1 Day Private Chengde Tour

This morning, your private guide and driver will pick you up at the railway station in Chengde, and then escort you to downtown in a private car for sightseeing.

► Note:
The capital city, Beijing, is just a 1-to-1.5-hour train ride from Chengde. And if you need us to book high-speed train tickets between the two cities, we’d be glad to help.

Upon arrival, let’s first dive into the Mountain Resort of Chengde, once a resort for emperors to escape the sweltering summer heat in Beijing and now one of the largest existing classical imperial gardens in China. Built in 1703 and completed after 89 years, it is a microcosm of China’s geography, with most of the water area in the southeast and most of the mountainous area in the northwest. With your guide, take your time to discover its charm in four distinctive areas: in the Palace Area with black bricks and green tiles, where the emperor conducts government affairs and resides, experience the imperial majesty beyond the traditional palace with golden tiles and red walls; seek inner peace among the simple and elegant islands and pavilions in the Lake Area; while climbing up the undulating Mountain Area that covers four fifths of the whole resort, overlook the surrounding Tibetan Buddhist temples; the Plain Area where the emperor received the leaders of ethnic minorities will invites you to enjoy the scenery similar to that of the Mongolian pastureland and the lush towering ancient trees.Then, we’ll head to Puning Temple, a Tibetan Buddhist lamasery built by the imperial power in 1755 to unite frontier ethnic groups such as Mongols and Tibetans. Step into its core hall and marvel at the 27.21-meter-tall (89.27-feet-tall) gold lacquered wooden statue of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, which Guinness World Records has recognized as the largest of its kind in the world. Pieced together with carved preservative-treated timber from various species of trees, the Buddha invites you to feel a moment of holy solemnity. Looking at more than 40 hands extending out from its back, each with an eye exquisitely carved on the palm and holding a ritual object, you can’t help but admire the superb Chinese Buddhist statue art at its peak.

Afterward, let’s continue our visit to the Putuo Zongcheng Temple, a religious architectural complex modeled after the world-famous Potala Palace in Tibet, built mainly by the then emperor to celebrate his 60th birthday and his mother’s 80th birthday in 1767. Looking afar at the summit, the Grand Red Platform nestled among the well-arranged white platforms stands tall, with its main hall’s roof gilded with 0.7 tons of gold shining brightly, telling you of the former royal grandeur. Upon approaching, apart from carefully exploring the halls’ interiors, enjoy the famous glazed archway exquisitely carved with dragons and phoenixes, which is a symbol of imperial and divine power. It is said that in ancient times, only emperors and living Buddhas could enter through it directly, while for others, even if they passed from the side, they needed the emperor’s special permission.

Finally, your guide and driver will escort you to the railway station or your self-booked hotel in Chengde. Hope you’ve had an enjoyable time with us! Want to go to Beijing to explore some world-famous UNESCO sites, such as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall? Welcome to contact our travel consultants for your exclusive trip tailored to your interests.► Recommended Nighttime Activities in Chengde (at your own expense): 
If you're still in Chengde this evening, you can head over to visit Yuanbao Street, a landmark of Chengde’s nightlife, and have some fun. Witness ancient architectural complexes under dazzling lights, wander through the bustling old-style market, see pedestrians in traditional costumes parading, and, more interestingly, watch a 70-minute royal-themed historical performance featuring the Danxia landform as the real scene. Expect nearly a thousand actors and hundreds of horses to give you a stunning audio-visual experience. There are three shows every night starting at 19:40, 21:20, and 23:00, and you can freely choose based on your schedule if you’re interested. We would also be delighted to assist you with ticket bookings if needed.