for Bashang. **💡 Unique Experiences**: • Night tour of the "Flourishing Age" live performance, featuring spectacular horsemanship with thousands of performers; • Winter Ice Festival at the Mountain Resort, experience royal winter fun; • Join the morning chanting at Puning Temple, feel the power of faith.

[Imperial Summer Resort - Royal Grandeur] Stepping into Chengde is like entering a scroll painting where nature and history intertwine. The Mountain Resort, an imperial "textbook of landscape gardening," features 72 scenic spots that encompass the universe—lakes shimmer like Jiangnan waterways with scattered islets; mountains layer with verdant forests echoing the northern terrain. Every brick and tile speaks of the composed grandeur of the Kangxi and Qianlong prosperity. Walking through corridors and pavilions feels like encountering the refined elegance of bygone days. [The Outer Eight Temples - Buddhist Sanctuary] Surrounding the resort, the "Outer Eight Temples" stand as frozen epic of ethnic history. The Putuo Zongcheng Temple's gilded roof gleams in sunlight, while the Little Potala Palace soars majestically into the clouds. In Puning Temple, the thousand-handed Guanyin gazes down with compassion, as Buddhist chants echo through the rafters, purifying the soul. Red walls and golden tiles complement distant mountains, where faith and art jointly paint the heavens. [Magnificent Peaks and Waters - Nature's Gift] Chengde's wildness and poetry flourish in its Danxia landforms. Qingchui Peak stands tall like Earth's brush stroke reaching for the sky; Twin Pagoda Mountain's solitary peaks cast layered shadows as thousand-year legends drift with the wind. The Wulie River flows through the city; while boating and fishing, watch the sunset paint the landscape amber, truly experiencing "wandering within a painting." [Four Seasons' Splendor - Aesthetic of Time] Spring brings vast green carpets dotted with wildflowers in Mulan Hunting Ground; summer offers cool refuge in royal woods with lotus-scented breezes; autumn paints Saihanba's forests golden with horses galloping through clouds; winter brings rime-covered landscapes and steaming hot springs at Rehe. Each season brings its own endless joy. [Flavors of Chengde - Tastes of the Land] Savor the imperial venison stew, warm up with Eight-Valley mutton soup, and taste the gentle northern sweetness in wild apricot kernel drink. As evening breeze sweeps through Erxian Night Market, the aroma of charcoal-grilled delicacies reveals Chengde's authentic character. Once the imperial family's private retreat, now it's everyone's poetic destination. Chengde paints history with landscapes, carves faith with temples, and performs elegance through seasons. A city containing heaven and earth, a scroll reading past and present, awaits your journey through 300 years of refined culture.

A journey where ancient history and the daily life of the world are intertwined. The combined ticket for Putuo Zongcheng Temple and Xumi Fushou Temple allows you to unlock the solemn mystery of Tibetan architecture, where every brick and tile is engraved with the weight of time; the ticket for the Mountain Resort opens the poetic chapter of the royal garden. Strolling among it, the aroma of grilled sausages and the freshness of special teas add a touch of human touch to the ancient charm. The driving distance from Beijing to Chengde is about 230 kilometers, and the specific time depends on the road conditions and driving speed. Normally, it takes about 3-4 hours. High-speed round trip 286 yuan, parking fee 48 yuan each 🏯【Attractions】Tickets total 420 yuan ✅Combined ticket for Putuo Zongcheng Temple + Xumi Fushou Temple: The Tibetan architecture is super stunning, and the photo taking is super atmospheric! (Tour time: half a day) ✅The Mountain Resort: A must-visit royal garden (visit time: half a day to a day). The main entrance leads to a small museum, and through the museum is the entire royal garden. If you want to climb the mountain, it will take longer. The garden is quite large, so if you have good stamina, you can walk around more. If you don't have much stamina, you can rest while walking around. You can choose the mountain, garden, courtyard, pavilion or corridor according to your stamina. 🍴【Food】Meal + Snacks 195 yuan ▪Songzhi steamed buns: You’ll fall in love with the soft texture after one bite, and you can’t get enough! ▪Almond ice cream: unique flavor, refreshing and delicious~ (Pure Almonds) 🛏【Accommodation】160 yuan per night Home Inn Paibaiyun Hotel is convenient and comfortable, with retro-style large rooms and good value for money~ Chengde has both the shock of historical accumulation and the healing of worldly food. This journey where ancient charm dances with the tip of your tongue is destined to be unforgettable!

