40 Best Scenic Spots Recommended by CNN VIII: Yugang Grottoes, A Treasure of World Grottoes

Buddhism, one of the most popular religions in China. You can find a lot of Buddhist architectures like temple, Grottoes which built many years ago. Yugang Grottoes, will be talked about in the article, is one of the four major grottoes in China. Explore it when you take a China tour to Datong.

Chapter Eight

Yungang Grottoes, A Treasure of World Grottoes

Are you interesting in culture heritages in China? Are you curious about Chinese Buddha? If one of the answer is YES, you should not miss this article. 

Background of Yungang Grottoes

Talking about Yungang Grottoes, the first thing you should know is the background. The grottoes

Whole View of Yugang Grottoes

were built in Northern Wei Dynasty around A.D.460 for emperors to pray for the country prosperity and to release souls from suffering. Although at that time, the Buddhism was not as prosperous as it in Tang Dynasty, the governors hoped the grottoes of Buddhism can consolidate their power. It took years to finish this gorgeous heritage and it witness the prosperity and decline of Chinese grottoes.

Introduction of Yungang Grottoes

Composed by 45 grottoes, yungang grottoes is one of the four greatest grottoes in China and is a UNESCO Culture Heritage (Grottoes) together with Mogao Grottoes, Longmen Grottoes and Dazu Carving in China. It is also the essence of Chinese grottoes in 5th century.

Facing the 45 grottoes, you may be confused and want to know which one is the best one. Among the 45 grottoes, the first 20 are the best ones for tourists to this scenic spot. The

The 20th Grottoes

content of grottoes, the carving skill and painting are the top ones comparing with the rest. yungang Grottoes are the beginning of stylish transformation of grotto art into Chinese. By seeing the first 20 grottoes, you will learn track of how Indian and Middle Asia Buddhism art were changed into the Chinese one. Besides, the grottoes will show you three periods’ artistic style of China --exotic in Early Northern Wei, luxury in Middle time and exquisite in late Northern Wei. If you are interesting in Chinese culture of Northern Wei, yungang Grottoes area good reference.

Recommended Grottoes in Yungang Grottoes

Although the first 20 grottoes are the best ones for traveling in yungang Grottoes, there are some most popular ones among the first 20 grottoes. 

The Fifth Grottoes 

The 20th grottoes: Carved three Buddhas, it is the representative of yungang Grottoes Carving Art

The 16th grottoes: There are thousands of Buddhas carved with shrine. The carvings are beautiful.

The 15th grottoes: Called the Wanfo Grotto, here you will see ten thousand buddha carving here.

Being a relic built in 1500 years ago, yungang Grottoes are not as charm as before. With time goes by and people’s damage, the color of the carvings has faded and many statues in the grottoes are broken. Chinese government has taken actions to restore the broken ones but it is a huge project. If you travel to yungang Grottoes, please following the guide.

40 Best Scenic Spots Recommended by CNN VII: Landmark of Qingdao, Zhan Qiao Pier

It's Summer in China Now and it's very hot in many cities. If you travel in China now, I recommend Qingdao as a summer resort to you. When you visit Qingdao, you will see a famous bridge by the sea. It is called Zhan Qiao, which is a symbol of Qingdao.

Chapter Seven

Landmark of Qingdao, Zhan Qiao Pier

Have you been to Qingdao? Have you known something about Qingdao Zhan Qiao Pier? 

Although Zhan Qiao pier is not the top attractions in China, its history background make it an important part of Qingdao city and a must-see attraction during your China tour to Qingdao with the famous Tsingtao Brewery Factory and Catholic Church. 

Overlook View of Qingdao Zhan Qiao

Milestone: Landmark of Qingdao City, the first scenic spot since Qingdao government began to operate tourism and one of the Qingdao Top 10 scenic spots.

Location: At the southern shore of Qingdao off Zhongshan Road. 

