Chengde, a mountain city, was the former summer residence for Qing dynasty emperors who sought to escape Beijing’s suffocating seasonal heat. It was also an important military outpost, located between Beijing and the further reaches of Mongolia (now Inner Mongolia).

At its heart is the Mountain Resort. This facility includes many imperial palaces and gardens that were influenced by different regional designs found throughout China. It beautifully showcases China’s rich history and expansive territory. This is one of China’s four great classical garden (the other three include Summer Palace in Beijing and Humble Administrator’s Garden and Lingering Garden in Suzhou.)