Does anyone know?! This place is so hot in the summer, I regret not going sooner!
Summer Retreats Revealed! These 8️⃣ Places You'll Need a Blanket in Summer
01 Altay Region|Xinjiang
When summer arrives, while other places are experiencing sauna-like conditions, Altay is like a natural air conditioner. Daytime temperatures are in the early twenties, but at night they plummet to the teens. You'll wake up freezing without a blanket.
📍 Kanas Lake: It's recommended to arrive before 10 AM. The morning mist hasn't dissipated yet, and the lake's colors are like a spilled palette. In the afternoon, with more tourists, the queue at the fish-viewing platform can be at least half an hour, halving the experience.
🍜 Burqin County's night market offers grilled dogfish with kvass. The fish skin is crispy, and the meat is so tender it falls apart with chopsticks. You can eat your fill for around 50 yuan per person, much more affordable than in the scenic area.
⚠️ Keketuohai: Don't just focus on Shenzhong Mountain. Walk two kilometers along the Ertis River, and you'll find a birch forest. In the evening, the light filters through the leaves, making for perfect photos without a filter. But remember to bring a thick coat; once the sun sets, the wind gets chilly. 🚄 A taxi from Altay Airport to the city center costs about 40 yuan; sharing a ride is even cheaper. For a comfortable stay, choose Burqin County, which is not far from Kanas and Keketuhai. It's quiet at night, perfect for relaxation.
02 Shenzhen | Guangdong
Don't laugh, Shenzhen summers are indeed hot, but it's the kind of city where you can find shelter from the heat. Indoor air conditioning is strong enough to wear long sleeves, and there are so many places to enjoy water activities that it's overwhelming.
📍 Dameisha Beach Park is free to enter, but remember to make a reservation in advance through their official account; going directly during peak season will likely result in being turned away. Going into the sea after 4 pm is less intense, as the sun isn't as strong, and the sand isn't too hot.
🌊 To avoid the crowds, walk two kilometers east to Beizijiao Beach. It's less crowded, the waves are smaller, and locals only go there on weekends. The water is cleaner than Dameisha, making it suitable for children to slowly dig in the sand.
⚠️ Between Window of the World and OCT (Overseas Chinese Town), my suggestion is to choose one. Window of the World is suitable for first-time visitors to Shenzhen; it's good for taking photos. The Ecological Plaza and Creative Park in OCT (Overseas Chinese Town) are better for exploring—free and comfortable; there's no need to spend 200 yuan to see the miniature models.
🏨 For accommodation, choose places along the Futian or Nanshan subway lines. They're convenient for getting to the beach and the city center, cheaper than staying in Dameisha, and you can even go downstairs for a bowl of Chaoshan rice noodle soup in the evening.
03 Longyan City | Fujian
Summer in Longyan is the kind of comfortable weather where "it's cool in the mornings and evenings, and sunny but not stuffy at midday." With its many mountains and dense forests, the temperature drops three degrees as soon as you enter a village.
🏠 Don't just visit the "Four Dishes and One Soup" at Yongding Tulou. Head towards Hongkeng Village; next to the "Zhencheng Building," the "Prince of Tulou," there's a small path leading to the back of the building where you can see residents drying vegetables and cured meat—the atmosphere is much more authentic than in the tourist area. The entrance fee is 90 yuan, but you can share a guide; 20 yuan per person for a lecture on the Hakka migration history is worthwhile.
🍜 The essence of Changting Ancient City lies in its nighttime atmosphere. After the Jichuan Gate tower lights up, stroll along Diantou Street, where roadside stalls offer braised pork kidneys and taro dumplings for just over ten yuan a bowl—the broth is so delicious it'll make your eyebrows fall off!
⚠️ Don't explore the ancient city during the day; it's sunny and deserted, with only half the shops open. It truly comes alive at night.
