A roundup of off-the-beaten-path summer destinations! You can't miss these stunning summer resorts!
Preface
Living in a hot city, the most difficult time is every summer. It's no exaggeration to say that every time I step outside, I'm already drenched in sweat within two minutes. I'm sure many of you are equally fed up with the summer heat, eager to escape the sweltering heat and find a cool place to escape the heat.
This time, we have carefully selected some niche travel destinations for you from travel destinations across the country. They are not only cool and refreshing to escape the summer heat, but also have beautiful scenery. You can collect them!
01 Xinjiang
Kanas
Kanas, known as "God's private reserve" and a paradise on earth, is also a summer resort that is most suitable for summer fun.
The area here is quite vast. The area of the entire scenic area is equivalent to more than 6 Shanghai urban areas, including the Fish Viewing Pavilion, Kanas Lake, Baihaba Village, Hemu Village, etc. Try to reserve 2-4 days for your visit here!
Recommended check-in points:
Three Bays (Wolong Bay, Moon Bay, and Fairy Bay)
I highly recommend the hiking route from Moon Bay to Wolong Bay, the scenery is stunning!
You can see the morning mist at Shenxian Bay before 8:40 in the morning
Grass
Many people call Hemu "China's Little Switzerland," but it's not true. Hemu's beauty is unique. The Tuva villages are scattered across the mountains, and the layers of birch forests stretch across the mountains, making it feel like you've stepped into a painting.
When you come to Hemu, the most important thing you cannot miss is the early morning. The morning light is dim and the morning mist is thick. It is not an exaggeration to say that Hemu at this time is a paradise on earth.
Kanas Lake
Kanas Lake is world-famous for its lake monster, but its beauty is equally impressive, mysterious, cool and fascinating.
Fish-Watching Pavilion
From the Fish-Watching Pavilion, you can enjoy the panoramic view of the sea of clouds and Kanas Lake.
Kalajun Grassland
Kalajun, the "uncrowned king" of the Ili grasslands, defies our notion of "boundless grasslands." Kalajun's landscape is 3D, with nearly perfect curves.
The Kalajun grassland is even more charming in summer, with countless blooming flowers dotted on the green meadows, herds of cattle and sheep intertwined with the snow-capped mountains in the distance, creating a healing and romantic atmosphere.
Bayinbuluke Grassland
Bayinbuluke, a place with the romantic legend of 9 suns!
The Kaidu River (also known as the Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns) winds through the grassland, adding a flowing gentleness to the grassland. Be sure to wait for a sunset in Bayinbuluke. As the setting sun gradually disappears into the horizon, the Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns on the ground will slowly show nine sunsets.
Tips:
The scenic area is very large.
The latest admission time to the scenic area is 19:00 (Beijing time)
Bayinbuluke bans drones
02 Eastern Mongolia
Hulunbuir Grassland
In summer, you must go to Hulunbuir. Go see the vastness of the world, see the green grass, see the sunset in the horizon, and feel the cool breeze blowing across the grassland...
The vast grassland stretches as far as the eye can see, with low white clouds in the sky and boundless fields. The wind blows through the grass and you can see cattle and sheep. Taking a deep breath of air brings you the long-lost freedom and comfort.
In Hulunbuir, you can escape from the summer heat, run wildly in the vast grassland, breathe freely, and chase the distance and freedom!
Arxan National Forest Park
In the summer in Arxan, there is a refreshing coolness that hits you in the face.
Arxan is the city with the highest per capita forest coverage in my country, and the highest temperature in summer is only around 20 degrees.
Not only is there endless blue here, but also the dazzling Milky Way. It is breathtakingly beautiful whether it is day or night.
Mohe
Standing in Mohe, facing south and back to the north, you can hold the whole of China in your arms!
Mohe, located at 53 degrees north latitude, is the farthest north in my country. It boasts the northernmost outpost, post office, and weather station...
In the summer, the days are long and the nights are short in Mohe, especially around the summer solstice. The sky is dim for only about 2 hours every night. Before the sunset fades, the morning glow in the east slowly dyes the sky red. Such a magical natural landscape is unique to Mohe!
03 Northwest
Kongtong Mountain
Kongtong Mountain is located in Pingliang, Gansu, a small summer resort. It is the famous "No. 1 Taoist Mountain in China". Here, you can gain an in-depth understanding of Taoist culture.
As the first mountain in the west, Kongtong Mountain combines the majesty of the north and the beauty of the south. It stands like a shining pearl on the Loess Plateau in eastern Gansu.
Qinghai Lake
Qinghai Lake, an intoxicating blue in my country's northwest.
The azure sky, white clouds, rolling snow-capped mountains, the blue lake, the golden sea of rapeseed flowers, the fluttering Tibetan prayer flags, the road stretching to the horizon... Qinghai Lake in summer is a stunning painting that makes everyone who arrives here unforgettable.
Ganga Secret Realm
Gangga Secret Realm, the soul of Gannan.
The Gangjia Secret Realm consists of Gangjia Grassland, Bajiao Village and Baishi Cliff.
Entering the Baishiya Grand Canyon, the deep and winding mountains, the leisurely strolling cattle and sheep, the vultures circling in the sky, and the land covered with green make you feel like you have entered another world and walked deep into it, or like you have arrived at the Middle-earth in "The Lord of the Rings", vast and mysterious.
Zhagana
Zhagana means "stone box" in Tibetan. As for why it is called this name, I think it is because the terrain of Zhagana looks like a grand natural stone palace.
After arriving in Zhagana, the famous explorer Locke said that he had never seen such a magnificent scenery in his life!
