Escape the 40°C furnace, dive into a 20°C cloud-cooled city | Liupanshui's secret summer retreat playbook

01 First question: While the whole country is screaming "melting hot," why does Liupanshui stay cool?
The answer is simple—it's the only city officially crowned "Cool Capital" by the Chinese Meteorological Society. With midsummer average temps of 19.7°C and the Wumeng Mountains elevating altitudes to 1,800-2,800m, nature's AC runs 24/7. Stroll in light layers by day, snuggle under blankets for nighttime shows—your AC remote will gather dust.

02 Three days, two nights of next-level chill
• Day 1: Race to the grasslands upon arrival
Fly/bullet train into town, drop bags at the hotel, and floor it to Wumeng Grassland. Afternoon horseback rides and grass sledding come with surprise sea-of-clouds "Buddha's light" after 3pm. Sleep in stargazing tents under dazzling Milky Way views, or return to town (just one song's drive away) if chilly.

• Day 2: Morning "forest conductor," afternoon "sky flyer"
Dawn trip to Yushe National Forest Park aboard a vintage steam train through 100,000 acres of pines, with summer rhododendrons still blooming. Afternoon switch to Meihua Mountain's 9.91km world's longest cable car, "airlifting" you above golden sunset peaks. Night views are Liupanshui's viral moment. Return to Shuicheng Ancient Town for belly-busting luoguo hotpot (¥50).

• Day 3: Purple romance atop Guizhou's roof
Pre-dawn charter to Jiucaiping Peak (2,900m), where August-September transforms slopes into violet seas of wild chives. Snap photos then strike poses at Minghu National Wetland Park's rainbow bridge before evening departure.

03 Transportation cheat sheet
Direct flights from Beijing/Shanghai/Guangzhou to Yuezhao Airport (2hrs), ¥15 shuttle to town. High-speed rail from Guiyang/Kunming (1.5hrs) to downtown. Scattered attractions make ¥200/day car rentals ideal—or hire drivers (¥500/day) to relax.

04 Sleep by scenario
Foodies: Stay in Zhongshan District—10 mins to Shuicheng's night market.
Stargazers: Grassland glamping tents under galactic views.
Air purists: Forest cabins by Yushe Park—open windows for oxygen-rich "money breaths."

05 Cool summer eats
Shuicheng luoguo: Old Town's "Flying Knife Li" mixes beef, chicken skin, and stinky tofu in one sizzling pan—must dip with fish mint.
Shuicheng mutton noodles: "Try Again" shop's broth will steal your eyebrows, peppercorn powder is magic.
Panxian ham: Sweet aftertaste, perfect fat-lean balance—vacuum-pack some home.

06 Dressing hacks
Daytime: Tee + sunshirt. Nights: Windbreaker/down jacket—mountain gusts will humble you. Always pack an umbrella—Wumeng weather flips faster than pages.