Tested summer escapes in August with fewer crowds, beautiful scenery, and affordable prices

01 Hulunbuir | Inner Mongolia In August, Hulunbuir’s grasslands shine bright green, but temperatures stay just above 20 degrees Celsius. You’ll even need a light jacket in the early morning and evening. 📍 Starting from Hailar, take the route along the Morigele River. There are plenty of stops along the way, so no need to squeeze onto viewing platforms. I prefer entering the grasslands after 4 PM when the light hits at an angle and the grass waves in layers. No filter needed for photos. 🍜 Have hand-pulled meat for lunch in Erguna, paired with a bowl of milk tea. It costs about 70–80 yuan per person, much better value than in the scenic area. ⚠️ Don’t randomly ride horses by the roadside. Many are private operators with chaotic pricing. If you want to ride, go to a reputable stable and confirm the duration and insurance first. The grasslands have many mosquitoes; long pants and sleeves work better than repellent. If you stay overnight in a yurt, bring earplugs—the wind is loud and light sleepers may wake easily. The next day, visit Manzhouli. You can stroll around the Matryoshka Doll Square but avoid buying souvenirs there—they’re expensive and ordinary. The whole route takes three days, which is just right without rushing. 02 Mudanjiang | Heilongjiang I recommend splitting your time between Jingpo Lake and Mudanjiang city. Jingpo Lake is best for an overnight stay. In the morning, visit the Diaoshuilou Waterfall where the mist cools the air, making it feel unlike August. 📍 Enter through the north gate, take the sightseeing bus to the waterfall, then walk along the boardwalk to the lake. The whole trip takes about two hours and is suitable for elderly and children. ⚠️ Food inside the scenic area is expensive. Bring some snacks and water to save money for a boat ticket. In the afternoon, take a boat tour of the lake. The lake breeze cools you down no matter how strong the sun is. Stay overnight in Jingpo town where guesthouses range from 100 to 300 yuan. Book in advance. Mudanjiang city is more relaxed. Take an evening walk along the riverside path to watch locals fishing and strolling at a slow pace. 🍜 Try Korean cold noodles with Guobaorou (crispy fried pork) in the city for about 30 yuan per person. The sour and spicy flavors whet your appetite. 🚄 It’s a two-hour high-speed train ride from Harbin. You can arrive at Jingpo Lake the same day. If time is tight, you can shorten your city visit to half a day and focus on Jingpo Lake. 03 Qingdao | Shandong Qingdao is crowded in August, but the sea breeze quickly cools the heat. Laoshan Mountain is worth visiting but avoid the hottest times. ⏰ Arrive at Yangkou Scenic Area before 7 AM to climb Mitiandong Cave. It’s less crowded and cooler. Descend before 10 AM to avoid tour groups. 📍 After descending, visit Yangkou Beach. The water is clear and the sand fine, cleaner than the city’s public beaches. Don’t expect too much from the Zhanqiao Pier—it’s packed with tourists. Take a quick photo and move on. The most relaxing spot is the Olympic Sailing Center. Walk along the coast to Lover’s Dam at sunset to watch sailboats return to port. The sunset turns the sea golden, and the salty breeze feels refreshing. 🍜 In the evening, head to Taidong Pedestrian Street for grilled squid, draft beer, and spicy clams. Expect to spend 60–70 yuan per person and leave full. ⚠️ Avoid tourist boats near Zhanqiao Pier—they’re overpriced and offer a poor experience. Stay near May Fourth Square for convenient metro access to Laoshan and the Olympic Sailing Center. Qingdao is best enjoyed at a slow pace over three days and two nights. Don’t try to see too much. 04 Lishui | Zhejiang Lishui is Zhejiang’s cool corner, perfect for August. Watch the sunrise over Yunhe Terraces. ⏰ Wake up at 4:30 AM and reach the Jiuguyunhuan Viewing Platform before 5 AM. Mist rises from the valley, and the terraces look like shattered mirrors. When the sun appears, the whole valley lights up. After the sunrise, return to your guesthouse for a nap. Check out by noon and head to Jinyun Xiandu. The Dinghu Peak is the highlight, but don’t just focus on it. Walk along the creek where the sound of flowing water and shade make it much cooler than the main scenic paths. 📍 Zhutan Mountain is less crowded. The stone bridge with green mountains and water makes every photo beautiful. Qingtian Shimen Cave is even more off the beaten path. Waterfalls crash from the cliff top, and the mist cools you down in minutes. ⚠️ The paths around Shimen Cave are slippery. Wear non-slip shoes and avoid sandals. 🍜 Jinyun baked flatbread is best fresh out of the oven. Filled with preserved vegetable and pork, it costs 3 yuan each. Pair it with a bowl of wontons for a simple, comforting meal. Lishui’s attractions are spread out, so self-driving or hiring a car is recommended. Public transport is inconvenient. Four days is just right for these three spots. 