Chengde Tours: China Summer Vacation to Chengde (2026)

Chengde Tours 2026: Royal Summer Vacations in China

AOT Chengde Tours invites you to discover Out-of-Office Time of Emperors
at Chengde's UNESCO sites & Bashang Grassland!

Beijing Chengde, Cool City for China Summer Vacation:
In ancient China, even emperors had their annual leave. Ever wondered how they spent it? Once they finally clocked off from the rigid protocols of the Forbidden City, they retreated to Chengde—the empire's ultimate sanctuary for pure leisure and royal recreation.

Just 1-hour high-speed train ride or a scenic 3-hour drive northeast of Beijing, Chengde was where the burdens of the throne dissolved. In summer, emperors sought the coolness of the world’s largest royal gardens, boating through lotus-filled lakes and mountain breezes. As autumn arrived, the energy shifted to pure adrenaline as they ventured into the vast Mulan Paddock (Bashang Grassland) for the legendary Great Autumn Hunt.

Today, this imperial sanctuary is no longer reserved for emperors and aristocrats only—it is yours to explore! Our Chengde Tours are designed to sweep you away on your own royal vacation. We invite you to step into the footsteps of dynasties and experience the ultimate imperial retreat for yourself!

Which Chengde Tour is Right for YOU? Pick Yours Here!

Chengde Tour Types	What’s Included	Time & Route	AOT Suggest for
Chengde Heritages Tour	Chengde Mountain Resort, Little Potala Palace, Puning Temple	1-2 days from Beijing: Chengde downtown (1-2 days)	UNESCO historic sites lovers; Ancient palace and temple enthusiasts
Classic Bashang Grassland Tour	Fengning Bashang Grassland	2-3 days from Beijing: Fengning (2-3 days)	Summer escapers from Beijing, Family with kids (5-9 years)
In-depth Bashang Grassland Tour	Ulan Butong Grassland, Fengning Bashang Grassland, Chengde UNESCO Heritages	Chengde downtown (1-2 days); Ulan Butong Grassland (1-2 days); Saihanba & Yudaokou (1-2 days); Fengning Grassland (1-2 days)	Collectors of Pristine Grassland Scenery, Photographers, Nomadic Culture lovers

Expert Chengde Tour Tip from AOT:

Chengde is not common choice. Based on our real experience, AOT served about 5% travelers who visited Beijing and then Chengde. Most travelers who first time to Beijing, will choose Forbidden City and Great Wall. If you have 2 more days, plan out of Beijing, just consider Chengde tour.
We can arrange PRIVATE CAR service for your Chengde tour.
Chengde tour will be divided TWO PARTS: history sites or grassland!
1. Chengde Summer Resort is easy to access. We can take you there by high speed train or private car.
2. For those who want wild grassland horse riding experience, only private transfer available. 2 days to Fengning Bashang. While 3 days to Ulan Butong Grassland (we provide 3-hour 4WD vehicle wild driving experience on grassland!).

Free enquiry, tailored to your likes! Come for this China summer vacation 2026!

Tripadvisor

5.0

"Excellent Tour, best experience"

"A unique experience despite a difficult context thanks

to an experience team of organisers"

3 Best Chengde Tours: Chengde UNESCO Heritages & Bashang Grassland

Choose from our 3 best Chengde Tours for ROYAL Trips! Follow the footsteps of ancient emperors to Chengde to explore Chengde downtown UNESCO treasures (1-2 days) and Bashang Grassland (2-3 days more). You are also welcomed to contact our travel experts to customize a trip of your own. Book your Chengde trip NOW!

2 Days Chengde Royal Heritage Tour: Imperial Moutain Resort & Temples of Unity

Beijing - Chengde - Beijing

Want DEEPER imperial experience beyond the Forbidden City? While the Forbidden City served as the winter palace, Chengde was the Qing emperors’ summer retreat - the “Second Imperial Capital” where ...

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2 Days Fengning Bashang Grassland Tour: Horse Ride, Party Rave & Grassland Roam

Beijing - Fengning Bashang Grassland - Beijing

Can you believe it? Just a 3-hour drive from the towering skyscrapers and bustling streets of Beijing lies a boundless sea of emerald green. Welcome to Fengning Bashang Grassland, the NEAREST alpine g...

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4 Days Bashang Grassland Tour: Ulan Butong Grassland Wild Driving & Chengde UNESCO Sites

Beijing - Chengde - Chifeng - Fengning - Beijing

Do you know where the most visceral and breathtaking heart of the Bashang Grassland lies? It's Ulan Butong Grassland—a vast, emerald infinity that makes the modern world feel like a distant, fad...

