Live Your Best Lives
This summer, it seems that except for you and You Xiaoxia who are still working hard, the whole world is traveling without our knowledge!
However, the growing enthusiasm for travel is nearly overwhelming popular destinations! "Xinjiang is overwhelmed by tourists from all over the country" frequently tops trending searches, the Duku Highway is incredibly congested, the sheep pens are filling up, and the grasslands finally have more people than sheep!
Image @ Sina Weibo
Of course, other popular destinations besides Xinjiang haven't been spared! At Dunhuang's Mingsha Mountain, three rows of camels march in unison, creating a scene reminiscent of an expedition to the Western Regions. Jiuzhaigou in Sichuan has seen a surge in visitors, so many that even the giant pandas are shaking their heads! ... You might be wondering, if this trend continues, will there be any less crowded, less popular destinations left to visit this summer?
Yes! Of course! Could this be a problem for you, Little Traveler? Here are 15 destinations perfect for a summer trip in August—less crowded, fun, and refreshing! Not sure where to go next? Read on!
Xiayanbei in Xinchang is a beautiful village born in the clouds. It is said that the mountains and rivers of Zhejiang have always been envied. Here, you can not only overlook the beautiful Danxia landform scenic area - Chuanyan Nineteen Peaks, but also the entrance fee is free.
The village is not only famous for its spectacular sea of clouds, but also for its beautiful tea terraces. Its breathtaking scenery has made it a new tourist destination in Xinchang County. Accommodation in the ancient village has also been greatly upgraded.
The surrounding mountains and valleys, crisscrossed by winding rivers, create a picturesque landscape. The hillsides are dotted with terraced fields, dotted with tea trees. The varied heights of the tea plantations are a beautiful sight in themselves, and when the sea of clouds rises, the scenery is magnificent, like a fairyland.
We can get up early and head to the high mountain tea fields, breathe in the fresh air, and watch the sunrise slowly rise over the horizon. If you're lucky, you might even see a sea of clouds rising. This is a classic summer itinerary that you definitely don't want to miss!
Tonglu has always been the "ceiling" of rafting in Zhejiang. It has many canyons and abundant water resources. The Yalu Rafting in Hecun is the best among the many rafting activities in Tonglu!
Located in the Daxi Gorge, a "Quaternary Glacial Site", the large-capacity reservoir upstream is enough to make people feel the majestic momentum of the raging waves.
The entire rafting journey is 8 kilometers long, with a vertical drop of nearly 200 meters. It takes about 2 hours. You will be rushing through rapids throughout the journey, which will make you feel excited and refreshed!
From the beginning to the end, you just need to lie in the boat and scream all the way to the end! It will give you a thrilling water experience.
Liuao Emerald Bay, located in Zhangpu County on the southeastern coast of Fujian Province, sits on the 23° Tropic of Cancer and is known as the "Florida Coast of China." Its 6.8-kilometer-long beach, also known as the "most beautiful beach on the Chinese continental shelf," is both expansive and flat.
The gentle waves, clear waters, and fine sand here resemble a piece of emerald green, earning it the name "Emerald Bay." The crystal-clear waters, ecological parks, and cactus kingdoms are all Instagram-worthy check-in spots.
Because this place is relatively small and there are not many tourists coming and going, it is very suitable for vacation.
Watch the stars at night, listen to the distant sound of the waves, watch the sunrise in the morning, and watch the sunlight slowly paint the sky. The gentle Emerald Bay will slowly heal you in its own way.
Xiluochuan Grassland is an alpine meadow. Rolling hills are covered in dense, emerald green grass. White clouds drift leisurely above the hilltops or lazily sink to the horizon. Tall wind turbines dot the grassland, forming the scenery of Xiluochuan Grassland.
Running through the Xiluochuan grasslands is a canyon stretching hundreds of miles. Millions of years of erosion have left a striking scar here, like wrinkles on an old man's forehead. Within this canyon, over ten kilometers wide, lie some of the most recognizable hills, ridges, and gullies on the Loess Plateau.
The tenacious wild grasses here dress the vast landscape in green. Standing under the wind turbine on the shoulder of the valley and gazing at the canyon, those ravines are like a vast epic, silently depicting the ups and downs of the mountains and rivers for you.
August is a great season for playing in the water and watching the sea, and the Xisha Islands are the country's top water sports destination.
