2026 Ningxia Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in August)

Everyone says that travel cools down once the summer holidays are over, but some people flock to popular cities in July and August. Tickets are twice as expensive, hotels are overflowing, and taking pictures is all in the back of their heads. I don't believe in evil, so I choose to go out and walk around from the end of August to September. There are fewer people, it's cool, and my wallet can still take a breather. These 8 places, which I have fielded, compared prices, personally tried the route, to tell the truth, when you need to save, when you need to spend. 01 Xiangyang | Hubei ⏰ Enter Gurung Chung at 7am, the ticket office has just opened, tourists have not yet arrived. The fog in the mountains has not dissipated, the stone road is wet, and the bamboos in front of Sangu Hall are rustled by the wind. Walking at this time is worthy of the word "quiet". By the time the tour arrives after nine o'clock, you've already taken all the empty views of the Grass Pavilion. Tickets are not cheap to buy on-site, but booking a day in advance on the official platform can save you $20. ⚠️ Don't believe the "take you to walk the path free ticket" at the door to solicit customers, the detour to the back hill is all wild slopes, a fall is not worth it. After walking out of Gurung Chung, don't take a taxi in such a hurry. Bus No. 512 goes directly to the city. It's a two-dollar chicken. It saves you money on a bowl of beef noodles than an online ride-hailing bus. 🍜 At noon, turn into Tanxi Road, casually find a noodle stall opened downstairs from residents, Xiangyang beef noodles standard with yellow wine and garlic cloves. The spicy oil is thick, the alkaline noodles are bouncy enough, and I sweat on my forehead after a bowl. In the afternoon, I went to North Street for a walk. There is an old man setting up a stall at the foot of the city wall selling golden cakes. A pack of chicken for five dollars will fall off after a bite. It is much more practical than the thirty-dollar souvenirs in the scenic spot. 02 Stationed Horse Store | Henan The mountain is related to "Journey to the West", but don't expect to see any special effects scenes. A mountain is a mountain, with strange stones, many holes and dense trees. Enter from the south gate at 8am, walk the Westward Journey Cultural Trail, detour to Lake Biwa and then to the top of the mountain. The whole journey is three hours, perfect for people with moderate physical strength. ⚠️ The cable car at the north gate is not good. The queue is forty minutes, and it's only twenty minutes less to go up. It's not worth it. Old Leshan is more windy and more primitive. The trail from the foot of the mountain to the top of the mountain is well built, but there are few resupply points. I have to carry two bottles of water on my own. The wind at the summit is strong enough to blow away your hat. Remember to bring a thin jacket when you go in September. In the afternoon, I went down the mountain and went to the village under the mountain. I ordered a pot of ground pot chicken and sticky cakes for dipping in soup in the farmhouse. It only cost $60 for two people. 🚄 Take a taxi from Zhuma Tien West Station to Mount Yuen for about 40 dollars, it's more cost-effective to share the ride. Don't walk all two mountains in one day, your feet will be useless. I held on hard that year, and the next day my calf hurt so much that I couldn’t go downstairs, and my schedule after that was all a mess. 03 Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture |Xinjiang The blue of Lake Sailimu is the kind of blue that you would be shocked to see in photos a hundred times and see with your own eyes. ⏰ After 5pm the light shines slantingly on the water, the color of the lake changes from gem blue to dark green, and swans swim slowly on the shore. Don’t flock to the east coast as soon as you walk in. Open towards the south coast with half less people and twice as many photo spots. The Grand Canyon of Anjihai is just around the corner on the way to Lake Sailimu. There are no guardrails at the edge of the canyon, ⚠️ Don’t lean too close to the side for photos, the soil is loose, stepping on the air is not a joke. The drone is shocking to fly, but the wind is strong and the crash rate is high, so do what you can. The mountains and rivers of Hot Springs County are harvested by accident. Forty minutes out of Sailimu Lake, there is a wild hot spring in the valley, locals call it "hot water ditch", the water is so hot that your feet can't put it down, soak for a while and relax your whole body. Accommodation Choose a B&B in Hot Springs County Town for two hundred dollars a night, half cheaper than inside the scenic spot. 🍜 For dinner, eat Kazakh naren, with noodles spread on the bottom, horse meat covered on top, and poured with a spoonful of hot soup. It warms people's hearts in cold weather. 04 Wu Zhong | Ningxia The Bronze Canyon Yellow River Grand Canyon, whose name sounds tough, is actually very comfortable to walk on. Enter the scenic spot at nine in the morning, first take a boat to cross the river, from the water to see the rock walls on both banks, ocher red, earth yellow stacked together, as if cut by a knife. The 108 towers are on the hillside on the other side of the river. Looking up from below, the towers are so layered that it is impossible to count how many there are. ⏰ After seeing the tower before noon, the light was too hard in the afternoon, all the photos were dead white. Dining inside the scenic area is expensive. A bowl of noodles costs thirty dollars, and the taste is about that. Bring your own dry food, come out to town to eat hand-grabbed lamb, Wu Zhong's beach lamb is not greasy, dipped in vinegar and garlic to eat, fragrant to lick your fingers. 🚄 Yinchuan to Wuzhong high-speed rail half an hour, out of the station take a taxi to the scenic spot about twenty kilometers. Don't pack a group for a day trip. The schedule is so rushed that it's like a war. It's more comfortable to walk around on your own. 05 Qingdao | Shandong Mount Yi and Guanqiao are separated by a distance of the entire city. Don't think about walking them all in one day. Choose the Yangkou Line from Mount Yi, enter the mountain at 7am, climb Mi Tien Cave, cross Shouzi Peak, and reach the top of the mountain to see the sea and sky. ⚠️ Tai clear line afternoon backlight, portrait face all black, do not waste time. Don't go to the canyon in the morning. Tour groups flock to it. The bridge is so crowded that it looks like a subway during the morning rush hour. ⏰ Go after 5:30 pm, the sunset dyes Huilan Pavilion golden, seagulls fly around, locals walking time, but the most comfortable. The stall selling grilled squid in Qiaotou sells chicken for 10 dollars, which is bigger than the 15-dollar ones in the scenic spot. Go to the Olympic Sailing Center at night with the lights on and the sea breeze for a lap along the Lover’s Dam. The sailboat is parked in the harbor, the mast is swaying back and forth, and the light show at May Fourth Square in the distance starts at eight o'clock. 🍜 After watching, go to Minjiang Road to eat wild wontons, the soup is fresh and big filling, with a grilled meat, 20 dollars per person to eat full. 06 Ankang | Shaanxi The Thousand Layers River is deep in the Qinling Mountains, and the water is that emerald green, so clear that you can see the rocks at the bottom of the river. Went in late August, the water was cool but not piercing, except for the shoes stepped in, the soles of the feet were pebbled and itchy and cool. A two-hour walk along the riverwalk, waterfalls, deep pools, and shallows rotate, changing the view with each turn. The ancient terraces of Fengyan are not on the list of scenic spots, but they are my favorite place in Ankang. ⏰ In early September, the rice began to turn yellow, the terraces were laid from the foot of the mountain to the top of the mountain. In the evening, the sunlight outlined the ridge of the fields, and the smoke rose from the mud roof of the mountainside. There is no admission fee, no fence, even if you stand on the field ridge and watch, no one will rush you. 📍 Driving over an hour and a half from Ankang city, the mountain road has many bends, good medicine for motion sickness. Accommodation Choose a farmhouse in the terraces, eighty dollars a night, wake up in the morning by birds, push the window to see the misty terraces. ⚠️ Don't rush the night road. There are no street lights on the mountain, and there are many curves. Locals don't dare to drive fast. 07 Guest | Guangxi The name of Lotus Hill in Jinxiu sounds old-fashioned, but the scenery is not old-fashioned. Danxia landform, the mountains are cracked like lotus petals, the canyon hangs halfway up the mountain, the abyss beneath the feet, the feet are weak to walk. ⏰ Arrive before 9am, the clouds have not dispersed, the top of the mountain emerges from the sea of ​​clouds, like an ink painting. Tickets are not cheap, but including a round-trip sightseeing car, it's still acceptable. ⚠️ Few supply points on the mountain, bring enough water and dry food, cup noodles ten dollars a bucket of chicken, you like to buy or not. After going down the mountain, go to Jinxiu County Town. The Yao ethnic style street is very lively at night. Oil tea is a must-drink. The ginger flavor hits the nose, and the bitterness is fragrant. After two sips, the body warms up. 🚄 Liuzhou by bus over two hours, the guest city over is not far. Don't sign up for a day tour. The schedule is too rushed. Lotus Hill is worth walking slowly for three hours. 🍜The fried asparagus with dried pork belly in the county town is savory and served with rice, with a bowl of oil tea, and you can eat it for 30 dollars per person. 08 Harbin | Heilongjiang Everyone says Harbin is worth visiting in winter, but I think September is its hidden version. Ice and Snow World winter tickets are more than 300 dollars. Although you can't see ice sculptures in September, the wetland park outside the park is open for free. ⚠️ Don't be obsessed with seeing the ice, there is no ice in September, watching is another kind of Harbin. Volga Manor Go in the summer, green trees cover Russian-style wooden houses, and the Ash River runs through the manor, as if walking into some European town. Tickets include a cruise, take a round trip, the wind blows from the river, very cool. The exterior of Hagia Sophia is enough to take pictures, no need to buy a ticket to enter, there is not much space inside, the lighting is dim, not as beautiful as the outside. 🍜 Autumn Forest Company buys red sausage and big bar, the kind that locals queue up. Eat the red sausage while it's hot. The garlic is mixed with the meat, and the juice bursts out when you take a bite. Walking on Central Avenue at night, the bread stone under your feet is ground to shine, Madier ice cream five-dollar chicken a piece, rich milk flavor, while walking while eating, a cool breeze, that kind of comfort is really unbeatable. These 8 places, I had only one criterion when I chose: late August to September, not many people, not bad views, money makes it worth it. Do you have any plans to go out lately? Where do you most want to go? Let’s talk in the comments section and maybe we can still hit our heads on the road. Everyone says that travel cools down once the summer holidays are over, but some people flock to popular cities in July and August. Tickets are twice as expensive, hotels are overflowing, and taking pictures is all in the back of their heads. I don't believe in evil, so I choose to go out and walk around from the end of August to September. There are fewer people, it's cool, and my wallet can still take a breather. These 8 places, which I have fielded, compared prices, personally tried the route, to tell the truth, when you need to save, when you need to spend. 01 Xiangyang | Hubei ⏰ Enter Gurung Chung at 7am, the ticket office has just opened, tourists have not yet arrived. The fog in the mountains has not dissipated, the stone road is wet, and the bamboos in front of Sangu Hall are rustled by the wind. Walking at this time is worthy of the word "quiet". By the time the tour arrives after nine o'clock, you've already taken all the empty views of the Grass Pavilion. Tickets are not cheap to buy on-site, but booking a day in advance on the official platform can save you $20. ⚠️ Don't believe the "take you to walk the path free ticket" at the door to solicit customers, the detour to the back hill is all wild slopes, a fall is not worth it. After walking out of Gurung Chung, don't take a taxi in such a hurry. Bus No. 512 goes directly to the city. It's a two-dollar chicken. It saves you money on a bowl of beef noodles than an online ride-hailing bus. 🍜 At noon, turn into Tanxi Road, casually find a noodle stall opened downstairs from residents, Xiangyang beef noodles standard with yellow wine and garlic cloves. The spicy oil is thick, the alkaline noodles are bouncy enough, and I sweat on my forehead after a bowl. In the afternoon, I went to North Street for a walk. There is an old man setting up a stall at the foot of the city wall selling golden cakes. A pack of chicken for five dollars will fall off after a bite. It is much more practical than the thirty-dollar souvenirs in the scenic spot. 02 Stationed Horse Store | Henan The mountain is related to "Journey to the West", but don't expect to see any special effects scenes. A mountain is a mountain, with strange stones, many holes and dense trees. Enter from the south gate at 8am, walk the Westward Journey Cultural Trail, detour to Lake Biwa and then to the top of the mountain. The whole journey is three hours, perfect for people with moderate physical strength. ⚠️ The cable car at the north gate is not good. The queue is forty minutes, and it's only twenty minutes less to go up. It's not worth it. Old Leshan is more windy and more primitive. The trail from the foot of the mountain to the top of the mountain is well built, but there are few resupply points. I have to carry two bottles of water on my own. The wind at the summit is strong enough to blow away your hat. Remember to bring a thin jacket when you go in September. In the afternoon, I went down the mountain and went to the village under the mountain. I ordered a pot of ground pot chicken and sticky cakes for dipping in soup in the farmhouse. It only cost $60 for two people. 🚄 Take a taxi from Zhuma Tien West Station to Mount Yuen for about 40 dollars, it's more cost-effective to share the ride. Don't walk all two mountains in one day, your feet will be useless. I held on hard that year, and the next day my calf hurt so much that I couldn’t go downstairs, and my schedule after that was all a mess. 03 Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture |Xinjiang The blue of Lake Sailimu is the kind of blue that you would be shocked to see in photos a hundred times and see with your own eyes. ⏰ After 5pm the light shines slantingly on the water, the color of the lake changes from gem blue to dark green, and swans swim slowly on the shore. Don’t flock to the east coast as soon as you walk in. Open towards the south coast with half less people and twice as many photo spots. The Grand Canyon of Anjihai is just around the corner on the way to Lake Sailimu. There are no guardrails at the edge of the canyon, ⚠️ Don’t lean too close to the side for photos, the soil is loose, stepping on the air is not a joke. The drone is shocking to fly, but the wind is strong and the crash rate is high, so do what you can. The mountains and rivers of Hot Springs County are harvested by accident. Forty minutes out of Sailimu Lake, there is a wild hot spring in the valley, locals call it "hot water ditch", the water is so hot that your feet can't put it down, soak for a while and relax your whole body. Accommodation Choose a B&B in Hot Springs County Town for two hundred dollars a night, half cheaper than inside the scenic spot. 🍜 For dinner, eat Kazakh naren, with noodles spread on the bottom, horse meat covered on top, and poured with a spoonful of hot soup. It warms people's hearts in cold weather. 04 Wu Zhong | Ningxia The Bronze Canyon Yellow River Grand Canyon, whose name sounds tough, is actually very comfortable to walk on. Enter the scenic spot at nine in the morning, first take a boat to cross the river, from the water to see the rock walls on both banks, ocher red, earth yellow stacked together, as if cut by a knife. The 108 towers are on the hillside on the other side of the river. Looking up from below, the towers are so layered that it is impossible to count how many there are. ⏰ After seeing the tower before noon, the light was too hard in the afternoon, all the photos were dead white. Dining inside the scenic area is expensive. A bowl of noodles costs thirty dollars, and the taste is about that. Bring your own dry food, come out to town to eat hand-grabbed lamb, Wu Zhong's beach lamb is not greasy, dipped in vinegar and garlic to eat, fragrant to lick your fingers. 🚄 Yinchuan to Wuzhong high-speed rail half an hour, out of the station take a taxi to the scenic spot about twenty kilometers. Don't pack a group for a day trip. The schedule is so rushed that it's like a war. It's more comfortable to walk around on your own. 05 Qingdao | Shandong Mount Yi and Guanqiao are separated by a distance of the entire city. Don't think about walking them all in one day. Choose the Yangkou Line from Mount Yi, enter the mountain at 7am, climb Mi Tien Cave, cross Shouzi Peak, and reach the top of the mountain to see the sea and sky. ⚠️ Tai clear line afternoon backlight, portrait face all black, do not waste time. Don't go to the canyon in the morning. Tour groups flock to it. The bridge is so crowded that it looks like a subway during the morning rush hour. ⏰ Go after 5:30 pm, the sunset dyes Huilan Pavilion golden, seagulls fly around, locals walking time, but the most comfortable. The stall selling grilled squid in Qiaotou sells chicken for 10 dollars, which is bigger than the 15-dollar ones in the scenic spot. Go to the Olympic Sailing Center at night with the lights on and the sea breeze for a lap along the Lover’s Dam. The sailboat is parked in the harbor, the mast is swaying back and forth, and the light show at May Fourth Square in the distance starts at eight o'clock. 🍜 After watching, go to Minjiang Road to eat wild wontons, the soup is fresh and big filling, with a grilled meat, 20 dollars per person to eat full. 06 Ankang | Shaanxi The Thousand Layers River is deep in the Qinling Mountains, and the water is that emerald green, so clear that you can see the rocks at the bottom of the river. Went in late August, the water was cool but not piercing, except for the shoes stepped in, the soles of the feet were pebbled and itchy and cool. A two-hour walk along the riverwalk, waterfalls, deep pools, and shallows rotate, changing the view with each turn. The ancient terraces of Fengyan are not on the list of scenic spots, but they are my favorite place in Ankang. ⏰ In early September, the rice began to turn yellow, the terraces were laid from the foot of the mountain to the top of the mountain. In the evening, the sunlight outlined the ridge of the fields, and the smoke rose from the mud roof of the mountainside. There is no admission fee, no fence, even if you stand on the field ridge and watch, no one will rush you. 📍 Driving over an hour and a half from Ankang city, the mountain road has many bends, good medicine for motion sickness. Accommodation Choose a farmhouse in the terraces, eighty dollars a night, wake up in the morning by birds, push the window to see the misty terraces. ⚠️ Don't rush the night road. There are no street lights on the mountain, and there are many curves. Locals don't dare to drive fast. 07 Guest | Guangxi The name of Lotus Hill in Jinxiu sounds old-fashioned, but the scenery is not old-fashioned. Danxia landform, the mountains are cracked like lotus petals, the canyon hangs halfway up the mountain, the abyss beneath the feet, the feet are weak to walk. ⏰ Arrive before 9am, the clouds have not dispersed, the top of the mountain emerges from the sea of ​​clouds, like an ink painting. Tickets are not cheap, but including a round-trip sightseeing car, it's still acceptable. ⚠️ Few supply points on the mountain, bring enough water and dry food, cup noodles ten dollars a bucket of chicken, you like to buy or not. After going down the mountain, go to Jinxiu County Town. The Yao ethnic style street is very lively at night. Oil tea is a must-drink. The ginger flavor hits the nose, and the bitterness is fragrant. After two sips, the body warms up. 🚄 Liuzhou by bus over two hours, the guest city over is not far. Don't sign up for a day tour. The schedule is too rushed. Lotus Hill is worth walking slowly for three hours. 🍜The fried asparagus with dried pork belly in the county town is savory and served with rice, with a bowl of oil tea, and you can eat it for 30 dollars per person. 08 Harbin | Heilongjiang Everyone says Harbin is worth visiting in winter, but I think September is its hidden version. Ice and Snow World winter tickets are more than 300 dollars. Although you can't see ice sculptures in September, the wetland park outside the park is open for free. ⚠️ Don't be obsessed with seeing the ice, there is no ice in September, watching is another kind of Harbin. Volga Manor Go in the summer, green trees cover Russian-style wooden houses, and the Ash River runs through the manor, as if walking into some European town. Tickets include a cruise, take a round trip, the wind blows from the river, very cool. The exterior of Hagia Sophia is enough to take pictures, no need to buy a ticket to enter, there is not much space inside, the lighting is dim, not as beautiful as the outside. 🍜 Autumn Forest Company buys red sausage and big bar, the kind that locals queue up. Eat the red sausage while it's hot. The garlic is mixed with the meat, and the juice bursts out when you take a bite. Walking on Central Avenue at night, the bread stone under your feet is ground to shine, Madier ice cream five-dollar chicken a piece, rich milk flavor, while walking while eating, a cool breeze, that kind of comfort is really unbeatable. These 8 places, I had only one criterion when I chose: late August to September, not many people, not bad views, money makes it worth it. Do you have any plans to go out lately? Where do you most want to go? Let’s talk in the comments section and maybe we can still hit our heads on the road.