There are four villages in Zhagana. If you want to visit, you can usually go to Dongwa Village and Yeri Village. If you want to watch the sunrise, you can stay in Yeri Village. If you want to watch the sunset and have a comfortable stay, you can stay in Dongwa Village.
The morning mist in Zhagana is super beautiful, don’t miss it, and if you want to see it, you must arrive at the viewing platform before sunrise.
Ruoergai Flower Lake
Huahu Lake is a natural wetland on the Reer Dam grassland. Huahu Lake is located on the plateau and has no summer all year round, making it a perfect place to escape the summer heat.
In May and June, the Flower Lake is filled with colorful flowers that are as bright as clouds; in August, the lake will be filled with a kind of gorgeous flowers that look like water monsters, dyeing the originally blue lake water into lotus color, which is very beautiful.
Tips:
After buying the ticket, take the shuttle bus into the scenic area, and then walk along the wooden plank road;
04 Yunnan
When talking about summer resorts, Yunnan is a must-mention!
Dali
Dali is probably the earliest holy land of literature and art.
Strolling through Shuanglang Ancient Town, you can see Erhai Lake on one side and the human world on the other.
Wandering through the rice fields of Xizhou Ancient Town, the Bai ethnic group's architecture and the vast rice fields can instantly soothe your inner restlessness;
You should also visit Jizhao Temple. There is no need to burn incense here, you can just offer flowers to the Buddha. The environment of the temple is also rare and quiet.
Go to Dali and feel the coolness and happiness unique to summer!
Lugu Lake
Every summer, the hot searches about Lugu Lake full of "water lilies" are overwhelming, and the reason is simple: it is so beautiful.
In particular, the water lily is very delicate and can only survive and bloom in very pure and clear water like that of Lugu Lake.
But the most beautiful thing about Lugu Lake is its water: tranquil and azure, dreamy and ethereal, like a fairyland. Take a ride on Lugu Lake's unique pig trough boat, slowly wandering the lake, and immerse yourself in the beautiful scenery bestowed by nature.
Lugu Lake is also known as the "Daughter Kingdom" in legend. The Mosuo people have lived here for generations and still retain the tradition of a matriarchal society. Men do not marry, women do not marry, marriages are voluntary, and separations are free.
Shangri-La
There is a Shangri-La in everyone’s heart. It is the legendary Shambhala, the sun and moon in the heart, and the yearning in dreams.
Shangri-La is the most prosperous Tibetan area and perhaps the most suitable place for first-time visitors to the plateau. It is covered with dense virgin forests, has a high oxygen content, is less prone to altitude sickness, and has charming scenery.
The Tiger Leaping Gorge on the Jinsha River is a breathtaking spectacle with its turbulent waves; the Songzanlin Monastery, also known as the "Little Potala Palace," is the largest Tibetan Buddhist temple in Yunnan and is magnificent and mysterious.
During the rainy season, the grasslands of Napahai turn into a vast ocean. Driving through Napahai feels like driving on water, just like a scene from an anime.
The Moonlight Ancient City has the world's largest prayer wheel, which requires several people to push together. Shangri-La's matsutake mushrooms are very famous. When you visit the ancient city, you must try them once.
In Pudacuo National Park, the primeval forest, misty clouds, emerald green meadows and pure lakes make this place dreamy, clear and beautiful.
05 Tibet
Baima Lingcuo
Baimalin Co is one of the three soul lakes of Guru Padmasambhava and the most essential section of the Kulagangri hiking route. Legend has it that one can see one's past and present lives in this lake.
The lake water is blue, green and white, mysterious and holy. Walk to the end of the lake and Kulagangri will be fully displayed in front of you.
Holy Elephant Heavenly Gate
Shengxiang Tianmen has been popular on Tik Tok for more than a year. It is a holy place in Tibetan legend. If you don’t visit Shengxiang Tianmen, it feels like you haven’t been to Tibet.
Located on the north bank of Namtso Lake, the Holy Elephant Gate is a naturally formed stone gate of a giant elephant. The best time to visit is from July to September.
The scenery of Shengxiang Tianmen is beautiful, but the altitude is high, the journey is long, and the accommodation conditions are poor, so you must be mentally prepared before going.
Sapu Sacred Mountain
Sap, a sacred land in Tibet that has not yet fallen!
For thousands of years, the Sapu Sacred Mountain has been standing quietly in Puzonggou, Yangxiu Township, Burang County, Nagqu Prefecture, Tibet. The main peak is 6556 meters above sea level and is revered as the king of sacred mountains by locals.
Midsummer is the best time to visit Sap. The top of Sap's mountain is covered with snow and shrouded in clouds, while the foot of the mountain is lush with water plants and flowers, full of vitality.
06 Guizhou
Wumeng Prairie
Wumeng Grassland is one of the highest and largest plateau grasslands in the southwest region. Its average annual temperature is only 11.1 degrees, making it ideal for summer vacation.
Here you can see an endless skyline, smooth and natural curves, clouds rolling over cliffs, and endless sea of fog. Once you arrive here, your mind will become open. Moreover, the highest altitude of the Wumeng grassland is only 2,857 meters, so most people can adapt to it.
Jiucaiping
Jiucaiping is the world's largest known sea of leek flowers. Every August and September, thousands of acres of wild leek flowers bloom into a sea, dyeing the entire mountain and field of Jiucaiping into a romantic purple.
Jiucaiping has also been selected as one of the "Top Ten Famous Summer Resorts in China". The annual average temperature is between 17.8 and 22.4 degrees, making it a perfect place to escape the summer heat.
Conclusion
To escape the summer heat, you should escape from the city and go to faraway places to find a summer as blue as water and spend some cool summer time like the moon!