The Xisha Islands are accessible to tourists and are considered China's most beautiful virgin marine territory. They boast glassy seas, colorful corals, and rare pink sand beaches, and are only open to Chinese citizens.
Food, accommodation and entertainment are all included during the entire trip at sea, including aerial photography, snorkeling, sea fishing, fishing and hunting on the island, with all kinds of experiences included!
The cruise lasts 4 days and 3 nights. The large cruise ship can withstand the waves and travel smoothly. It has butler service and you can visit Yinyu Island and Quanfu Island. The whole trip is all-inclusive at one price!
Spend 6 days and 5 nights on a luxurious sailboat, with full accommodation on board. Enjoy the comfortable and spacious accommodations, visit uninhabited islands, experience the sail raising process while sailing, and enjoy the feeling of riding the wind and waves!
Forget the crowds at Huangguoshu! This waterfall in the Maling River Gorge is less crowded and just as impressive, offering a refreshing and photogenic experience.
It is very close to the city of Xingyi, and can be reached in half an hour by car at most. It is very convenient to go back and forth. The whole waterfall pours down from a cliff dozens of feet high, with steep cliffs on both sides and a deep canyon. It is very spectacular!
Of course, as the "Land of Ten Thousand Waterfalls", in addition to Huangguoshu and Maling River, Guizhou also has countless secret cave waterfalls such as Yangpi Cave, Xianghuoyan, Wengdongtan, and Dishuitan.
If You Xiaoxia told you there was a route that would take you all in one go, would you be tempted? Don't wait! Get on board!
Haba Snow Mountain has always been one of the must-climb snow mountains for mountaineering enthusiasts. Most people who come here come here to climb the snow mountain, so they ignore the beautiful scenery of the west slope hiking route.
Unlike the steepness of Yulong Snow Mountain and Meili Snow Mountain, this hike offers gentle climbs, vertical elevation changes, and three-dimensional scenery. From primeval forests to alpine meadows and river valleys, the west slope offers scenery that rivals Yubeng in every season.
There is no hustle and bustle of crowds here, only quiet snow-capped mountains, meadows, cattle and sheep, and starry sky. This place is most suitable for people who pursue pure outdoor activities.
Karakuli, which means "Black Lake" in Kyrgyz, indicates that the water in the lake is deep and dark.
It is located at the foot of Muztagh Ata, the "Father of Glaciers", and is surrounded by vast ice peaks and snow-capped mountains. It is one of the rare and very photographic spots on the G219 Xinjiang-Tibet Highway.
Standing by the lake, you can easily overlook the three majestic peaks of Muztagh Ata, Kongur and Kongur Jiubie, so why worry about not being able to see the golden mountain in the sun?
Picture above @cavalry
In the evening, the setting sun casts a golden glow over the mountain peaks, creating a breathtaking spectacle. Imagine sitting by the lake, posing for photos – how delightful it would be!
Next to the famous Basongcuo scenic area, there is a mysterious jungle hidden that has not yet been destroyed by commercial development. Locals like to call it "Xincuo".
Basongtso is beautiful, but the existence of Xintso is truly eye-catching! The snow-capped peaks and colorful forests, the cattle and sheep on the meadows, the leisurely herdsmen, and the occasional fluttering prayer flags on the road all tell you that this is the paradise of Basongtso.
A 3-kilometer one-way hike always feels less than satisfying. The hidden gems of Nyingchi are all concentrated in this small, pristine jungle.
The Border Town of Chadong is a glorious place described by Shen Congwen, but it is also an ordinary quiet town. The border town in August is cool and quiet, and it is worth it for you to say goodbye to the hustle and bustle of the city and spend a vacation here!
Stay in a homestay by the river, have a cup of coffee and enjoy the breeze, talk about Cuicui's story, take the old man's Lala ferry, and shake it from Chongqing to Hunan.
Go to the Three Provinces Viewing Platform and enjoy a 360-degree view of the three provinces, including the White Pagoda and Cuicui's home, with a stream next to it, just like what Shen Congwen described.
Then try some border town delicacies, which combine the sourness of Guizhou, the spiciness of Hunan and the numbness of Chongqing. Enjoy the comfortable slow life here accompanied by the cool breeze!
Qiluping, with an altitude of 1,800 meters, is about a two and a half hour drive from downtown Chongqing and about a 13-kilometer hike.
The route is named because it is suitable for all seasons and resembles the habitat of deer.
It is currently an entry-level outdoor one-day route. Because of its beautiful scenery, it is sought after by hikers and is known as the "Little Switzerland of the Mountain City".