#chinatravel China is home to some of the world's most exceptional clay and ceramic museums, showcasing thousands of years of porcelain craftsmanship and cultural heritage. Here are the top ones you shouldn't miss! 🤩 🏺 Jingdezhen China Ceramic Museum (Jiangxi) 🎨 · Core status: China's first national-level ceramic-specialized museum, a national first-class museum, and the top-ranked institution in its field nationwide. · Collection strength: Over 50,000 artifacts spanning from Neolithic pottery to contemporary ceramics, including 1,600+ national precious cultural relics. · Must-see highlight: The iconic Yuan Dynasty underglaze blue peony-patterned plum vase 🌸, a globally unique masterpiece representing the peak of Yuan blue-and-white porcelain craftsmanship. · Practical info: Free entry, open 9:00-17:00 (closed Mondays), advance reservation required via official WeChat channels 📅. 🏯 Palace Museum New Ceramic Hall (Beijing) 👑 · Core status: The world's most comprehensive ancient ceramics collection, housed in the historic Wuying Hall of the Forbidden City 🏛️. · Collection strength: 360,000+ complete ceramic artifacts, covering every major kiln and ceramic variety across Chinese history. · Unique experience: The exhibition integrates ancient imperial architecture (exposed dragon-patterned ceilings 🐉, dougong brackets) with world-class ceramics, letting you appreciate relics in the same setting where emperors once handled them. 🏛️ Other Notable Top Picks 🌟 · Yuyao Museum (Zhejiang) 🌊: Specializes in Yue kiln celadon, displaying the full 1,000-year evolution of this iconic southern Chinese ceramic tradition. · Guanfu Museum (Beijing) 🖼️: A private museum with a curated, high-quality collection of ancient Chinese ceramics, famous for its rare Song Dynasty porcelain pieces. · Yinchuan Museum (Ningxia) 🌄: Features exclusive Xixia Dynasty ceramic artifacts, a rare window into the ceramic culture of ancient western China. These museums cover the full spectrum of Chinese clay and ceramic history, from primitive pottery to imperial porcelain and modern avant-garde ceramic art. 🚀 #beijing #museumday #museum #travel2026 #travel #thingstodo #china #chinatrip #asia

