3 Days 2 Nights Exploring Chengde: Royal Gardens + Stunning Autumn Colors

Chengde’s autumn is simply a divine color palette! The red leaves of the royal gardens framed with ancient architecture make every shot look like a Qing Dynasty painting come to life—every snap feels like a blockbuster! 🍂✨

🔥Day 1 In-Depth Tour of the Royal Gardens
⏰ 9:00-12:00 Mountain Resort
📍Address: Lizhengmen Street, Shuangqiao District, Chengde
🚌 Transportation: Taxi starting fare within the city / Bus routes 1 and 5 direct
💰Ticket: 130 RMB (includes museum)
👉🏻Must-see: Golden Phoebe wood structure of Danbo Jingcheng Hall + filming location of "Princess Pearl" at Yanyu Tower
⚠️Tip: The resort is about three times the size of the Summer Palace, wear comfortable shoes!

🍽️12:30 Manchu Eight Bowls
📍Address: 200 meters south of the East Gate of the Mountain Resort
👅Must order: Venison Shaomai (juicy warning ⚠️) + Eight Treasures Tofu Pot
💡Insider tip: 3 dishes for 2 people is enough, portions are true Northeast style

⛩️14:30 Puning Temple
🕯️Highlight: 26-meter tall gold lacquer wood-carved Thousand-Hand Guanyin
📿Hidden activity: Spin the prayer wheels for blessings～

🎭19:30 "Kangxi Ceremony" Live Show
💺Seating guide: Buy tickets in Zone A! Goosebumps guaranteed when the 300-person formation appears!
🌌Bonus night view: Remember to take photos of Shuangta Mountain under the starry sky after the show

🔥Day 2 Tibetan Style Day
⛰️8:30 Qingshui Peak
🗿Wonder: 38-meter tall club-shaped rock (rumored that touching it three times brings good luck)
🚡Lazy tip: Take the cable car to save 80% of the effort going up and down

🍲12:00 Qiao Family Manchu Hotpot
✨Soul dipping sauce: freshly fried chili oil + chive flowers + fermented tofu
🥩Must order: Hand-sliced fresh lamb (best when dipped for 8 seconds)

🕍14:30 Little Potala Palace
📸Golden photo spots:
1️⃣ Front square of the golden roof for panoramic shots
2️⃣ Corner of the big red platform
3️⃣ Backlit silhouette shots at the glazed archway
👗Outfit suggestion: Wear red or white for standout photos!

🌃19:00 Erxianju Night Market
🍢Must-eat list:
✔️Almond tea (Chengde specialty)
✔️Charcoal-grilled lamb kidneys
✔️Donkey Rolling Cake (freshly made version)

🔥Day 3 Cultural Finale Day
🛕9:00 Xumi Fushou Temple
🐲Fun fact: The golden dragons on the eaves rotate with the wind!

🍜11:30 Lao San Lamb Soup
㊙️Hidden way to eat: Lamb offal soup + chili oil + white pepper powder = winter salvation

🏛️14:00 Chengde Museum
💎Treasure: Gilt bronze statue of Tsongkhapa
🆓Free guided tours: Daily at 10:00 and 14:00

💡Practical Tips:
🧥Dress: Onion-style layering recommended in October (20°C midday / 5°C night)
🎫Tickets: Buy combo tickets on Trip.com in advance to save 30%
💰Cost reference:
Tickets: about 300 RMB
Food: 150 RMB per person/day
Accommodation: 300 RMB/night (recommended homestays near the Mountain Resort)

Save this guide and own the autumn spotlight in your friend circle! 📸