Avoid the crowds for reverse tourism: these 8 cool and refreshing destinations are a perfect way to escape the summer heat (personally tested).
Escape the summer heat with these 8️⃣ less crowded and beautiful places:
01 Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture | Yunnan
Summer in Dali is cool in the mornings and evenings, requiring a jacket. During the day, the sun shines on Erhai Lake, and the breeze is cool, not the artificial coolness of an air-conditioned room. I suggest staying in Xizhou Ancient Town, avoiding the crowded old town. Xizhou's morning market opens at 7 am; a bowl of rice noodles with fried dough sticks costs only 5 yuan and you'll be stuffed. After eating, stroll along the paddy fields; the rice in August is a vibrant green, with Cangshan Mountain in the background—the view is far more valuable than any trendy cafe.
⏰ After 4 pm, visit the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple. The sunlight shines obliquely on the pagodas, reflecting in the pool—perfect for photos without filters. The entrance fee is 75 yuan. Note that the Three Pagodas Reflection Pool is on the exit side, so don't leave immediately after visiting.
For the Erhai Lake loop, I recommend renting an electric scooter along the western section, from Caicun to Xizhou. The entire route is an ecological corridor, inaccessible to motor vehicles. Along the way, you'll encounter many unnamed flower fields; stop and take photos whenever you feel like it. Nanzhao Folk Island is in Shuanglang; you need to take a boat to get there. When it's crowded, the queue can be at least half an hour. ⚠️ Boat tickets and entrance tickets are bought separately, so don't get scammed by scalpers. If you're short on time, you can skip Shuanglang; the scenery in Haixi alone is enough to keep you entertained for a whole day.
02 Shigatse City | Tibet
Going to Shigatse in August is a serious way to escape the heat; the highest temperature here is only slightly above 20 degrees Celsius. But don't assume you can easily see Mount Everest. It takes six hours to drive from the city to Everest Base Camp, climbing to an altitude of 5200 meters along the way. I advise you to stay in Tingri County on your first day to acclimatize, rather than rushing straight to base camp; a headache will prevent you from seeing anything.
The Everest entrance ticket is 160 yuan, and you also need to transfer to an eco-friendly bus to enter the mountain; the bus ticket is 120 yuan.
⏰ The best time to see Everest is 7:00 AM, when there are the fewest clouds, and you can see the entire mountain bathed in golden sunlight. Going in the afternoon will basically just show you clouds, and if you're unlucky, even the summit may be hidden.
⚠️ The toilets and tent area at the base camp are basic, so be prepared.
Back in the city, visit Tashilhunpo Monastery (entrance fee 55 RMB). This is the Panchen Lama's residence; it's very large, and a visit takes about two hours. The white stupa and red walls are particularly beautiful in the afternoon light. I recommend hiring a guide, otherwise it will just be a rushed experience. Walking the pilgrimage route around the monastery entrance with the locals allows you to feel their daily faith, which is more meaningful than simply taking a photo.
03 Hengshui City | Hebei
Hengshui Lake is the largest freshwater lake on the North China Plain. In August, the lotus flowers are in full bloom. Boating through the reeds, the air is filled with the fragrance of lotus leaves. Entrance is free, but boat rides are separate: speedboat 80 RMB per person, hand-rowed boat 60 RMB. I recommend the hand-rowed boat; it's slower, but you can smell the lotus flowers. Speedboats create a lot of splashing water.
⏰ Arriving at the lake around 6 AM is best; the water is misty, and birds are chirping in the reeds. Hengshui Lake is a stopover for migratory birds; egrets and herons can be seen in August. Bring a telephoto lens; your phone won't be able to capture the birds.
There's a fish restaurant at the Laoyanhe Wharf in the lake area; their specialty is stewed mixed fish, averaging around 50 yuan per person. The fish is freshly caught from the lake.
⚠️ Weekends are crowded, and there are queues for boats; it's recommended to go on weekdays. There's a cycling path around the lake; renting a bicycle costs 20 yuan per hour, and a complete loop takes about two hours, suitable for families with children. The path is flat with no hills.
04 Shennongjia Forest District | Hubei
Summer in Shennongjia is like a natural air-conditioned room, averaging 20 degrees Celsius. A combined ticket is required to enter the scenic area; it costs 269 yuan per person, valid for five days, and includes six smaller scenic areas. If time is limited, I suggest only visiting Shennongding and Dajiuhu. Shennongding is the roof of Central China, at an altitude of 3106 meters; wear a jacket as it's windy.
