Climatic impacts on the rise and decline of 'Mulan Qiuxian' and 'Chengde Bishu' in North China, 1683-1820

► We discuss the relationship between past climate change and imperial activities. ► Qiuxian and Bishu rose in warm periods and declined in cold and wet background. ► Although not the decisive one, climate played an important role as an accelerator. ► Some of the decisions of the Qing court could be regarded as human adaptations.