Escape the Summer Heatwave with These 8 Heavenly Destinations!
Average temperatures around 25°C, perfect for mountain and water adventures. Includes itineraries + budgets + activities. Bookmark now👉
🌈 Changbai Mountain | A Cloud-Hidden Summer Retreat
⏳ Duration: 3 - 4 days
💴 Budget: ¥2000 - ¥2500
🌡️ Avg Temp: 15 - 25°C
📍 Must-Visit: Tianchi Lake (mirror-like alpine lake), Green Abyss Pool (emerald waters), Valley Bottom Forest (pristine hiking), Beauty Pine Sky Garden (aerial pine forest views)
📝 Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive at Changbai Mountain → Head straight to Beauty Pine Sky Garden for panoramic forest views → Sunset at Green Abyss Pool
Day 2: Sunrise at Tianchi Lake (choose West/North slope based on weather) → Afternoon hike in Valley Bottom Forest
🍜 Food: Korean-style cold noodles (sweet & tangy), hot spring eggs (silky and flavorful)
🌸 Lijiang | Artsy & Cool Mountain Town
⏳ Duration: 4 - 7 days
💴 Budget: ¥1200 - ¥1500
🌡️ Avg Temp: 18 - 22°C
📍 Must-Visit: Old Town (cobblestone alleys), Shuhe Ancient Town (quieter vibe), Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (glaciers), Lugu Lake (water lilies in bloom)
📝 Itinerary:
Day 1-2: Explore Old Town (Mu Residence, folk music, snacks) → Night views
Day 3: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain + Blue Moon Valley hike → Glacier cable car
Day 4-5: Lugu Lake cycling → Sunrise/sunset → Lakeside homestay
🍜 Food: Naxi grilled fish (crispy outside, tender inside), chickpea jelly (chewy & refreshing)
🌊 Xining | Plateau Oasis
⏳ Duration: 4 - 6 days
💴 Budget: ¥1500 - ¥1800
🌡️ Avg Temp: 15 - 25°C
📍 Must-Visit: Qinghai Lake (azure waters), Qilian Mountains (grassy plains), Emerald Lake (salt lake), Dongguan Mosque (stunning architecture), Chaka Salt Lake (sky mirror)
📝 Itinerary:
Day 1: Dongguan Mosque + local snacks
Day 2-3: Qinghai Lake loop (horseback riding, July-August rapeseed flowers) → Heimahe stargazing
Day 4: Chaka Salt Lake photos → Qilian Mountains grassland camping
🍜 Food: Liangpi (chewy & spicy), hand-torn lamb (tender & non-gamey)
🌿 Gannan | Tibetan Highland Escape
⏳ Duration: 4 - 7 days
💴 Budget: ¥2000 - ¥2500
🌡️ Avg Temp: 12 - 22°C
📍 Must-Visit: Labrang Monastery (prayer wheels), Sangke Grassland (horseback riding), Langmusi Wetland (streams & birds), Zebra Rock Forest (geological wonder), Nianbaoyuze (sacred peaks)
📝 Itinerary:
Day 1: Labrang Monastery prayer wheel circuit + debate sessions
Day 2: Sangke Grassland horseback riding → Langmusi sunset
Day 3-4: Zebra Rock Forest + Nianbaoyuze sacred lakes
🍜 Food: Tsampa (hearty barley flour), yak meat soup (rich flavor)
🐘 Tengchong | Hot Springs & Cool Climate
⏳ Duration: 4 - 7 days
💴 Budget: ¥2500 - ¥3000
🌡️ Avg Temp: 20 - 25°C
📍 Must-Visit: Rehai Geothermal Park (hot springs), Volcano Park (hot air balloon), Gaoligong Mountains (hiking), Heshun Ancient Town (Overseas Chinese heritage), Dieshuihe Waterfall
📝 Itinerary:
Day 1: Heshun Ancient Town (heritage houses + library) → Yunnan black tea
Day 2: Volcano Park hot air balloon → Rehai hot springs (try boiled eggs)
Day 3: Gaoligong hike → Dieshuihe Waterfall sunset
🍜 Food: Dajiujia (spicy stir-fried rice cakes), Xidoufen (savory porridge with dough sticks)
🌺 Dali | Wind-Flower-Snow-Moon City
⏳ Duration: 3 - 7 days
💴 Budget: ¥2000 - ¥2500
🌡️ Avg Temp: 18 - 22°C
📍 Must-Visit: Old Town (hipster shops), Erhai Lake (cycling/car tour), Xizhou (wheat fields + tie-dye), Nanzhao Island (lake views), "Santorini" (Greek-style photos)
📝 Itinerary:
Day 1: Old Town cafes → Erhai Gate sunset
Day 2: Erhai loop (Xizhou wheat fields, Shuanglang lakeside stay, "Santorini" photos)
Day 3: Xizhou tie-dye workshop + posu baba pastry
🍜 Food: Bai-style sour-spicy fish, grilled rushan cheese (crispy milk rolls)
🌧️ Guiyang | Forest City Summer Haven
⏳ Duration: 4 - 6 days
💴 Budget: ¥1500 - ¥2000
🌡️ Avg Temp: 18 - 23°C
📍 Must-Visit: Qianhu Miao Village (night views), Huangguoshu Waterfall (thundering cascade), Huaxi Yelang Valley (art installations), Fanjingshan (sky temple), Xiaoqikong (emerald streams)
📝 Itinerary:
Day 1: Huangguoshu Waterfall → Doupotang
Day 2-3: Xiaoqikong (boat + forest walk)
Day 4: Qianhu Miao Village (stilt houses + ethnic costumes)
Day 5: Fanjingshan summit (book early!)
🍜 Food: Siwawa (DIY veggie wraps), "Love Tofu" (crispy outside, soft inside)
🏔️ Western Sichuan | Alpine Summer Paradise
⏳ Duration: 4 - 7 days
💴 Budget: ¥1500 - ¥2000
🌡️ Avg Temp: 19 - 24°C
📍 Must-Visit: Mossy Stone Park (alien landscape), Siguniang Mountain (hiking), Tagong Grassland (Yala Mountain reflections), Jiaju Tibetan Village (traditional homes), Yuzixi (360° snow mountain views), Jiuzhaigou (fairy-tale waters)
📝 Itinerary:
Day 1: Jiaju Tibetan Village cultural experience
Day 2: Siguniang Mountain Shuangqiao Valley hike
Day 3: Tagong Grassland photos → Mossy Stone Park
Day 4: Yuzixi panoramic views → Jiuzhaigou stay
Day 5: Jiuzhaigou full exploration (Five-Flower Lake, Long Lake, Nuorilang Falls)
🍜 Food: Butter tea (savory & energizing), Tibetan hotpot (abundant ingredients)
These destinations are blissfully cool in July-August🍃 Copy this guide for your perfect summer escape! Follow for more hidden travel gems~