Why did Qing emperors use Bishu Shanzhuang in Chengde?

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Baoding: Lotus Pond Garden — Hebei Lotus Pond Garden, Baoding, Hebei province, China.

Qing emperors utilized the Bishu Shanzhuang (Mountain Estate for Escaping the Heat) in Chengde primarily as a summer residence to escape the heat of Beijing.1

Beyond its function as a seasonal retreat, the estate served as a vital political and diplomatic hub for the Qing dynasty:

Diplomatic Engagement: The emperor used the site to receive foreign envoys, most notably the British mission led by Earl Macartney in 1793.1
Vassal Relations: It was the location where Mongol vassal princes gathered annually for a great feast, reinforcing the emperor's authority and maintaining political ties with regional leaders.1

The practice of imperial summer visits to Chengde was a standard tradition for the court until it was gradually discontinued after 1821.1