Spring has sprung, and it's the perfect time for a refreshing trip. The vast area north of the Yangtze River is especially suitable for spring outings. I highly recommend visiting Chengde in the summer. Once the Emperor's Summer Resort, it's now a popular destination to escape the northern summer heat. The Outer Eight Temples are a must-see, rich in culture and history, making them a fantastic attraction. If you're driving to Chengde, please be sure to follow traffic regulations.

Don't be surprised, friends, this isn't Xinjiang, it's Hebei! I'm completely captivated by this hidden travel gem. I never expected Hebei to have so many eye-opening tourist attractions. In a single trip, I experienced the seaside, grasslands🌿, and palaces🏰, scenery I previously thought wouldn't be found together. From August to October, Hebei is the perfect travel destination! On this Hebei trip, Qinhuangdao and Bashang Grassland were the most impressive and are definitely my top picks for Hebei tourism. ❗Reminder: Some places in Hebei are just internet-famous spots and might not be as interesting as they seem. Some facilities might even be a bit rough, so planning your trip is crucial! Don't pack your itinerary too tightly. My 5-day trip was just right for a relaxing tour of the hidden gems along this loop route. - 📍Recommended Hebei tourist spots: Qinhuangdao Beidaihe (highly recommended!), Chengde Mountain Resort (a great place to escape the summer heat), Bashang Grassland, and Wulan Butong. - ⚠️Important Notes ❶The UV rays are very strong on the coast of Qinhuangdao, so be sure to take sun protection measures. If you want to swim, the water temperature is suitable from now until October. ❷There is a large temperature difference between day and night on the grasslands and by the sea, so it's recommended to bring a jacket for mornings and evenings. ❸The journey to the grasslands is long, with few convenience stores along the way and no public transportation. It is recommended to carpool or join a tour group and bring your own food and water. ❹There are many mosquitoes on the grasslands in summer, so bring mosquito repellent. - ✅Must-visit beaches in Beidaihe: 1⃣️Coastal Bathing Beach: Fine sand and clear water. 2⃣️Aranya: The most popular beach in Beidaihe. 3⃣️Shallow Water Bay: Less crowded, surrounded by trees, with a gentle beach, perfect for watching the sunrise. 4⃣️Pigeon's Nest: A famous sunrise viewing spot in Beidaihe. - ⭐Must-see attractions at the Chengde Mountain Resort: Chengde Mountain Resort plaque, Yan Yu Lou, Rehe, Jinshan, Shuixin Xie, and Wenjin Pavilion. ⭐Must-see attractions on the grasslands: Wulan Butong Film and Television Base, Hongsongwa, General Paozi, National Highway No. 1 Scenic Drive, Lovers' Valley, and Qiansongba. -

The Eight Outer Temples in Chengde surround the Mountain Resort like stars surrounding the moon. All eight temples are Tibetan Buddhist temples, and the text in each temple is in Manchu, Han, Mongolian, and Tibetan, which was a strategy of the Qing government to appease the ethnic minorities in the border areas. Puning Temple is the only temple among the Eight Outer Temples where you can burn incense and pray for blessings. The world's largest gold-painted wooden statue of the Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed Guanyin stands in the main hall. It is 27.21 meters high, with smooth carving lines, a magnificent size, and a sense of oppression in its solemnity. The temple is surrounded by autumn leaves, which are colorful and tranquil.

Mid-Autumn Festival blessings at the temple with the world's largest gold lacquer wooden Buddha. Puning Temple in Chengde is one of the Eight Outer Temples. It was built in 1755. The Thousand-Hand Guanyin statue in the temple is 27.21 meters tall and is the world's largest gold lacquer wooden Buddha. It has been included in the Guinness World Records. Activities during the Mid-Autumn Festival at Puning Temple: 1. Daily 5:00-10:30: Chanting and blessings in the main hall; 2. Mid-Autumn Festival 13:00-16:00: Mahavairocana icon fire offering ceremony; 3. Blessing wall and wish cards; 4. Follow the official account to receive a free mooncake; 5. Free admission to the temple in traditional clothing.

