Chengde

What a gem! Chengde surprised me in the best way. The scale of the Imperial Mountain Resort is breathtaking, and you could easily spend the whole day wandering. We hired a little boat on the lake and had the best half hour just drifting. The Eight Outer Temples are incredible, especially the Putuo Zongzheng at sunset—golden light on those white walls. Locals were friendly, and the hotel was great value. Highly recommend a trip here before exploring Beijing's crowds!

Went to Chengde on a weekday in October. The fall colors around the Mountain Resort are absolutely beautiful. I really liked the Putuo Zongzheng Temple — it feels like a mini Potala, and you can walk right up to the red walls. Some areas are under scaffolding, which takes away from photos. Also, getting around using taxis was easy, but the bus system is not tourist friendly. Overall, a solid destination, just needs a little patience.

Honestly, Chengde was a bit hit-or-miss for me. The Mountain Resort has beautiful scenery, but the layout is confusing and the shuttle buses were packed. We wanted to take a boat on the lake, but the queues were long and staff seemed overwhelmed. The Puning Temple is impressive, but by the time we got there, we were too tired to enjoy it. It's an okay place for a change of scenery, but I wouldn't rush back. The lamb skewers near the west gate were tasty though.

Chengde is a nice escape from Beijing if you want history and hills. The summer resort is gorgeous but be prepared to walk a lot. Some palace halls are under renovation, so you can't see everything. Still, the views from the wall and the antelope area were lovely. Take a map and bring water. Also, the museum inside is quite good. Just lower your expectations about English signage.

We spent a long weekend in Chengde and absolutely loved it. The Mountain Resort is massive—rent a bike or take the shuttle if you're short on time. The lakeside areas are so peaceful, and seeing Sledgehammer Rock from the ridge was unforgettable. The Outer Temples, especially Putuo Zongzheng, are stunning and surprisingly less crowded. Don't miss the local flatbreads and summer cabbage salad. Only wish we'd had another day.

I came mainly for the history and the food didn't disappoint either! Had an amazing bowl of Chengde-style mutton soup near the East Gate – rich, hearty, and perfect after a long walk. The Putuo Zongcheng Temple was the highlight: the massive golden statue inside left me speechless. Also popped into the Eight Outer Temples area and was blown away by the fusion of styles. Bring water and sunscreen because you'll be walking a lot. Absolutely worth the trip from Beijing!