Heze, Shandong | Visiting in the off-season during July-August is truly delightful with fewer crowds and beautiful scenery

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Dear friends😘, summer in Heze is like a hidden treasure! Although the weather is a bit hot🔥, there are fewer people, beautiful views, and prices are cheap—it's simply amazing~ The average temperature in Heze during July-August is between 25-32℃. Despite the heat, the city is full of blooming lotus flowers and rich historical culture to explore, definitely worth a visit! Here’s a guide to help you enjoy Heze to the fullest~💕
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➤ Heze Summer Must-Dos
🌟 Why visit Heze in July-August?
❶ Sea of Flowers: Summer lotus blooms at Caozhou Peony Garden and vast lotus ponds, breathtakingly beautiful🪷
❷ Cultural Hits: Water Margin Heroes City + Sun Bin Tourism City, a paradise for history lovers🏯
❸ Food Feast: Shan County mutton soup, Cao County roasted beef, foodies won’t be able to stop eating🍜
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➤ Top Attractions Recommended:
1. 【Caozhou Peony Garden】(World’s largest peony garden · Summer lotus)
📍Recommendation rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌟Highlights: Although named Peony Garden, the summer lotus flowers are also spectacular! In July-August, the lotus blooms cover the ponds, perfect for stunning photos📸, with plenty of pavilions to relax in, a great summer escape~
🕒Opening hours: 8:00-18:00
💰Tickets: 30 RMB (half price for students)
✨Magical experiences:
● Wear Hanfu and take photos by the lotus pond, ethereal vibes👗
● Watch the lotus flowers at sunset, super romantic🌅
● Buy freshly picked lotus seed pods, fresh and sweet🌰
💡Secret photo spot: Center of the Nine-Bend Bridge, for a "walking in a painting" effect!
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2. 【Water Margin Heroes City】(Water Margin cultural theme park)
📍Recommendation rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌟Highlights: Realistic restoration of Water Margin scenes! Daily live performances, plus light shows at night in July-August🌃, cool and fun, a must-visit for Water Margin fans!
🕒Opening hours: 8:30-21:00 (night shows start at 18:00)
💰Tickets: 60 RMB daytime / 40 RMB night show
✨Time travel tips:
● Watch the live "Three Attacks on Zhu Family Village" performance, very impressive🎭
● Try ancient games like archery and pot throwing🏹
● Don’t miss the night light show, stunningly beautiful✨
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3. 【Sun Bin Tourism City】(Military sage cultural theme park)
📍Recommendation rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌟Highlights: The hometown of Sun Bin! A large garden-style park, shaded with trees in July-August🌳, much cooler than the city, and you can learn a lot about military strategy~
🕒Opening hours: 8:00-17:30
💰Tickets: 50 RMB
✨Walking guide:
● Be sure to hire a guide, the stories are fascinating🎧
● Experience ancient battle formations in the Military Strategy Garden⚔️
● Climb the viewing platform for panoramic views👀
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4. 【Fulong Lake Ecotourism Area】(Largest freshwater lake north of the river)
📍Recommendation rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌟Highlights: Visiting Fulong Lake in summer is super comfortable! You can take boat rides🚤, fish🎣, and enjoy fresh lake delicacies, a perfect summer retreat~
🕒Opening hours: Open all day
💰Tickets: Free (boat rides charged separately)
✨Cool activities:
● Rent a small boat to drift on the lake, very relaxing🛶
● Bike along the lake at sunset, enjoy the breeze🚴
● Try the fish soup at the lakeside restaurants, incredibly fresh🐟
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5. 【Shan County Paifang Ancient City】(Ming and Qing dynasty architecture complex)
📍Recommendation rating: ⭐⭐⭐
🌟Highlights: Well-preserved Ming and Qing architecture! Night markets in July-August🍢, perfect for strolling, eating, and experiencing history all at once~
🕒Opening hours: Open all day (recommended to visit in the evening)
💰Tickets: Free
✨Artistic experiences:
● Wear Hanfu and take photos on the ancient streets📸
● Shop for handmade crafts as souvenirs🛍️
● Must try the night market’s hanging oven baked flatbread🥮
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🌸 Heze 2-Day Magical Itinerary
Day 1: Culture × Food Tour
08:00 Visit Caozhou Peony Garden to see lotus flowers🪷 → 12:00 Enjoy Shan County mutton soup🍲 → 14:00 Watch performances at Water Margin Heroes City🎭 → 18:00 Explore the night market at Paifang Ancient City🌃
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Day 2: Nature × Leisure Tour
08:30 Learn military strategy at Sun Bin Tourism City📜 → 12:00 Eat Cao County roasted beef🍖 → 15:00 Boat ride and fishing at Fulong Lake🎣 → 18:00 Have another bowl of mutton soup before heading back🥣
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➤ Food Highlights
❶ Shan County mutton soup: white broth with fresh flavor, perfect with baked flatbread🤤
❷ Cao County roasted beef: tender and melts in your mouth🐮
❸ Hanging oven baked flatbread: crispy outside, tender inside, gets more delicious the more you chew🥮
❹ Pan-fried buns: thin skin, generous filling, a breakfast must-have🥟
❺ Heze porridge: a special breakfast, nourishing and tasty🍲
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➤ Accommodation Recommendations
🏯 Ancient City Inn: perfect for fans of traditional style, very convenient for night market visits!💖
🏨 Lakeside Hotel: near Fulong Lake, good environment and quiet🛏️
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🚗 Transportation Guide
✈️ By plane: Jinan Yaoqiang Airport → bus to Heze (2 hours)
🚄 High-speed rail: Heze East Station, 3 hours from Beijing
🚌 Within city: well-developed bus system, taxis are affordable🚖
🚗 Self-driving: From Jinan via Rilan Expressway → Heze (2.5 hours)
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💡 Summer Travel Tips
❶ Clothing: Sunscreen clothes + hat are essential! Light colors recommended for cooler feel👒
❷ Heat prevention: Carry a small fan and Huoxiang Zhengqi liquid🌡️
❸ Hidden perks: Many attractions offer half-price tickets with student ID🎟️
❹ Cultural bonus: Special performances at Water Margin Heroes City every Saturday🎪