🌿 Guanzhai Mountain is suitable for those with good stamina. Take a boat from Shimen Lake to enter, then hike up and back—the whole trip takes three hours. If you're with elderly people or children, skip it and head straight to Peitian Ancient Village at the foot of the mountain. Sitting by the pond and relaxing is much more comfortable than hiking.
⏰ Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit Longyan. While summer isn't hot, the afternoon sun can still be quite strong, so remember to wear a hat.
04 Panjin City|Liaoning
In Panjin's summer, the wind is salty, the roads are red, and the temperature is just right for short sleeves. Compared to the sticky heat of the south, the dryness here makes you want to take a deep breath.
🦀 The best time to visit the Red Beach Scenic Corridor is from September to October, when the Suaeda salsa is at its most vibrant red. Visiting in summer, with its green hues tinged with red, also has its own unique charm. The corridor is 18 kilometers long; don't expect to walk, rent an electric cart and drive slowly, stopping to take photos as you please.
🍜 After visiting the Red Beach, head to Erjiegou Town for rice paddy crabs. In June, the crabs are already plump and full of roe. Local fishermen cook them at their homes, and the price is around 70-80 yuan per person, much more affordable than the restaurants near the scenic area entrance.
⚠️ It's over 40 kilometers from Panjin city to the Red Beach, with no direct bus. A taxi ride costs around 100 yuan one way. It's recommended to hire a car for half a day; you can negotiate a price under 250 yuan including round trip and waiting time.
🚄 Taking the high-speed train from Yingkou Station to Panjin only takes 20 minutes, much faster than the hassle of traveling from Shenyang. For accommodation, choose Xinglongtai District. It's close to both the scenic area and the city center, and you can even visit the night market in the evening.
05 Baoshan City | Yunnan
Baoshan is the kind of place you'll recommend to everyone after visiting once. The average summer temperature is 20 degrees Celsius, and you need to close the windows at night to avoid waking up chilly.
♨️ Tengchong Rehai Scenic Area: Go at 8 am to avoid crowds. Boil the hot spring eggs in the hot spring for ten minutes, and the yolks will be perfectly cooked. The straw-woven egg bags sold at the entrance of the scenic area are only five yuan each; don't think they're rustic, they're very practical.
🏮 Heshun Ancient Town is most beautiful at dusk. The lotus flowers along the rice paddies are in full bloom, and the sunlight turns the stone paths golden. Don't stay inside the ancient town; dragging your suitcase along the stone paths will make you question your existence. Stay at one of the guesthouses near the town entrance; you can open the window to see the rice paddies, and you can hear frogs croaking at night.
🌿 Beihai Wetland: Walking on grass rafts looks scary, but it feels like walking on a spring mattress.
⚠️ Remember to wear sandals or flip-flops. The gaps between the straw mats are full of water, and sneakers will be ruined in no time.
🍜 In Tengchong, rice noodles with fried dough sticks are a standard breakfast, enough to fill you up for just five yuan. For lunch, just find a random shop and eat "Da Jiu Jia" (a local specialty), the rice cakes are fried until soft and chewy, a hundred times better than the fast food at tourist attractions.
⏰ Yunfeng Mountain is best visited in the afternoon. After climbing the mountain, you can catch the sunset. The cable car stops operating at 5 pm, so don't be there at the last minute.
06 Chongqing
Chongqing summers are really hot, but if you choose the right place, you can still have a cool time. The secret is simple: go into the mountains and caves.
🏔️ Wulong Karst Tourist Area: Take a bus from Fairy Mountain Town, and the temperature is eight degrees Celsius lower than in the city. At the bottom of the Three Natural Bridges, the sun doesn't reach, and a cool breeze blows; even wearing short sleeves is a bit chilly.
⚠️ Wear non-slip shoes; the steps are slippery, and I saw someone slip and fall.
🛕 The Dazu Rock Carvings, especially the Baodingshan area, are the highlight. The exquisite Song Dynasty sculptures are so beautiful that photos can't capture even a fraction of their detail. Hiring a guide is highly recommended; otherwise, you'll just exclaim "Wow!" and remember nothing. Tickets are around 100 RMB, and a guide costs 80 RMB. Sharing with a group is more cost-effective.