The morning mist at Dajiu Lake is breathtaking, but you must arrive at the transfer center before 6:00 AM to catch the bus, otherwise you'll miss it once the mist dissipates.
⏰ The best time to see the morning mist is between 7:00 and 8:00 AM. There's a small train within the scenic area that stops at each lake. It's recommended to get off at Lake 4 and hike to Lake 5; that section is the most beautiful.
⚠️ Mountain weather is unpredictable. Raincoats are more useful than umbrellas; they cost 15 yuan each at convenience stores, don't buy them for 30 yuan at the scenic area entrance. For accommodation, I recommend Muyu Town, which is close to the scenic area and convenient for dining. There's a wild vegetable restaurant in town that serves stir-fried small potatoes and rice with cured pork; it costs around 40 yuan per person, and locals eat there. Shennongjia is suitable for escaping the summer heat and taking children, but there are many steps, making it difficult to push a stroller.
05 Alxa League | Inner Mongolia
The poplar forests of Alxa are exclusively for autumn, but if you go in August, the Badain Jaran Desert is the main attraction. Summer in the desert is indeed hot during the day, but it's cool in the mornings and evenings. Just avoid the period between noon and 3 pm for a completely different experience.
The entrance fee to the Badain Jaran Desert is 70 yuan, and an off-road vehicle costs 400 yuan to enter the desert; each vehicle seats four people. The driver takes you on a dune surfing adventure—the feeling of weightlessness is more thrilling than a roller coaster, but some people get motion sickness, so take motion sickness medication beforehand. The lakes deep in the desert are salt lakes; the blue-green water against the yellow sand looks like something out of another world when photographed by a drone.
The Populus euphratica forest tourist area is in Ejina Banner. In August, the poplars are still green, but if you want to avoid the crowds during the National Day holiday, seeing the green poplars now offers a different experience. The sunrise at Juyan Lake in Ejina Banner is breathtaking; the entrance fee is 60 yuan.
⏰ Sunrise is around 6:30 am; arrive half an hour early to find a good spot for your photo.
Accommodation is in Badain Jaran Town; hotels costing just over 100 yuan a night offer very good conditions. Stargazing in the desert at night, with the Milky Way visible to the naked eye, is a experience no amount of money in the city can buy.
06 Xuzhou City | Jiangsu Province
Xuzhou Yunlong Lake is a local's summer retreat. It's free to enter, and the lake is quite large; a complete loop is 10 kilometers. I recommend renting an electric scooter for 60 yuan an hour.
⏰ Go after 6 PM; the lake sparkles with golden light, and the breeze is incredibly refreshing.
There's an artificial beach on the east bank of Yunlong Lake, but the sand is very fine, and kids play there until dark. The lakeside park has a free fitness trail; wear sneakers, not flip-flops. There's a Xuzhou Museum nearby, free, but closed on Mondays, so be careful not to go there empty-handed. The museum exhibits Han Dynasty stone carvings, worth spending an hour seeing.
For food, go to the street opposite Kaiyuan Mingdu by the lake; there are several restaurants serving stewed chicken in a clay pot, around 50 yuan per person. The flatbread dipped in the soup with the stewed chicken is absolutely delicious.
🍜 Xuzhou is famous for its barbecue, but not the large skewers popular online; it's small skewers, grilled until dry and fragrant. Peak hours are after 10 PM, with queues starting at half an hour.
Yunlong Lake is suitable for evening walks, playing in the sand with children, and cycling in the breeze. It's not recommended to go during the midday heat; without shade, you'll be unbearably sunburned.
07 Ganzhou City | Jiangxi Province
Ganzhou is a Hakka-populated area. Visiting in August offers a cool respite from the summer heat and allows you to experience the Hakka walled village culture. Sanbaishan is the source of the Dongjiang River, with extremely high forest coverage and numerous waterfalls in its canyons. The temperature is five or six degrees Celsius lower than in the city. Entrance fee is 85 yuan, sightseeing bus is 20 yuan.
⏰ Morning is the best time to visit, as the light in the canyons is good, and you can capture rainbows at the waterfalls.
The glass sky bridge at Sanbaishan is a popular attraction, but those with a fear of heights should avoid it; there are alternative mountain paths. The boardwalk is gentle and suitable for both the elderly and children. After descending the mountain, visit Shicheng (not the famous Stone City, but Shicheng County in Ganzhou), famous for its lotus flowers. In August, the lotus flowers in Shicheng County are in full bloom, covering tens of thousands of acres. Tongtianzhai in the county seat features typical Danxia landforms; the entrance fee is 60 yuan.
