Chengde: A Famous City Beyond the Great Wall Holding Half of Qing History — A Travel and Food Guide
When people think of Chengde, their first impression is often the Mountain Resort, assuming it's just a small tourist town for summer retreats. Few realize that this city was once the second political center of the Qing Dynasty, served as the capital of Rehe Province, held the key to the collision between agrarian and nomadic civilizations, and boasts the largest land area in Hebei, filled with legends and regrets.
Located in the northeast of Hebei, Chengde covers an area of 39,500 square kilometers, making it the largest prefecture-level city in the province. It connects Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Liaoning, and Inner Mongolia, and administers 3 districts, 1 city, 4 counties, and 3 autonomous counties, with a diverse population of Manchu, Mongol, and Han ethnic groups.
Historically, Chengde was originally just an obscure mountain village called "Rehe Shangying." Because the Wulie River was fed by hot springs, it didn't freeze in the bitter winter and steamed with heat, hence the name "Rehe" (Hot River).
After Emperor Kangxi built the Mountain Resort, the city's fortunes changed overnight. Over 89 years, three generations of emperors—Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong—built the resort, which is twice the size of the Summer Palace. It was not only a royal summer retreat but also a political stage for handling ethnic affairs, meeting Mongolian princes, and holding the Mulan Autumn Hunt. It is no exaggeration to say that one resort holds half of Qing history.
Emperor Yongzheng officially named it "Chengde," meaning "inheriting the virtues of ancestors." During the Republic of China era, it served as the capital of Rehe Province. In 1955, Rehe Province was abolished, and Chengde was incorporated into Hebei. The former glory of being a provincial capital slowly faded, leaving the city with a poignant past.
Chengde is an important water conservation area for Beijing and Tianjin. With high forest coverage, its ecology is its trump card, focusing on cultural tourism, green agriculture and animal husbandry, and specialized resource industries.
Bashang potatoes, Kuancheng chestnuts, Pingquan mushrooms, and Xinglong hawthorn are all geographical indication specialties. The "Chengde Landscapes" brand is renowned in the north, and almond milk is famous nationwide, almost becoming synonymous with Chengde.
However, due to the constraints of ecological protection, economic development is limited. Cultural tourism is the biggest pillar, but the tourism industry is heavily affected by the seasons—crowded in summer and somewhat quiet in winter—which is the realistic dilemma of Chengde's development.
The urban area of Chengde is filled with the vibrancy of royal ancient architecture. Heading north to Weichang and Fengning, you'll find grasslands and forests, offering both Manchu court customs and Mongolian grassland flair.
Manchu Eight Great Bowls, Pingquan lamb soup, fried wantuo, rose flower cakes, and Bo Yu noodles blend royal court cuisine with local snacks. A bowl of milky white Pingquan lamb soup paired with sesame paste flatbread is a taste memory etched into the bones of locals. On the Bashang grasslands, roasted whole lamb and hand-grabbed meat are full of grassland spirit.
The Chengde Mountain Resort is divided into four areas: palaces, lakes, plains, and mountains. The golden nanmu wood halls are solemn, and the Yanyu Tower offers beautiful lake and mountain scenery, making it a filming location for countless movies and TV shows.
The Outer Eight Temples surrounding the resort are a spectacle. The Putuo Zongcheng Temple, also known as the "Little Potala Palace," features magnificent red walls and golden roofs. Puning Temple houses the world's largest gold-lacquered wood-carved Thousand-Armed Guanyin, perfectly blending Han and Tibetan architecture and witnessing the unification of ethnic groups during the Qing Dynasty.
Further north, in Weichang's Saihanba, generations have transformed deserts into a million-acre forest—the prototype for the classic Windows desktop wallpaper is right here. Mulan Paddock and Ulan Butong Grassland offer cool breezes in summer and colorful forests in autumn. Luanping's Jinshanling Great Wall is more majestic and primitive than Badaling, making it a holy land for Great Wall photography. There are also Qingchui Peak and Wuling Mountain, with magnificent landscapes and endless scenery.
Travel tips: 2–3 days are recommended for exploring the city. Be sure to set aside at least half a day for the Mountain Resort, and it's best to go early to avoid crowds. For the Outer Eight Temples, prioritize the Little Potala Palace and Puning Temple. If you want to visit the Bashang grasslands, self-driving is recommended. The temperature difference between day and night is huge, so bring a thick jacket even in summer. When horseback riding or dining in Bashang, be sure to choose reputable businesses to avoid being scammed. For snacks, try the Erxianju Night Market. Avoid high-priced souvenir shops in scenic areas; buying gifts like almonds and chestnuts in the city is more cost-effective.
If you are tired of the hustle and bustle of big cities, why not take a trip to Chengde? Feel the history of the dynasty under the ancient trees of the Mountain Resort, experience the vastness of the grasslands in the Bashang wind, and understand the profound stories hidden within the landscapes of this city.