🌄 Jinyun Mountain is best visited in the evening. Climb to the top of Lion Peak and watch the entire Beibei District bathed in golden light at sunset. The Taoist temples on the mountain are free to enter, and the vegetarian food inside costs 10 RMB per person—surprisingly delicious.
🍜 Back in the city at night, avoid the crowds at Hongyadong. Head to Nanbin Road and find a riverside food stall. Enjoy grilled pig brains and ice jelly while feeling the river breeze—this is the right way to experience a Chongqing summer.
🏨 Staying near Jiefangbei is convenient, but expensive. Staying in Daping or Shiyou Road is just three subway stops from the city center, saving you half the room rate, and there are even more snacks downstairs.
07 Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture | Qinghai
Summer in Haibei isn't cool, it's cold. In July, when I went to the Qilian Mountains, the car windows were frosted over in the morning. The daytime high was only around 20 degrees Celsius, and at night it dropped to single digits.
⛰️ At the Qilian Mountain Grassland, don't stop to take pictures on the roadside. Drive ten kilometers inwards, and there's a fenced-off pasture by the herders themselves. It costs 20 yuan per person, and no one will fight you for a good spot. The wind is strong on the grassland; wearing a windbreaker isn't for looks, it's purely for survival.
🌊 At the viewing platform of the Heihe Grand Canyon, standing there and looking down, the river water is emerald green, and the roaring sound is terrifying.
⚠️ The wind is extremely strong at the edge of the canyon; hold onto your hat and phone tightly, or you won't be able to retrieve them if they fall.
🐎 At the Ami Dongsuo Scenic Area, you can ride horses along the meadows at the foot of the glacier. Local herders will lead the horses; it costs 80 yuan per hour. Not recommended for children or the elderly, as the ride can be very bumpy.
🏨 Stay in Qilian County. In the evening, find a restaurant for yak hotpot. The meat is thick and the broth is sweet and flavorful. It costs about 60 yuan per person, enough to make you feel full. The county town is at an altitude of 2700 meters, so altitude sickness is generally not a problem, but you should still walk slowly.
⏰ The most beautiful time is late July to early August when the rapeseed flowers bloom, turning the snow-capped mountains a golden yellow. The beauty is indescribable in photos; you have to see it for yourself.
08 Tai'an City | Shandong
Climbing Mount Tai to escape the summer heat sounds like a joke, but it's really true. The temperature difference between the top and bottom is seven or eight degrees Celsius. It gets chilly at the summit at night; you can't stand it without a jacket.
⛰️ Night climbing of Mount Tai is a classic route. Starting from Hongmen, the entire journey takes about four to five hours to reach Nantianmen. Bring your own flashlight; renting one on the mountain is expensive and the light is dim. Supply stations are everywhere along the way; bottled water is 5 yuan a bottle, and instant noodles are 15 yuan—reasonably priced.
🌅 Check the sunrise time in advance and arrive at Jade Emperor Peak half an hour early to secure a good spot. Don't crowd at Zhanlutai; it's so crowded you can barely move. There's a small platform on the east side of Sunrise Peak with a decent view, but half the crowd.
⚠️ After watching the sunrise, don't rush down the mountain. Take the cable car from South Heaven Gate to Middle Heaven Gate, then walk down. This will lessen the strain on your knees. Walking the whole way will leave your legs so sore the next day you won't be able to walk downstairs—no joke.
🍜 After descending, go to the old town of Tai'an and have a bowl of Sanmei Tofu from the Taishan Tofu Feast—it's as tender as steamed egg. Served with a scallion pancake, it's a very satisfying meal for about 30 yuan per person.
