Private Journeys in Chengde

Before 1703, Chengde was little more than a quiet, unremarkable town. That changed when Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty commissioned the construction of a summer palace, transforming Chengde into a seasonal royal residence and, eventually, the empire’s informal seat of power.

Uncover Chengde’s Hidden Grandeur
Though it has returned to its modest roots as a provincial town, Chengde still bears the legacy of its imperial heyday. Tibetan-style temples, scattered across the city, stand as elegant relics of its historical significance. Many of these sacred sites are perched on hillsides, offering sweeping views of the surrounding countryside, where steam trains wind slowly through lush valleys — a serene contrast to the city’s former political clout.