Northern Jiangnan--Chengde Mountain Resort Scenery

The Mountain Resort is the largest existing royal garden in China. Utilizing natural and wild scenery, the resort forms a layout of the southeast lake area, northwest mountain area, and northeast grassland, together creating a microcosm of China's landscape. The resort is divided into four main parts: the palace area, lake area, plain area, and mountain area. The palace area is located on the southern shore of the lake, with flat terrain, and is where the emperor handled state affairs, held celebrations, and lived. Covering an area of 100,000 square meters, it consists of four groups of buildings: the Main Palace, Songhezhai, Wanhe Songfeng, and the East Palace. The lake area is north of the palace area, with eight small islands dividing the lake into various sections, featuring the characteristics of the Jiangnan fish and rice region with its scattered islands and rippling blue waves. In the northeast corner is a clear spring, the famous Rehe Spring. The plain area is at the foot of the mountains north of the lake area, with open terrain, featuring Wanshu Garden and Shima Dike, a vast expanse of green grass and lush forests, showcasing the vast grassland scenery. The mountain area is in the northwest part of the resort, covering about four-fifths of the entire garden. Here, the mountains rise and fall, with numerous pavilions, halls, and temples dotting the landscape. I particularly like the lake area, with its lush trees, clear waters, pavilions, and typical Jiangnan scenery. Additionally, I highly recommend taking the scenic bus in the mountain area and getting off at the second stop to climb the Great Wall for a panoramic view of the Putuo Zongcheng Temple (Little Potala Palace) and a bird's-eye view of Chengde city. If you are a photography enthusiast, walking around the lake area is most suitable, but if you have elderly or children with you, taking a boat is more appropriate. The Mountain Resort not only boasts beautiful natural scenery but also has a rich cultural and historical heritage, so it is best to hire a guide for explanations. Mountain Resort