When you open a map of the city of Chengde, you inevitably notice the Mountain Resort in the upper part, because it takes up almost half of the urban area. Known in Chinese as Bishu Shanzhuang, it occupies an area of 5.64 million square meters, eight times as big as the Forbidden City in Beijing. It was listed as a world cultural heritage site in 1994.

　　THE city of Chengde in northeastern Hebei Province is the site of the summer resort of the Qing emperors. It is about 200 kilometers from Beijing and is easily accessible by either train or bus.

　　The magnificent Mountain Resort was built during the Qing Dynasty. It served as the second political center of the Qing imperial court and the emperors of the early Qing Dynasty often spent their summers there.

　　The Mountain Resort can be divided into two parts: the palace area and the garden area.

　　In the southern part of the resort are the palace buildings where the Qing emperors lived and conducted state affairs. The main buildings include Zhenggong (Front Palace), Songhezhai (Pine-Crane Hall), Donggong (Eastern Palace) and Wanhesongfeng (Whispering Pine Valley) and their annexes.

　　The buildings on the axis include the Danbo Jingcheng Hall (Hall of Frugality and Placidity), Sizhi Shuwu (Four Knowledge Study) and Yanbo Zhishuang Hall (Hall of Mists and Waves). Other buildings are arranged along the axis symmetrically, displaying the dignity of imperial power. The magnificent and elegant Hall of Frugality and Placidity, the main hall of the Mountain Resort, is also known as Nanmu Hall because it was built with a fine-grained fragrant hardwood called nanmu.

　　The garden area includes the lakes, plains and mountain areas where most of the 72 scenic wonders named by emperors Kang Xi and Qian Long are scattered.

　　It seemed the emperors enjoyed the lake scenery of the Yangtse River Delta so much that they wanted to duplicate it in North China. Gradually, nine lakes of different shapes were created, resembling the view of the Yangtse River Delta. The scenic spots, situated in the foothills, and beside streams or pines, are arranged naturally and harmoniously without a trace of artificiality.

　　Tips

　　Admission fees

　　30 yuan/person (off season); 50 yuan/person (peak season)

　　Lodging

　　Travellers can stay outside or inside the Mountain Resort. Those staying inside can visit the resort free of charge. You are advised to book hotels in advance of the peak period of July through August.

　　Hotels inside

　　*Ligong Hotel

　　Address: Wanshu Garden

　　Rate: 60-130 yuan/bed in one-storey flat; 300-800 yuan/room in villa.

　　*Mongolian Yurt Holiday Village

　　Address: At the foot of Nanshan Mountain

　　Rate: 40-45 yuan/bed; 230-650 yuan/suite.

　　Hotels outside

　　*Yunshan Hotel

　　Address: 6 Nanyuan Road

　　*Xinhua Hotel

　　Address: 4 Xinhua Road

　　*Chengde Hotel

　　Address: 33 Nanyingzi Street