China: Chengde Mountain Resort

Chengde Mountain Resort was built during the Qing Dynasty, it served as the vast summer retreat for emperors seeking escape from the intense heat of Beijing. Constructed over a span of 89 years between 1703-92, it represents the pinnacle of imperial Chinese garden design and palace architecture. It’s massive – over 5.6 sq km, it is more than double the size of the Summer Palace in Beijing and roughly eight times the size of the Forbidden City. The southern part contains the palaces (rather austere and simple), while the northern part has vast landscape gardens with lakes and pavilions.