Been to Suining 5 times, here’s a well-organized travel guide for you～

Who gets it! Suining in August is simply Sichuan’s “Cool Little Jiangnan”! After visiting 5 times, I realized that summer here isn’t stuffy at all, just the breeze from the Fu River and the fragrance of lotus flowers. I’ve put together this guide for you, go for it with confidence～💦

Must-visit Attractions

1. China Dead Sea: A water paradise in August! Float on the salt lake watching the blue sky and white clouds, no worries about sinking. When tired, go to the black mud bath to apply a mud mask, your skin will be silky smooth. The wave pool in the evening is super lively, jump along with the music, splashing water all over your face is so much fun🌊

2. Lingquan Temple: A cool spot hidden in the forest! This thousand-year-old ancient temple is surrounded by green trees. The spring water in August is so cold it can chill your hands. There’s always shade on the stairs to block the sun. The golden Guanyin statue on the mountaintop shines brightly. Standing on the viewing platform, you can see the whole panorama of Suining, with the Fu River winding like a silver ribbon around the city. The strong wind messes up your hair but feels so refreshing🙏

3. Guangde Temple: An even quieter ancient temple than Lingquan! The red walls and bamboo shadows feel like traveling back to the Forbidden City. The lotus pond in August is full of pink and white flowers. Sitting in the pavilion listening to monks ringing the bell, the cicadas and bell sounds blend together, calming your heart. The incense is not noisy, perfect for a slow stroll🏯

4. Shenglian Island: The lotus island in the middle of the Fu River! The lotus flowers in August stretch as far as the eye can see, pink, white, and yellow all crowded together. Walking on the wooden boardwalk smelling the flowers, the sunset dyes the lotus golden. Rent a bike to circle the island, the breeze blowing your skirt is super cozy. The island’s café offers river views☕

5. Longfeng Ancient Town: A slow-life town by the Fu River! The bluestone roads don’t burn your feet, and you can cool off in the shadows of the stilted buildings. In August, the old teahouse features Sichuan opera face-changing. Sitting by the river eating cold noodles, watching boats glide across the water, time feels like it’s stopped. Old grandmas fan themselves while telling stories, totally captivating🏮

Food Recommendations

🍜 Suining Rice Noodles: A hidden gem of Sichuan rice noodles! Thin rice noodles are chewy, the beef sauce is so fragrant it makes you stomp your feet. In August, add a spoonful of chili oil to sweat it out, then pair with a bowl of iced soy milk. The hot and cold combo is a joy few understand. The “Old Street Rice Noodles” auntie starts simmering the broth at 4 a.m., super fresh～

🥟 Iron Press Cake: The childhood flavor of Suining people! Rice batter baked in an iron mold, crispy outside and soft inside, filled with brown sugar. One bite is hot and gooey. Street stalls in August are always crowded, 3 yuan each, eat while walking, the sweet and roasted aroma is super comforting～

🌶️ Fresh Pot Rabbit (Farmed): Spicy and satisfying happiness! Rabbit meat cut into small pieces, stir-fried tender but not dry, with green and red peppers and young ginger for aroma. Eating in an air-conditioned room in August, paired with a bowl of iced jelly to cool down. “Alley Fresh Pot Rabbit” serves generous portions, a small order for two is enough, the soup soaked with rice can fill three bowls～

🍧 Cold Cake and Cold Shrimp: The life-saving summer combo! Brown sugar cold cake is sticky and chewy, cold shrimp is slippery. The iced brown sugar in August is sweet to the heart. The granny in Longfeng Ancient Town makes the best, 5 yuan for a big bowl. Sitting by the river slowly enjoying it, watching boats come and go is super relaxing～

🥬 Chongcai (Pickled Vegetables): Suining people’s appetite booster! The greens are pickled with a bit of a sour kick, mixed with chili oil and sesame. Eating in August is super refreshing, perfect with porridge or rice noodles. Vacuum-packed ones from the market can be taken away. Having it with steamed buns in the morning is so fragrant you won’t want to stop eating～

Accommodation Suggestions

🏨 By the Fu River: Convenient for river views! Choose “Suining Marriott Hotel,” high-floor river view rooms offer a full view of Shenglian Island. In August, open the window to enjoy the river breeze, more comfortable than air conditioning. A 10-minute walk to Shenglian Island, perfect for evening strolls by the river and watching the light show～

🏨 Inside Longfeng Ancient Town: Experience slow life! A homestay renovated from an old courtyard, “Longfeng Inn” has a grape arbor in the courtyard. In August, you can pick green grapes. The owner makes iron press cake for breakfast. Wake up to the rooster’s crow, no need to rush exploring the ancient town, take it slow～

🏨 Dead Sea Scenic Area: Enjoy water fun to the fullest! “Dead Sea Sun City Hotel” is right at the salt lake. Staying in August includes free tickets. When tired, go straight back to your room to shower. The hotel’s salt bath SPA is super comfortable, perfect for those who want to soak all day～

Transportation Guide

🚄 High-speed Rail: Suining Station is close to downtown, 10 minutes by taxi. From Chengdu, it’s 40 minutes by high-speed rail. Tickets in August are not tight, buy and go anytime, super convenient～

🚌 Bus: Route 13 to Lingquan Temple, Route 4 to Guangde Temple, fare 2 yuan. The air conditioning on buses in August is strong, cool and cheap way to get to attractions～

🚗 Self-driving: Convenient for Shenglian Island and Longfeng Ancient Town! Parking in the city is not difficult, scenic area parking lots cost 5 yuan per day. The Fu River coastal road in August is beautiful, driving past lotus fields, you can stop anytime to take photos～

🛵 Electric Scooter: Super fun for city food tours! Rent one for 30 yuan a day, wear a floral dress to stroll the old street, easily find rice noodle stalls. The August breeze blowing your hair is super comfortable～

Travel Checklist & Tips

1. Must-bring items: Sunscreen (strong UV in August), sunglasses, small fan (sometimes hot when shopping), sandals (for water fun at the Dead Sea), change of clothes (you’ll get wet), umbrella for sun and rain (occasional showers)👟

2. Dead Sea Tips: Don’t wear metal accessories! Salt water corrodes them; don’t suddenly stand up while floating, easy to choke; avoid getting black mud on your hair, hard to wash; the sun is strong at noon in August, better to play before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. for comfort～

3. Eating Spicy Tips: Suining dishes look mild but have a strong aftertaste, ask for “mild spicy” when ordering; pair with iced jelly or cold cake to cool down, add more brown sugar for extra pleasure; don’t add too much vinegar to rice noodles, it will cover the fresh flavor～

4. Avoid Crowds: The Dead Sea is very crowded on weekends, better to go on weekdays; visit Shenglian Island before 8 a.m., the lotus has dew, photos look magical, and you can avoid tour groups～

5. Temple Etiquette: At Lingquan and Guangde Temples, don’t wear revealing clothes, shorts and skirts should be knee-length or longer; don’t take photos of Buddha statues from the front; incense money is voluntary, politely refuse fortune-telling offers～

Suining in August is that kind of comfort that makes you want to stay once you arrive. The softness of the Fu River, the fragrance of lotus flowers, the warmth of rice noodles, every visit feels healing～ Come to this “Little Jiangnan of Sichuan” and make your summer fresh and cool💖