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Chengde Tours FAQs - Plan Your Chengde Tours Worry-Free

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1. When is the best time to visit Chengde?

While Chengde is a year-round destination, summer (June to August) is the "golden season." As a historic royal retreat, the city offers a cool escape from the heat of Beijing. For those heading to the Bashang Grassland, both summer (for lush green vistas and horse riding) and autumn (September to early October for golden forests and photography) are highly recommended.
2. What are the main attractions in Chengde?
Chengde is home to some of China’s most impressive imperial and natural landmarks:
- The Mountain Resort (Bishu Shanzhuang): The largest existing imperial garden in China, featuring a stunning mix of lakes, palaces, and mountains.
- The Eight Outlying Temples: A cluster of magnificent religious complexes, most notably the Putuo Zongcheng Temple (the "Little Potala Palace"), which blends Tibetan and Han architectural styles.
- Puning Temple: Famous for housing the world’s largest wooden statue of the Avalokitesvara Buddha.
- Bashang Grassland:
- Hammer Rock (Bangchui Shan): A unique, pillar-shaped rock formation offering panoramic views of the city
3. How can I get from Beijing to Chengde?

The most efficient way is via driving (3-3.5 hours) or High-Speed Rail (HSR). The journey from Beijing Chaoyang Station to Chengde South Station takes approximately 1 hour, making it incredibly accessible for weekend trips. Alternatively, private car transfers or long-distance buses are available, typically taking about 3 to 4 hours depending on traffic.
4. How many days should I spend in Chengde?

2 Days: Sufficient for the highlights of Chengde downtown (The Mountain Resort and the main temples).
3–4 Days: Recommended if you plan to include a trip to the Bashang Grassland or enjoy a more leisurely pace exploring the imperial gardens.
5. Is Chengde suitable for family travels?

Absolutely. Chengde is an excellent family destination. The Mountain Resort provides vast open spaces for children to explore, while the Bashang Grassland offers engaging outdoor activities like gentle horseback riding, kite flying, and star-gazing, making it a perfect educational and recreational escape for all ages.
6. Where is the Bashang Grassland in Chengde?
Technically, Bashang refers to a vast, high-altitude plateau region where the North China Plain meets the Inner Mongolian Plateau. It is actually composed of four distinct areas across Chengde, Hebei province: Zhangbei, Fengning, Weichang, and Guyuan.

However, when travelers refer to a Chengde Bashang Tour, they are typically focusing on two primary destinations:
- Weichang Bashang (Mulan Paddock): Located in the northernmost part of Chengde. Historically the royal hunting grounds of the Qing Dynasty, it is famous for its vast forests and the stunning Ulan Butong grassland.
- Fengning Bashang (Jingbei First Grassland): Situated northwest of Chengde (closer to Beijing). It is best known for the "Hundred-Mile Sky Road," offering dramatic ridge-line drives and a cooler alpine climate.
Both areas are roughly a 3 to 4-hour drive from Chengde downtown. They offer an immersive experience into the Mongolian-influenced landscape, featuring rolling hills, silver birch forests, and peaceful horseback riding excursions.
7. Where to stay in Chengde?
Choosing the right accommodation in Chengde depends entirely on which part of this vast region you plan to explore. We recommend dividing your stay into two parts: Chengde Downtown and the Bashang Grassland area.
- Chengde Downtown (For Imperial History)
Ideal for visiting the Mountain Resort and the Eight Outlying Temples. Stay here for the best access to international 4 and 5-star hotels, local craft markets, and diverse dining options. Most hotels are within a 10-15 minute drive of the royal gardens.
- Bashang Grassland (Depending on your preferred destination)
Since Bashang is vast, your stay will depend on which grassland experience you choose:

If visiting Fengning Bashang:
- Datan Town: The most popular hub for Fengning. It offers high-end themed hotels and resorts like China Horse Town Resort. Stay here if you want to experience the "Hundred-Mile Sky Road" or enjoy the cultural performances at China Horse Town.
- Fengning County: A more local, urban option with standard business hotels, suitable as a transit stop between Beijing and the deeper grasslands.
If visiting Weichang Bashang & Saihanba:
- Hongshan Military Horse Academy Area: The heart of the Weichang/Mulan Paddock region. It is the best base for photographers and those looking for the most authentic "forest-meets-steppe" scenery.
- Saihanba National Forest Park: There are several mountain lodges and forest resorts within the park, perfect for those who want to wake up surrounded by pine and birch forests.
If visiting Ulan Butong (Inner Mongolia border):
- Gongzhu Lake (Princess Lake) Area: Famous for its stunning lakeside views and sunset photography. There are boutique yurts and high-standard hotels nearby that offer a more immersive, tranquil grassland experience.

