This summer has been exceptionally hot, and it seems to have attracted a record number of domestic travelers in China. This trend started even before the official start of summer. I recall that since the beginning of April, it was already becoming difficult to book tickets to popular destinations like the Forbidden City.

Under normal circumstances, it would be advisable to stay home during such special times. However, like many others, we couldnt bear staying home any longer after three years of dealing with the pandemic. We felt the need to go somewhere, to explore and experience new places.

During our travels, we visited three cities: Zhengzhou, Chengde, and Shenyang. Here are my brief comments on each of these trips.

Zhengzhou is my hometown and the capital city of Henan Province.

We had a big family get together in the nearby mountain, only 1.5 hours from Zhengzhou City.

My parents, my brother‘s family, my family(back from Beijing), my sister’s family（back from Hefei）all joined the trip. We spent three nights at a peaceful mountain resort with beautiful gardens, enjoying each others company and going on short excursions. It was a wonderful family reunion, and we have plans to do it again next summer, this time in a different location.

Afterward, my family extended our stay in Zhengzhou. I am amazed by the citys rapid development and its vibrant atmosphere. The construction of the Island of Finance is almost complete, and soon various financial companies and organizations will begin moving in. The nightlife in Zhengzhou is also bustling, with crowds of people filling the streets. It is truly an energetic and lively city.

After spending just one day back in Beijing, we embarked on a high-speed train journey to Chengde City, which took a mere one hour. Chengde, situated in Hebei Province, over 200 kilometers northeast of Beijing, served as the favored summer escape for the Qing Dynasty emperors. This city is renowned for its remarkable ensemble of imperial architecture, most notably the awe-inspiring Chengde Mountain Resort, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nestled amidst scenic mountains and verdant forests, Chengde presents breathtaking landscapes and an atmosphere of serenity that captivates visitors.

The first place we visited was Puning Temple. It is a grand Buddhist temple famous for its towering wooden statue of Guanyin, the goddess of mercy. It was built during the reign of Emperor Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty and combines Han and Tibetan architectural styles. The front half of the temple features Han Chinese characteristics, while the back half adopts Tibetan architectural elements, inspired by the Sangyuan Temple in Tibet.
The day we visited it was Friday (11 Aug) and was quiet.

The next morning (Saturday), we set off to visit the Mountain Resort in Chengde. As anticipated, we were greeted by a large number of tourists, but the sheer volume still surprised us. We had hoped that beyond the main building area, people would disperse throughout the mountains and lakes, but in reality, there were crowds everywhere.

Nevertheless, the views were undeniably breathtaking, making the trip well worth a full days visit. As we strolled out of the resort around 6:00 PM, we couldnt help but feel exhausted from a day filled with exploration and adventure.

On Sunday, due to my son not feeling well, we had to adjust our plans and decided to visit the Chengde Museum instead of the two other must-see temples. It was a more relaxed and educational experience, allowing us to learn about the history and culture of Chengde.

Fun fact about Chengde: They only have shared e-bikes, but no shared bicycles at all.

After dinner, we boarded a 2.5-hour train from Chengde to Shenyang City. We were excited to explore Shenyang, with its rich historical significance and vibrant city life awaiting us.
On Monday we explored the 2 must-see places in Shenyang: Zhangs Mansion and Shenyang Imperial Palace.
Zhangs Mansion was the former residence of Zhang Zuolin, a prominent warlord during the early 20th century in China. This magnificent mansion showcases a blend of Chinese and Western architectural styles, with its grand courtyards, intricate woodwork, and elegant gardens. The mansion provides insights into the political and social history of the era.

Once the imperial residence of the Qing Dynastys early emperors, Shenyang Imperial Palace stands as a symbol of the regions rich history and cultural heritage. Exploring the Shenyang Imperial Palace allows one to immerse themselves in the grand imperial atmosphere and gain a deeper understanding of Chinas imperial legacy.

I visited Shenyang myself in Aug 2020 and the biggest difference was there were many more visitors this time! Check my previous visit : My Trip To The Northeast Of China (charmission.cn)

On Tuesday we visited Qing Zhaoling, whichis a majestic imperial tomb located in Shenyang. It is the final resting placeof Huang Taiji, the founder of the Qing Dynasty.

Again, my son wasnt feeling well, so wereturned to Beijing in the evening after visiting Qing Zhaoling.

Last but not least, here are some of thelocal dishes we had. Nice and cheap.

In conclusion, we really enjoyed our summertrip. It is true that there are so many people everywhere, but it was fun to bein the crowd again~.

Sincerely, Angie Guo - Charmission Travel