Originally, Qingdao Zhan Qiao pier was built by government to transfer the military resources in Qing Dynasty. It was 200 meters long and 10 meters wide. In 1931, it had been reconstructed and the length of it had been prolonged to 440 meters . Besides, a pavilion was added on the pier called Huilan Ge (回澜阁). From 1998 to 1999, local government renovated Zhan Qiao that makes it more beautiful than before. To people in Qingdao, they think Zhan Qiao Pier is the symbol of our homeland.

Back to Lan House

In the vicinity of Zhan Qiao Pier is the small Qingdao Island (Xiao Qingdao), the Qingdao Navy Museum, and many neighborhoods featuring German colonial architecture. The coastline lights up at night with spotlights on nearby buildings and several neon billboards.

Visiting Qingdao, you should not miss Zhan Qiao pier. Being the witness of Qingdao’s development, it will tell you more about this city. Knowing a city should learn the history and culture of this city. Zhan Qiao pier is a channel for you to learn Qingdao.

40 Best Scenic Spots Recommended by CNN VI: Huangguoshu Waterfalls

Do you remember the astounding waterfalls in the film Up? It's very very beautiful, isn't it? There also is a very splendid waterfall in China, in the article, follow me to discover the amazing scenery in Guizhou.

Chapter Six

Huangguoshu Waterfalls

Brief Introduction of Huangguoshu Waterfalls

Huangguoshu waterfalls, located in the Zhenning autonomous county, Anshun, Guizhou province , is the biggest waterfall group in the world. You won’t miss it in your China Guiyang tour. There are 18 cascades along Dabang River with Huangguoshu waterfall as the core, formed the gorgeous characteristics of grandness, strangeness, precipitousness and excellence. It is worthy of taking a China tour there. And Huangguoshu waterfall group was list in the Guinness World of Records as the biggest waterfall group in the world in 1999. Moreover, Huangguoshu waterfall is

Huangguoshu Waterfall

the essence of the waterfall group. It is the only waterfall in the world that can be appreciated from six direction such as up, down, forward, backward, left and right and there is a natural water curtain cave behind the waterfall, so Huangguoshu waterfall could be touched, watched both inside and outside from the hole. China Huangguoshu tour will make your trip unforgettable.

If you take a China tour to Huangguoshu, you should know that the main scenic spots in Huangguoshu waterfalls are Huangguoshu waterfall scenic spot, Shitou Zhai scenic spot, Tianxing Bridge scenic spot, Dishui Tan waterfall scenic spot, Baling river valley, Three Kingdoms ancient road scenic spot, Doupo Tang scenic spot and Langguan scenic spot.   

Besides, there are two travel line suggested to your China Huangguoshu tour. The first one is Huangguoshu waterfalls-----Tianxing Bridge------Doupo Tang-----Tianlong Tunbao one day tour. The other is Huangguoshu waterfalls-----Tianxing Bridge------Doupo Tang------Longgong one day tour.

Information of Scenic Climate

In summer, the temperate is around 30 degree in Huangguoshu waterfall scenic spot with a relatively strong solar radiation. You should prepare some shading coats in your Huangguoshu

Close Shot of Huangguoshu Waterfall

tour. And summer is the time when Huangguoshu waterfalls own abundant water volume so many tourism channels are slippery. You need prepare your raincoat in advance. Note that when caught by a thunderstorm in your China Huangguoshu tour, remember not to use an umbrella. Besides, in spring and autumn, the rainfall in scenic spot is abundant and the weather is very cold, you should take two more warm clothes before your Huangguoshu tour and some common medicine as well. 

Local Species

Some local species should’t be missed in your China Guiyang tour. Named after Huangguoshu waterfall, Guizhou cigarette factory produced Huangguoshu cigarette. And a kind of local fruit named Huangguo, it is famous around travelers who take a China tour to Guiyang Huangguoshu. The fruit of Huangguo is golden yellow and tastes sweet and little sour with enough moisture. You may have a taste in your China tour. Moreover, the wax printing and embroidery of Miao community are also very famous. In those many Miao embroidery works, the most famous works are girls’ splendid attires and flower back fans used in the Jump Flower Festival. It is worthy of taking some Miao embroidery works home in your Huangguoshu tour.

