4 Hidden Summer Getaway Cities Near Shanghai: So Cool You Won't Want to Leave

Skip the crowded Moganshan and Anji! These underrated destinations near Shanghai offer cool summer temps around 25°C with stunning scenery and fewer tourists - you'll even save on AC bills! 🍃

1. Suichang, Zhejiang:
🌡️Avg summer temp: 26℃
📍Highlights: Zhejiang's southern secret with 83% forest coverage, recommended by Lonely Planet!
- Must-do:
- Nianjianyan Cliff: Sea of clouds + glass walkway at sunrise feels like fairyland
- Dushan Ancient Village: Ming Dynasty stone village by Wuxi River, try catching fish
- Fenglu Hotpot: Slow-cooked local pork with tofu & bamboo shoots - mind-blowing flavor!
🚗Transport: High-speed rail to Lishui + 1.5h drive (SUV recommended for mountain roads)

2. Liyang, Jiangsu:
🌡️Avg summer temp: 27℃
📍Highlights: "Bamboo Sea Town" at Jiangsu-Anhui border, featured in A Bite of China
- Must-do:
- Stay in Nanshan Bamboo Sea homestays, ride trains through bamboo forests to see pandas
- Tianmu Lake Water Park: Night light shows + wave pool for ultimate cooling
- Tianmu Lake Fish Head Soup: 3-hour claypot stew with milky white broth
🚗Transport: High-speed rail from Nanjing/Hangzhou + direct buses between attractions

3. Pan'an, Zhejiang:
🌡️Avg summer temp: 24℃
📍Highlights: "Zhejiang's Heart", filming location for The Untamed
- Must-do:
- Hike Shibao Glacier Valley: Wade through icy streams between canyons
- Wushi Village: Ancient volcanic stone village where nights need light blankets
- Pan'an Cloud Peak Tea: Fresh high-mountain tea paired with local honey
🚗Transport: Self-drive via Hang-Shao-Tai Expressway, or train to Yiwu + bus

4. Chongming Island (Hengsha), Shanghai:
🌡️Avg summer temp: 28℃
📍Highlights: Shanghai's only zero-industry island - 15min bike ride to sea!
- Must-do:
- Bike around Hengsha Island: Windmill dams perfect for Japanese-style photos
- Dongtan Wetland: Catch tidal flats at sunset with egrets returning home
- Chongming Cake + White Goat: Locals' most recommended traditional flavors
🚢Transport: 40min speedboat from Wusong Port (bikes allowed)

📌Summer Tips:
- Mountain areas get sudden rain - pack foldable umbrellas & mosquito repellent
- Book Liyang/Suichang homestays 2 weeks in advance!
- Pair Chongming with Changxing Island (filming location for Cry Me a Sad River)

Even locals haven't explored all these spots - save this guide for your crowd-free summer escape!