Chengde

City overview

Chengde, a fifth-tier city in Hebei Province, is a key historical and cultural city in North China. Famous for the UNESCO World Heritage Site—the Mountain Resort and its surrounding temples, it served as the summer palace of the Qing Dynasty. With distinct seasons, cool summers, and a landscape of mountains and rivers, its economy relies on tourism, culture, and green industries. Offering complete education and healthcare facilities at a low cost of living, Chengde is an ideal destination for international students to experience traditional Chinese culture and natural beauty.

Basic information

Geography and climate

Detailed introduction

Chengde is located in northeastern Hebei Province, at the junction of North China and Northeast China, bordering the Inner Mongolia Plateau to the north and the Beijing-Tianjin area to the south. Covering about 39,719 square kilometers with a permanent population of 3.29 million, it is one of China’s first designated historical and cultural cities. Chengde gained worldwide fame for the Mountain Resort and the Eight Outer Temples built during the reigns of Emperors Kangxi and Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty, which were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. The city has a rich historical heritage as a melting pot of Manchu, Han, Mongolian, and Tibetan cultures, featuring unique imperial gardens and Tibetan Buddhist architecture. Economically, Chengde relies on tourism as its pillar industry, while also developing green energy, eco-agriculture, and intelligent manufacturing. In recent years, thanks to its excellent air quality and abundant hot springs, it has become a popular health and wellness destination in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. In education, the city hosts Hebei Normal University for Nationalities, Chengde Medical University, and other institutions, offering diverse programs for international students. The cost of living is low, the pace of life is relaxed, and the community is safe and friendly. Transportation is convenient, with high-speed rail reaching Beijing in just one hour, plus well-developed regular rail and expressway networks. Chengde has four distinct seasons: cool and rainy summers, cold and dry winters—making it a perfect summer retreat. For international students eager to delve into Chinese history, architectural art, and ethnic cultures, Chengde provides a unique and immersive learning environment.