When visiting Chengde, the Outer Eight Temples scenic area is a must-see. Among them, the Temple of Sumeru Happiness and Longevity is one of the smaller ones, very delicate. You can conveniently purchase a joint ticket for the Little Potala Palace and the Temple of Sumeru Happiness and Longevity on Ctrip. After touring the Little Potala Palace, there is a shuttle bus directly to the Temple of Sumeru Happiness and Longevity. This place is highly recommended and is a nice scenic spot.

On the second day in Chengde, I wandered from the Mountain Resort to the Eight Outer Temples and checked into the equally stunning Puning Hotel. This hotel, located between Puning Temple and the Little Potala Palace (Putuo Zongcheng Temple), combines the ancient charm of morning bells and evening drums with modern, smart convenience. From winding corridors, pools, and pavilions, to healthy vegetarian food, and gifts of selenium-rich mineral water, probiotic toothpaste, Polygonatum tea, and snack packs for every guest, every detail reflects the cultural essence of a 'state of mind'—freedom, beauty, universality, and benevolence! Our three generations booked a family suite on the second floor through Ctrip, and our favorite was the large terrace outside the door. From here, we could clearly see the spectacular and magnificent Bangchui Mountain, the solemn and majestic Little Potala Palace, and the high walls of the Mountain Resort's back hills shrouded in mist, making us feel relaxed and as if in a dreamlike state, where clouds and dust are indistinguishable. It just so happened that these two days, one day was rainy and the other sunny. The rain at night tapped on the green lotus, and the morning sun shone on the Golden Pavilion, perfectly reflecting the vicissitudes of cause and effect, the beautiful mountains and rivers, and the good deeds of charity, which must result in excellent karma.

✨The Mountain Resort, also known as the "Chengde Summer Palace" or "Rehe Palace" In ancient times, it was a place where Qing Dynasty emperors spent their summers and handled state affairs. Nowadays, thanks to the fall of the Qing Dynasty, it has become a tourist destination for us😂 And it was listed as a World Cultural Heritage site in December 1994📖 Did you notice a detail👀? Not only the Mountain Resort was listed as a World Cultural Heritage site, but also the "Chengde Mountain Resort and its surrounding temples." The "surrounding temples" include Puxian Temple, Puren Temple, Puning Temple, and five other temples🏯 🌈Puning Temple: Puning Temple was built during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. It is a temple that combines Han and Tibetan styles. The front part of the temple is in Han style, with characteristics of traditional Han Buddhist temples. The rear part is in Tibetan style, modeled after the Sangye Monastery in Tibet. It integrates two different architectural styles. If you travel to Chengde, it is recommended to visit✅ 🌈Main Attractions of the Mountain Resort: 💡Yanbo Tower: Modeled after the Yanbo Tower in Nanhu, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, and one of the filming locations for "My Fair Princess." 💡Shuixin Pavilion: Located north of the East Palace of the Mountain Resort, it is an important passage connecting the palace area and the lake area. 💡Wenjinge: Modeled after the Tianyi Pavilion in Ningbo, it was built as a library to store the "Complete Library of the Four Treasuries" during the Qing Dynasty. 🌈Local Delicacies: Chengde was initially a hunting ground for the Qing royal family. There is a saying, "First there was the hunting ground, then there was Chengde." During Emperor Kangxi's northern tour, he set up the Mulan Hunting Ground near Chengde. "Mulan" means "deer whistle" in Manchu🦌. Nowadays, hunting is no longer practiced, but the tradition of raising deer has been preserved. Venison is a signature dish of Rehe's traditional cuisine. Venison is very fragrant, tender, and not tough. The first time you eat it, you will be amazed😋. Moreover, it is low in fat and high in protein, delicious and healthy👍🏻

📅Travel itinerary: 🌄Must-visit spot 1: Mountain Resort, enjoy the beautiful scenery of gardens, plains, and mountains, visit Yan Yu Lou, the Palace District's Danbo Jingcheng Hall, and stand on the viewing platform to see the Eight Outer Temples from afar. 🌄Must-visit spot 2: Watch the grand live performance of Kangxi's Grand Ceremony of the Prosperous Dynasty at night, a feast for the eyes and ears. Book tickets in advance. 🌄Must-visit spot 3: Visit Puning Temple, admire the Han-Tibetan combined temple built on the mountain, and see the Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed Guanyin. 🌄Must-visit spot 4: Visit Putuo Zongcheng Temple, known as the 'Little Potala Palace,' and tour the main buildings, the Great Red Terrace and the Golden Roof of the Hall of Universal Harmony. 🚗Transportation tips: Drive from Beijing, it takes a little over two hours to reach Chengde City. 💗Other tips: You can book hotels near the scenic spots.