🍜 Ganzhou cuisine tends to be spicy and salty. Locals recommend Ningdu Three-Cup Chicken and Xingguo Rice Noodle Fish. Buy some lotus seed tea from Shicheng County; it's refreshing and helps relieve summer heat.
⚠️ Ganzhou often experiences afternoon thunderstorms in summer, so bring an umbrella; the rain comes and goes quickly.
If you want to see authentic Hakka walled villages, go to Guanxi Xinwei in Longnan, about an hour's drive from the city center; the entrance fee is 80 yuan. That's the real-life version of "Big Fish & Begonia," much more interesting than commercialized tourist attractions.
08 Zhoushan City | Zhejiang
In Zhoushan's summer, sea breezes and seafood are the main attractions. Putuoshan is a Buddhist holy site; the entrance fee is 160 yuan, and a round-trip boat ticket is 60 yuan. It's very popular, but it gets crowded in August. I suggest taking the first boat at 7:00 AM and visiting the South China Sea Guanyin statue first for a quieter experience. ⏰ Tour groups started arriving after noon, making Fayu Temple and Puji Temple extremely crowded.
If you're not particularly keen on burning incense, I recommend Gouqi Island. Located in the Shengsi Islands, Gouqi Island boasts stunningly blue waters – the true way to experience the East China Sea. The boat trip from Shenjiawan Wharf takes four hours and costs 85 yuan. Dawang Beach on the island is free, with fine sand; you can even find small crabs after low tide in the evening.
🍜 The island's cuisine features seafood caught that day by fishing boats; swimming crabs and ribbonfish are must-try dishes. Street food stalls cost around 70 yuan per person, half the price of Putuoshan.
⚠️ Boat tickets must be booked in advance on their official WeChat account; during peak season, tickets are usually sold out on the day. Accommodation on the island ranges from guesthouses costing 200 yuan to sea-view rooms costing 500 yuan. I recommend staying in Dawang Village, as it's convenient for dining and transportation.
The sunrise at Gouqi Island is best viewed from the eastern cliff of Shengshan Island. Tickets are 50 yuan, and you need to leave at 4 AM, but seeing the sun leap from the sea is worth it.
Of these eight places, I highly recommend Shennongjia and Gouqi Island. Shennongjia is truly cool, and Gouqi Island is truly blue. Do you know any other less crowded, beautiful summer retreats? Tell me in the comments, and I'll explore them next time.
Reverse Tourism to Escape the Summer Heat: These 8️⃣ Places Are Less Crowded and More Beautiful
01 Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture | Yunnan
In Dali's summer, the mornings and evenings are so cool you'll need a jacket. During the day, the sun shines on Erhai Lake, and the breeze is cool, not the artificial coolness of an air-conditioned room. I suggest you stay in Xizhou Ancient Town, avoid the crowded old town. The morning market in Xizhou opens at 7 AM; you can eat your fill of rice noodles with fried dough sticks for just five yuan. After eating, take a walk along the paddy field ridges. The rice paddies in August are a vibrant green, with Cangshan Mountain in the background – the view is far more valuable than any trendy cafe.
⏰ After 4 PM, visit the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple. The sunlight shines obliquely on the pagodas, reflecting in the pond, making for perfect photos without filters. Tickets are 75 yuan. Note that the Three Pagodas Reflection Pool is located towards the exit; don't leave immediately after visiting.
For the Erhai Lake loop, I recommend renting an electric scooter along the western section, from Caicun to Xizhou. It's an ecological corridor, inaccessible to motor vehicles. You'll encounter many unnamed flower fields along the way, perfect for stopping and taking photos. Nanzhao Folk Island is in Shuanglang; you need to take a boat to get there. When it's crowded, the queue can be at least half an hour. ⚠️ Boat tickets and entrance tickets are purchased separately; don't get ripped off by scalpers. If you're short on time, you can skip Shuanglang; the scenery along the western section is enough to keep you entertained for a whole day.
02 Shigatse City | Tibet
Going to Shigatse in August is a serious way to escape the summer heat; the highest temperature here is only slightly above 20 degrees Celsius. But don't assume you can easily see Mount Everest. It takes six hours to drive from the city to Everest Base Camp, climbing to an altitude of 5200 meters along the way. I advise you to stay in Tingri County on your first day to acclimatize, rather than rushing straight to base camp; a headache might prevent you from seeing anything.
The entrance fee to Everest is 160 yuan, and you need to transfer to an eco-friendly bus to enter the mountain, which costs 120 yuan.
⏰ The best time to see Everest is 7:00 AM, when there are the fewest clouds and you can see the entire mountain bathed in golden sunlight. Going in the afternoon will mostly result in seeing clouds, and if you're unlucky, even the summit might be hidden.
