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Chengde Mountain Resort
The Chengde Mountain Resort, also known as the Rehe Imperial Summer Resort, is China’s largest existing imperial garden and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built between 1703 and 1792 under Emperor Kangxi and Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty, it served as the summer retreat for emperors seeking relief from Beijing’s heat. Covering 564 hectares (8 times larger than the Forbidden City), the resort blends natural landscapes with architectural marvels, symbolizing the Qing emperors’ harmony with nature and their multicultural governance. Its palaces, temples, and gardens reflect Tibetan, Mongolian, and Han Chinese influences, making it a microcosm of imperial China’s territorial unity.