This alpine meadow must be the most beautiful scenery you have never seen in Chongqing.
Rangtang is a secret place located in the mountains of western Sichuan. It is precisely because it is far away from the public eye that it has preserved the original Tibetan style and unique culture.
Rangtang gave birth to the culture of Jonang Tibetan Buddhism. It has the oldest temple building in Sichuan, the Bangtuo Temple Pagoda Group built in the Yuan Dynasty. Historically, it is as famous as the Jiangzha Temple Pagoda Group in Tibet and the Seda Temple Pagoda Group in Ganzi, and is known as the three major pagoda groups in Tibet.
Here, we can also visit the only remaining Song Dynasty Buddhist building in western Sichuan, appreciate the morning mist in Aba, one of the 100 beautiful sights in Sichuan recommended by National Geographic, look for the Jade Peak, and go to the ancient battlefield where King Gesar fought - Lianbaoyezhe!
Litang is located on the southern line of National Highway 318, in the southern section of the Shaluli Mountains of the Hengduan Mountains. It is located in the northeast corner of the bronze mirror-like Maoya grassland and is known as the "No. 1 Town in Southern Kang".
Compared with the increasingly commercialized Siguniang Mountain and Daocheng Yading, Litang is closer to the legendary holy land of Shambhala.
Due to its high altitude, it is also known as the "Sky City." It boasts magnificent snow-capped mountains, simple Tibetan people, pristine forests, alpine lakes, streams, and meadows, as well as over 40 Tibetan Buddhist temples.
The most famous of these is Changqingchun Khor Monastery, located at the foot of a mountain north of Litang County. It is one of only two monasteries in the Sichuan Tibetan area that can confer Geshe degrees. Its grand scale and splendid architecture earn it the title of "the largest monastery in southern Kangxi."
July to August is the most beautiful season in Litang. The snow line retreats to the distance where the sky and the earth meet. The grassland with blooming flowers looks even more vast under the blue sky. Cows and sheep graze leisurely, and herdsmen's tents are scattered on the pastures with the most abundant water and grass.
Picture @Photo.net
The annual horse racing event is also held here, where riders wearing hero knots on their heads and carrying swords on their waists gallop past, showing off their agile figures.
“Climb to the top of Dongtai Mountain and see the sea as far as the eye can see”
Wanghai Peak, the eastern peak of Mount Wutai, stands at 2,795 meters above sea level. Atop the peak stands Wanghai Temple, dedicated to the wise Manjusri. Countless devout pilgrims come to worship on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month, as well as during the high school entrance exams and college entrance examinations.
From a distance, the mountain looks like a standing elephant, while from the top, it resembles an oversized tortoise shell. In summer, the meadows turn green, flowers cover the mountain, and the smoke of incense rises, creating a peaceful and beautiful scene.
Climbing to the East Terrace to view the sea of clouds is a must-do experience when visiting this place. On a fine summer day, climb to the top at dawn and you can see the red sun bursting out from the end of the sea of clouds!
You can take a chartered bus to the scenic area, or hike to the summit of Dongtai. The round trip is about 4km, and the one-way journey takes about 1-1.5 hours, making it suitable for those with a certain level of fitness. Hiking to Dachaotai offers even more beautiful views of Wutai Mountain!
On the banks of the Yellow River at the border of Shaanxi and Inner Mongolia, at the starting point of China's "Highway 1" along the Yellow River, lies a little-known and unique landform. Like a blooming red lotus, this 10-kilometer-long Yardang landform forms a breathtakingly beautiful landscape along the Yellow River. This is the Lotus Vessel!
According to historical records, after Emperor Kangxi put down the Galdan Rebellion, he was attracted by the colorful scenery before him. When he learned that this place had no name yet, he named it Lianhua Tan. It was affectionately described by the locals as "pork belly on the bank of the Yellow River."
At Lotus Trail, you can take a leisurely hike deep into it and experience the unique landforms up close, giving you the feeling of walking on Mars!
This is the border between Shanxi, Shaanxi and Inner Mongolia. You can check in at the boundary monument of three provinces at Jiming, and straddle three provinces with one foot. You can also take in the magnificent sight of the Yellow River rushing by from the glass observation deck next to it!
The famous attractions ahead are packed! Why not follow us to some off-the-beaten-path spots? Walk off the beaten path and see sights no one else has seen. This summer will truly be full of life!
