Historical Monument Tour ~ Chengde Mountain Resort

Woke up naturally on the morning of the 27th, drove to Chengde Mountain Resort (over 600 kilometers away), took the Jinghu Expressway (G2) → Jinshi Expressway → Changshen Expressway (G25), and arrived at Chengde Mountain Resort at around 3 pm. Chengde Mountain Resort, also known as the Chengde Summer Palace or Rehe Palace, is located in Chengde City, Hebei Province. It was a place where Qing Dynasty emperors spent their summers and handled state affairs. The construction of the Mountain Resort began in 1703 and was completed over 89 years during the reigns of three Qing emperors: Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong. The Mountain Resort is the largest existing ancient imperial garden in China, with a scale twice that of the Summer Palace. It features a simple and elegant rural style, capturing the essence of natural landscapes and incorporating the scenery of both the Jiangnan and northern regions. The Mountain Resort and its surrounding temples are not only masterpieces of garden and architectural art but also a microcosm of traditional Chinese culture, integrating aspects of classical philosophy, aesthetics, and more. Within the resort, ancient pines tower into the sky, with thick trunks and lush branches. Most of these ancient pines are around 300 years old. Walking among them, one feels a sense of tranquility and harmony. Sunlight filters through the treetops, casting dappled shadows on the paths. A gentle breeze rustles the pine needles, momentarily making one forget the hustle and bustle of the world, achieving a sense of spiritual purification and relaxation. Every step in the ancient pine forest feels like a dialogue with history, prompting reflections on the past and insights into history. The peak season ticket price for the Mountain Resort and its surrounding temples is 130 yuan per ticket (including the Mountain Resort Museum), and the off-season ticket price is 90 yuan per ticket (including the Mountain Resort Museum).