🚄 A taxi from Tai'an Station to Hongmen takes about 15 minutes and costs 20 yuan. For a comfortable stay, choose accommodations near Tianwai Village. It's close to the trailhead and you can even take an evening stroll in Dai Temple Square.
Summer Escape Revealed! These 8️⃣ Places You'll Need a Blanket in Summer
01 Altay Region|Xinjiang
When summer arrives, while other places are like saunas, Altay is like a natural air conditioner. Daytime temperatures are in the early twenties, but at night they plummet to the teens. You'll wake up freezing without a blanket.
📍 For Kanas Lake, it's recommended to arrive before 10 AM. The morning mist hasn't dissipated yet, and the lake's colors are like a spilled palette. In the afternoon, with more tourists, the queue at the fish-viewing platform can be at least half an hour, halving the experience.
🍜 The grilled pike with kvass at the Burqin County night market is amazing. The skin is crispy, and the meat is so tender it falls apart with chopsticks. You can eat your fill for around 50 yuan per person, much more affordable than in the tourist areas.
⚠️ Don't just focus on Shenzhong Mountain in Keketuohai. Walk two kilometers along the Ertis River, and you'll find a birch forest. In the evening, the light filters through the leaves, making for perfect photos without filters. But remember to bring a thick jacket; the wind gets chilly after sunset.
🚄 A taxi from Altay Airport to the city center costs about 40 yuan, and sharing is cheaper. For comfortable accommodation, choose Burqin County. It's not far from Kanas and Keketuohai, quiet at night, and perfect for rest.
02 Shenzhen | Guangdong
Don't laugh, Shenzhen summers are indeed hot, but it's the kind of city where you can find shelter from the heat. Indoor air conditioning is strong enough to wear long sleeves, and there are countless places to enjoy water activities.
📍 Dameisha Beach Park is free to enter, but remember to book in advance through their official account. Going directly during peak season will likely result in being turned away. Going into the sea after 4 pm is less intense; the sun isn't as strong, and the sand isn't too hot.
🌊 To avoid the crowds, walk two kilometers east to Beizijiao Beach. It's less crowded, the waves are smaller, and locals only go there on weekends. The water is cleaner than Dameisha, making it suitable for children to slowly dig in the sand.
⚠️ My suggestion is to choose one between Window of the World and OCT (Overseas Chinese Town). Window of the World is suitable for first-time visitors to Shenzhen; it's okay for taking photos. OCT's Ecological Plaza and Creative Park are better for exploring, free and comfortable, and there's no need to spend 200 yuan to see the miniature models.
🏨 Choose accommodation along the Futian or Nanshan subway lines. It's convenient for going to the beach and the city center, cheaper than staying in Dameisha, and you can even go downstairs for a bowl of Chaozhou rice noodle soup in the evening.
03 Longyan City | Fujian
Summer in Longyan is the kind of comfortable weather where "it's cool in the morning and evening, and sunny but not stuffy at midday." With its many mountains and dense forests, the temperature drops three degrees as soon as you enter a village.
🏠 Don't just visit the "Four Dishes and One Soup" at Yongding Tulou. Head towards Hongkeng Village, and next to the "Zhencheng Building," the "Prince of Tulou," there's a small path leading around to the back of the building. You'll see residents drying vegetables and cured meats, offering a much more authentic, down-to-earth atmosphere than the tourist attractions. The entrance fee is 90 yuan, but you can share a guided tour for 20 yuan per person to hear a story about the Hakka migration – well worth it.
🍜 The essence of Changting Ancient Town lies in its nighttime atmosphere. After the Jichuan Gate Tower lights up, walk along Diantou Street. Street vendors offer braised pork kidneys and taro dumplings for just over 10 yuan a bowl, with incredibly flavorful broth.
⚠️ Don't explore the ancient town during the day; it's hot and empty, with only half the shops open. It comes alive at night.
