5 Summer Vacation Destinations in China

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So, you want to visit China.

BUT. You absolutely hate the cold and want to get as far away from snow or even any hint of sub 25 degree-weather.

Then maybe China in summer is for you.

With plenty of cool highlands, peaks, lakes, rivers and coastal cities to choose from, there’s sure to be something for you in summer China.

What to Expect

Summer in China varies hugely depending on the region and locales you’ll be visiting, but there are a few ground rules you can rely on.

For one, try and avoid the cities or urban sprawl if you can. Places like Beijing and Shanghai can get awfully hot during the summer months (there’s a reason why Beijing has a Summer Palace!).

In fact, things can get so bad that locals have a name for the three cities of Chongqing, Wuhan and Nanjing – the Three Furnaces or sanda huolu (三大火炉)!

Summer can be hell on the skin, so make you take some pointers from our Summer Skincare Tips for Malaysian Travellers!

That’s why, for your summer China escapade, look towards nature, particularly in and around highlands, lakes or rivers. Coasts are not too bad but beware of summer rains or even typhoons. Summer floods are also occasional risks, especially in the wet southern provinces.

Unfortunately, you’ll not be the only person looking to beat the heat in China’s great outdoors. Plenty of locals will also be joining you, particularly families with kids on summer vacation. Still, it won’t be as bad as the twin horrors of the Labor Day week (May 1- 5) and the National Day “Golden Week” (Oct 1 – 7).

So, where exactly should you visit for your China summer vacation? Let’s take a look:

Inner Mongolia

Starting from China’s northern frontier, you have the province of Inner Mongolia.

This crescent-shaped province on the Chinese-Mongolian border boasts vast tracts of gorgeous steppe grassland that grow the greenest during the sunny summer months.

Some of China’s most picturesque steppe can be found in the remote northeast Hulunbuir or closer to the provincial capital Hohhot at Huitengxile. Upon vast blankets of verdant green, only windfarms or rivers interrupt a scene straight out of a Windows desktop background.

But, if you prefer taiga-like forests, there’s also the Arxan National Forest Park, a nature reserve filled with idyllic crater ponds and lakes surrounded by forests and steppe.

Also, if your vacation happens to be in July, you stand a good chance of witnessing the Nadaam Festival.

Celebrated by Mongolians across national borders, the festival features three traditional games of horse-riding, archery and wrestling alongside other games, food, markets and processions. All the while, you can catch a glimpse of Mongolians proudly wearing their traditional nomadic garb.

Note: Mongolia celebrates Nadaam nationally from July 11-13, while Inner Mongolia celebrates in late July – early August.

Besides summer, spring also ushers in fascinating festivals around the world, as detailed in our list of the 5 Liveliest Spring Festivals Around the World!

Shandong

Trudging out of the sands, we come to the coastal province of Shandong in the east.

Long one of China’s cultural and religious centres, it still maintains that tradition with a few modern twists such as beaches and if you can believe it – beer!

First, look up towards the dramatic slopes of Mount Taishan, considered one of China’s Five Great Mountains and a sacred spot in Chinese Buddhism and Taoism.

Accordingly, its slopes are dotted with various temples, terraces and lookouts that provide panoramic views of the surrounding plains, especially at Jade Emperor Peak and the imposing Imperial Road that leads to it.

And best of all – summer temperatures on Mount Taishan barely breach the low 20s, so expect some cool weather to go with your views!

Once you’re all tuckered out from mountaineering, then you should consider hitting the beach, or more specifically the Golden Sands Beach.

This huge stretch of soft sand and calm waters is one of the province’s most famous (and crowded) beaches among locals and tourists looking to beat the summer heat with a dip.

But if you’re not too keen on showing off that beach body, then take a quick hop across Jiaozhou Bay to Qingdao and its little slice of Germany.

Once occupied by multiple foreign empires, particularly Germany, many public buildings in Qingdao still bear a distinctly German style of brick facades and maroon roof tiles. Thanks to this, the city is a summer must-visit for any architecture or history buffs out there.

And if you happen to be around the birthplace of Tsingtao Beer from July 18 – August 10, the Qingdao International Beer Festival is a month-long celebration of all things beer and an amazing glimpse into local beer culture!

China is known for so much more than its beer, so if you’re ever visiting, make sure to check out these must-try alcohol from China and beyond!