Calling all self-driving enthusiasts! Yinchuan is truly a paradise for road trips! In June, Helan Mountain offers breathtaking scenery and excellent road conditions. Driving west along Helan Mountain, I discovered many hidden gems with few tourists and stunning views—no crowds, no commercialization, just the purest northwest landscapes! Save this self-driving route; I guarantee you'll have an amazing time! 🌟 Best Time to Visit: June is perfect for self-driving June is ideal for driving around Yinchuan! Temperatures range from 18-28°C, neither too cold nor too hot, and the breeze through the open windows is especially pleasant. The vegetation on Helan Mountain is lush green, wildflowers bloom on the grasslands, and the scenery along the way is stunning. Plus, June is the off-season in Yinchuan, so there are very few cars on the road—you can drive freely and take photos without dodging traffic. Most importantly, it rarely rains in June, with mostly sunny skies, blue skies, and white clouds—perfect for photography. 🚗 Recommended Self-Driving Route (3 days 2 nights is just right) Day 1: Yinchuan City → Han Meilin Art Museum → Helan Mountain National Forest Park → Rock Painting Ancient Village Day 2: Rock Painting Ancient Village → Baisikou Twin Pagodas → Gunzhongkou → Minnin Town Day 3: Minnin Town → Western Xia Imperial Tombs → Zhenbeibu → Yinchuan City 📸 Hidden Gems to Check In (90% of tourists don’t know these) 1. Rock Painting Ancient Village A hidden ancient village deep in Helan Mountain, the entire village is built with stone, giving it a unique vibe. There are no tourists, only a few guesthouses and restaurants, making it very peaceful. Sitting in the courtyard, gazing at Helan Mountain while sipping tea is pure bliss. In June, the surrounding mountains turn green, making photos especially rich in northwest charm. 2. Baisikou Twin Pagodas Buddhist pagodas from the Western Xia period, two towers standing side by side at the foot of Helan Mountain, very spectacular. Almost no tourists visit here, so you can quietly admire these thousand-year-old pagodas. The sound of the wind ringing the pagoda bells is very soothing. The hillside behind the pagodas is covered with wildflowers that bloom fully in June—super beautiful. 3. Gunzhongkou Known as the "miniature bonsai of Helan Mountain," this area features unique Danxia landforms and many historical relics. You can drive halfway up the mountain and then hike to the top, enjoying stunning scenery along the way. There is a temple at the summit where you can overlook the entire Yinchuan Plain with an amazing view. In June, many wild cherries grow here, sweet and sour and delicious. 4. Minnin Town The filming location of "Minning Town"! Come here to experience the achievements of poverty alleviation and see how the once barren sandy beach transformed into a golden sandy beach. You can visit the Minnin Town History Museum to learn about its development and also pick grapes in the vineyards and taste grape wine. Grapes are just ripe in June and especially sweet. 📸 Self-Driving Photography Tips (How to shoot epic road trip photos) Outfit suggestions: Go for a cool and edgy look! Denim jackets, cargo pants, and Martin boots match the self-driving vibe perfectly. Or try a crop top with wide-leg pants for a stylish and bold look. Sunglasses are a must-have for sun protection and style. Best shooting time: 4-6 PM, when the sun sets and golden light bathes Helan Mountain, creating a stunning effect. Self-driving photo spots: 1. On Helan Mountain road, open the car door and shoot next to the car 2. In front of the stone walls of Rock Painting Ancient Village for atmospheric shots 3. In front of Baisikou Twin Pagodas for a twin tower frame 4. At the top of Gunzhongkou, overlooking the Yinchuan Plain 🍜 Local Food Along the Route (Locals’ secret picks) 1. Rock Painting Ancient Village Farmhouse Cuisine A must-try! All vegetables are homegrown, and the chickens are free-range, very flavorful. Recommended dishes include stewed free-range chicken, cold wild vegetable salad, and corn porridge—authentic farmhouse flavors, delicious and affordable. 2. Minnin Town Lamb The lamb in Minnin Town is incredibly tasty! Tender meat with no gamey taste, especially fragrant when stewed. Recommended restaurant: "Minnin First House," a long-established eatery. 3. Helan Mountain Wild Mushroom Noodles Noodles made with wild mushrooms from Helan Mountain, the mushrooms are very aromatic, and the broth is incredibly flavorful. Small local restaurants along the way all serve it, and any one of them is delicious. 4. Ningxia Gaiwan Tea A must-have on the road! Eight-treasure tea with goji berries, red dates, longan, and rose—sweet, refreshing, and nourishing. 💡 Practical Self-Driving Tips (Avoid pitfalls) 1. Vehicle: The road conditions on this route are excellent; a regular sedan is fine, no need for an SUV. Check your car condition and fill up the tank before departure. 2. Navigation: Some hidden spots may not be accurately located by GPS, so it’s best to ask locals. 3. Pitfall 1: Mobile signal is weak inside Helan Mountain, download offline maps in advance. 4. Pitfall 2: Do not drive off-road onto the grasslands; fines apply. 5. Pitfall 3: Mountain roads have many curves; drive slowly and carefully. --- Accommodation 🏨 Yinchuan Helan Anmo Hotel A benchmark wild luxury hotel in the Helan Mountain East Foothills wine region, backed by Helan Mountain and facing thousands of acres of vineyards, perfectly blending the vast northwest with refined eastern style. 🏨 Dazhezhiyie・Chateau Summerland Winery (Yinchuan Branch) A winery-themed boutique hotel with starry duplex rooms and courtyard suites, offering a wine culture experience and a quality vacation choice. 🏨 Sahara Collection | Astra Desert Light Luxury・Resort Boutique On the edge of the Tengger Desert, a boutique guesthouse themed around desert starry skies, offering an immersive desert experience. 🏨 Zhongwei Desert Star Hotel Located in the heart of the Tengger Desert, a top luxury hotel themed around starry skies, featuring astronomy stargazing and desert activities—a must-stay in a lifetime.

Girls, the Star Hotel in the prime spot of Tengger Desert is absolutely worth it‼️👍 You know what I mean! Traveling with kids used to feel like a trial, but this time in Ningxia, the kids actually begged to go out every day😂 Riding camels, sheepskin rafts, milking goats, making goat milk soap, staying at the Star Hotel + Yellow River Shuji, having BBQ by the Yellow River, looking up at the Milky Way... It's been a week since we got back, and they're still asking, "Mom, when can we go to the desert again?"🏜️ . DAY 1: Arrive in Yinchuan → Lanshan Park → Huaiyuan Night Market Headed straight to Lanshan Park in the evening. The Roman columns with the sunset glow made for amazing photos📸 In the evening, Huaiyuan Night Market (featured on CCTV, definitely a safe bet)! Baked egg tarts, spicy noodles, sweet germinated wheat... A family of three ate until we were stuffed for just 80 yuan, sauce all over our mouths, super satisfying~ . DAY 2: Shuidonggou: Traveling through tens of thousands of years in one day This day was intense! More than 5 types of transportation in rotation: donkey carts, camel carts, desert buggies, cruise boats... ✔️Archaeological Excavation: Given small shovels and brushes, the kids dug away like real archaeologists😂 ✔️Goat Village Mobilization: Milking goats (the kid squeezed a whole hand full), DIY handmade soap, archery🏹 and hugging little lambs without letting go. ✔️Troop Hiding Cave + Border Trade Market: Exploring the underground tunnels was super exciting, and afterward, we could browse an ancient market. We bought a small clay whistle and blew it all the way. . DAY 3: Western Xia Tombs → Manpu Town In the morning, we visited the Western Xia Tombs. Our family group had a museum teacher who told the stories of the Tangut people like an adventure novel👍 In the afternoon, Manpu Town was full of performances from day to night: acrobatics, Western Region dances, parades... In the evening, the "Helan Mountain Grand Ceremony" light and fireworks show🎆 . DAY 4: Wuzhong Morning Tea → Star Hotel → Shapotou → Stargazing Class Went to Wuzhong for morning tea! The hand-pulled lamb was so tender we licked our fingers, the fried dough twists were crispy and fragrant, and we even drank all the soup from the beef noodles🍜 In the afternoon, we checked into the Star Hotel. As soon as the kids entered, they dove into the sand dunes, exclaiming, "Mom, I'm living in a sandpit!"😂 ✔️Camel riding at Shapotou (the camels were super gentle), desert surfing buggy. 🌙Stargazing at night, looking up, it was full of stars💫 and we even saw a super clear Big Dipper! . DAY 5: Star Hotel → Shapotou Yellow River Area → Yellow River Shuji → BBQ Dinner + Kid-Free Time Full-day activities in the morning: desert trekking + plant specimen collection. The leader taught us about sand jujube and wormwood, and we made a photo frame with dried flowers we collected🌵 In the afternoon, we played in the Shapotou Yellow River Area: speedboat rides, sheepskin rafts, and super exciting sandboarding. 🏡In the evening, we stayed at Yellow River Shuji, and even had a family photoshoot! The photographer made the kids laugh for candid shots, and we finally got some good family photos~ 🔥The highlight: BBQ dinner by the Yellow River➕kid-free time! The kids were taken by the activity leader to make Western Xia porcelain, while my partner and I enjoyed skewers and beer🍺 by the Yellow River breeze. . DAY 6: Parents Sleep In → Ancient Great Wall Hike → Airport Drop-off On the last day, the kids followed the leader to climb the Great Wall and overlook the Yellow River🐫 My partner and I slept in at the guesthouse, had coffee, petted the little cats in the courtyard, and packed our luggage. ✈️Headed home, the little one fell asleep instantly on the plane💤 . 💡Sisters who want to go, save this post! It's perfect for summer vacation!

Who understands! Finally witnessed the lies told by National Geographic! Spending three days in Tengger was shocking, freeing, romantic, and thrilling—another item checked off the life list 😭 Here’s a guide to blowing up the desert for you all! Top Experience: Five Lakes Crossing | “Lava and Freshwater” in the Heart of the Desert Deep in the Tengger Desert lie hundreds of desert lakes. Hop into an off-road vehicle, and an experienced driver will take you over the rolling dunes—this trip is totally worth it! Must-visit Ulan Lake (The Heart of the Earth)! The lake’s water turns a fiery wine red due to its high mineral content. From a drone’s perspective, the winding shoreline truly looks like a beating heart, with clear vein-like patterns. The colors are most vivid in summer (June to August), dazzlingly red. There’s also the pink Camel Lake that’s perfect for capturing sweet and cool shots. ⚠️ Important: This is a signal-free no-man’s land, so you must go with a professional team! Regular cars can’t get in at all—don’t try to go on your own! Route 66 | Crossing the Vast Wilderness Starting from Zhongwei city, the straight highway stretches into the endless Gobi Desert, creating a powerful visual impact. The hour before sunset offers the best light, turning the road golden-red, with barren mountain ridges on both sides that look like scenes from a Western movie. ⚠️ Be sure to watch out for large trucks and don’t stand in the middle of the road to take photos. Most Beautiful Experience: Stargazing Camping | The Milky Way Right Above You You absolutely must spend a night in the desert! Go sandboarding at dusk, lie on the dunes to watch the sunset spread across the vast sand sea, and then comes the main event—the Milky Way pouring down visibly to the naked eye! Without city light pollution, the sky is packed with countless stars. Lying in your tent, you can almost touch the mysteries of the universe. The camp also organizes bonfires and barbecues—desert fireworks are incredibly romantic. 📸 Photo Outfit Tips Red and white colors stand out best in the desert, creating a strong contrast with the golden sand. A flowing skirt blown by the wind plus a cowboy hat and sunglasses will get you magazine cover shots anytime! Avoid the harsh midday sun; the best lighting is from 8-10 AM and 4-6 PM. 🚫 Pitfalls to Avoid Tengger is huge, so be sure to book your camp or tour in advance—if it’s peak season and you don’t have a spot, you’ll just be left staring. Don’t skimp on sun protection (high SPF + hat + face scarf)! The temperature difference between day and night is big, so bring a thick jacket for the evening. Take motion sickness medicine beforehand; sandboarding in the desert is even more thrilling than a roller coaster. Also, it’s recommended to keep your phone and camera in dustproof covers the whole time—fine sand can ruin your equipment. Before it gets overcrowded, tag your travel buddy and go crazy in Tengger together! 💥 Tengger Desert