🌿 Guanzhai Mountain is suitable for those with good stamina. Take a boat from Shimen Lake to enter, then hike back up – the whole trip takes about three hours. If you have elderly people or children, skip it and head directly to Peitian Ancient Village at the foot of the mountain. Sitting by the pond and relaxing is much more comfortable than hiking. ⏰ Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit Longyan. While summer isn't hot, the afternoon sun can still be quite strong, so remember to wear a hat.
04 Panjin City | Liaoning
Summer in Panjin is characterized by a salty wind, red roads, and a temperature just right for short sleeves. Compared to the sticky heat of the south, the dryness here makes you want to take a deep breath.
🦀 The Red Beach Scenic Corridor is best viewed from September to October when the Suaeda salsa is at its most vibrant red. Visiting in summer offers a unique blend of green and red. The corridor is 18 kilometers long; don't expect to walk. Rent an electric cart and drive slowly, stopping to take photos as you go.
🍜 After visiting the Red Beach, head to Erjiegou Town for rice paddy crabs. In June, the crabs are already plump and full of roe. Local fishermen cook them at their homes, and the price is around 70-80 yuan per person, much more affordable than the restaurants near the scenic area entrance.
⚠️ It's over 40 kilometers from Panjin city to the Red Beach. There's no direct bus; a taxi ride costs around 100 yuan one way. I recommend hiring a car for half a day; the round trip plus waiting time should be negotiable for under 250 yuan.
🚄 The high-speed train from Yingkou Station to Panjin only takes 20 minutes, much faster than the hassle of traveling from Shenyang. For accommodation, choose Xinglongtai District; it's close to both the scenic area and the city center, and you can also visit the night market in the evening.
05 Baoshan City | Yunnan
Baoshan is the kind of place you'll recommend to everyone after visiting once. The average summer temperature is 20 degrees Celsius; you need to close the windows at night to avoid waking up chilly.
♨️ Tengchong Rehai Scenic Area: Go at 8 am to avoid the crowds. The hot spring eggs are cooked in the hot spring for 10 minutes, and the yolks are perfectly cooked. The straw-woven egg bags sold at the entrance of the scenic area are 5 yuan each; don't think they're rustic, they're very practical.
🏮 Heshun Ancient Town is most beautiful at dusk; the lotus flowers beside the rice paddies are in full bloom, and the sunlight turns the stone paths golden. Don't stay inside the ancient town; dragging your suitcase along the stone paths will make you question your existence. Stay at one of the guesthouses near the town entrance; open the window to see rice paddies, and you can hear frogs croaking at night.
🌿 Walking on the grass rafts in Beihai Wetland looks scary, but it feels like walking on a spring mattress.
⚠️ Remember to wear sandals or flip-flops; the gaps in the grass rafts are full of water, and sneakers will be ruined in one step.
🍜 In Tengchong, rice noodles with fried dough sticks are the standard breakfast; five yuan is enough to fill you up. For lunch, just find a random shop and eat "Da Jiu Jia" (a local specialty); the rice cakes are fried until soft and chewy, a hundred times better than the fast food at tourist attractions.
⏰ Yunfeng Mountain is best visited in the afternoon; after climbing, you can catch the sunset. The cable car stops operating at 5 pm, so don't be there at the last minute.
06 Chongqing
Chongqing summers are really hot, but if you choose the right place, you can still have a cool time. The secret is simple: go into the mountains and explore the caves.
🏔️ Wulong Karst Tourist Area: Take a bus from Fairy Mountain Town up; the temperature is eight degrees Celsius lower than in the city. At the bottom of the Three Natural Bridges, the sun doesn't reach, and a cool breeze blows; even wearing short sleeves is a bit chilly.
⚠️ Definitely wear non-slip shoes; the steps are slippery, and I saw someone slip and fall.
🛕 Dazu Rock Carvings: The Baoding Mountain area is the highlight. The exquisite Song Dynasty sculptures cannot be captured even a fraction of their beauty in photos. Hiring a guide is highly recommended; otherwise, you'll just exclaim "Wow!" and remember nothing. Tickets are around 100 RMB, and a guide costs 80 RMB; it's more cost-effective to share with a group.
