Real Experience at the Mountain Resort: These Attractions Are Not Worth the Crowds!

Largest Existing Royal Garden: Covering 5.64 million square meters, equivalent to two Summer Palaces, it combines the elegance of the south and the grandeur of the north, with over 120 groups of buildings nestled among mountains and waters. In 1994, it was listed as a World Heritage Site along with surrounding temples.
Political and Historical Significance: The second political center of the Qing Dynasty outside Beijing, witnessing major events such as the return of the Torghuts and the pilgrimage of the Sixth Panchen Lama. It is praised as "one mountain resort, half of Qing history."
Four Major Scenic Areas
Palace Area: The "Danbo Jingcheng Hall" built with nanmu wood is low-key and luxurious. The Yanbo Zhishuang Hall is where Emperors Jiaqing and Xianfeng passed away and now houses the Mountain Resort Museum (with 20,000 palace artifacts).
Lake Area: Imitates the scenic beauty of Jiangnan, featuring the Misty Rain Tower (filming location of "Princess Pearl"), and the Shui Xin Pavilion with flying eaves. Rehe Spring is the shortest river in China (does not freeze in winter).
Plain Area: The Wanshuyuan has 28 Mongolian yurts used for ethnic alliances. Wenjin Pavilion houses the "Complete Library of the Four Treasuries" and hides the wonder of "Sun and Moon Shining Together."
Mountain Area (80% of the park): The mountain loop car climbs the Erma Road, offering views of the Putuo Zongcheng Temple (Little Potala Palace) golden roof and Qinchui Peak.
Model of Ethnic Integration
Surrounded by Outer Eight Temples: 12 temples in Han, Tibetan, and Mongolian styles encircle the resort. The Thousand-Hand Guanyin statue at Puning Temple (the world's tallest wooden Buddha) and the Wanfa Guiyi Hall at Putuo Zongcheng Temple embody the unity wisdom of "building one temple is better than raising 100,000 soldiers."
🎫 2. Tickets and Opening Hours
Ticket Prices
Mountain Resort: Peak season (4/1-10/31) 130 RMB, off-season (11/1-3/31) 90 RMB; combined ticket (including Potala Palace and Qinchui Peak) 260 RMB.
Discounts: Free for children under 6 and seniors over 70; half price for students and seniors 60-69; free for military personnel and disabled with ID.
Opening Hours
Peak season: 7:00-18:00 (Palace area closes at 16:30); last mountain loop car at 17:00.
Best Time: Enter before 7:30 to avoid crowds; autumn colors in September-October are stunning.
🚌 3. Transportation Guide
External Transport
High-speed rail: Beijing → Chengde South Station (1 hour), transfer to bus No. 69 to "Huoshentang Station," then 5-minute walk to Lizheng Gate.
Self-driving: Jingcheng Expressway 2 hours, navigate to "Lizheng Gate Parking Lot" (20 RMB per entry).
Internal Transport
Mountain Loop Car: 60 RMB, a must-ride! Stops at three stations: Simian Yunshan (panorama), Erma Road (photo spot for Little Potala Palace), Qingfeng Lvyu.
Boat/ Sightseeing Car: Lake area boat 70 RMB, plain area car 40 RMB, optional.
🗺️ 4. Efficient Tour Route (One-day Highlights)
Morning: Lizheng Gate → Palace Area (Danbo Jingcheng Hall, Yanbo Zhishuang Hall, 1.5 hours) → Take mountain loop car to tour mountain area (focus on Erma Road, 1 hour).
Afternoon: Walk in Lake Area (Misty Rain Tower, Rehe Spring, Shui Xin Pavilion, 2 hours) → Plain Area (Wenjin Pavilion, Wanshuyuan Mongolian yurts, 1 hour).
⚠️ 5. Pitfall Avoidance Tips
Off-peak Tips
Weekend daily visitors exceed 20,000; better to enter at 7:30 on weekdays or after 14:00; if mountain sightseeing car queue exceeds 1 hour, skip it.
Essential Items
Non-slip sports shoes (average 20,000 steps per day), sunscreen, cash (weak signal in mountain area); bring your own snacks (only Fangyuanju offers meals, expensive and limited).
In-depth Experience
Overnight Stay: Atour Hotel (from 300 RMB) near Lizheng Gate, but internal hotels have low cost performance.
Nearby Attractions:
Putuo Zongcheng Temple (Little Potala Palace): 3 km from the resort, the golden roof is a must-photograph.
Prosperous Dynasty Show: Live reenactment of Kangxi's grand ceremony, impressive night show.
Food Recommendations
Lao Wu Lamb Soup (Lizheng Gate store): lamb soup + baked flatbread (20 RMB per person), Chengde cold noodles (5 RMB).
Manchu Eight Bowls: snow vegetable tofu, braised meat, etc., 50 RMB per person.