This 4-day itinerary seamlessly connects the Five Lakes Crossing, desert camping, Route 66, Shapotou, Western Xia Tombs, Film Studio, and Helan Mountain Rock Paintings, ensuring a smooth pace with no backtracking. 📅 Day 1|Yinchuan Airport Pickup · First Glimpse of the 'Jiangnan Beyond the Great Wall' · Morning/Afternoon: Arrive at Yinchuan Hedong Airport, private car pickup, check into a downtown hotel (Xingqing District/Jinfeng District recommended for proximity to night markets). · Evening: Explore Huaiyuan Tourist Night Market (a super popular night market in Northwest China), try hand-pulled lamb, lamb offal soup, milk egg fermented glutinous rice, and spicy hotpot. · Night: Get some rest early to recharge for the next day's desert adventure. · Tips: - Attire: Casual and comfortable is fine; · - Essentials: Sunscreen SPF50+, sunglasses, sun hat (Ningxia has strong UV rays). 📅 Day 2|Yinchuan → Five Lakes Crossing Tourist Scenic Area → Desert Camping · 07:30 Depart from Yinchuan city center, arrive at the Tengger Desert entrance in about 2 hours. · 09:30-16:00 Five Lakes Crossing (off-road vehicle) - Swan Lake: Desert freshwater lake, oasis scenery, camel riding available 🐫 · - Wulan Lake (Heart of the Earth): Lake water is vibrant red from July to September, a must-shoot for drone photography · - Camel Lake: Pink salt lake, a dreamy pink hue visible to the naked eye · - Hailiuqi Lake/Guitar Lake: Surrounded by sand dunes, with clear blue water, perfect for sandboarding photos · 17:00 Arrive at the desert camp, check into a stargazing tent/Moroccan tent/sand-view room · Evening-Night: Sandboarding, desert hotpot/BBQ, bonfire party, stargazing (no light pollution, clear Milky Way). · Tips: - Attire: Bright long dress/windbreaker + long pants, for sand protection and warmth; · - Gear: Sand-proof shoe covers, headscarf, power bank, warm jacket (large temperature difference between day and night); · - Dining: Camp includes dinner/breakfast, you can bring your own snacks. 📅 Day 3|Desert Sunrise → Route 66 → Shapotou → Yinchuan · 05:30 Desert sunrise, perfect for photos. · 08:00 Camp breakfast, pack up and check out. · 09:00-12:00 Free time in the desert: Camel riding, desert surfing vehicle, sandboarding · 13:00 Drive to Zhongwei Route 66 (approx. 1.5 hours). · 14:30-16:00 Check in at Route 66: China's version of Route 66, Gobi + highway + distant mountains, red dress/denim style for photos, best light before sunset. · 16:30-18:30 Shapotou Scenic Area (5A) - Yellow River Area: Sheepskin raft rafting, Yellow River zipline, glass bridge, Wang Wei Observation Deck (overlooking the Yellow River's S-bend); · - Desert Area: Camel riding across the Tengger Desert, desert surfing vehicle, sandboarding. · 19:00 Return to Yinchuan city center (approx. 2.5 hours), check into hotel, rest. · Tips: - Shapotou entrance ticket is about 80 RMB, package tickets for activities are more cost-effective; · - Experience desert activities in the morning or evening to avoid high midday temperatures. 📅 Day 4|Western Xia Tombs → Zhenbeibu Western Film Studio → Helan Mountain Rock Paintings · 08:30-11:00 Western Xia Tombs (Oriental Pyramids) - Western Xia Museum: See gilded bronze ox, Western Xia script steles; · - Tomb No. 3 (Li Yuanhao's Tomb): Loess rammed earth tomb tower, desolate and magnificent; · - Ticket: 85 RMB (includes sightseeing car). · 11:30-14:00 Zhenbeibu Western Film Studio - Filming location for "A Chinese Odyssey" and "Red Sorghum," Ming City → Qing City → Old Yinchuan Street; · - Rent Zixia Fairy/Supreme Treasure costumes for photos (approx. 30 RMB/hour); · - Ticket: 80 RMB. · 14:30-17:00 Helan Mountain Rock Paintings - Ancient nomadic people's "stone diaries," the Sun God rock painting is a must-see; · - Yinchuan Han Meilin Art Museum (free), encounter wild bharal; · - Ticket: 60 RMB. · 17:30 Return to Yinchuan city center, end of itinerary. · Tips: - The three attractions are distributed along Helan Mountain, 20-30 minutes drive between them; · - Attire: Comfortable sports shoes + sun protection gear, a lot of walking involved.

Because in summer, Ningxia's daytime temperature is 25°C, it's just perfect for taking kids out! Few people, beautiful scenery, and super wild activities! Not only can you take kids camel surfing 🏜️, ride sheepskin rafts on the Yellow River, sandboard in the desert until your throat is hoarse, and listen to stories of the Milky Way under the starry sky ✨ You can also stay in the desert star hotel and the Moroccan ancient village by the Yellow River, giving kids a completely different kind of joy from the city~ - I've summarized a 6-day, 5-night no-miss itinerary. . Day 1: Gather in Yinchuan ✨ When you arrive in Yinchuan, be sure to take the kids to Huaiyuan Night Market, full of lively local atmosphere! Day 2: Shuidonggou – Inner Mongolia Pastoral Home ✨ In the morning, visit Shuidonggou, which feels like a large live-action theme park! So many modes of transport like at an expo—camel carts, mule carts, boats, tractors... kids get to ride through half the history of transportation in one day, excited to the point of screaming 🚜 ✨ In the afternoon, head to the Inner Mongolia pastoral home, pet lambs with the herders, make goat milk soap, learn to shoot Mongolian bows and arrows. ✔ The instructors are very professional, so no worries about kids experiencing grassland activities~ Day 3: Western Xia Imperial Tombs – Manpu Town ✨ In the morning, visit the Western Xia Museum, be sure to hire a guide! ✨ In the afternoon, stroll through Manpu Town, with a rich variety of performances! Western region dancers, sword-bearing guards, acrobatics... The "Helan Mountain Grand Ceremony" gave me goosebumps 🎭 Day 4: Hui Ethnic Village – Wuzhong Morning Tea – Desert Star Hotel ✨ In the morning, visit a Hui ethnic village, join local artisans to make eight-treasure tea. Kids can mix rose, goji berries, and red dates themselves; the brewed tea tastes especially sweet~ Also learned a few lines of Northwest folk songs, truly experiencing Hui hometown life! 🎵 ✨ At noon, head straight to Wuzhong for morning tea! ✨ In the afternoon, check into the desert star hotel! The colorful viewing rooms are built on sand dunes, like a fairy tale desert castle! Opening the door, kids scream with joy—the endless dunes are right at their feet! ✔ Slide on sand, ride camels, drive go-karts in the desert with the kids, having a blast! 🥳 Day 5: Shapotou – Yellow River Village ✨ In the morning, visit the Shapotou Yellow River area: slide down China's longest sand slide (unlimited free rides!), ride sheepskin rafts drifting on the Yellow River, kids reach out to touch the icy river water, thrilling and fun, like a water roller coaster 🌊 ✨ In the afternoon, stay at Yellow River Village, the whole village is made of rustic rammed earth buildings, like Morocco in Northwest China! Make pottery and feed lambs in the village, kids feel very accomplished~ 🏺 Day 6: Ming Great Wall – Return Climb the Ming Great Wall right behind the village, few people and gentle breeze, kids run around freely. . 💡 Practical Tips: Ningxia's attractions are spread out, and signal is poor in the desert, so self-driving with kids is not recommended. We joined a parent-child tour, ✅ including hotel stays (Star Hotel + Yellow River Village) + attraction tickets + private transportation + parent-child activities, no need to think about anything the whole trip, perfect for lazy moms!

In May 2026, the Ningxia Tourism Season officially begins, with five core scenic areas in Yinchuan simultaneously refreshed, launching multiple immersive, interactive, and highly engaging new experiences. Xixia Mausoleum Scenic Area: The immersive performance "Xixia Music Collection" is presented three times daily, featuring over 50 actors reenacting Xixia life scenes in real settings. Visitors can participate in dialogues, drive the plot, and unlock clues; the night tour of the Four Mausoleums by carriage offers starry skies and mausoleum silhouettes, with the ancient coin street district linked to consumption, making history tangible and experiential. Zhenbeibu Western Film Studio: Introduces the live-action puzzle "A Chinese Odyssey: Qingcheng Seal," covering the Ming City, Qing City, and Old Yinchuan Street, supporting costume rentals and film scene check-ins. Locations like Moonlight Gate and city walls easily recreate the movie atmosphere. Shuidonggou Scenic Area: Upgrades the prehistoric cultural immersive experience with new archaeological blind box digs and primitive tribe interactive games. Combined with multi-dimensional transportation such as tractors, camel carts, and boats, it connects the Hidden Soldier Cave, Hongshan Fort, and lakes and deserts, balancing study tours and exploration. Helan Mountain Rock Art Scenic Area: Launches the "Crazy Stone" garden party, including rock art-themed check-ins, intangible cultural heritage crafts, and ancient culture mini-games; the rock art corridor features classic images like the Sun God, the Han Meilin Art Museum presents dialogues between ancient and modern, and cultural products continue the cultural memory. Huangsha Ancient Ferry Scenic Area: Offers the immersive interactive experience "Silk Road Long Song: Meeting at the Ferry," integrating classic activities such as sand sliding, desert dune buggies, Yellow River bamboo rafts, and camel riding, with new additions like desert camping, starry sky concerts, and Yellow River fishing. The Yellow River desert at sunset reveals poetic wild charm. Come to Ningxia and start your unique journey!