Sculpture

Tasty feast in Huangguoshu waterfalls   

Food is the paramount necessity of the people. It won’t be missed in your Huangguoshu tour. Local Anshun dishes are Babao baby lampreys, roast pig, gastrodia elata yuanyang pigeon, cold mix houttuynia, houttuynia fried pork, etc. And local snacks are Anshun beef noodles, Zhenning bobo sugar and Zhenning huajiang dog meat.

The Transportation of Huangguoshu Waterfalls

1. Air Transportation 

The fastest way to take a China Huangguoshu tour is by air. Huangguoshu airport has been opened through several cities such as to Guangzhou, Qingdao, Kunming, Shenyang, Chongqing and Beijing since built in 2004. And it is located in the east suburb of Anshun city not very far to Huanguoshu waterfalls.

2. Railway Transportation

The railway transportation in Anshun is relatively developed. It may be a good choice to take a China tour to Huangguoshu by train. The railway from Guiyang to Kunming passes throughout the whole city and Anshun is connected with other provinces by Guiyang-Anshun, Sichuan-Chongqing, Chongqing-Guangxi and other railways. Moreover, the tourist-dedicated train

Tourists are Taking Photo of Huangguoshu Waterfall

“Huangguoshu” setting back and forth between Guiyang and Anshun everyday enhanced the inner provincial tourist transportation. Besides, the railway station of Anshun is located in the end of Nanhua Road, easy to get to. There are buses directly to Huangguoshu scenic spots with a transfer fee of RMB 8.

3.Highway Transportation

Huangguoshu scenic spot is located in the southwest of Anshun, 45km away from Anshun city and 137km away from Guiyang. There are many comfortable and quick highways to Huangguoshu waterfalls. It takes only around 2 hours from Guiyang to Huangguoshu by coach.

Ticket Information of Huangguoshu waterfalls

The ticket including Huangguoshu waterfall, Tianxing Bridge and Doupo Tang
High season(March to October): RMB 180 per person
Low season(November to February) RMB 160 per person
Huangguoshu Stone Museum: RMB 70 per person
Huangguoshu travel package(including scenic ticket, Stone museum, and sightseeing car): RMB 300 per person
Scenic spot escalator: round trip RMB 50 per person; single trip RMB 30 per person
Scenic environment car: RMB 50 per person： 
Tianxing Bridge cable car: RMB 10per person
Shitou Zhai scenic spot: RMB 40 per person
Shenlong Cave: RMB 70 per person
Huangguoshu drift: RMB 160 per person

40 Best Scenic Spots Recommended by CNN V: Shangri-La Potatso National Park

Have you traveled in Yunnan? Will you lost in the dreamy scenery? Have you visited Shangri-la when you take a China Yunnan Tour? If it is, there is an attraction you shouldn't miss.

Chapter Five

Shangri-La Potatso National Park

A General Introduction of Potatso National Park

Potatso park, located in the east of Jiantang town Shangri-la county, is 35km away from the county seat. You won’t miss it when you take a China tour to Shangri-la. Bita Lake is the center of this beautiful park. The whole area of Patatso park is 1418 hectares, about 14km wide from east to west and 60km long from north to south. The highest point is “Mini Pond” altitude 4159.1 meters and the lowest point is “Hecha Channel” altitude 3180 meters in the conservation area. You should pay attention to the altitude reaction when you take a China Shangri-la tour.