Qinghai

Going back inland, we run into our next summer sojourn out west in Qinghai.

This massive province – the fourth largest in China – is home to many mountain ranges and highland plateaus that are sparsely populated.

And being right next door to Tibet, Qinghai is a viable alternative to the daunting and expensive challenge of Tibet thanks to its similar climate and geography of snowy mountains and cool highland lakes.

One of said lakes is the province’s eponymous Qinghai Lake, an enormous tear-drop lake that spans almost 4,650 square kilometres.

Its sapphire waters, endless sky and a backdrop of cloud-covered mountains are already gorgeous enough, but in summer around July, this scene is further topped by huge swathes of shimmering, golden rapeseed flowers. The sight of this golden sea lapping up against the lake’s deep waters must be seen to be believed!

Continuing with the lake love, Qinghai also boasts the Chaka Salt Lake, a relatively tiny lake right next to Qinghai Lake.

Though tiny, it more than makes up for it with its otherworldly mirror sheen that reflects everything from sky, cloud, mountain and even selfie subjects-making it extremely popular among tourists, who love to come during summer thanks to the cooler weather.

But if you’re looking for grassland instead, look no further than the Qilian Mountain Grassland.

Hugging the slopes of Qilian Mountain, this highland comes alive in summer with rolling hills of green grass happily enjoyed by herds of grazing livestock. Its rippling, undulating grasslands below barren, snowy peaks give the faraway Swiss Alps a fair run for their money.

Of course, if you’re a looking to go all the way, the Autonomous Region of Xinjiang has its share of placid alpine lakes and snowcapped mountains, not to mention some genuinely mount-watering Chinese-Central Asian food! We even have a detailed 10-day journal/itinerary!

Yunnan

Taking our eyes to China’s far south, we come to the border province of Yunnan.

Despite bordering Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos, summers here are surprisingly cool with only the occasional rain.

This cool weather only makes destinations like Lijiang that much more attractive. This watery town of picturesque lakes and canals boasts UNESCO-recognized heritage districts full of the Naxi people’s architecture, all while Yunnan’s famed Jade Dragon Snow Mountain looms in the background.

Nature lovers and cultural enthusiasts can also look forward to Xishuangbanna, a slice of Southeast Asia within China that’s filled with a variety of tropical gardens and parks.

The Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden is particularly famed for its huge swarms of water lily pads while the urban Manting Park contains pleasant greenery dotted with Burmese-inspired royal buildings from the city’s past.

Those with a more chill disposition can instead head to the border city of Tengchong, a geologically active region that has spawned a ton of hot springs.

Within the Rehai Scenic Area, steamy fumaroles and explosive geysers can be found next to cerulean hot springs. Although the superhot springs will only allow you to cook eggs, there are cooler ones that allow you to soak your summer worries away.

Over to the east in Japan, it’s easy to find plenty of hot springs, but the undisputed hot spring hub must be the onsen town of Beppu. Check out our guide to the hot spring heavens (and hells) of Beppu.

Hunan

Looking eastwards, Hunan is another great southern pick for summer vacationers.

Thanks to its mountainous terrain and wet summers, this inland province is blessed with windy peaks and misty lakes that help take off that summer edge.

And where better to start your summer retreat than with a visit to Zhangjiajie’s famous stone forest.

Worn down with eons of erosion, these world-famous karst towers and their green drapery are a feast for the eyes while you escape the heat from the valley below.

Still, it’s not all hot down there, as visitors to Furong Town can attest.

This magnificent town is perched high above a waterfall cascade that flows gracefully down into the You River. The dreamy nighttime views of the old town along with the watery environs are more than enough to forget your summer blues.

But if you need even more water, then Dongjiang Lake’s misty embrace welcomes you!

The pleasant and pristine waters of this lake have drawn many tourists in recent years, who come for pleasure cruises and whitewater rafting. There’s even the chilly Doushuai Cave and its cave formations, which are lit up by a psychedelic array of lights.

But, if you manage to visit around April to October, stretches of the lake can become shrouded in an ethereal mist, adding a touch of mystery to this Hunan haven.

Besides grand rivers and lakes, Southern China’s wet climate has also given rise to one of its greatest watery wonders – the water towns of Jiangnan!

Looking beyond summer? Then you might be interested in the 9 Must-See Spring Flowers of China. Or, if you’re still smitten by summer, how about a summer trip to Japan’s Coolest National Parks?