Spring is the perfect time for a trip! Want an exciting yet healing desert adventure? Don’t miss the 5-day tour around Shizuishan, where you can experience thrilling desert surfing and leisurely camel rides across the sandy sea—romantic and fun. Bookmark this guide now! · ------- 🌄 Itinerary: DAY 1️⃣: Arrive in Yinchuan, transfer from airport/train station to hotel, then enjoy free time! 📝 Rest a bit upon arrival and soak in the unique charm of this city. DAY 2️⃣: Shahu Ecotourism Area — Ningxia Shuidonggou Tourist Area 📝 Explore the wonders of Shahu’s ecology and marvel at nature’s craftsmanship; then head to Shuidonggou to travel through time and experience rich history. DAY 3️⃣: Tonghu Grassland — Shapotou 📝 Gallop across the vast Tonghu Grassland; in the afternoon, visit Shapotou for fun desert surfing 🏄 and camel riding 🐪. DAY 4️⃣: Zhenbeibu Western Film Studio — Helan Mountain Rock Art — Western Xia Tombs — Red Agate Goji Berry Sightseeing Garden 📝 Visit Zhenbeibu Western Film Studio to relive classic movie scenes; then admire the ancient Helan Mountain rock art; next explore the mysterious Western Xia Tombs; finally, taste Ningxia’s specialty goji berries at the Red Agate Goji Berry Garden. DAY 5️⃣: Yinchuan — Departure, transfer to airport/train station 📝 End your wonderful journey with full memories and local specialties, heading home. · ------- Must-visit attractions: 🏞️ Ningxia Shuidonggou Tourist Area: The birthplace of prehistoric archaeology 🔍, where the story of ancient humans from 40,000 years ago unfolds~ 🏜️ Shapotou: A beautiful place where desert 🌵, Yellow River 🌊, and grassland 🌿 come together in perfect harmony! 🎬 Zhenbeibu Western Film Studio: Desolate film scenery 🎥, instantly making you feel like a star 💫! 🎨 Helan Mountain Rock Art: Artistic treasures from ancestors 10,000 years ago 🖌️, with rock carvings telling ancient stories~ 👑 Western Xia Tombs: Royal mausoleums of the Western Xia dynasty 🏰, with 9 imperial tombs witnessing the passage of history 📜! · ------- Tips: 1️⃣ **Local specialties prices**: Shahu bighead fish dried about 80-120 RMB per jin, Helan Mountain purple mushroom gift boxes start at 60 RMB, remember to bargain~ 💰 2️⃣ **Photo spots**: Sunrise at Shahu Bird Island boardwalk is stunning 🌅, and the industrial ruins of Dawukou Coal Washing Plant make for amazing shots 📸! 3️⃣ **Must-try foods**: Huangquqiao stir-fried lamb with sugar and sesame, spicy hotpot with eight-treasure tea—carb bombs but incredibly delicious! 🍖🍵 4️⃣ **Cultural tips**: Don’t bring non-halal food into Hui restaurants; smile first when photographing locals for a friendlier vibe 🙋‍♀️✨ 5️⃣ **Clothing advice**: Wear bright long dresses in the desert to protect against wind and sand; bring a windbreaker for Helan Mountain; layer up due to big temperature differences day and night! 🧥👗 · ------- Shizuishan’s beauty holds many more surprises. Join the group and set off now—more hidden gems and fun await in my next update!

Sandwiched between the Tengger Desert and the Yellow River, Zhongwei offers a jackpot combo for adventurers: off-road sand racing + epic highway scenes! Guaranteed to blow up your social media 🚀 🚙 Five Lakes Crossing | The "Lava" and "Freshwater" in the Heart of Tengger Ride an off-road vehicle over sand dunes, where three stunningly different lakes are hidden among the rolling saddle-shaped sand ridges. [Image] 🩸 Ulan Lake | The Heart of the Earth From a drone’s perspective, the lake’s water is as red as flowing lava, shaped like a heart, resembling boiling blood constantly pulsing. The driver said you must wait for summer when rainfall is low and temperatures are high to see this blood-red hue. 🎸 Guitar Lake | The Instrument in the Sea of Sand The long, curved lake surface really looks like a reclining yellow-green guitar, a natural desert romance. 🐫 Camel Lake | Pink Girl Power A vast natural pink lake, like spilled strawberry milk. The pink tones shimmer visibly to the naked eye (a perfect photo spot! Recommended to wear a highly saturated solid-color long dress for casual poses to create a striking contrast with the pink lake water). Local guides with experienced drivers and small private groups are the safest choice since there’s no signal in the desert and it’s not suitable to drive blindly on your own. Off-season desert off-road vehicles cost about 900 RMB per vehicle, and usually, each vehicle offers a free drone shoot of Ulan Lake. 🌇 Route 66 | The Rhythm and Soul of Zhongwei About a 40-minute drive from Zhongwei city center, you’ll arrive here! The highway has gone viral for its perfect cinematic angles, resembling the exotic style of the American Route 66, loved by travel photographers. A straight road cuts sharply into the sand slope, with a steep gradient creating a strong visual impact, flanked by barren mountain ridges. It’s super cool! Especially during the hour before sunset, the road and distant mountains glow golden, making every shot a hit. At the end of the road is Beichangtan Ancient Village, which still preserves Ming and Qing dynasty earthen houses and was a filming location for the TV drama "Minning Town" (if you have time, you can explore and take photos along the way). ⚠️ Important reminder: This road has heavy pedestrian and travel photography traffic! Plus, local large trucks pass through regularly. Please pay attention to traffic safety and do not stand in the middle of the road to take photos. Avoid the harsh midday light; it’s best to shoot before 10 AM or after 4 PM when the light and shadows create beautiful layers on the land. The Five Lakes and Route 66 can be freely combined. A 2-day trip from Zhongwei is a classic, hassle-free plan: On the first morning, transfer from Yinchuan or Zhongwei to an off-road vehicle to enter the Five Lakes (about 3-4 hours), then camp overnight in the desert with tents and a bonfire party arranged by the guide; on the second morning, sleep in and finish the camp activities, then head to Route 66 for photos and visit Beichangtan (total cost around 1000 RMB, with per person prices around 100 RMB including camp dinner and sandboarding). [Image] 📸 Dressing Tips to Win A windproof and sandproof jacket is a must! The temperature difference between morning and night is big, so don’t catch a cold. Desert camping is windy, so don’t forget sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat for both style and sun protection. To capture that Northwest epic vibe, denim, military-style outfits, bright red dresses, or classic black and white long dresses work great (especially paired with Gobi desert tones). With summer—the most beautiful season for the desert—coming soon, and the lake colors at their reddest, all dreamers of the Northwest, get ready to go! Do you prefer Route 66 or the Five Lakes Crossing? Share your Northwest epic shots in the comments, or ask me any questions about your itinerary choices! Let’s chat together~ Tengger Desert

Girls! Who knows about this! In the vast sands of Alxa, there’s a group of lakes as red as a heart and as pink as first love! 🚙 Five-lake crossing route: Ulan Lake, Camel Lake, Swan Lake, Hailuoqi Lake, Guitar Lake—see the ultimate clash of desert and colorful lakes all at once! 💓 Ulan Lake — "Heart of the Earth" The drone view is stunning! The water looks like flowing bright red blood, shaped like a beating heart, tightly wrapped by golden sand dunes. No filters needed; nature itself is the master colorist! 💗 Camel Lake — "Pink Secret Realm" To the naked eye, it’s strawberry milk color! Wearing a white dress squatting by the lake, the reflection plus pink water feels so dreamy it’s like you’re not on Earth. Every snap looks like a magazine cover! 🐫 How to play? Start from Yinchuan, 2 hours to the desert entrance, then transfer to an off-road vehicle to climb sand peaks and rush sand ridges—screams all the way! Local guides take you deep into the heart safely and thrillingly. Carpooling costs about 300-400 RMB per person. The lake colors are most vibrant from May to September, don’t miss it! 👗 Outfit Tips White/bright long dress + high-top Martin boots + sand-proof shoe covers. The desert has big temperature swings and strong winds, so bring a windbreaker too! While the lake water is bright red and the pink lake is vivid, let’s go! Tengger Desert

Immersed in the vast grandeur of the Tengger Desert, the Zhongwei Shapotou Desert Diamond Hotel shines like a pure diamond scattered across the sea of golden sand dunes. Eschewing elaborate decorations, it uses minimalist geometric architecture to outline desert aesthetics. Opening the window reveals the rolling sea of sand, and at night, the sky pours down a galaxy of stars, perfectly blending the desolate grandeur of Northwest China with wild luxury and tranquility, beginning a desert healing journey far from the hustle and bustle. Designed by an international team, the hotel resembles a diamond necklace overall, with 30 white diamond-shaped guest rooms laid out along the curves of the sand dunes. The sharp triangular contours collide softly with the undulating sand waves, reflecting a cool texture under the sunlight. With only a few dozen rooms starting at 128㎡, each with private space and a 270° panoramic view of the sand sea, options include sand view suites, stargazing bathtub rooms, and private hot spring courtyard rooms. The spacious and private accommodations perfectly balance the desert’s solitude with top-tier comfort. Dining blends Northwest flavors with exquisite cuisine, with the sand sea as the backdrop and gourmet food as the companion, offering both luxury and homely warmth. · Sand Sea Breakfast: Choose from Chinese or Western options, must-try Ningxia goji berry porridge, lamb shaomai, and freshly ground coffee, waking you up with the morning light over the sand sea. · Private Banquets: Customize desert whole roasted lamb or mushroom hot pot, enjoyed under the starry sky, accompanied by the evening breeze and the Milky Way, creating a full atmospheric experience. · Stargazing Afternoon Tea: The lobby bar serves goji berry desserts and desert flower tea, allowing you to quietly watch the sunset over the sand sea, fully healing your soul. With rolling sand waves and a sparkling galaxy, every moment at Zhongwei Shapotou Desert Diamond Hotel is wrapped in the romance and awe of the desert. Watch the sunrise dye the sand sea red, see the sunset clouds fill the sky, and fall asleep under a blanket of stars, leaving all the restlessness and fatigue of your journey to the boundless sand sea.

🏜️ Tengger Desert · Five Lakes Trek | My First Desert Hike Alxa, Inner Mongolia || 🌟 Beginner Friendly  🌵 Why go to Tengger? "The desert is another form of the ocean." Everyone should experience a desert hike at least once in their life! Walking through the endless sea of sand, watching the sunrise dye the dunes golden, · ying in a tent at night counting the Milky Way, that vastness and tranquility offer a healing that the city cannot. Tengger is the fourth largest desert in China, and the "Five Lakes Trek" is its most classic route—five desert lakes scattered like pearls across the sand sea, with camels, birds, and reed marshes that will overturn your imagination of the desert. 🎒 Gear List · 🥾 High-top hiking boots (most important for keeping sand out!) · 🎒 20-30L backpack (for snacks and water) · 👕 Quick-dry clothes + sun-protective jacket (strong desert UV) · 🧢 Sun hat + sunglasses + sunscreen · 🧥 Shell jacket/light down jacket (big temperature difference between day and night, around 0°C at night) · 🔋 Power bank (charging available at camp but crowded) · 📷 Camera/drone (Ulan Lake must be shot by drone for great photos!) Tengger Desert

Feel the pulse of the Gobi Between the cracks of loess and the sky Dream a dream about freedom Here, there are no traffic lights urging you on Only time carved by wind and sand Straight to the end of the horizon Much like those resolute decisions in life Zhongwei, Ningxia · China’s Route 66 ✨Tips: It’s recommended to arrive before sunset, when the orange light gently coats solitude with warmth Route 66

