Peace and action go hand in hand

The Dahan Palace, a replica of one of Genghis Khan's residences, is a highlight on the grasslands of Chengde. Photos by Yang Feiyue/China Daily

Outing offers a cool break and plenty to do and see, Yang Feiyue reports.

Relief from China's sweltering heat is a lot closer than you may sometimes think. In late June after a drive of just three hours from Beijing you can be snuggling under thick quilts in Chengde, Hebei province, where summer temperatures generally range from 15 C to 28 C.

However, for many visitors to Chengde, one of the strongest attractions is its grasslands, at their verdant best from May to October. On the days when I was there this landscape was complemented by the bluest of skies, decked with thick, chunky clouds that seemed to be almost within arm's reach, hanging over the city's Fengning Manchu autonomous county.

The final brushstrokes to this splendid picture came in the form of horses wandering the slopes, seemingly without a care in the world.

That kind of serenity no doubt largely escaped Genghis Khan (1162-1227) in 1212, busy as he was conquering the vast expanses of southern Mongolia. Today you can see the site of one of his residences, the Dahan Palace, which covers 2 square kilometers and whose surroundings include a wetland park.

Among the striking attractions are the magnificent golden tent, a replica of the one where Genghis Khan discussed official business with his ministers, statues, armored horses and temples that are an aesthetic hybrid, with Buddhist, Taoist and shaman characteristics.

If you are energetic enough to climb the stairs to the roof of the temple you will get a bird's-eye view of it all. You can practically divide what amounts to an open-air museum into halves, the left side of the palace area offering insights into how Genghis Khan conquered all, and the right side featuring barracks that consist of 600 Mongolian yurts.

The wetland park features, including river, swamp, lake, grasslands and flowers, are a wonder to behold. For those who prefer a bit of action there is horse riding, archery, golf and fishing.