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

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.

✨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!