My first desert hike was on a beginner-friendly one-day route—an 8 km round trip, aiming for a high sand dune with a panoramic view of Swan Lake. I was pretty excited when I first stepped onto the sand, but after walking one kilometer, the smile faded. Climbing uphill, every step slipped halfway back, and my heart rate shot up to 160; going downhill was a blast, sinking into the soft sand felt like stepping on cotton. The guide called this "desert unloading," and after a day, it’s equivalent to walking 20 km on flat ground. Photo 1️⃣ Overlooking Swan Lake from the top of the high sand dune—after a 40-minute climb, I finally reached the summit. Swan Lake lay quietly in the middle of the golden sea of sand, with reeds swaying in the breeze by the shore. Sitting on the sand ridge, sipping water, the wind blew the sand into beautiful ripples. At that moment, all the uphill gasps felt worth it. Photo 2️⃣ Light and shadow on the sand ridge—at 4 p.m., the sunlight split the dune into bright and dark halves, creating very clean lines. I found a steep sand ridge line, stood on the bright side, and took a low-angle shot with only blue sky and golden curves in the background—minimalist and perfect for photos. Photo 3️⃣ A “little surprise” in the desert—on the way, I encountered a sand lizard basking motionless on the sand. I also saw the fine tracks of beetles crawling, like tiny artworks. The desert isn’t lifeless; if you look closely, there’s plenty of life. 📌 Practical tips for beginners: ▪️ You don’t need professional gear for a one-day hike, but high-top shoes + gaiters (sand guards) are a must, or your shoes will fill with sand in ten minutes. ▪️ Bring 2L of water—don’t mind the weight; the desert dries you out faster than you think. ▪️ A magic scarf is better than a mask; it covers your nose and mouth without suffocating and also provides sun protection. ▪️ It’s best to start in the morning; midday is too hot. Starting after 3 p.m. is also fine, and you can catch the sunset. ▪️ If inexperienced, join a small group or hire a guide. There’s no signal in the desert, and all the dunes look the same, so it’s easy to get lost. Many ask if desert hiking is tiring—it is. But when you sit on a dune, watching the sun slowly sink into the sea of sand, turning the entire desert orange-red, and the only sound around is the wind—that feeling can never be experienced sitting inside an off-road vehicle. Tengger Desert

Ningxia Zhongwei | A hidden Silk Road dream in the sea of sand Visited Ningxia Zhongwei, and the desert spring is truly full of flavor! Discovered this resort hotel hidden deep in the sea of sand, formerly a century-old camel worker village, polished over four years, filled with the gentle old times of Silk Road camel bells. The hotel is right next to the Zhongwei Desert Theme Resort Center, only 20 minutes from Shapotou Airport, with exclusive airport pickup, adjacent to Shapotou Scenic Area, just 15 minutes to Yangpifa Rafting and Yellow River Zipline, super convenient for travel. Built based on the century-old camel worker village, retaining relics like old adobe house foundations and semi-buried pottery jars, 20 buildings grow staggered along the dunes, blending perfectly with the desert. Every brick and tile quietly tells the story of the Silk Road and camel caravans. Highly recommend the pool room, an unforgettable life experience! The white circular main building’s desert view rooms come with huge floor-to-ceiling windows, offering an unobstructed view of the desert scenery. Indoors are furnished with medieval furniture, antique carpets, Afghan camel hair decorations, and Central Asian ornaments, each piece carrying the Silk Road atmosphere, custom bedding + welcome fruit tea, quality and ambiance at their peak. The all-day dining restaurant has 270° floor-to-ceiling windows facing the sea of sand, with shifting shadows of yellow sand during meals, creating an amazing atmosphere. From check-in, there is a dedicated butler service throughout, personalized pick-up and luggage handling, worry-free and thoughtful. Rooms are carefully cleaned daily, the minibar is stocked with Dianhong tea, and there are warm drinks before bed, plus complete mosquito repellent and sunscreen supplies. Here, just put down your worries and immerse yourself in the unique romance and relaxation of the desert.

⛰Zhongwei-Alashan-Yinchuan Travel Guide🔥Super Comprehensive Guide, all your winter break activities are here⬇️ ✨Recommendation Index: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 ✨Suitable for: Families with children, luxury travelers, family trips, couples ✨Destinations: Zhongwei-Alashan-Yinchuan ✨Trip Duration: 5 days 🔥Product Highlights: Camp guide-led desert trekking, watching desert sunrise, astrophotography class, five-lake crossing to find Ulan Pink Lake ✅Itinerary Description: ✨Suggested Itinerary✨ 🎈DAY1: Nationwide → Yinchuan, stay at Yuehai or Hyatt, explore the night market, watch the sunset 🎈DAY2: Yinchuan, cross the five lakes by off-road vehicle, admire the red waters of Ulan Lake 🎈DAY3: Yinchuan → Tengger Hotel, camel riding at Shapotou, enjoy the scenery 🎈DAY4: Zhongwei, watch the desert sunrise, visit Beichangtan and Route 66 🎈DAY5: Zhongwei → Western Xia Imperial Tombs → Airport drop-off, explore the Western Xia Kingdom 🔅【Travel Preparations】🔅 🌟Winter Travel Essentials (Clothing, Accessories, Documents, etc.) 1️⃣Thermal underwear and socks: Pay attention to warmth 2️⃣Outerwear: Bring a down jacket or thick coat 3️⃣Hat + gloves: Prevent frostbite 4️⃣Power bank + data cable: Charge electronic devices 5️⃣Passport/ID card: Don't forget to bring them ⛳️Recommended Attractions⛳️ 📍Tengger Desert🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟: Majestic sand peaks, lakes like glaciers against the backdrop of the sand sea 📍Ulan Lake🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟: Red lake water like a gemstone 📍Shapotou🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟: Combines desert, Yellow River, and grassland scenery 🔥Activity Guide🔥 📍Tengger Desert Activities: The 2025 Ningxia Outdoor Sports Tourism Season will be held in Zhongwei. The National Desert Frisbee Invitational in September, the National Beautiful Desert Flag Football Sub-station Tournament in late July, and the 2nd Desert Ten Thousand-Person Trek in August – experience the grandeur of the Gobi and the beauty of competition. 📍Ulan Lake Activities: Ulan Lake, deep in the Tengger Desert, is known as the "Heart of the Earth," with water as vibrant red as a beating heart. Step on the sand and gaze at it to find tranquility. 📍Shapotou Activities: The Shapotou Winter Carnival is in full swing. Hetan Village Ice and Snow Carnival creates a rural happy valley ice and snow park; Yunshangge Northwest Snow Village offers photo opportunities and a non-powered snow play area; Xianglong Bay Ice and Snow World is perfect for kids. ‼️Independent travel, hassle-free👍 Don't just dream it, do it👇! Click the card below to book in advance

Dear friends! The 3-day tour guide from Wuzhong to Zhongwei and then to Yinchuan is here! Desert camping and stargazing with professional astronomy lectures, all-inclusive with pick-up and drop-off throughout the trip. You can also taste hand-pulled lamb and Artemisia noodles. Hurry and save this! · ------------------- Exciting guide below, save it now ↓ · ------------------- Must-Visit Attractions: Qingtongxia Yellow River Grand Canyon ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 📍Qingtongxia Town, Qingtongxia City, Wuzhong City (65 km from Yinchuan city center) 🕐 Open from November 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026, 08:30-17:30 ⏳ Recommended visit time: 3-5 hours The canyon looks like a fairyland after snow! The Yellow River winds through snow-covered mountains. Rafting and hiking study tours are super fun. Check in at the dam and the 108 pagodas to feel the shock of Yellow River civilization~ Shapotou ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 📍Yingshuiqiao Town, Shapotou District, Zhongwei City, Ningxia 🕐 Open from January 3 to March 31, 09:00-17:00 ⏳ Recommended visit time: 1 day See the desert, Yellow River, and grassland all at once❄️ The winter carnival is super exciting! Ice dragon boat racing and tractor-pulled snow rings are so fun you won’t want to stop. The frozen rose photo spot is beautiful, perfect for kids and friends! Helan Mountain Rock Art ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 📍Helankou, East Foot of Helan Mountain, Helan County, Yinchuan City 🕐 Open from November 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026, 08:30-17:30 ⏳ Recommended visit time: 3-5 hours The frozen roses and everlasting flower waterfall are breathtaking🌹! The ancient rock art combined with dreamy ice scenery, and the rock art characters will interact with you by making heart gestures. The winter romance level is maxed out~ · ------------------- Travel Preparation: 🧥 Clothing: Thick down jacket, thermal underwear, hat and scarf for wind and cold protection. Comfortable sports shoes suitable for desert hiking. 💼 Accessories: High SPF sunscreen, sunglasses for sand and sun protection; thermos for hot water anytime; power bank to prevent phone shutdown from cold. 📄 Documents: ID card, student ID, and other discount cards for some attractions; cash backup as signal is weak in desert areas. 🎒 Daily essentials: Lip balm and hand cream to combat dryness; stomach medicine for dietary adjustments; wet wipes for desert cleaning. · ------------------- Click the card below to start your exclusive journey!

The Zhongwei Ming Great Wall belongs to the Western Great Wall of Ningxia Town. It was extensively built during the Hongzhi to Wanli periods, serving as a crucial military passage for defending against Mongols and connecting Hexi with the Central Plains, with functions for both border defense and trade between Mongols and Han Chinese. 1. Distribution and Length: Shapotou District: approximately 131 kilometers (75km on the south bank of the Yellow River, 51km on the north bank, 5.2km of inner defensive wall); The south bank extends from Heishan Gorge in Gansu into Ningxia to Xiaheyan, the north bank runs along the southern edge of the Tengger Desert to Shengjinguan, and the inner defensive wall is the mountain perilous wall of Xingren Town. 2. Architectural Features: Adapted to local conditions, rammed earth, stone block masonry, and mountains carved into walls coexist; along the line, passes (Yaotan Maimaicheng, Zhenluobao), watchtowers, and beacon towers are densely distributed. 3. Cultural Relics Protection Status: A National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit. The Yaotan section has been a key focus of protection and restoration in recent years; some sections are severely damaged by wind and sand, and human activities. II. Highlight Check-in Spots (with Tickets & Transportation) 1. Yaotan Great Wall (North Bank): A well-preserved section of the Ming Great Wall, featuring north and south passes (Maimaicheng), watchtowers, and a view of the desert and Great Wall in the same frame; Free; Approximately 40 minutes by self-drive/chartered car from the city center; Recommended 2 hours. 2. Shengjinguan (Built in the 6th year of Hongzhi, the western gate of Ningxia Town): Pass ruins + beacon tower, offering panoramic views of the Yellow River and Tengger Desert from above; Free; Approximately 30 minutes from the city center; Recommended 1.5 hours. 3. Shapotou Great Wall Ruins (South Bank): Layered Great Wall (Warring States stone wall + Ming rammed earth wall), Beacon Tower No. 3 offers a photo opportunity with the Yellow River, desert, and Great Wall in one frame; Free (sightseeing car within the scenic area is extra); 40 minutes by taxi from the city center / accessible within the Shapotou Scenic Area; Recommended 2-3 hours. 4. Zhenluobao: A Ming Dynasty border defense fortress, with rammed earth city walls still standing, and old market traces; Free; Approximately 25 minutes from the city center; Recommended 1 hour. III. Travel Guide 1. Best Time: April-May, September-October (comfortable temperatures, less wind and sand); 1-2 hours before sunset (16:00-18:00) offers soft light, excellent for photos. Depart early in summer to avoid midday sun exposure; pay attention to wind protection and warmth in winter. 2. Transportation: · Self-drive/chartered car is the most flexible (recommended), car rental in the city center is about 150-200 yuan/day; · Public transportation is inconvenient, and attractions are scattered, so a chartered car is preferred; · Within the Shapotou Scenic Area, you can take a sightseeing car to the Great Wall section. 3. Hiking/Visiting Tips · Strictly forbidden to climb, step on, or carve on the wall; take away your trash and protect the ruins; · Equipment: sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, wind and sand mask, non-slip hiking shoes, sufficient water, dry food; · Drones require prior registration with local cultural relics/air traffic control departments, flight is restricted, and low-altitude hovering above the wall is strictly prohibited; · Many sections have no cell phone signal, download offline maps in advance. 4. Two-Day Itinerary Suggestion · Day 1: Shapotou Scenic Area → South Bank Great Wall (layered Great Wall, Yellow River and desert in one frame) → Dinner at Yellow River Homestay Cluster; · Day 2: Yaotan Great Wall (Maimaicheng, watchtowers) → Shengjinguan → Zhenluobao → Return to the city center. 5. Dining and Accommodation: The city center offers many accommodation options with good value; Yellow River Homestay Cluster has unique guesthouses but prices are relatively high; Recommended dishes: stir-fried eggs with wild onion, Zhongwei stewed snacks, Aosizi noodles. IV. Safety and Compliance 1. Strictly adhere to cultural relics protection regulations throughout, do not damage any components of the ruins; 2. Hike in groups at the edge of the desert, do not enter uninhabited areas without authorization; 3. Check the weather forecast in advance to avoid strong winds and sandstorms; 4. Be sure to bring enough drinking water and sunscreen to avoid dehydration and sunburn.

