Xinglong Karst Cave

Eight Outer Temples

Besides the Mountain Resort, the Eight Outer Temples are another major highlight of any Chengde itinerary. They have long been said to be so formidable that “one temple could hold off a hundred thousand soldiers.” The complex also pushed the art of ancient Chinese temple architecture to its peak.

Included in the Mountain Resort combination ticket, or buy separately (prices vary by temple) · 3 hours

Eastern Qing Tombs

China’s largest surviving imperial mausoleum complex, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Standing before the vast grounds, you can feel the spirit and history of the once-mighty Qing Empire drifting like clouds above the tombs. There are 14 mausoleums for emperors, empresses and imperial consorts, holding 5 emperors, 15 empresses, 136 consorts and 1 prince, including Emperor Qianlong, Empress Dowager Cixi and the Fragrant Concubine (Xiang Fei). The Eastern Tombs preserve a relatively complete layout: the imperial and empress tombs have yellow glazed tile roofs, while the consort tombs have green glazed tile roofs, all built according to the principle of “court in front, living quarters behind.”

¥138 (includes sightseeing shuttle) · 3–5 hours

Chengde Mountain Resort

China’s largest surviving ancient imperial garden, with an area twice that of the Summer Palace. The architecture of the palace area is exquisitely ornate. The lake area was where emperors and their consorts once relaxed and held banquets. It was built in imitation of famous scenic spots south of the Yangtze, so the landscape blends the rugged beauty of the north with the refined elegance of Jiangnan. There are also plain and mountain areas, and the resort has a different charm at different times of day: at dawn, mist rises over the lake; at dusk, you can watch the sunset over Chuifeng (Hammer Peak); on moonlit nights, you can listen to the river and admire pear blossoms beneath the moon. The rain over Jinshan Pavilion, where water seems to flood the hillside, and the misty rain at Yanyu Tower are both considered scenic highlights. Here, you can imagine what life was like for the emperors of the past.

Peak season ¥130; off-season ¥90 · 0.5–1 day

Yudaokou Grassland and Forest Scenic Area

Ticket-window price (combined ticket with Saihanba ¥130; children under 6 years/1.2 m free; students half price; ages 60 and over: free for Beijing/Tianjin residents, half price for others; military personnel free, etc.) · 3-5 hours

Saihanba

Free (combined ticket with Yudaokou ¥130) · 1-3 days

Xinglong Mountain

Ticket-window price (children under 1.2 m/under 6 years free; half price for ages 6-18; free for ages 70 and over, half price for ages 60-69; students half price; military personnel/disabled persons free, etc.) · 4-6 hours