Chengde Mountain Resort: A Super Detailed Travel Guide (Save This Post!)

Hey everyone! If you're planning a trip to Chengde Mountain Resort, you've got to save this guide! This treasure of a garden is eight times bigger than the Forbidden City. You can stroll around, have fun, and learn about history. It's really interesting! 1. Pre-trip Preparations - Documents: Be sure to bring your ID card. You'll need it to buy tickets and enter the park. - Clothing: If you're going in the summer, it can get hot during the day, but it's still a bit cool in the morning and evening. It's always a good idea to bring a light jacket. Be sure to wear comfortable sneakers, since you'll be doing a lot of walking. - Other: Don't forget sunscreen, sunglasses, and an umbrella. You'll need them for sun and rain protection. 2. Transportation Guide - Self-driving: If you're coming from Beijing, take the Beijing-Chengde Expressway. It takes about 2 hours and the toll is about CNY 105. - Public transportation: In Chengde, take bus No. 5, 7, 11, or 15 to the "Huoshen Temple Station." After getting off the bus, it's just a short walk to Lizheng Gate. If you take a taxi, the starting price in the city is CNY 6, and it costs about CNY 10–15 to get to the scenic area. 3. Ticket Information - Single ticket: CNY 120 (including the museum). You can enjoy the entire Mountain Resort. It's very cost-effective. - Combo ticket: Chengde Mountain Resort + Potala Palace + Puning Temple: CNY 260. If you have enough time, buying this combo ticket allows you to visit multiple attractions at once. It's a great deal! - Annual pass: CNY 120 for locals, CNY 350 for visitors from other places (including four major scenic areas). If you come here often or plan to take an in-depth tour, you can consider this option. 4. Tour Route - One-day tour: Enter through Lizheng Gate, and first visit the palace area. Don't miss the halls with plaques inscribed by Emperor Kangxi and the impressive Danbo Jingcheng Hall. Experience the majesty of the royal family back then. Then, take the sightseeing bus (CNY 60) to overlook the Outer Eight Temples and the panoramic view of Chengde in the mountain area. The scenery is stunning. In the afternoon, go to the lake area, stroll along the Zhijingyundi Causeway, visit Misty Rain Tower, the filming location of *Princess Pearl*, and you can also go boating on the lake to enjoy a relaxing time. Finally, go to the plain area, encounter the world's shortest river, Rehe River, and visit the Mongolian yurts. - Two-day tour: Day 1: Spend the whole day at Chengde Mountain Resort. In the morning, visit the palace area, and in the afternoon, visit the lake area and the mountain area. In the evening, you can try local delicacies in the city. Day 2: Go to Potala Palace to experience the unique charm of Tibetan architecture, and in the afternoon, go to Hammer Peak to see the unique Danxia landform. 5. Must-see Attractions - Palace area: The place where the emperors of the Qing Dynasty handled government affairs, held celebrations, and lived their daily lives. The architectural style is solemn and full of historical atmosphere. - Lake area: There is "Sai Lake," with scattered islands, and you can also see buildings in the style of Jiangnan gardens, such as Misty Rain Tower. Taking pictures in front of the tower will transport you back to ancient times in a minute. - Plain area: There are many Mongolian yurts in Wanshu Garden, which restores the grassland scenery. There is also the Rehe River, which is only more than 60m long, but has a magical legend. - Mountain area: You can see different scenery by taking the sightseeing bus. From Er Ma Dao, you can overlook "Little Potala Palace," and from Qingfeng Lvyu, you can see Hammer Rock in the distance. 6. Food Recommendations - Lotus Leaf Duck: The duck is tender and full of lotus fragrance. It's not greasy at all. A must-try! - Pine Nut Corn: It's sweet, soft, and waxy, and it tastes especially refreshing and non-greasy. - Imperial Mutton Soup: After 12 hours of slow cooking, the soup is fresh and delicious. A bowl of it will warm your heart and stomach. - Court Braised Pancake: It's crispy, chewy, and rich in layers. The more you chew, the more fragrant it becomes. 7. Accommodation Suggestions - Inside the scenic area: For example, Mountain Resort Hotel is very convenient because the attractions are just outside the door, but the price is relatively high. - City area: There are many hotels to choose from, which are cost-effective and convenient for transportation. You can also visit the night market and experience the local atmosphere. 8. Helpful Tips - During the peak season, there are many people, so it is recommended to leave early to avoid the peak of the crowds. - The scenic area is relatively large, and it is quite tiring to walk the whole journey, so wearing comfortable shoes is really important! - If you want to learn more about history and culture, you can rent an audio guide or listen in on a tour group to learn a lot of knowledge.