Where to travel this summer without the heat? See if any of these are for you
🌿1. Tianshui, Gansu
30-word highlight: A cool, cultural city in Northwest China, featuring grottoes, streams, and forests. Enjoy comfortable, dry temperatures, avoid Dunhuang crowds, and combine family study tours with summer escape.
Best time: The entire month of August. Mostly clear days with nighttime rain, lush green forests, and comfortable boardwalk hikes without scorching heat.
Transportation: High-speed rail directly to Tianshui South Station. City buses cover the old town. Tourist routes are available for Maijishan Grottoes and Xianrenya. Self-driving offers flexible circular routes.
Must-do activities for summer vacation: Maijishan Grottoes, Xianrenya, Fuxi Temple, Quxi Grand Canyon, Jih River Scenic Belt.
Photo guide: Wide-angle shots of cliff grotto facades, forest streams and shallows, ancient architectural eaves, and distant riverside sunsets.
Cuisine: Tianshui Malatang, Jiangshui Noodles, Guagua, Zhurouhe.
Tips: The grotto boardwalks are narrow, so keep an eye on children. Souvenirs around the scenic area are overpriced; try to buy them in city markets.
🌫️2. Songyang, Zhejiang
30-word highlight: A hidden ancient village paradise in the clouds of Southern Zhejiang. Enjoy cool, moist mountain temperatures year-round, with terraced fields, tea gardens, and ancient mud-brick villages, avoiding the crowds of popular Western Zhejiang attractions.
Best time: Early to late August. Frequent morning mountain mists, cool streams, and dense tree cover make it perfect for a slow-paced vacation.
Transportation: Take high-speed rail to Lishui Station, then transfer to a long-distance bus. It's a 2.5-hour drive from Hangzhou. Ride-hailing services are convenient for short trips within the county.
Must-do activities for summer vacation: Chenjiapu Village, Yangjiatang Ancient Village, Damushan Tea Garden, Songyang Old Street, Ruoliao Primeval Forest.
Photo guide: Mountain villages enveloped in mist, golden terraced fields, aerial views of tea plantations, and shaded stream trails.
Cuisine: Jinyun Shaobing, Qiaorougeng, Dried Bamboo Shoots with Cured Meat, Huizhigao.
Tips: Mountain areas have large temperature differences between morning and evening, so bring a light jacket. Do not enter wild mountain trails alone. Roads can be slippery on rainy days.
❄️3. Zhouning, Fujian
30-word highlight: A cool mountain city in Eastern Fujian, with temperatures 8℃ lower than the coast. Features multi-tiered waterfalls and ancient villages along streams, offering shade throughout the area with very few tourists in summer.
Best time: August, during the flood season, when waterfalls are spectacular with abundant water. Morning mists shroud the villages, creating an excellent atmosphere.
Transportation: Take high-speed rail to Ningde Station, then transfer to a long-distance bus. Roads to the county seat are smooth for self-driving. Urban and rural buses connect various villages and attractions.
Must-do activities for summer vacation: Jiulongji Waterfall, Liyuxi Stream, Cloud Tea Garden, Chenqiao Strange Rocks, Zhouning Old Town.
Photo guide: Tiered waterfall flows, ancient village streets with flowing water, sea of clouds in high-mountain tea gardens, and cliffside mountain views.
Cuisine: Zhouning Bianrou, Potato Guo, Loach Noodles, Konjac Tofu.
Tips: Waterfall viewing platforms can be slippery, so watch your step. Tea gardens have many mosquitoes, so prepare repellent in advance.
🏔️4. Guyuan, Ningxia
30-word highlight: A plateau city at the foot of Liupan Mountain, defying the dry heat image of Northwest China. Features terraced fields, canyons, and vast forests, offering a dry and cool summer at a low cost.
Best time: The entire month of August. Dense forest vegetation and clear river valley streams. Avoids the high temperatures of the Northwest Gobi, providing a comfortable experience.
Transportation: High-speed rail directly to Guyuan Station. Buses go to the Liupan Mountain area. Carpooling for a circular tour is very cost-effective.
Must-do activities for summer vacation: Liupan Mountain National Forest Park, Laolongtan, Huoshizhai Danxia Landform, Diecai Terraced Fields, Qingshui River Trail.
Photo guide: Aerial views of mountain terraced fields, emerald green canyon pools, Danxia mountain formations, and distant forest views.
Cuisine: Guyuan Hot Pot, Buckwheat Noodles, Steamed Chicken, Oat Rou Rou.
Tips: Plateau UV rays are strong, so strictly protect yourself from the sun. In forest areas, strictly follow planned routes and do not go off-road without permission.
