
🌿 Northern China actually hides a "Little Guilin," and there's even a Great Wall that can "dive underwater"?! I'm pushing this recommendation to all you mountain and water lovers! Chengde Panlong Lake Scenic Area is definitely the hidden gem you must check out this summer! 🚣♂️
🌟 Scenic Area Highlights Revealed 🌟
- Underwater Great Wall Shocking Debut: When the Great Wall winds down from the mountains and plunges into the emerald lake, can you believe such a spectacle?! Part of the Xifengkou Great Wall is submerged under the Panjiakou Reservoir. When the water level changes, you can see the faint "Azure Dragon Diving." Every snap is a high-like masterpiece on social media! 📸
- Northern Li River Ten-Mile Gallery: Cruise between cliffs carved like cut by knives and axes, with green mountains reflecting on the lake. Even scooping up a handful of water reflects the blue sky and white clouds! Recommended to go at dusk, when the sunset gilds the rock walls with gold—breathtakingly beautiful! 🌅
- Mysterious Caves and War History: The stalactites in Panlong Cave naturally form a coiling dragon pattern; touching it is said to bring dragon energy! Also, the birthplace of the "Big Knife March," Xifengkou Great Wall, with bullet-marked walls telling stories of wartime, full of historical depth!
🚗 Complete Travel Guide 🚗
- Transportation Recommendations:
✅ Strongly recommend driving! About 3.5 hours from Beijing via Jingqin Expressway, with magnificent views of the Yanshan Mountains along the way. The scenic area has a huge parking lot with reasonable fees!
🚗 Shuttle/Group Tours: There are direct tourist lines from Chengde city or Kuancheng county to the scenic area, perfect for those who don’t want to drive~
- Dining Recommendations:
🍴 Must-try reservoir fish feast! The iron pot stewed fathead fish at Damingyuan Farmhouse is so tender the chopsticks can barely hold it, and the fish soup with rice will make you want three bowls! Also, Cheng’s Farmhouse’s fried river shrimp is crispy and fragrant, one bite and you can’t stop!
🍵 Don’t miss local snacks: Dushan water tofu is tender and refreshing, Kuancheng braised chicken eggs are finger-licking good, paired with locally brewed hawthorn wine—absolutely amazing!
- Accommodation Recommendations:
🏨 For luxury, choose Kuancheng Zhaofeng International Hotel, where you can see the lake view from your bed and enjoy super comfortable hot springs and steam baths!
🏡 For artsy youth, check out Shoulv Hanshe·Bailv Mantang Siheyuan, with blue bricks, gray tiles, and Manchu-style decor, like living inside an ink painting!
🌳 For budget travelers, lakeside homestays offer mountain views from your window and the sound of insects at night—great value for money!
📸 Photo Spots + Tips 📸
- Ten-Mile Gallery Viewing Platform:
📌 Spot: Wooden viewing platform on the mountain top, use a wide-angle lens to capture the grandeur of "green mountains facing each other across the water"!
🎨 Tip: Wear a light-colored long dress, lean sideways on the railing, let the wind lift your hair, and instantly boost the atmosphere!
- Panlong Cave Entrance:
📌 Spot: The junction of the rock walkway and cave entrance, use the natural frame of the cave opening for composition.
🎨 Tip: Turn on the flash to highlight the mysterious depth of the cave, instantly transporting you into a martial arts movie scene!
- Old Dragon Head Giant Rock:
📌 Spot: The dragon-head-shaped giant rock on the mountain top, pose as if "riding a sword flying," creating a thrilling illusion of stepping on waves mid-air!
🎨 Tip: Wear a bright-colored jacket to contrast with the green mountains, making your photo stand out more!
- Xifengkou Great Wall Beacon Tower:
📌 Spot: At the ruins, shoot silhouettes against the sky.
🎨 Tip: Visit at dusk when golden sunlight bathes the wall, creating a cinematic filter effect!
🌄 Nearby Scenic Bonus Recommendations 🌄
1. Mountain Resort: The ultimate royal garden aesthetic, and you can row boats on the lake to enjoy imperial-style leisure!
2. Jinshanling Great Wall: One of the best-preserved Ming Great Walls, with sunrise and sea of clouds views that leave you speechless!
3. Wuling Mountain: The "green lung" of North China, with an average summer temperature of 20°C, perfect for healing hikes and fresh air!
4. Xinglong Caves: A karst underground palace, with stalactites glowing like a dreamy crystal palace under the lights!
5. Qinghe Source Rafting: The nation’s first underwater dark river rafting, thrilling enough to scream, a perfect summer cooling adventure!
💌 Closing Words 💌
Friends, are you tempted by Panlong Lake like this? Follow me to unlock more hidden travel gems! Next time, I’ll take you to explore other secret spots in Chengde. Remember to like and save, see you in the comments~ 💕
Post by BenjaminBell.81 | Aug 22, 2025











