Chengde Mountain Resort Museum

Chengde Mountain Resort Museum
承德避暑山庄博物院

Address: Lizhengmen Avenue, Shuangqiao district, Chengde, Hebei province
Hours:
Apr 1-30: 7:30 am-5 pm (last entry 4 pm);
May 1-Oct 9: 7 am-6 pm (last entry 5 pm);
Oct 10-March 31: 8 am-4:40 pm (last entry 3:40 pm)
Admission:
The museum is free to visit, but a ticket is required to enter the Chengde Mountain Resort, within which the museum is located. The ticket prices are as follows.
Peak season (Apr 1-Oct 31): 130 yuan ($18)
Off season (Nov 1-March 31): 90 yuan
Tel: (+86-314)-2050936

The Chengde Mountain Resort Museum is located at the palace zone of the Chengde Mountain Resort, which is the largest existing classical imperial garden in China.

Emperors Kangxi (r.1662-1722), Qianlong (r.1736-1795), Jiaqing (r.1796-1820) and Xianfeng (r.1851-1861) of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) lived in the zone when they visited Chengde. Together with the Palace Museum in Beijing and the Shenyang Palace Museum, it is one of China’s three major museums dedicated to the Qing Dynasty history.

The museum’s collection encompasses 32 categories of more than 170,000 artifacts, primarily featuring Qing Dynasty imperial treasures. Visitors can enjoy 15 meticulously curated displays that include period rooms of the Hall of Frugality and Placidity (Danbo Jingcheng dian), the Study of Four Types of Knowledge (Sizhi Shuwu) and Hall of Refreshing Lake Mists (Yanbo Zhishuang dian), as well as thematic exhibitions on its collections of hanging screens, timepieces, ceramics, enamels and glassware at other historical structures.

The museum’s architecture is divided into three main sections:

The main palace complex: Originally built between 1711 and 1713 and renovated in 1754, this complex spans more than 10,000 square meters with 219 bays. It served as the Qing emperors’ residence and venue for dealing with state affairs in Chengde. With structures such as the Gate of Upright Purity (Lizheng men), the Meridian Gate (Wu men), the Palace Gate (Gong men), the Hall of Frugality and Placidity, and the Study of Four Types of Knowledge, it follows traditional imperial layouts, with nine courtyards unfolding along a central axis while retaining the serene, natural ambiance of a classical garden.

The Hall of Pine and Crane (Songhe zhai) area: Constructed in 1749, this complex east of the Main Palace area was commissioned by Emperor Qianlong as a retreat for his mother. Named to symbolize longevity, it features eight courtyards. With towering ancient trees and a thoughtfully landscaped environment, it offers a tranquil and elegant escape.

The Pine Soughing Valley area (Wanhe Songfeng): The earliest set of palace structures in the resort, it sits atop a hill overlooking the lake. Surrounded by semi-enclosed corridors and with a flexible, layered layout, it reflects the elegant style of the Jiangnan-style gardens and seamlessly integrates with the natural beauty of its surroundings.

The Chengde Mountain Resort Museum captures both the grandeur of imperial palaces and the timeless allure of Chinese gardens, inviting visitors to explore the imperial heritage of the Qing Dynasty.