When it comes to Ningxia, people might only know about Yinchuan, Zhongwei’s Shapotou, Zhenbeibu, and Xihai Gu, but today I want to recommend a small town in the northwest—Shizuishan. Once you take your kids there, you’ll fall in love with it; the cost-performance ratio is super high~ Shizuishan is located in the northernmost part of Ningxia. It was once famous nationwide for its coal mining industry. Now, due to the decline of heavy industry and talent outflow, it has become somewhat rundown, but the traces of its former prosperity remain, and every corner has its unique charm~ Recommended attractions: 1. Helan Mountain Ice Waterfall: Located in Baijigou, Dawukou District, Shizuishan City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. It’s about a 2-hour drive by car, requiring travel on a mountain road (difficulty level 3 stars), and no entrance fee is needed. This semi-man-made scenery is formed in winter’s dry season to prevent fires in the dry rocky mountains. The mining area uses circulating water to cool and naturally freeze, creating stunning ice formations perfect for photos! When you come, you’ll feel like a snow princess, Elsa from Frozen—great for taking beautiful pictures with your kids~ 2. Shitanjing Film Base: The filming location of the movie "Home Coming" starring Zhang Yi and Wang Junkai. Around the 1960s, this was a bustling industrial area. Although Shitanjing now has few permanent residents, walking its streets still lets you feel the past prosperity and experience the historical changes with your kids~ 3. No. 8 Spring Cement Plant: Located in Shitanjing, Dawukou District, Shizuishan City, this is a cement plant deep in the Helan Mountains, forgotten by history. The spring water of No. 8 Spring still flows, but the cement plant’s chimney no longer emits smoke, full of a nostalgic atmosphere—exploring here with kids is super interesting~ 4. Thief Lake (only desert, no lake): Located in Taole Town, Pingluo County, Shizuishan City, this is a free wild desert area that has never been developed. Occasionally, off-road vehicles drive in to race on the sand (be cautious, as getting stuck is hard to get out of). Driving on the road with desert on both sides, stretching endlessly, it’s the perfect moment to think of a favorite song—life is worth it! Playing in the desert with your kids is super fun~ Taking kids to Shizuishan lets you enjoy unique scenery without spending a fortune and experience a different northwest vibe. The cost-performance ratio is super high. It’s not that you can’t afford Northern Europe; Shizuishan just offers better value. Hurry and plan your trip now!

In northern China lies the autonomous region of Ningxia which mostly characterised by sweeping sand dunes that go on for miles! I’ve been twice (January and June). In January, most of the desert and fresh water is completely frozen over which is quite surreal for a desert. 4X4 cars were able to drive over the oasis because it was so solidly frozen. In the summer, it can become quite warm but still comfortable enough to camp overnight. There are camel rides available although we chose to hike. Away from the same dunes, you can find wine vineyards and pretty mountains. A great place for nature lovers #ningxia #mountainview #deserts #china

The Great Wall of China and the Yellow River is a place that you can’t miss if you are in the city of Zhongwei. The recommended sightseeing time is half an hour or maximum one hour. This place is an impressive archeological gem, its facade is beautiful and its reconstruction from ruin was a total success. Try not to miss out the sunset as this Great Wall has a great panoramic view to the Yellow river. Plan accordingly to get a good spot to take some photographs. This is the kind of places you must feel proud to visit and enjoy in person as it’s part of the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Free access to locals ands tourists so don't worry about tickets. #createwithtrip #holidays #exploring #createwithtrip

Take a sleeper train to the little-travelled city of Yinchuan in Ningxia and explore China’s main wine region, where you can actually find drinkable wine! (Our goal of the trip). The main wineries are Xige and Silver Heights, which also have accommodation. Ningxia also has ancient ruins to explore (Western Xia Tombs and Helanshan) as well as the Tengger Desert where you can sleep in glamping yurts. Bring the wine you purchase at the wineries and make it a party!

Why not a visit to the desert when in China? This dreamy desert resort will definitely not disappoint you. Beautifully curated Moroccan style hotel with various pools and loads of photo opportunities. From here you can access the beginning of the Great Wall of China and also easily reach the desert 🏜😀 #summervacation#urbanexplorer

In the distant Gansu, the most impressive impression is the slightly deserted Gobi Desert in the northwest. Although, I can't say exactly what the Gobi Desert and the Gobi Desert really look like. Just came to Gansu to start from Lanzhou, and showed me a colorful Gansu, because Gansu's geographical span is large, it is actually richer than I expected. This trip will not go too far into the conventional scenic spot, another kind goes deep into Gansu, but today there is still a chance to have a quick contact with the Tengger Desert.