🌄 Jinyun Mountain is best visited in the evening. Climb to the top of Lion Peak and watch the entire Beibei District bathed in gold at sunset. The Taoist temples on the mountain are free to enter; the vegetarian food inside costs 10 RMB per person and is surprisingly delicious.
🍜 Back in the city at night, avoid the crowds at Hongyadong. Head to Nanbin Road and find a riverside food stall, enjoying grilled pig brains and ice jelly while feeling the river breeze – that's the right way to experience a Chongqing summer.
🏨 Staying in Jiefangbei is convenient, but expensive. Stay in Daping or Shiyou Road; it's only three subway stops to the city center, saving you half the room rate, and there are even more food stalls downstairs.
07 Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture|Qinghai
Summer in Haibei isn't cool, it's cold. In July, when you go to Qilian Mountain, you'll wake up with frost on your car windows. The highest temperature during the day is only 20 degrees Celsius, and at night it drops to single digits.
⛰️ At the Qilian Mountain Grassland, don't stop to take pictures on the roadside. Drive ten kilometers inward, and there's a pasture fenced off by local herders. It costs 20 yuan per person, and no one will fight you for a good spot. The wind is strong on the grassland; wearing a windbreaker isn't for looks, it's purely for survival.
🌊 From the viewing platform of the Heihe Grand Canyon, the river below is emerald green, and the thunderous roar is electrifying.
⚠️ The wind is extremely strong at the edge of the canyon; hold on tight to your hat and phone, or you'll lose them.
🐎 At the Ami Dongsuo Scenic Area, you can ride horses along the meadows at the foot of the glacier. Local herders will lead the horses; it costs 80 yuan per hour. Not recommended for children or the elderly, as the ride can be very bumpy.
🏨 Stay in Qilian County and find a restaurant for yak hotpot in the evening. The meat is thick, the broth is sweet and flavorful, and you'll eat until you're stuffed for about 60 yuan per person. The county is at an altitude of 2700 meters, so altitude sickness is generally not a problem, but walk slowly.
⏰ The most beautiful time is late July to early August when the rapeseed flowers bloom, turning the snow-capped mountains a golden expanse. The beauty is indescribable in photos; you have to see it for yourself.
08 Tai'an City | Shandong
Climbing Mount Tai to escape the summer heat sounds like a joke, but it's really true. The temperature difference between the top and bottom of the mountain is seven or eight degrees Celsius. It gets chilly at the summit at night; you simply can't stand it without a jacket.
⛰️ Night climbing of Mount Tai is a classic route. Starting from Hongmen, the entire journey takes about four to five hours to reach Nantianmen. Bring your own flashlight; renting one on the mountain is expensive and dim. Supply stations are everywhere along the way; bottled water is five yuan a bottle, and instant noodles are fifteen yuan—reasonably priced.
🌅 Check the sunrise time in advance and arrive at Yuhuangding half an hour early to secure a good spot. Don't crowd at Zhanlutai; it's so crowded you can barely move. There's a small platform on the east side of Riguang Peak with a decent view, but half the number of people.
⚠️ After watching the sunrise, don't rush down the mountain. Take the cable car from Nantianmen to Zhongtianmen, then walk down. This will lessen the strain on your knees. After walking the entire route, your legs will be so sore you won't be able to walk downstairs the next day—no joke.
🍜 After descending the mountain, head to the old town of Tai'an and enjoy a bowl of Sanmei Tofu, a dish from the Taishan Tofu Feast. It's as tender as steamed egg. Pair it with a scallion pancake, and you'll have a very satisfying meal for around 30 yuan per person.
🚄 A taxi ride from Tai'an Station to Hongmen takes about 15 minutes and costs 20 yuan. If you want more comfortable accommodation, choose a spot near Tianwaicun, which is close to the trailhead and offers opportunities for evening strolls at Dai Temple Square.