Chengde or Chengteh
[key], city, N Hebei prov., China, near the Luan River. It is a
distribution center for lumber products, fruits, and pharmaceuticals, and
has textile mills. Copper and coal deposits are south of the city. The city
is north of Beijing, with which it is connected by rail. The former summer
capital of the Ch'ing dynasty
(1644–1911), Chengde is surrounded by large parks with lakes,
palaces, pavilions, and temples. The most notable building is a Lamaist
temple duplicating the Potala palace in Lhasa, Tibet. Until 1956 the capital
of former Rehe prov., Chengde was formerly called Rehe.
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