Is it possible to visit both the Forbidden City in Beijing and the Potala Palace in Lhasa at the same time? I thought about it, and it seems impossible. But in Chengde, I suddenly realized, this is not a problem at all! Here, there is a combined architecture of the Forbidden City and the Potala Palace, resplendent and magnificent, absolutely stunning! One can only say that the Qing Dynasty emperors really knew how to have fun, they even merged royal gardens, palaces, and religious buildings together. When visiting Chengde, don't just go to the Mountain Resort; make sure to allocate at least half a day for the Eight Outer Temples scenic area, and it would be best to have a whole day to cover all the Eight Outer Temples, because each temple is unique, and they are incredibly photogenic.

Don't just leave Chengde after visiting the Mountain Resort; you must also go to the Outer Eight Temples scenic area for a visit, it's absolutely stunning. The Lamaist temple complex around the Mountain Resort was built in the style of Tibetan and Xinjiang Lamaist temples, intended for the use of ethnic minority nobles from the frontiers to worship Buddha when they came to pay homage to the Emperor. There are 12 temples in total, with 8 directly managed by the Qing government, hence they are known as the 'Outer Eight Temples'. The temples are divided into three architectural styles: Tibetan, Han, and a combination of Han and Tibetan. They integrate the essence of Han and Tibetan architectural art, are majestic and have a royal grandeur. These temples with different styles were built by the Qing government using religion as a means to unite the ethnic minorities from regions such as Mongolia, Xinjiang, and Tibet. They are mostly built on sunny slopes, with the main halls prominent and spectacular. Of these twelve temples, eight are located in the hills north of the Mountain Resort, from west to east they are: Arhat Hall (mostly destroyed), Guang'an Temple (mostly destroyed), Shuxiang Temple, Putuo Zongcheng Temple, Xumi Fushou Temple, Puning Temple, Puyou Temple (mostly destroyed), and Guangyuan Temple. On the east side of the Mountain Resort, along the east bank of the Wulie River, there are four temples, from north to south: Anyuan Temple, Pule Temple, Puren Temple, and Pushan Temple (destroyed). Among them, Putuo Zongcheng Temple, Xumi Fushou Temple, Puning Temple, and Pule Temple were listed as the first batch of national key cultural relics protection units by the 'State Council Notice on the Publication of the First Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units' on March 4, 1961. In December 1994, the 'Outer Eight Temples' along with the Mountain Resort were listed as a World Cultural Heritage site. Main attractions opening hours: Puning Temple 7:30-17:30 Putuo Zongcheng Temple 8:00-17:00 Xumi Fushou Temple 8:00-17:00 Pule Temple 8:00-17:00 Anyuan Temple 8:00-17:00

The Temple of Xumi Fushou faces south with its back to the north, covering an area of 37,920 square meters. It is primarily built in Tibetan architectural style, but the construction techniques and layout clearly bear the characteristics of Han Chinese temple architecture. Its main buildings are symmetrically distributed along the central axis. The Temple of Putuo Zongcheng, located at the southern foot of Lion's Ridge to the north of the Chengde Mountain Resort in Hebei, was started in March of the 32nd year of Qianlong's reign (1767) and completed four years later. It is the largest architectural complex among the 'Outer Eight Temples' of Chengde, built by Emperor Qianlong to celebrate his 60th birthday and his mother's (Empress Dowager Chongqing) 80th birthday, following the design of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet.