See More Chengde Tours FAQs

Latest Chengde Tours Reviews from Our Customers

Discover what our customers are saying about the latest Chengde Tours. Browse through their recent reviews and feedback on tour arrangements, guides, transportation, attractions, dining, hotels, and detailed itineraries to plan your own unforgettable China tour. View All Customers Reviews >>

Sarah Lim

Singapore

161

What a 30-Day China Adventure — Exceeded My Expectation

I recently completed the “30 Days China Tour from Beijing” with Asia Odyssey Travel, and as someone from Singapore, I found it to be an exceptional experience.

Starting in Beijing, everything kicked off seamlessly — airport pick-up worked well, and our guide made us feel comfortable right away. Over the month we moved through a very broad selection of China’s landscapes, cities, history and culture. From the imposing Great Wall of China and Forbidden City in Beijing to ancient capitals, ethnic minority regions, high-speed train rides, rural scenery and modern metropolises.

Some of the highlights for me:

Visiting the Great Wall early in the morning when it was quiet and feeling the scale of it in person.
Seeing ancient city walls, historic towns and temples that really brought Chinese history to life.
Travelling by high-speed train across regions — the logistics were smooth and we always arrived on time.
Staying in a mix of city hotels and countryside guesthouses which gave variety.
Getting to try regional cuisines — from northern Beijing specialties to southwestern flavours, each region surprised me.

Destination(s): Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Chengdu/Sichuan, Guilin/Yangshuo, Zhangjiajie, YangtzeRiver, Xinjiang, Dunhuang/Gansu

Date of Experience: Apr 01, 2025

Tour Customized by: JoJo

You May be Interested in This Tour: 30 Days China Tour from Beijing | Ultimate China Adventure

Michael S.

USA

196

An Incredible 21-Day China Experience - Eye-Opening & Seamless

I recently completed the “21-Day China Tour from Shanghai” with Asia Odyssey Travel, and as a traveler from the U.S., I found the journey both impressive and very well managed.

Starting in Shanghai, our arrival went smoothly — airport pick-up, a comfortable downtown hotel, and a friendly local guide who helped us get oriented right away. From there, the itinerary took us through a carefully curated mix of China’s highlights: we explored ancient towns, visited imposing historical monuments, traveled on high-speed trains and domestic flights, and experienced both modern cities and scenic countryside.

Some of the standout moments for me:

Walking through the old-city lanes and seeing the contrast of modern skyscrapers and traditional architecture.
Visiting iconic landmarks (palaces, temples, historic walls) that helped me appreciate China’s deep history.
Getting a taste of regional cuisine — from street-food stalls to more refined local restaurants — and discovering how varied Chinese food is.
Being impressed by the logistics: the hotels were well chosen, transport connections worked without major hiccups, and the guides were knowledgeable and professional.

I highly recommend this tour to fellow American travelers. It offers an excellent balance of history, nature, and city life — all arranged in a smart, hassle-free manner. Thanks to Asia Odyssey Travel for making it an unforgettable experience.

Destination(s): Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Chengdu/Sichuan, Zhangjiajie

Date of Experience: Jun 10, 2025

Tour Customized by: Catherine

You May be Interested in This Tour: 21 Days China Tour from Shanghai: Pandas, Yunnan, Avatar Mountains, China's Icons

Liyana T.

Malaysia

161

Amazing 30-Day Journey Across China — Well Organized and Truly Worth It

I just came back from the 30-Day China Panorama Tour from Guangzhou with Asia Odyssey Travel, and it was truly one of the most memorable trips I’ve ever joined.

From the moment I landed in Guangzhou, everything was well-coordinated. The local guide greeted us at the airport and made us feel welcome right away. We started with classic Cantonese highlights like the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, Lychee Bay, and traditional dim sum — a great introduction to southern China’s culture.

The route that followed was impressive. We cruised along the Li River in Guilin, cycled through Yangshuo’s peaceful countryside, and admired the Longji Rice Terraces. In Yunnan, Dali and Lijiang’s old towns were full of character, with snow-capped mountains in the distance. Chengdu was all about pandas and Sichuan food, Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong looked like scenes from a painting, and Chongqing’s mountain city views were unforgettable. The trip ended with Beijing’s Great Wall and Forbidden City, and Shanghai’s skyline — the perfect contrast of history and modern life.

Everything ran smoothly throughout. The guides were professional and friendly, the hotels were clean and comfortable, and transportation was efficient. My personal highlights were sharing bamboo rice with local villagers in Longji, standing by the turquoise lakes of Jiuzhaigou, and watching the city lights in Chongqing after dinner.