Picturesque Scenery of Potatso Park

　　
The word “Potatso” means the god reached the other side of the lake by a boat in Tibetan. Potatso Park, combined by Bita Lake and Shudu Lake ecotourism area, is the most famous scenic spot of Shangri-la county, Diqing city., so it is a must-see to travelers who take a Shangri-la tour. Beautiful ecological environment and mysterious folklores endow the national park extremely high aesthetic value of ecological diversity and cultural landscape. It is worth to visit Potatso in your dreamland tour to Shangri-la.
　　
Potatso National Park is full of mirror-like alpine lakes, abundant grass pastures, flowers in full bloom wetlands and animals and birds haunting virgin forests. Taking a Yunnan Tour to Potatso will make you see abundant and various animals and plants species. And Bita Lake and Shudu Lake are known as Highland Pearls, abundant with mountain carps and heavy lips fish. You can have a taste in your China Shangri- tour. Every autumn and winter, plenty of wild ducks and other birds are playing by the lake; every spring and summer, mountains of azaleas and unknown wild flowers are blossoming everywhere, contrasted finely with singing birds. You will be intoxicated with the fragrant flowers and twittering birds during your China ethnic minority discovery tour to Shangri-la. When

Autumn Scenery of Potatso Park

wondering in the pastures, listening the tinkle of the horse neck bells and seeing the rising wave of smoke from distant herdman’s shed, you will find all of these are so harmonious with the surrounding natural environment. It will make your China Shangri-la tour unforgettable.

The Climate of Potatso National Park

The climate of Potatso national park belongs to subtemperate climate with long autumn and winter and short spring and summer. You should pay attention to the low temperate there in your China tour. The annual average temperate is 5.4 degree. The hottest month is July with a monthly average temperate of 13.2 degree; while the coldest month is January with a monthly average temperate of 3.8 degree below zero. It follows that the climate of Potatso is relatively low because of the high altitude. So please note the cold weather in your Shangri-la China tour. With the abundant rainfall, sometimes Potatso park is indistinct in the mist and cloud; sometimes it is totally hidden in the sea of cloud just like a fairyland. Such kind of climate makes the plants in the scenic area flourish and brings about a variety of species. You may learn something there in your Shangri-la tour.   

Squirrel

Potatso Transportation Guide

When taking a China Shangri-la tour to Potatso, You can take a night bus from Kunming to Shangri-la county about 10 hours. Or you can choose to take a plane from Kunming to Shangri-la county about 50 minutes. After you get to Shangri-la county, you can take a bus to Potatso park from Shangri-la passenger depot. Remember that there is only one bus to the park, departing at 9:30am and returning at 3:00pm. Or chartering a vehicle is also a good choice to Potatso park from Shangri-la. The transportation of Potatso is relatively convenient in your Shangri-la tour. 

Ticket Tips

Ticket: RMB190 (including entrance ticket and sightseeing tourist car ticket. )
Opening time: November to March: 8:00~16:00.
            April to October: 8:00~17:00.

40 Best Scenic Spots Recommended by CNN IV: Hongcun Village---- A Village in the Picture

Would you like Chinese Ink and wash painting? In the article, I will show you an ancient village, Hongcun Village, which is a typical Village like Chinese ink and wash painting. Let's go!

Chapter Four

Hongcun Village---- A Village in the Picture

Picturesque Village of Hongcun

If you deeply love Chinese water printing, you have to go to Hongcun village to experience the beauty of Chinese village when taking a impression China tour. With a 900-year-old history, Hongcun village has been attracted thousands of tourists from all parts of China and abroad. They fall in love with the quiet atmosphere and unique Hui-style architecture here. Two or three people wondering along the narrow green stone trail, industrious farmers working in rice fields at a distance and beautiful images of ancient houses reflected in the clear water, all of these make you can’t help but want to paint down the whole vision. 

Beautiful Scenery of the Piece of Hongcun Village

Hongcun village is located in Yi county, Anhui province, 33km away from Mt Huangshan scenic spots. Because of located in a relatively high altitude, clouds and mist steaming and lingering around, Hongcun village is really like a picture of slowly unfolding landscape scroll. So it is known as the village in Chinese paintings.