In the summer of 2021, I had a trip to Chengde. At that time, I found the Outer Eight Temples quite nice but didn't get to see them all, mainly because the tickets for the attractions were so expensive. So this year, we took advantage of the off-season ticket prices and went on a spontaneous trip. On Friday, we left from Beijing Chaoyang Station at six in the morning and arrived at Chengde South by train in just over an hour. After getting off, we went straight to Xinqianlong for a meal. The sliced meat dish was good; the food in Chengde is a bit salty and the portions are large! It is said that Qianlong Dumplings, Xinqianlong, Xinqianlong's Dafu Restaurant, and Taizi Banquet are somewhat related. The first night we stayed at Yunshu, where I was attracted by the red canopy around the bed, but the rest was just average. Fortunately, right across the street was Lao Sanyang Soup, which we had for breakfast the next day, and I tried the set meal for the first time. In the morning, we visited the Puning Temple and the Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed Guanyin, which is the only temple with lamas. We also visited the Chengde Museum. For lunch, we had a simple meal of Songzhi Baozi and flatbread, which was just okay. In the afternoon, we switched to another hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn, which was quite nice, and the breakfast was acceptable. We rested until the evening before going out for a Citywalk, strolling through Nanyingzi Street, West Street, and looking at the night view near the Mountain Resort. The festive lights from the New Year had not been taken down yet. Xianghexing's scissor-cut noodles, the city's famous ice cream, the almond milk cheese from 'Apricot Nice to Meet You', and the almond milk cake from 'Su Xing' were all quite tasty. The third morning, we visited the Putuozongcheng Temple, found a guide to listen to the history, and the weather was very good for taking photos. In the afternoon, we visited the Pule Temple and the Xumi Fushou Temple, as well as the Panchen Lama's Palace, which was built in just over a year, which seemed a bit quick to me. At six in the evening, we took the train back to Beijing, completing a two-and-a-half-day trip. Overall, the weather in Chengde was great. The driver who took us around spoke of his hometown with pride and happiness. A lady mentioned that the Big Belly Maitreya Buddha on our Luohan Mountain blesses our city of Chengde. At that moment, I felt that this is indeed a livable small city. Although it's not big, people seem very content. The only downside is that the tickets for the attractions are indeed a bit expensive.

Visiting Chengde means exploring World Heritage Sites, one of which is the Temple of Blissful Longevity of Mount Sumeru, the last to be completed among the Outer Eight Temples. It has a unique style, built against the mountain, with the front half following a traditional Han layout, while the back half highlights the features of Tibetan architecture. Ascending the steps and standing on high, one can truly appreciate the grandeur of this Han-Tibetan hybrid architecture. The beauty of the buildings here, especially the sight of the Glazed Tile Tower of Longevity, left a deep impression on me, compelling me to stop and take a closer look. The Glazed Tile Tower of Longevity is the highest point of the Temple of Blissful Longevity of Mount Sumeru. It is a seven-story octagonal solid tower, with its body in an octagonal shape, adorned with yellow and green glazed tiles, and the entire tower is also inlaid with 56 statues of the Buddha of Infinite Life, which truly sparkle under the sunlight. In the quiet, when the wind blows, one can also hear the crisp sound of wind chimes. Beautiful, indeed, this place is worthy of being a World Heritage Site!

The Mountain Resort has nine gates, and is usually entered from the Lizheng Gate. Because you can visit the museum directly, check in and take photos under the plaque of the Mountain Resort written by Kangxi, and then see the emperor's golden nanmu office, the Danbo Jingcheng Hall, and the West Warm Pavilion. Going downhill from the back door of the museum, there is a mountain area on the left, a lake area on the right, and going straight is a plain area. The Mountain Resort is the largest classical royal garden in the world, covering an area of ​​5.64 million square meters. It is so huge that you need to be careful when walking there, or you may not be able to walk all the way. It is best to take a car or boat (separate tickets are required). To reach the mountain area on the left, you need to take a mountain bus, which takes about an hour. There are three attractions to visit. The first stop is Simianyun Mountain, overlooking half of Chengde City, and the second stop is Ermalu. You can see the royal temple Manpachimyo. The third stop is where the emperors of the Qing Dynasty watched the moon and listened to music. You can see the whole plain area and the lake area in the southeast. To visit the lake area, you need to take a cruise. The first stop is to visit the Jinshan God Pavilion built by Jinshan Temple in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, and the second stop is to visit the Yanyu Tower built by Yanyu Tower in Nanhu, Jiaxing, Zhejiang. This is the first filming location of Swallow Study Room in My Fair Princess. The highest point on the plain is the sightseeing bus. The first stop is Wenjin Pavilion, one of the four major tree-hiding towers in the Qing Dynasty. It is just past the yurt. The second stop is the Liuhe Pagoda in Hangzhou and the Sheli Pagoda of Yongyou Temple built by Baoen Temple Tower in Nanjing. The last stop is Rehe Spring, a hot spring that does not freeze in winter, where we checked in and took photos. From here, you can choose to walk out of the scenic area from the north of Wanshu Garden Gate, or you can walk south. Exit the scenic area from Chengguan Gate. The perfect trip is over! !