⚠️ The toilets and tent areas at base camp are basic; be prepared.
Back in the city, visit Tashilhunpo Monastery (entrance fee 55 yuan). This is the residence of the Panchen Lama, and it's quite large; a visit takes about two hours. The white stupas and red walls of the monastery are particularly beautiful in the afternoon light around 4:00 PM. I suggest hiring a guide, otherwise it'll just be a rushed visit. Walking the prayer wheel path around the temple entrance with the locals allows you to experience their everyday faith, which is more meaningful than simply taking a picture.
03 Hengshui City | Hebei
Hengshui Lake is the largest freshwater lake on the North China Plain. In August, the lotus flowers are in full bloom. Boating through the reeds, the air is filled with the fragrance of lotus leaves. Admission is free, but boat rides are separate: speedboats are 80 yuan per person, and hand-rowed boats are 60 yuan. I recommend the hand-rowed boat; it's slower, but you can smell the lotus flowers. Speedboats create a lot of splashing water.
⏰ Arrive at the lake around 6 am; the water is misty, and birds are calling in the reeds. Hengshui Lake is a stopover for migratory birds; in August, you can see egrets and herons. Bring a telephoto lens; your phone won't be able to capture the birds.
There's a fish restaurant at the old Yanhe Wharf in the lake area; their stewed mixed fish is a specialty, costing around 50 yuan per person. The fish is freshly caught from the lake.
⚠️ Weekends are crowded, and boats may have long queues; weekdays are recommended. There's a cycling path around the lake; bikes cost 20 yuan per hour, and a complete loop takes about two hours, suitable for families with children. The path is flat with no hills.
04 Shennongjia Forest District | Hubei
Summer in Shennongjia is like a natural air-conditioned room, averaging 20 degrees Celsius. A combined ticket is required to enter the scenic area; it costs 269 yuan per person, valid for five days, and includes six smaller scenic areas. If time is limited, I suggest only visiting Shennongding and Dajiuhu. Shennongding is the "Roof of Central China," at an altitude of 3106 meters; a jacket is necessary as it's windy.
The morning mist at Dajiuhu is spectacular, but you must arrive at the transfer center before 6 AM to catch the bus, otherwise, you'll miss everything once the mist dissipates.
⏰ The best time to see the morning mist is between 7 and 8 AM. There's a small train within the scenic area that stops at each lake. I recommend getting off at Lake 4 and hiking to Lake 5; that section is the most beautiful.
⚠️ Mountain weather is unpredictable; raincoats are more useful than umbrellas. They cost 15 yuan each at convenience stores, don't buy them for 30 yuan at the scenic area entrance. For accommodation, I recommend Muyu Town, it's close to the scenic area and convenient for meals. There's a wild vegetable restaurant in town that serves stir-fried small potatoes and rice with cured pork; it costs around 40 yuan per person, and locals eat there. Shennongjia is suitable for escaping the summer heat and taking children, but there are many steps, making it difficult to push a stroller.
05 Alxa League | Inner Mongolia
The poplar forests of Alxa are exclusively for autumn, but if you go in August, the Badain Jaran Desert is the main attraction. Summer in the desert is indeed hot during the day, but it's cool in the mornings and evenings. As long as you avoid going between 12 pm and 3 pm, the experience is completely different.
The entrance fee to the Badain Jaran Desert is 70 yuan, and it costs 400 yuan per off-road vehicle to enter the desert; each vehicle can seat four people. The driver will take you surfing on the dunes; the feeling of weightlessness is more thrilling than a roller coaster, but some people get motion sickness. ⚠️ If you are prone to motion sickness, take motion sickness medication beforehand. The lakes deep in the desert are salt lakes; the turquoise water against the yellow sand looks like something out of another world when filmed by drone.
The Populus euphratica forest tourist area is in Ejina Banner. In August, the poplars are still green, but if you want to avoid the crowds during the National Day holiday, seeing the green poplar forest now offers a different experience. The sunrise at Juyan Lake in Ejina Banner is breathtaking; the entrance fee is 60 yuan.
⏰ Sunrise is around 6:30 am; arrive half an hour early to find a good spot for your camera.
Accommodation is in Badain Jaran Town; hotels costing just over 100 yuan a night offer very good conditions. At night, stargazing on the desert shore reveals the Milky Way clearly—a sight that no amount of money in the city can buy.
06 Xuzhou City | Jiangsu
Xuzhou Yunlong Lake is a summer retreat for locals. It's free to enter, and the lake is quite large; a complete loop is 10 kilometers. I recommend renting an electric scooter for 60 yuan an hour.
