Chengde - the Mountain retreat of the Qing Dynasty Emperors and a perfect place to escape Beijing's hustle and bustle. Treat yourself
Day 1
Place & Transport: Beijing to Chengde
Today's Activities: Jinshanling Great Wall, Chengde Summer Palace.
Meals: Chinese Lunch
Detailed Itinerary:
Jinshanling Great Wall: Originally built in the period from 1368 to 1389 during the Ming Dynasty, the Jinshanling Great Wall section is 140 kilometers long and at the north-east end of Beijing. It has never been repaired, and provides a unique view of the Wall, watchtowers and magnificent scenery. As there are relatively few tourists at Jinshanling Great Wall, it is a good place to explore on foot. Also an 800-meter long cable was built to assist the tourists.
Chengde Summer Palace: Chengde Summer Palace, located in the north of Chengde city, was a place where emperors from the Qing dynasty spent their summers to escape the heat in Beijing. Occupying an area of 564,000 square meters, it is the largest royal garden in China, even bigger than the Summer Palace in Beijing. The historically important Chengdo Summer Palace is not only a tourist destination, but also a museum to explore the history and culture of the Qing Dynasty.
Day 2
Place & Transport: Chengde to Beijing
Today's Activities: Pule Temple, Putuozongcheng Temple
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
Detailed Itinerary:
Pule Temple: Pule Temple was built in 1766 for visiting Mongolian and minority dignitaries. The temple combines the styles of traditional Chinese, Mongolian and Tibetan buildings in a tranquil setting. At the rear of the temple is the Round Pavilion, a replica of the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. Although there are a lot of steep climbs, it is still exhilarating to come here and enjoy the natural scenery.
Putuozongcheng Temple: Putuozongcheng Temple is reminiscent of the Dala Lama’s Potala Palace in Tibet. It is considered as a great place to go if you cannot travel to Tibet. The temple was built to show the imperial family's respect for the minority groups and their beliefs. The temple is a marvelous sight with red walls that contrast against the green mountain backdrop. The top of the temple complex has a commanding view of the Chengde Summer Palace Resort.
Note: If you choose to stay on in Beijing for a few extra days, or arrive a few days early in Beijing, please let us know, and we'd be happy to extend your hotel bookings, or arrange additional tours for you.
* Prices are in US dollars, for one person. Prices are for references only, may vary according to different travel seasons.
* Better discounts are valible when travel in low season from Nov to March.