Characteristic of Hongcun Architecture

The main construct of Hongcun village is dwelling houses and private gardens, together with school and ancestral temple, with a complete construction group. Whole architectures are built magnificently with exquisite and elegant wooden carving, brick carving and stone carving. The village streets and alleys are almost built alongside water and the layout of houses are around Lunar Palus. Most dwellings are binary yards. Local villagers even introduced water to their yards and opened up fish ponds. The typical architectures are Nanhu School, Lexu Hall, Chengzhi Hall, Songhe Hall and Bi garden, etc. If you go to Hongcun village in your China tour, you will be amazed at the unique architecture style.      
　　

Climate of Hongcun Village

The climate of Hongcun village is close to oceanic climate with a lot of rainy day and soupy weather. The average annual temperate is 7.8 degree and average annual rainfall days are 183 days, among which April to June rain most. The annual rainfall of mountain is 2395mm and

Geese are Swiming in the Pond in Hongcun Village

average snowy days are 49 days. At an altitude of 630 meters of hot spring area, the summer average temperate is 25 degree, winter above 0 degree. For a Anhui village borders mountain forest and water landscape: gurgling streams gently flow through the whole village, houses and landscape of lakes and mountains enhance each other’s beauty. Hongcun is appropriate for traveling four seasons. 

Local Specialty

Hongcun village owns not only poetic scenery but also deep ancient cultural flavor. Because the surrounding mountain chains once hindered the communication between Hongcun village and outside world in ancient times, it created Hongcun village “a land of idyllic beauty” with abundant local specialties, such as ancient Huizhou embroidery, Keemun black tea, Yi county mushroom, etc. You also can find famous specialties of Sixi town-----broadleaf holly tea, Chinese torreya and arrowroot flour which all are good for people’s health.

Local Events

The most popular event in Hongcun village is game bird, which is a traditional folk activity during

Keemun Black Tea

the Chinese Spring Festival since Qing dynasty. In recent years, with the expending influence, many game bird fans are attracted to go here watching and gaming. People who raise birds communicate the aviculture experience with each other and take part in the game. The competition birds are all male throstles and the whole competition includes bird singing, bird’s imposing manner and bird fighting. Besides, some tourism activities are held in Hongcun village too, such as China Huangshan Village International Tourism Festival, International Mountain Bike Festival and Yi County Photography Festival.
　　

Local Accommodation 

With the development of Hongcun village tourism, the local hotel industry has began its new epoch since 2006. Almost every local family if they own several free rooms begin to run rural farmhouse inn. So now it is more convenient to lodge there if you take a Hongcun tour for several days. You can lodge in the wing room with carve pattern bed if you are good luck. For a better tour, you had better book the room before you travel Hongcun village when you take a China tour during Chinese golden holidays or festivals because rooms are large demand at that time.  

Recommended Travel Routes 

1. Four hours traveling

Line: Entrance----Ancient Ginkgo Tree---Ancient Red Poplar Tree----Taoyuan Habitat----Deyi Hall----Lunar Palus----Jingde Hall---Tourist Center----Exitance.

Tourists are Biking around Hongcun Village

It is a leisure line with a not far journey recommended to people who don’t like traveling too tired. 

2. Six hours traveling

Line: Entrance--- Lunar Palus ---- Deyi Hall ---- Taoyuan Habitat ---- Ancient Red Poplar Tree ----Ancient Ginkgo Tree --- Nanhu School---Tourist Center---Exitance. 
It is a relatively leisure line. You can visit the all attractions along the journey and wonder in the old residence, enjoying the beautiful scenery of whole village.  

Note:
1. Tickets: 104RMB for three days.
2. The best time to travel Hongcun village: March, April and November.

March and April are the seasons of rape blossoming with endless rape flower, green mountains and crystal water and beautiful white wall and black tile houses. 
Early November is a season of strong autumn. The red maple leaf of Tachuan is as red as Beijing Xiangshan Mountain.  

