The most famous attraction in Chengde is undoubtedly the Mountain Resort.
In addition to the Resort, the city has eight temples built during the Kangxi period, between 1713 and 1780. They are all located on the hills north of the city center, and their views alone are worth the detour.
If you lack time to see all, we recommend visiting the following two temples. The temple of Putuo Zongcheng is nicknamed the small Potala of Chengde and covers an area of 220,000 square meters. Several of its halls and pavilions are covered with gold or copper tiles, which bring splendor and radiance to the entire site.
Another essential temple is the Puning Temple, also called the temple of Universal Peace or the temple of the Great Buddha, which was built following the model of the temple of Samye, the first Buddhist foundation in Tibet. Its typical architecture and position leaning against a mountain make it a splendid monument to visit.
For your journey between Chengde and Beijing, you can visit the Great Wall of Jinshanling. It is one of the oldest sections of the great wall with a distinctive character of being built in brick and the walkways paved with terracotta slabs. Different from the Mutianyu and Badaling, this section is less crowded and keeps its authenticity.
Finally, the Eastern Qing tombs are essential Chinese heritage. The site is home to China’s largest, most comprehensive and best-appointed complex of imperial mausoleums.