Chengde Imperial Summer Resort

Chengde Imperial Summer Resort attracts many visitors each summer in North China's Hebei province. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chengde is a city north of the Great Wall, well known for the imperial summer resort of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). As China's biggest existing ancient imperial gardens and temple complex, the massive construction of the Chengde Imperial Summer Resort began in 1703 and lasted 89 years. The resort is blessed with mild temperatures in both summer and winter, with mountains sitting within the gardens and the gardens circled by mountains.