40 Best Scenic Spots Recommended by CNN III: Zhejiang Yunhe Terraces

Terrace, a magnificent buildings created by human, it demonstrate the great intelligence of the labouring people. I think you will be shocked when you take a China travel tour to visit the terrace. When you travel to Guilin, you will appreciate the splendid Longji Terraced Fields. Besides it, the another wonderful terrace, maybe not many people know about it, but it's also gorgeous.

Chapter Three

Zhejiang Yunhe Terraces

Brief Introduction of Yunhe Terrace Fields

Zhejiang Yunhe Terraces is a good place to visit if you take a China tour. Zhejiang Yunhe Terraces scenic region, are located in the Chongtou town, 5km away from Yunhe county Zhejiang province, the largest terraces in East China. Typical characteristics are large size, strong shocking, unique landscape in four seasons. Yunhe literally means auspicious clouds in Chinese. For thousands of years, Yunhe and surrounding terraces are become home to local farmers relying to existence. 

Overlook the Zhejiang Yunhe Terraces

Yunhe Meiyuan Terrace fields is a large scale terraces group. As a natural scenic spot, Meiyuan terrace is 5km away from Chongtou town, 20km away from Yunhe county, connecting with a three-level oilway, 12km away from Lilong first-level highway. With a comparatively convenient transportation, Yuhe Meiyuan Terrace is easily accessible. Photographers can take pictures on the roads. The main point shootings are Wuping village and Xiayang village with long shot line and can accommodate a large number of tourists.

Beautiful Scenery of Yunhe Terraces Scenery

Yunhe terraces run a high reputation of the most beautiful terraces in China. Natural landscape includes terrace fields, sea of clouds, mountain villages, sea of bamboos, ravine steams, waterfalls and soft rime, etc. If you go there in your China tour, you will be taken to a wonderland, fascinated by its amazing spectacles. Layers upon layers mazed terraces, winding in the mountains at an altitude of 200-1400 meters high, can stack up to 700 layers. Yunhe terrace fields twine up from the foot of mountains like chain belts, tier upon tier, strewn at random

Farmers are Working in the Fields

discretion. The lines are like floating clouds and flowing water, natural and smooth, majestic and breathtaking. Harmonic with exquisite bright terrace fields and grand mountains, Yuhe terraces are formed to a enchanting world of curve. Because of high altitude, the water in the fields and in the river evaporating up and affected by the air flow, forms a sea of clouds around the terraces. Moisture in the valley are absorbed by trees into cloud misty rain, curling up in the mountains. The cloud and mist makes the whole terraces partly hidden and partly visible, formed a changeable natural scroll painting. In late spring and early summer, beautiful and colorful vast sea of clouds, sometimes repose on mountains and rivers like a lamblike maiden, sometimes run mountains high like raging tide. High altitude of Yunhe Terrace fields floating in the vast sea of clouds, constitute a marvelous spectacle. You won’t miss it in you leisure China tour.

The Climate of Yunhe Terrace Scenic Spot

The climate of Yunhe terrace scenic spot is subtropical monsoon climate with four distinctive seasons. It is warm and humid. Because of complicated topography and disparity in altitude, the vertical distribution of climate is obvious. The annual average temperate is 16.5 degree with an

Autumn Scenery of Yunhe terraces

average of 227 days frost-free period. The average annual sunshine is enough about 1774.4 hours  but the temperate between day and night is relatively big, you had better prepare for it in you China tour. Annual precipitation is 1780-1900mm with amount rainfall, mainly concentrated from May to October. Please note that among May to October, typhoon landing may cause heavy rain and mountain torrents as well as unusually severe weather such as gale and hailstone. You should pay attention these if you plan to take a China tour to Yunhe terraces. 

The Transportation of Yunhe County

There is no train no airplane straightly to Yunhe county at present. In your China Yunhe tour, you should arrive in Lishui city at first by tain, then take a local bus to Yunhe county. When reaching Yunhe, you can take a taxi or a country bus to the terrace spot and just tell the driver which terrace you want to go to. 