⏰ Go after 6 pm; the lake glitters with golden light, and the breeze is incredibly refreshing.
There's an artificial beach on the east bank of Yunlong Lake, but the sand is very fine, and kids play there until dark. The lakeside park has a free fitness trail; wear sneakers, not flip-flops. There's a Xuzhou Museum nearby, free, but closed on Mondays, so be careful not to go there empty-handed. The museum exhibits Han Dynasty stone reliefs, worth spending an hour seeing.
For food, go to the street opposite Kaiyuan Mingdu by the lake; there are several restaurants serving stewed chicken in a clay pot, around 50 yuan per person. The cornbread dipped in the broth is amazing.
🍜 Xuzhou is famous for its barbecue, but not the big skewers you see online; it's small skewers, grilled until dry and fragrant. Peak hours are after 10 pm; expect a wait of at least half an hour.
Yunlong Lake is suitable for evening walks, playing in the sand with kids, and cycling in the breeze. It's not suitable for going in the middle of the day; there's no shade, and you'll be exposed to intense sun.
07 Ganzhou City | Jiangxi Province
Ganzhou is a Hakka-populated area. Visiting in August offers a cool respite from the summer heat and allows you to experience the Hakka walled village culture. Sanbaishan Mountain is the source of the Dongjiang River, boasting extremely high forest coverage and numerous waterfalls in its valleys. The temperature is five to six degrees Celsius lower than in the city. Entrance fee: 85 yuan; sightseeing bus: 20 yuan.
⏰ Morning is the best time to visit, as the light in the valleys is better, and you can capture rainbows at the waterfalls.
The glass sky bridge at Sanbaishan Mountain is a popular attraction, but those with a fear of heights should avoid it; there are alternative mountain paths. The boardwalk is gentle and suitable for both the elderly and children. After descending the mountain, head to Shicheng (not the famous Stone City, but Shicheng County in Ganzhou), renowned for its lotus flowers. In August, thousands of acres of lotus flowers are in full bloom in Shicheng. Tongtianzhai in the county seat features typical Danxia landforms; entrance fee: 60 yuan.
🍜 Ganzhou cuisine tends to be spicy and salty. Locals recommend Ningdu Three-Cup Chicken and Xingguo Rice Noodle Fish. Buy some lotus seed tea from Shicheng County; it's refreshing and cooling.
⚠️ Ganzhou experiences frequent afternoon thunderstorms in summer, so bring an umbrella; the rain comes and goes quickly.
If you want to see authentic Hakka walled villages, go to Guanxi Xinwei in Longnan, about an hour's drive from the city center. The entrance fee is 80 yuan. It's the real-life version of the movie *Big Fish & Begonia*, much more interesting than commercialized tourist spots.
08 Zhoushan City | Zhejiang
In Zhoushan's summer, sea breezes and seafood are the main attractions. Putuoshan is a Buddhist holy site; the entrance fee is 160 yuan, and a round-trip ferry ticket is 60 yuan. It's very popular, but it gets crowded in August. I recommend taking the first ferry at 7:00 AM and visiting the South China Sea Guanyin statue first for a quieter experience.
⏰ After noon, tour groups arrive, and Fayu Temple and Puji Temple become very crowded.
If you're not particularly keen on burning incense, I recommend Gouqi Island. Located in the Shengsi Islands, Gouqi Island boasts stunning blue waters—this is the true way to experience the East China Sea. The boat trip from Shenjiawan Wharf takes four hours and costs 85 yuan. Dawang Beach on the island is free, with fine sand; you can find small crabs after low tide in the evening.
🍜 The island's food consists of seafood caught that day by fishing boats; swimming crabs and ribbonfish are must-try dishes. Street food stalls cost around 70 yuan per person, half the price of Putuoshan.
⚠️ Boat tickets must be booked in advance on their official WeChat account; during peak season, tickets are basically sold out on the day. Accommodation on the island ranges from guesthouses for 200 yuan to sea-view rooms for 500 yuan. I recommend staying in Dawang Village, as it's convenient for dining and transportation.
The sunrise on Gouqi Island is viewed from the East Cliff on Shengshan Island. The entrance fee is 50 yuan, and you need to leave at 4 am, but seeing the sun leap from the horizon is worth it.
Of these eight places, I most recommend Shennongjia and Gouqi Island. Shennongjia is truly cool, and Gouqi Island has truly blue skies. Do you know any other less crowded and beautiful summer retreats? Tell me in the comments, and I'll explore them next time.