📍Address: No. 20 Lizhengmen Road, Shuangqiao District, Chengde City, Hebei Province
⏰Opening hours: Peak season (Apr 1–Oct 31) 7:00 AM–6:00 PM; off-season (Nov 1–Mar 31) 8:00 AM–5:30 PM
🎫Admission: Peak season CNY 130/person, off-season CNY 90/person; half-price for students/seniors aged 60–69; free for seniors aged 70+ and children under 1.2m
🚄Transportation: Take the high-speed train to "Chengde South Station," then a taxi ride of about 20 mins to Lizhengmen; about 1h by high-speed train from Beijing
🏯Why is it considered the "ultimate Chinese imperial garden"?
The Mountain Resort was built in 1703 and completed over 89 years during the reigns of the Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong emperors. It is the largest existing imperial garden in China. Covering 564 hectares, it's 8 times the size of the Forbidden City! It was not just the emperor's summer retreat, but also the "second political center" of the Qing Dynasty. It was listed as a World Cultural Heritage site in 1994. "One mountain resort, half of Qing history"—the more than 120 building complexes in the park blend the essence of northern and southern gardens, featuring both the gentleness of Jiangnan water towns and the vastness of the northern grasslands. 1h direct trip from Beijing, perfect for a weekend getaway!
📸Top 5 must-visit spots | You'll regret missing any of these!
1️⃣ Palace Area—the emperor's "summer palace," the legendary golden nanmu hall 🏛️
The absolute highlight! Includes four building complexes: the Main Palace, Songhezhai, Wanhe Songfeng, and the East Palace. The Danbo Jingcheng Hall is built entirely of golden nanmu wood, with no paint, just the natural fragrance of the wood. It was where the Qing emperors received foreign guests. Wear Hanfu and take photos in front of the hall to travel back in time instantly.
2️⃣ Lake Area—imitating Jiangnan water towns, the Yanyu Tower is the filming location for "My Fair Princess" 🌸
The soul of the Mountain Resort! Built in imitation of Hangzhou's West Lake and Suzhou gardens. The Yanyu Tower is the filming location for the Shufangzhai in "My Fair Princess." Jinshan Island, Yuese Jiasheng, Ruyizhou... one pool and three mountains, it's Jiangnan everywhere. In summer, the pond is full of lotus flowers, and every photo looks like an ink wash painting. We recommend taking a boat tour (approx. CNY 50) to experience the emperor's perspective.
3️⃣ Plains Area—northern grasslands, Wanshu Garden + Shima Dai 🌿
Full of contrast! As soon as you enter the plains area, you go from Jiangnan to the northern frontier in a second. Wanshu Garden has towering ancient trees, where the emperor used to hold grassland banquets. Shima Dai is where the emperor raced horses. At sunset, the light spills over the grassland, and every photo looks like a Windows desktop wallpaper.
4️⃣ Mountain Area—climb high for a panoramic view, Simian Yunshan 🏔️
Reach the top of Simian Yunshan for a 360° view of the entire resort—the lake area looks like inlaid jade, the palace area is magnificent, the plains area is lush and green, and the Outer Eight Temples surround the area. If you are fit, we recommend hiking up (approx. 1h); if you don't want to climb, you can take the mountain shuttle bus (approx. CNY 50). The sunset is legendary!
5️⃣ Outer Eight Temples—a group of imperial temples built around the resort 🛕
The Mountain Resort is surrounded by 12 imperial temples (8 remain today), blending Han, Tibetan, Mongolian, and Manchu architectural styles. Puning Temple (Big Buddha Temple) houses the world's largest golden lacquer wood-carved Thousand-Armed Guanyin; the Putuo Zongcheng Temple (Little Potala Palace) has a magnificent golden roof. Buying a joint ticket is more cost-effective!
🗺️One-day essential route | Follow this and you won't get lost!
Lizhengmen Gate > Palace Area (Danbo Jingcheng Hall + Sizhi Study) > Lake Area (Yanyu Tower + Jinshan Island + Yuese Jiasheng) > Plains Area (Wanshu Garden + Shima Dai) > Mountain Area (Simian Yunshan for a panoramic view) > Exit via Dehui Gate
The whole trip takes about 5–6 hours. We recommend entering as soon as it opens at 8:00 AM, visiting the palace area first to avoid crowds, taking a boat in the lake area at noon, visiting the plains area + mountain area in the afternoon, and climbing up to watch the sunset in the evening. Wear comfortable sneakers; you'll easily walk over 20,000 steps!
📷Incredible photo spots | These will definitely blow up your social media!
📌Yanyu Tower: Same as Shufangzhai in "My Fair Princess," great for ancient-style photos
📌Simian Yunshan: Panoramic view of the resort + Outer Eight Temples, legendary sunset
📌Danbo Jingcheng Hall: Golden nanmu hall + ancient pine, imperial style
📌Lake area lotus pond: Summer lotus + pavilions, Jiangnan charm
📌Wanshu Garden: Northern grasslands + ancient trees, full of contrast
🍜Food guide | Don't miss these Chengde flavors!
🍜Chengde Liangfen: Refreshing and chewy, perfect with sesame paste and garlic sauce
🍲Chengde Donkey Rolls: Rich in bean flavor, soft and sweet
🥘Imperial Lotus Leaf Chicken: Qing imperial cuisine, fragrant with lotus leaf wrapping
🍜Buckwheat Noodles: A Chengde specialty, chewy and refreshing
🍵Mountain Resort Liquor: Local famous liquor, perfect for a light buzz with food
📍Chengde Old Street: Within walking distance from the resort, with many dining options
⚠️Tips to avoid pitfalls | Follow these hard-earned lessons!
✅Buy tickets online in advance! Scan the code to enter and save time queuing
✅Enter as soon as it opens at 8:00 AM! Avoid the crowds and visit the palace area first
✅Wear comfortable sneakers! The resort is huge, and you'll easily walk over 20,000 steps
✅Bring a power bank! You won't be able to stop taking photos in the lake area, mountain area, and Outer Eight Temples 🔋
✅You can take the mountain shuttle bus, as hiking the entire mountain area is tiring
✅The Outer Eight Temples are sold separately; we recommend buying a joint ticket for better value
✅The lotus flowers in the lake area are most beautiful in summer, and the red leaves in the mountain area are legendary in autumn
✅You can combine your visit with Puning Temple and the Little Potala Palace to fully explore Chengde in one day
💫Final thoughts | The imperial summer palace 8 times larger than the Forbidden City, 1h direct trip from Beijing!
The beauty of the Mountain Resort lies in the imperial grandeur you feel standing in front of the Danbo Jingcheng Hall with the scent of golden nanmu; the feeling of being in Jiangnan while walking on the Yanyu Tower surrounded by lotus flowers; and the magnificence of climbing Simian Yunshan to overlook the entire resort and the Outer Eight Temples. 564 hectares, 8 times the size of the Forbidden City, a World Cultural Heritage site—1h direct trip from Beijing, you can explore this Qing Dynasty "summer palace" this weekend 🏯💛
Great to visit in any season, for summer heat relief or autumn foliage. Save this guide, pick a nice day, and come to Chengde for a healing date with the imperial gardens~ ✨