A bus route is helpful to your China tour to Yunhe Terraces.
Lishui city-----Lishui railway station------Yunhe county-----Yunhe passenger depot---No.10 public bus(Yunhe county to Zhangjiadi 6:30-17:00 every one hour)

Yunhe Specialty

Snow Pears on the Tree

Classic kinds of Yunhe local tea are Yunhe Lvyu tea, Xiangong Xuehao tea, Xianhu Qinglong tea. Yunhe snow pear is the county traditional fruit since 1452. Yunhe snow pear is hugely popular with people because of its big size, thin flesh, plenty juice and sweet and fragility taste. Other specialties are Yunhe Changqun Zhusun which is a kind of fungoid, Yunhe chestnut, mushroom and black fungus. Besides, Yunhe wooden toy industry, an emerging industry, sell well in more than 70 countries and regions. You can have a try when you take a Yunhe Terrace tour.


When you take a China tour to Zhejiang Yunhe terraces, please pay attention to the notes.
Notes: 
Open hour: 8:00-16:30
Tickets: 80RMB/person
Collecting tickets: the scenic area tourist reception center
Reservation for special populations:
  A: children under 1.2m are free pass
  B: Children between 1.2m and 1.5m fare 40RMB/person; the old between 60 and 69 fare 40RMB/person; military officers and teachers fare 40RMB/person with valid documentation.
5. Considering safety and scenic area order, outside vehicles are not allowed into scenic region. Tourists need to take a scenic spot bus into and the transfer fee in 20RMB/person. Outside vehicles can be parked in the tourist reception center free of charge.

40 Best Scenic Spots Recommended by CNN II: The Mountain Resort and its Outlying Temples, Chengde

In Qing Dynasty, Chinese emperors always go to a palace to avoid the hot summer, and it's Chengde Mountain Resort. What is it? We will talk about it in the article.

Chapter Two

The Mountain Resort and its Outlying Temples, Chengde

Chengde Mountain Resort is located in the north of Chengde city, Hebei Province, 230km away from Beijing city. It is one of China’s four famous gardens. The others are Suzhou Humble Administrator’s Garden, Suzhou Liu Garden and Beijing Summer Palace. Listed in the World Culture Heritages, Chengde Mountain Resort was used to be a palace for Chinese emperors avoiding the hot summer in Qing Dynasty. If you plan to have a China tour, the information about Chengde Mountain Resort is beneficial to you. 

Lotus Pond

The history and construction of Chengde Mountain Resort

Chengde Mountain Resort is found from 1703, after three generations of emperors in Qing Dynasty, Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong. It took 89 years to build.

It is composed of emperor palace, emperor garden and magnificent temples. The overall arrangement can be generally divided into two parts, palace area and garden scenic spots. And the garden scenic spots is divided into lake region, plain area and mountain area. 72 classic scenic spots made by emperor Qianlong are inclusive of garden scenic spots, including numerous palaces, halls, buildings, pavilions, terraces, waterside pavilions and other Chinese style architectures.  Nowadays, this mountain villa is still remained intricate and elegant royal garden and a 70 meter-high pagoda. Lash grass growing, green mountains towering, the canyons scenery tranquility, all these make the mountain villa still a summer resort today. The most characteristic of Mountain Resort is gardens decorating mountains and vice versa. You won’t miss Chengde when you take a Classic China tour.

The Climate of Chengde Mountain Resort

Chengde Mountain Resort is located in the belt of transition between Inner Mongolia Plateau and North China Plain. The monsoon mountain climate of it belongs to temperate continental climate, with four distinct seasons. Winter there is warmer than other same latitude areas because the mountains around the villa stop the attack of cold current from Mongolia Plateau. Summer is cool basically without sweltering hot weather and rainfall is concentrated. It is a wonderful tourism summer resort. Welcome to take a Chengde tour in hot summer. 

