A First Small Report on the City/Village of Chengde, just 4 hours North-East by Train from Beijing and home to the largest and one of the best preserved Imperial Gardens in China.

Chengde City, population some 250.000 souls, turns out to be a very worthwile excursion and escape from Beautiful, but busstling, noisy and polluted Beijing. This small City, located near the Top of Mountains in an upper river valley, is truely an escape from the summer Beijing heat. Marvelous ! Described in Lonely Planet as boring and unexciting, except for the Imperial Garden Palace and surrounding Minority Oriented Temples and Monastries is in reality so much more. Get a taste of Chinese country live, -if you  have never seen it- while taking your comfortable soft-seat train ride upthere. Breathtaking views of villages, fields and small mountain passes and Rivers. After your arrival, you will immediatly notice the Cooler Temperatures and soothingly fresh mountain air. From there ? - Your party will continue, enjoying the simple slow pace of Life in this small provincial City , the fresh fruits and excellent and tasty foods at half the price in Beijing. Some excellent Hotels have been installed recently to cater to your every wish without a Flaw. Then ?? Enjoy the splendid surrounding River Valley, Mountains, and of course the Imperial Summer Mountain Retreat, a Palace and Garden dating back to Ching Emperor KangSi and carrying some important Chinese History within it. Take your Time for your tour and visit ! A one day tour surely will not be enough for you to discover all the wonders this tiny city has to Offer. Visit Puning Si with the Largest Statue of Avalokiteshvara (Goddes of Mercy) in the Entire World ! Take a morning to enjoy the Mini-Potala built on the North Bank of the local River (the splendid Monastry is another unique in China and very well preserved by the local Monks) ! We will attempt some first reports and beautiful photos soon ! Great Place to go.