🌊5. Jingxi, Guangxi
30-word highlight: A cool karst city on the China-Vietnam border, with continuous peaks, waterfalls, and lakes. It's moist but not humid, with far fewer visitors than Guilin and Yangshuo.
Best time: August, during the flood season, when Detian Waterfall has abundant water and the countryside is lush green. Brief afternoon showers quickly clear up.
Transportation: High-speed rail directly to Jingxi Station from Nanning in 1.5 hours. City buses and electric bikes are available for getting around. Self-driving connects various scenic spots.
Must-do activities for summer vacation: E'quan Spring, Tongling Grand Canyon, Quyong Lake, Jiuzhou Ancient Town, Gulongshan Grand Canyon.
Photo guide: Reflections of peaks on the lake, wide-angle shots of giant waterfalls, ancient villages with embroidered balls, and lakeside roads.
Cuisine: Jingxi Rolled Rice Noodles, Five-Color Glutinous Rice, Suanye, River Fish Hotpot.
Tips: Do not cross warning fences along the border. The interior of the canyon can be chilly, so bring a light jacket before entering.
🌲6. Zhenyuan, Guizhou
30-word highlight: An ancient city of a thousand years surrounded by the Wuyang River. Enjoy constant cool temperatures in summer, with gentle and comfortable riverside trails. It's quieter and less commercialized than Xijiang Miao Village.
Best time: Early to late August. The river water is emerald green and clear, and the night lights create a strong ambiance. Daytime activities are not stuffy or hot.
Transportation: High-speed rail directly to Zhenyuan Station. The ancient city is within walking distance. Riverside strolls and short boat trips are available.
Must-do activities for summer vacation: Zhenyuan Ancient Town, Zhusheng Bridge, Sifangjing Alley, Gaoguohe Shoal, Wuyang River boat tour.
Photo guide: Night views of stilt houses by the water, sunsets over ancient stone bridges, bluestone alleys, and reflections of mountains and rivers on the water.
Cuisine: Douhua Glutinous Rice, Rice Tofu, Sour Soup Fish, Zhenyuan Daocai.
Tips: The riverside can be humid in the evening, so avoid prolonged exposure to the wind. Boat tours are optional; you can explore the entire ancient city without taking a boat.
🏯7. Changting, Fujian
30-word highlight: A Hakka ancient city of a thousand years in Western Fujian, with the Tingjiang River flowing through it. The streets and alleys are shaded year-round, and snacks are abundant and affordable, avoiding the crowded tourist flow of Fenghuang Ancient Town.
Best time: August. Gentle breezes on the river continuously cool the area. Old alleys have dense tree shade, and mostly sunny days make it suitable for a leisurely food and sightseeing vacation.
Transportation: High-speed rail directly to Changting South Station. Buses go directly to the ancient city area. The urban area is not large, and core attractions can be reached on foot.
Must-do activities for summer vacation: Tingjiang Riverside Boardwalk, Diantou Street, Ancient City Wall, Wolong Academy, surrounding Hakka villages.
Photo guide: Sunsets over the ancient city wall, old streets by the water, red lantern alleys, and misty morning views of the river.
Cuisine: Yuzi Jiao, Boiled River Chicken, Pickled Pig Kidney, Boji Ban.
Tips: Do not buy overpriced Hakka specialties at the scenic area entrance; local shops in the old town offer better value.
🌴8. Puer, Yunnan
30-word highlight: A mild and cool summer retreat in the tea city of Southern Yunnan. Ten thousand acres of ancient tea gardens are shrouded in mist. The moderate altitude means no significant altitude sickness, and wild mushroom delicacies are abundant in summer.
Best time: August, during the rainy season, when tea mountains frequently have a sea of clouds. Temperatures are cool and not stuffy, avoiding the peak season crowds of Dali and Lijiang.
Transportation: High-speed rail directly to Puer Station. Ride-hailing services to suburban tea gardens. City buses cover lakeside leisure routes.
Must-do activities for summer vacation: Meizihu Park, Jingmai Mountain Ancient Tea Garden, Sun River National Forest Park, Puer Old Town Night Market.
Photo guide: Layered tea fields with a sea of clouds, lakeside trails, candid shots of rainforest animals, and ancient city streets.
Cuisine: Dai-style Crushed Chicken Feet, Wild Mushroom Hotpot, Puer Rice Noodles, Jackfruit.
Tips: When trying wild mushrooms for the first time, be sure to choose reputable restaurants. Prepare mosquito repellent for tea mountain hikes and do not pick unknown wild fruits.