Pavilions on the Water

The Best Traveling Time

Late summer and early autumn is the best season to visit Chengde Mountain Resort when you take a China tour. At that time, whole China is in hot summer, while the temperate inside villa is lower 3 or 5 degrees than outside villa. Chengde Mountain villa is a well-deserved summer resort. Moreover, you can see the lotus blossom filled with the ponds in villa. The Resort lotus run a high reputation in the world because they are best cultivars of lotus for emperors from other places and sightworthy. Besides, the flower season lasts long time from early July to late September. 
Please note that November to next May is the season of forest reservation, so people are not allowed to climb the mountains in villa with their Chengde tours.

The Transportation of Chengde Mountain Resort

Chengde Mountain Resort is situated in the urban Chengde city with convenient transportation. There is no airport in Chengde at present but many trains pass through Chengde city, such as Beijing-Chengde rail, Beijing-Tongliao rail, Chengde-Shijiazhuang rail and Chengde-Shenyang rail. When you take a Chengde leisure tour, you can reach the Resort by No.5, No.7 and No.11 bus or by a taxi there after you get off your train. 

Local Specialty

By you China Chengde tours, you may buy various kinds of native products in Chengde mountain resort tourism designate stores, such as mushroom, almond, filbert and hawthorn. There are also many tourist souvenirs with local characteristics, such as jade ware, Tengshi cloth paste painting, root carving and walnut skin handicrafts. 

Filbert

Traveling Line

Mountain Resort area is vast. If you have only one day to take a Chengde tour, the following line can cover the most essences of the villa.

Lizheng Gate----Neiwu Gate----Danbojingcheng Palace----Sizhi Reading Room----Yanbo Zhishuang Palace---Yunshan Shengdi Building----Cailing Cross----Ruyi shoal----Yanyu Building---Canglang islet----long lake---Wenjin Castle----Rehe Spring----Jinshan Pavilion----Shuixin waterside Pavilion----- Ruins of Eastern Palace----Dehui Gate.

Other choice of lines:

East line: Get in from Dehui gate, cross Eastern Palace. Along the east line, the scenic spots can be seen are Shuixin Water Pavilion, Wen Garden, Qingshu Mountain House, the Moonlight and Sound of Water, Jiede Hall, Huiwan Zongchun Temple, New Place, Golden Mountain, Xiangyuanyiqing, Rehe Spring.

Mid-court line: Go down Wanhe Songfeng Step Level Road to Ruyi Lake, cross the arch bridge, through Zhijingyun embankment, Cailing Cross, Ruyi shoal, to the end Qinglian Islet (Yanyu Building).

West line: Out of the Palace Gate Xiuyun, down Yulin Slope, along northward the west line of Ruyi Lake to Shuiliu Yunzai. Eastward to Pingxiang bank or still northward to Wenjin Castle. West line is the traveling line of Huzhou area, also an arterial traffic connecting the four functional partition of whole garden. 

Notes:

1. Open hour: 8:00am-17:30pm.
2. Gate ticket: high season(1 April to 31 October) 120RMB/ person.
            Low season(1 November to 31 March) 90RMB/ person 
3. The holiday villages need to book in advance in summer because of huge house demand at that time.
4. Following a tour guide is the best choice to visit Mountain Resort. It is not only increasing your Chinese history knowledge but also insuring that you would not miss the essential points which are out-of-the-way. 
5. The scenery of Huzhou area is the most beautiful place in Mountain Resort. Rowing a boat on the lake is a good idea to experience the landscapes of lakes and mountains. You can rent a boat on the west bank of Ruyi Lake and many kinds of boats can be chosen by yourself.
6. Some palaces are restored to be museums to exhibit the history and royal artworks of Qing Dynasty, such as Zheng Palace, Songhe Zhai, Eastern Palace and Wanhe Songfeng.
7. Taking a round hill touring car is a easy way to visit the most scenic spots in Mountain Resort. Please remember safety first!
8. Taking good care of yourself and your carry-on luggage when traveling.