3 Days Chengde Highlights Tour including Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking
World Heritage Sites & Great Wall Hiking
Chengde is a hidden gem that is usually ignored by travelers. If you do some research, you will definitely get “wowed” by what Chengde has to offer. It has been a low-key place mostly because it used to be the private gardens of emperors and royal families of Qing Empire (1636~1692). In its fertile land sits magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site – Chengde Mountain Resort and the most beautiful section of Great Wall of China – Jinshanling Great Wall (without crowds too), and many unique sites of authentic Chinese culture. If you are searching for some unique experience in China, or you have 2 spare days during your trip to Beijing, Tianjin, Datong or other places in the region, you should take a side trip to Chengde, to this amazing hidden land to hike the Great Wall and explore heritage sites. Our 2 Days Chengde Private Tour is ready for you, with the best itinerary and top standard packaged services.
Highlights of this tour
- Rare opportunity to visit Jinshanling Great Wall which is one of the most attractive sections of the Great Wall as well as a great place for photography and hiking;
- Escape the torpid summer heat like the emperors of the Qing dynasty once did, or marvel at spring warm, autumn colors and winter snow in Chengde Mountain Resort;
- Explore remarkable ancient temples and experience mysterious Tibetan Buddhism with your private tour guide in Chengde;
- Worry-free tour package including private transfer, hotels, meals, pick up and drop off, etc.
Basic Trip Information
- Price:
- from
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- 1. This price is for one person, based on a group of 2 adults sharing one double-bed room in a 4-star hotel and traveling in low seasons;
- 2. This price is subject to change according to your traveling season, group size, hotel class, change of activities and possible fluctuation of currency exchange rate.
- Travel Route:
- Chengde / Jinshanling Great Wall / Beijing
- Travel Length:
- 3 Days and 2 Nights
- Tour Code:
- CD-CDT-03
- Group Size:
- You, your family, friends or group
- Experience:
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- Departure:
- Any day you want
Full Itinerary Day by day
- Day 1 Chengde Arrival
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Welcome to Chengde, a city in northeastern Beijing most known for the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site - Mountain Sort & its Outlying Temples. Upon arrival, your tour guide and drive will meet you at the airport or train station in Chengde, and then escort you to Chengde. Check in to your hotel. The rest time is free for you to relax.
- Day 2 Chengde Highlights Tour (B, L)
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After breakfast, you will be taken to visit Chengde Mountain Resort, a famous royal summer resort of Qing Dynasty that has been evaluated as one of China’s Four Famous Gardens, one of Three Greatest Ancient Architectures and a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. It is a huge complex built by Kangxi and Qianlong Emperors between 1703 to 1792 for summer retreat and temporary stay during autumn hunting, consisting of scenic areas of palaces, administrative and ceremonial buildings, gardens and different natural landscapes. Many emperors even spent nearly half a year staying here, processing government affairs and enjoying summer holidays. You will take your time to visit Chengde Mountain Resort Museum (former Zheng Palace), Songhezhai and Wanhesongfeng Hall to trace back to previous royal offices and living quarters. Next, walk to enjoy peaceful green lakes embraced by many shoreside lush trees and ancient buildings, also have a leisure stroll along the lakes and visit Yanyu Tower to view elegant Jiangnan-style architectures with handwriting of Qianlong Emperor, and walk through vast grassland and dense forests in Wanshu Garden to see the Mongolian yurts and Liuhe Pagoda, which will refresh your eyes and mind and offer you a pleasant summer retreat like ancient emperors.
In this afternoon, you will go to explore Chengde's sacred Buddhist temple. Begin from Putuo Zongcheng Temple which is component of World Cultural Heritage with Chengde Mountain Resort. The temple was built to celebrate Qianlong Emperor’s 60th birthday and his mother Empress Dowager Chongqing’s 80 birthday. Modeled after the Potala Palace in Tibet, this Tibetan Buddhist temple cluster is also known as “Little Potala Palace”. You will path through the red-walled Tablet Pavilion, Five Pagoda Gate and Glazed Archway, then hike further to the flat-roofed white oblong towers spreading on the hillside and finally get to the majestic Great Red Palace, the main body and most eye-catching building of Putuo Zongcheng Temple. Go upstairs to visit Wanfaguiyi Hall and enjoy unique Chinese and Tibetan style architectures, and catch a panoramic view of the “Little Potala Palace” and Mountain Resort and Qingchui Peak (Hammer Rock) nearby from Cihangpudu Pavilion.
Later, move to Puning Temple (Temple of Universal Peace), an over 250-year old Buddhist temple found by Qianlong Emperor to commemorate two victories of the ethnic rebellions. This magnificent temple simulated from the Samye Monastery, a sacred temple of Tibet. It is a fusion of both Chinese and Tibetan featured architectures. The highlight is the 27.21-meter and 110-ton gold lacquered wooden statue of Thousand Armed and Eyed Bodhisattva enshrined in the Dachengzhige Pavilion.
Your last stop is Pule Temple (Temple of Universal Happiness) in the Qingchui Peak National Forest Park. It was built in 1766 during the Qianlong Emperor period for showing respect of minorities’ religion and reinforcing central authority’s rule. Admire the traditional Chinese architectural techniques and make pilgrimage to the statue of Cakrasamvara Tantra worshiped in the central Mandala.
Lastly, transfer back to your hotel.
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- Day 3 Chengde - Jinshanling Great Wall - Beijing (B, L)
In the morning, your tour guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel and drive you to Jinshanling Great Wall, which is about a 1.5-hour drive (90 km) from Chengde. Known as one of the best-preserved and most picturesque sections of the Great Wall, it features in steep mountains and dense, ornate towers. This section is a paradise for hiking enthusiasts and photographers.
From the entrance of the scenic area, you'll walk about 20 minutes to Zhuanduo Tower. Then, start your hike eastward along the undulating wall winding through stunning and remote mountainous terrain. The essential hiking route from Zhuanduokou to Big Jinshan Tower is renowned for its beauty and is considered the most picturesque section of the Jinshanling Great Wall, taking approximately 2.5 hours to complete. During your hike, you’ll encounter several notable towers: General Tower, Small Jinshan Tower, and finally Big Jinshan Tower. Each of these towers features distinctive architectural elements and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and the wall itself. After the sightseeing experience at Big Jinshan Tower, hike back to Small Jinshan Tower and take a cable car down.
For Hiking Enthusiasts: The above hiking route is suitable for various ages and fitness levels. If you're looking for a more challenging hike, let your travel consultant know so they can tailor the route to your preferences and physical condition. For a longer hike, consider continuing from Big Jinshan Tower to Houchuankou (about an hour) to view the unrestored section or to East Wuyan Tower (approximately two hours) to fully explore the unrestored Great Wall before descending on foot.
Next, keep driving about 2.5 hours (160 km) to your hotel in Beijing. You can be dropped off at Beijing airport or train station if you want. Tour ends.
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