Chengde, Hebei Discount Hotels, Hostels

For those looking to get away from the heat of Beijing in the sweltering summer months, you may be advised to follow the lessons of history. It was the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911 AD) emperors, starting with the revered Kangxi, that were to truly appreciate the cooling charms of the little village of Rehe or Jehol, that has since come to be known as Chengde. The Qing court were to live here between May and late October every year, until finally the warming comforts of the capital lured them back. Nowadays, Chengde not only still has these cool summers, it also retains the memories of this Qing invasion with some of the best Imperial Garden architecture in China.