Chengde
Understand
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The city is about 260 km northeast of Beijing and has a population of around 460,000, with about 3½ million people in the prefecture (2016).
Get in
By plane
There is a small airport in southern Chengde where occasional charter flights shuttle between Beijing and Chengde. Chengde is 180 km away from the Beijing Capital International Airport. To travel by air, visitors can take a coach to Beijing and connect with their flights from there. A coach departs for Beijing every twenty minutes, making it very convenient.By train
There are several trains between Beijing and Chengde. The fastest one is K7711, leaving Beijing train station (the main one, on metro line No.2) at 8:07AM and arriving in Chengde at 12:29PM. Another option includes the train to Dandong (stopping in Chengde mid-route), which leaves Beijing train station at 12:17PM, arriving at Chengde at 5:21PM.By bus
Buses leave frequently (every 20 minutes) for Chengde from Beijing. The cost is around ¥70. The trip takes 2.5-6 hours, depending on if it is a direct bus. Beware of getting on at the origin of the bus in the east of Beijing, as you may spend over an hour just going to Dongzhimen. To return to Beijing, you will find that buses frequently depart outside Chengde's train station.By car
Another option is to find an unofficial taxi (heiche) from Beijing to Chengde. You will share this car with the driver and three other passengers (so that the car is full). It costs about ¥150 and takes 2-2½ hours. It is easy to find a heiche from Chengde to Beijing (ask in any hotel if you have trouble). The other way may be more difficult, but ask around.Get around
By bus
Buses charge a flat rate of ¥1, but there is no attendant, so have correct change. The buses have no English and little pinyin signage.Bus 118 goes from Chengde to the temples in the North and bus 119 to the temples in the East.
By taxi
Most taxis are metered. Short trips cost about ¥6 (plus ¥1 gas surcharge). Trips from one side of the city to the other are ¥10, and trips out to the temples should cost about ¥15 from the city center.By foot or bike
Much of Chengde is accessible by foot or bike. One can walk from one end of the city to the other in an hour.See
Putuo Zongcheng TempleAdmission includes entrance to neighboring temple (Temple of Sumeru, Happiness, and Longevity; 须弭福寿之庙). This is the largest temple in Chengde and is a mini-replica of Lhasa's Potala Palace.
Shuangta ShanThese curious pagodas can be found on twin peaks in the town of Shuangta Shan (named after the peaks). The construction of these ancient pagodas remains a mystery as they are situated on top of two very steep mountains. Admission includes viewing of the peaks and hiking the surrounding area.
Puning TempleThis temple houses the awesome statue of Guanyin. She measures 22 m high and is the tallest wooden Buddhist statue in the world.
Hammer (Club) RockThis unusual rock formation is a hike (or ¥50 ski lift ride) up from Pule Temple (普乐寺). Admission includes entrance to Pule Temple as well as a visit to nearby Toad Rock (蛤蟆峰).
Do
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phone: +86 4007058836Offers Chinese Immersion Language Classes in Chengde with Home Stay Families.
Ice SkatingDuring the winter there are ice skating rinks open on Wulie River. Skate rental is available, as are snacks and drinks.
Eat
You noodle is a kind of coarse food grain. It is slightly dark colored. The local You noodle wozi dough is first rolled out to a thin skin, and then formed to its final shape. After that, it is put into a pot and braised. You dip it in the sauce when eating. It feels smooth and jelly-like in your mouth. You noodle jiaozi is a kind of ravioli stuffed with pickled vegetables.
Pubang deer meat clusters and the cooked deer meat clusters are quite tasty, and cost only ¥4-5 for each cluster. They are well worth trying. In the street south of the Summer Resort, there are many shops featuring local specialities which cater to tourists.
In the evening, you will find mini-booths selling tangy scented baked corn along Chengde Street.
Individual restaurants worth giving a try includes:
Daqinghua Dumpling RestaurantThis restaurant is a favorite among foreigners and Chinese alike. There are three locations in the city: Train Station, Summer Mountain Resort, and City Center (on the small street behind the two-story KFC). The menu varies slightly between branches: the City Center location has an excellent menu (in English and Chinese, with colour photos). Try the dumplings, they are unique to this restaurant.
Drink
Beer GardensDuring the summer, there are a few beer gardens open next to Wulie River on Wulie Lu (south of the Summer Mountain Resort). BBQ, ice cream, and other drinks are also available.
Sleep
Budget
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phone: +86 314 2528119Offers ensuite dorms (¥100) and twin rooms (¥160 and up).