05 Chizhou | Anhui Chizhou in August is all about Jiuhua Mountain. But don’t expect to hike the main mountain—it’s too hot. I recommend the back mountain, Tiantai Scenic Area. ⏰ Take the cable car up at 7 AM. The mountain breeze cools you instantly. 📍 At the entrance to Tiantai Zen Temple, there’s an ancient pine tree. Stand in its shade and listen to the wind through the needles—it’s more refreshing than any air conditioner. After descending, visit Jiuhua Street at the foot of the mountain. 🍜 Try a bowl of vegetarian noodles with shiitake mushrooms and dried bamboo shoots. The broth is so flavorful it’ll surprise you. ⚠️ Jiuhua Mountain is popular for worship, but don’t buy incense from roadside vendors. The temples provide free incense, so don’t waste money. If you’re with elderly or children, skip Tiantai and go straight to Baisuigong. The cable car goes directly there, with fewer steps and equally nice views. Stay near Jiuhua Street to hear the morning bells and enjoy starry evening walks. The mountain nights are cool, unlike summer. Two days and one night is enough. On the third day, visit Ping Tian Lake in Chizhou city. It’s quiet with a pleasant lake breeze. 06 Shijiazhuang | Hebei Shijiazhuang isn’t cool in August, but its unique attractions make it worth a trip. The Zhaozhou Bridge is a familiar textbook landmark. 📍 The Xiao River under the bridge is long gone, but the bridge’s arches still show the ingenuity of over a thousand years ago. ⚠️ Don’t buy souvenirs near the bridge—they’re expensive and uninteresting. After visiting the bridge, go to Bailin Zen Temple in Qiaoxi District. Ancient cypresses tower overhead, and the temple is so quiet you can hear your footsteps. It’s much cooler than the bridge area. 🍜 For lunch, try donkey meat sandwich in Zhaoxian with a bowl of mixed noodle soup. It costs about 20 yuan per person and is very satisfying. In the afternoon, return to the city and visit the Hebei Museum. Its treasure is the gold-threaded jade burial suit from the Mancheng Han tomb. After the visit, you’ll catch the cool evening breeze. 🚄 It takes about 40 minutes by taxi from Shijiazhuang Station to Zhaoxian. Renting a car for about 300 yuan a day is more convenient than taking the bus. One day is enough to explore. Don’t try to see too much. 07 Xinxiang | Henan Baquan and Baligou in Xinxiang are great water spots but with very different vibes. Baquan feels like a resort with emerald water and boardwalks along the water. There are small waterfalls every few steps. ⏰ Before 10 AM, it’s less crowded. The sound of water and birds makes for a relaxing walk. 📍 The glass boardwalk in the scenic area isn’t for those afraid of heights. You can bypass it with just a 10-minute detour. Baligou is wilder with high mountains and rushing water. The Tianhe Waterfall crashes from a hundred meters high, and the mist spreads dozens of meters away. Stand close and you’ll be soaked and cooled. ⚠️ Baligou has many steps. If you have knee problems, take the electric cart to the waterfall base and walk a short distance. 🍜 Hawthorn skewers and roasted sweet potatoes at the scenic area entrance are cheap and satisfying. Stay in Huixian County for about 100 yuan a night. It’s more affordable than inside the scenic areas and convenient for entering the mountains the next day. Spend one day at each scenic area—two days total is just right. Families with children should prioritize Baquan for its shallow, safe water. Elderly visitors should assess their ability before visiting Baligou. 08 Xuzhou | Jiangsu Xuzhou is hot in August, but the evening at Yunlong Lake is worth the sweat. ⏰ Arrive after 5 PM when the sun starts to set. The lake sparkles gold, and the breeze brings coolness from the water. 📍 Walk along the east shore to Sugong Tower. It’s less crowded with wide views of the lake. 🍜 For dinner, go to Huilongwo by the lake and try Xuzhou rice noodles with braised pork. It costs about 30 yuan per person. It’s spicy enough to make you sweat but very satisfying. ⚠️ Avoid visiting Yunlong Lake at noon. The sun is direct with no shade, and you’ll want to escape after 10 minutes. If you have more time, visit the Han Culture Scenic Area to see the Han terracotta warriors. It’s smaller than Xi’an’s but less crowded. One hour is enough to explore. 🚄 It takes about 20 minutes by taxi from Xuzhou East Station to Yunlong Lake. Stay at a lakeside hotel to enjoy a morning run around the lake. One day is enough—spend the afternoon and evening at Yunlong Lake and the morning at the Han Culture Scenic Area for a balanced pace. These 8 places are cool in August. Hulunbuir is the most vast, Qingdao the most comfortable, Lishui the most magical, and Jiuhua Mountain the most peaceful. Which one will you choose? Share in the comments.