Retire and Slow Travel in China: 8 Hidden Gems with Fewer Crowds and Beautiful Scenery – Visiting 3️⃣ is Worth It 01 Suzhou City | Jiangsu Province I advise you not to try to visit too many gardens in Suzhou. Running around three or four gardens a day will tire your feet and mind, and you'll end up remembering nothing. I suggest choosing one garden to relax in, such as the Lingering Garden. It's less crowded than the Humble Administrator's Garden. Sit at a corner of the long corridor, listen to the rustling of bamboo leaves in the wind, and you can easily spend half an hour daydreaming. ⏰ Enter the garden before 9 am, before the tour groups arrive. The long corridor and artificial hill are all yours. Tiger Hill is worth climbing, but don't rush. Enter from the south gate, first see the Broken Beam Hall, then slowly walk along the mountain path. Take a break at the Sword Pool; the water's serene green is refreshing. Don't return the same way down; take the small path on the east side, which leads to the tea garden at the back of the hill – less crowded and perfect for taking photos. To be honest, Hanshan Temple is bustling with worshippers and tourists, but the poem "Hanshan Temple outside Suzhou" is so enticing that I felt an urge to go. 📍 About 200 meters west of the temple gate, there's a canal walkway. Go around 5:30 pm and watch the cargo ships slowly pass by; it's much quieter than inside the temple. 🍜 For lunch, I just picked a random noodle shop on Fengqiao Road. The braised fish noodles with ginger cost around 20 yuan, much cheaper than in the tourist area. 02 Ankang City | Shaanxi Many people haven't heard of Ankang, but that's precisely why it's worth visiting. The Thousand-Layer River isn't the kind of scenery that immediately takes your breath away; you have to walk in, slowly strolling along the boardwalk. The water cascades down in layers, the sound soft, like someone tapping a wooden fish in the distance. ⏰ The best time to go is the day after a rain; the water level is high, and the stones are washed clean and shiny. Fengyan Ancient Terraced Fields are located in Hanyin County, a little over an hour's drive from Ankang city. The mountain roads are winding, so those prone to motion sickness should bring medication. During the irrigation season, the terraced fields resemble shattered mirrors scattered across the hillside; when the sun sets, the entire mountain glistens. Don't rush to take photos; first, walk along the ridges of the fields. The soft mud underfoot and the cascading water create a sense of groundedness that the city can't provide. ⚠️ Ankang's attractions are scattered, and public transportation is inconvenient. The best option is to hire a car. I found a local driver who charged 300 yuan a day to take me to Qiancenghe and the terraced fields. At noon, we could even have a bowl of steamed noodles with sour and spicy sauce in town—a five-yuan meal that would fill us up. 03 Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture | Xinjiang The most beautiful season in Ili is June. The apricot blossoms in Xinghua Valley have already faded, but the grasslands are just turning vibrant green. The grassy slopes of Kalajun are incredibly smooth, as if ironed flat. Standing on high ground and looking down, the sheep look like white sesame seeds scattered on a green cloth, moving slowly. ⏰ The light is softest around four or five in the afternoon, casting long shadows on the grassy slopes; no filter is needed for portrait photography. Turgen Apricot Blossom Valley is best visited in April; if you miss it, you'll have to wait until next year. I learned this the hard way last year, going in late March, only to find the flowers hadn't bloomed, just bare branches swaying in the wind—a wasted trip. ⚠️ The apricot blossom season only lasts about ten days. Before you go, be sure to check real-time videos posted by local herders; don't trust the weather forecast. Gongnaisi Grassland is worth staying overnight. A yurt costs 150 yuan a night; it's so cold at night you'll need two blankets, but opening the door reveals the Milky Way—a brightness you'll never see in the city. 🚄 There are buses from Yining to Xinyuan County; once there, hire a car to enter the valley. Don't just use navigation; many small roads are not recognized by navigation systems. 04 Jiuquan City | Gansu The Singing Sand Dunes in Dunhuang must be visited before sunset. ⏰ Entering the scenic area at 6:30 PM, the sand was still scorching hot, but reaching the top was just in time for sunset. I sat on the sand ridge, watching the Crescent Lake turn orange-red. A gust of wind blew sand into my shoes, impossible to shake off. Don't rent shoe covers; walking barefoot is much more comfortable, the sand is as fine as flour. Tickets for the Mogao Grottoes must be booked in advance on the official website; I booked fifteen days in advance during peak season. ⚠️ No photography is allowed inside the caves, and don't touch the murals; the paint will come off easily. Standing at the foot of the Buddha in Cave 96, looking up at the 35-meter-tall statue, I suddenly understood the meaning of "awe." The Yadan National Geological Park is west of Dunhuang; a round trip takes a full day. The road passes Yumen Pass, a small earthen mound. To be honest, it's not much to see, but the phrase "Spring breeze doesn't reach Yumen Pass" comes to mind, making it worth stopping for a look. 🍜 Back in Dunhuang city, head to Shazhou Night Market. Apricot juice with roasted lamb chops—30 yuan for a feast! 05 Baoting County | Hainan Sanya is crowded, Baoting is quiet. Binglang Valley is a Li and Miao cultural scenic area, more authentic than I expected. I saw a Li grandmother sitting at her loom, her fingers flying, weaving a single piece of Li brocade—it takes two or three months. She said, "Young people don't learn this anymore," her tone indifferent, and it made my heart clench. 📍 In the scenic area, you can try your hand at bamboo weaving. For 30 yuan, you can make a simple basket to take home as a souvenir. Yanoda Rainforest is more suitable for those who love walking. The boardwalk winds through the canopy, with dense green overhead and damp wooden steps underfoot. ⏰ Arriving before 10 AM, the fog hadn't dissipated yet; the entire mountain seemed to be bathed in moisture, even the air felt moist. ⚠️ There are many mosquitoes in the rainforest, so wear long pants and long sleeves. Don't use too much mosquito repellent, as it will attract bees. Baoting County isn't large; staying at the Qixianling Hot Spring Resort is the most comfortable. After soaking in the hot springs, I sat on the balcony looking at the mountains, thinking of nothing at all. That feeling of emptiness was the most valuable moment of this trip. 06 Zunyi City | Guizhou Don't think of Chishui Danxia as just red rocks. Walking into the Foguangyan Scenic Area, I looked up at the arc-shaped Danxia wall, over 300 meters high, like a wall burning red. Water poured down from the top, and when I got close, my face was covered in fine mist. ⏰ Arriving at 9 AM, the sunlight slanted onto the rock wall, making it shine a brilliant red; by the afternoon, the color had faded. There's a waterfall boardwalk in the scenic area; the entire walk takes about two and a half hours. The steps aren't steep, but they're slippery, so wear non-slip shoes. I personally saw an auntie slip and fall while wearing flip-flops, thankfully she wasn't injured. ⚠️ The Danxia landforms are at their most vibrant after the rain, but the paths are also the most slippery, so bring a hiking pole for stability. The tofu and grilled fish in Chishui city is worth saving for a meal. The tofu is so tender you can't pick it up with chopsticks, you have to use a spoon, paired with the crispy grilled fish, spicy and fresh. 🍜 A three-pound fish for two people, plus tofu and side dishes, costs just over eighty yuan, very reasonable. 07 Mudanjiang City | Heilongjiang Jingpo Lake in summer is a paradise for escaping the heat. I went in mid-July, the daytime temperature was only 24 degrees Celsius, and you needed a jacket at night. The lake water is so clear you can see the stones at the bottom. Taking a boat to the center of the lake, surrounded by green mountains, the wind blowing from the water is as cool as air conditioning. The Diaoshuilou Waterfall is located at the north end of the lake. There are diving performances every day at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Seeing that elderly man in his sixties stand atop the waterfall, dozens of meters high, and leap off, made my palms sweat. 📍 Arrive at the waterfall viewing platform half an hour early to secure a good spot; otherwise, you'll have to stand in the back. There's a tourist bus from Mudanjiang city to Jingpo Lake, a journey of one and a half hours and costing around 20 yuan. ⏰ The next morning, you can visit the crater underground forest, a primeval forest ten meters underground. The steps are quite steep; if you have knee problems, it's recommended to turn back halfway and not push yourself. 08 Yinchuan City | Ningxia Yinchuan has been underestimated for far too long. In summer, the reed marshes of Mingcui Lake are filled with birdsong. Rent a small boat and row yourself for 50 yuan an hour, navigating the reed maze, occasionally startling a flock of wild ducks that flutter overhead. ⏰ The light is softest after 6 PM, making the lake surface look like it's coated in honey. The Helan Mountain rock paintings are located on the eastern slope of the mountain. The sun and sheep carved into the stone are tens of thousands of years old. Standing before the rock paintings, I reached out and touched the weathered stone surface. The rough texture traveled through my fingertips, and I suddenly realized that a human life is truly insignificant in the face of time. 🚄 A taxi from Yinchuan city center costs around 100 yuan one way. You can share a ride or take the tourist shuttle bus, which costs 40 yuan round trip. Visiting Shuidonggou and the Western Xia Mausoleums in one day is too rushed. The Ming Great Wall ruins and hidden soldier caves at Shuidonggou are connected, taking about three hours in total. The Western Xia Mausoleums museum is worth taking your time to see; the broken inscriptions and Buddha statues will leave you feeling heavy-hearted. ⚠️ Both attractions are far from the city center, so I recommend splitting them into two days. Don't do what I did and try to finish them in one day—my legs were killing me! The Huaiyuan Night Market in Yinchuan is the most authentic night market I've ever eaten at. Beef pancakes are six yuan each, freshly made, and bursting with oil when you bite into them; spicy pudding is one yuan a skewer, and you can stand on the roadside eating it, slurping away even when it's so spicy you can't stop. 🍜 Don't eat too much; save some room for eight-treasure tea, sweet and refreshing. Retire and travel slowly across China: these 8 hidden gems are less crowded and more beautiful—visiting 3️⃣ is worthwhile. 01 Suzhou | Jiangsu I advise you not to try to visit too many gardens in Suzhou. Running around three or four gardens a day will tire your feet and mind, and you'll remember nothing. I suggest choosing one garden to relax in, like the Lingering Garden. It's less crowded than the Humble Administrator's Garden. Sit in a corner of the long corridor, listen to the wind rustling the bamboo leaves, and you can daydream for half an hour. ⏰ Enter the garden before 9 am, before the tour groups arrive, and the long corridors and artificial hills are all yours. Tiger Hill is worth climbing, but don't rush up. Enter through the South Gate, first see the Broken Beam Hall, then slowly walk along the mountain path. Take a break at the Sword Pool; its emerald green water is refreshing and soothing. Don't return the same way down; take the small path to the east, which leads to the tea garden behind the mountain—less crowded and perfect for photos. To be honest, Hanshan Temple is very popular with worshippers and tourists, but the poem "Hanshan Temple outside Suzhou" is so enticing that I felt an urge to go. 📍 Walk 200 meters west from the temple gate, and there's a canal walkway. Go around 5:30 pm to watch the cargo ships slowly pass by; it's much quieter than inside the temple. 🍜 For lunch, just find a noodle shop on Fengqiao Road. Braised fish noodles with ginger cost around 20 yuan, much cheaper than in the scenic area. 02 Ankang City | Shaanxi Many people haven't heard of Ankang, but that's precisely why it's worth a visit. The Thousand-Layer River isn't the kind of breathtaking scenery you see at first glance; you have to walk in, slowly strolling along the boardwalk. The river water cascades down in layers, the sound soft, like someone tapping a wooden fish in the distance. ⏰ The best time to go is the day after a rain, when the water level is high and the stones are sparkling. The Fengyan Ancient Terraces are in Hanyin County, more than an hour's drive from Ankang city. The mountain roads are winding, so those prone to motion sickness should bring medication. During the irrigation season, the terraces resemble shattered mirrors scattered across the hillside; when the sun sets, the entire mountain glistens. Don't rush to take photos; first, walk along the ridges of the fields. The soft mud underfoot and the cascading water create a sense of groundedness that the city can't provide. ⚠️ Ankang's attractions are scattered, and public transportation is inconvenient. The best way is to hire a car. I found a local driver who charged 300 yuan a day to take me to the Thousand-Layer River and the terraces. At noon, we could even have a bowl of steamed noodles with sour and spicy sauce in town—a five-yuan meal that would fill us up. 03 Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture | Xinjiang The most beautiful season in Ili is June. The apricot blossoms in Xinghua Valley have already faded, but the grasslands are just turning a vibrant green. The grassy slopes of Kalajun are incredibly smooth, as if ironed flat. Looking down from a high vantage point, flocks of sheep appear like white sesame seeds scattered on a green canvas, moving slowly. ⏰ The light is softest around 4 or 5 pm, casting long shadows on the grassy slopes – perfect for portrait photography without filters. Turgen Apricot Blossom Valley is best visited in April; otherwise, you'll have to wait until next year. I learned this the hard way last year, going in late March, only to find the flowers not in bloom, just bare branches swaying in the wind – a wasted trip. ⚠️ The apricot blossom season only lasts about ten days. Before you go, be sure to check real-time videos posted by local herders; don't rely on weather forecasts. Gongnaisi Grassland is suitable for an overnight stay. A yurt costs 150 yuan per night. It's so cold at night you need two blankets, but opening the door reveals the Milky Way—a light you'll never see in the city. 🚄 There are buses from Yining to Xinyuan County. Once there, hire a car to enter the valley. Don't just use navigation; many side roads are unrecognizable. 04 Jiuquan City | Gansu The Singing Sand Dunes in Dunhuang must be visited before sunset. ⏰ Entering the scenic area at 6:30 PM, the sand is still scalding hot, but reaching the top is just in time for sunset. I sat on the sand ridge, watching the Crescent Lake turn orange-red. A gust of wind blew sand into my shoes, impossible to shake off. Don't rent shoe covers; walking barefoot is much more comfortable—the sand is as fine as flour. Tickets for the Mogao Grottoes must be booked in advance on the official website. During peak season, I booked fifteen days in advance. ⚠️ No photography is allowed inside the caves, and don't touch the murals; the paint will come off easily. Standing at the foot of the Buddha statue in Cave 96, looking up at the 35-meter-tall Buddha, I suddenly understood what "awe" meant. The Yadan National Geological Park is west of Dunhuang, a round trip takes a whole day. Along the way, you'll pass Yumen Pass, those earthen mounds—to be honest, not much to see—but the phrase "Spring breezes don't reach Yumen Pass" echoes in your mind, making it worth stopping for a look. 🍜 Back in Dunhuang city, head to the Shazhou Night Market. Apricot juice with roasted lamb chops—30 yuan and I was stuffed! 05 Baoting County | Hainan Sanya is crowded, Baoting is quiet. Binglang Valley is a Li and Miao cultural scenic area, more authentic than I imagined. I saw a Li grandmother sitting at her loom, her fingers flying, weaving a single piece of Li brocade that takes two or three months. She said, "Young people don't learn this anymore," her tone indifferent, and my heart tightened. 📍 At the bamboo weaving experience area in the scenic area, you can make your own simple basket for 30 yuan and take it home as a souvenir. Yanoda Rainforest is more suitable for hiking enthusiasts. The boardwalk winds through the treetops, with dense green overhead and damp wooden steps underfoot. ⏰ If you go before 10 am, the mist hasn't dissipated yet; the whole mountain feels like it's soaking in moisture, and even breathing feels refreshing. ⚠️ There are many mosquitoes in the rainforest, so wear long pants and long sleeves, and don't use too much mosquito repellent, as it will attract bees. Baoting County is small; staying at the Qixianling Hot Spring Resort is the most comfortable. After soaking in the hot springs, I sat on the balcony looking at the mountains, not thinking about anything. That feeling of emptiness was the most valuable moment of this trip. 06 Zunyi City | Guizhou Chishui Danxia: Don't think it's just about seeing red rocks. I entered the Foguangyan Scenic Area and looked up at the arched Danxia wall, over 300 meters high, like a wall burning red. Water poured down from the top, and as I approached, my face was covered in a fine mist. ⏰ I arrived at nine in the morning, and the sunlight slanted across the rock face, making it shine a brilliant red. The light dimmed in the afternoon. There's a waterfall walkway in the scenic area. The entire walk takes two and a half hours. The steps aren't steep, but they're slippery, so wear non-slip shoes. I personally witnessed an auntie slip and fall while wearing flip-flops, thankfully without injury. ⚠️ The Danxia colors are most vibrant after rain, but the path is also the most slippery. Bring a hiking pole for stability. The tofu and grilled fish in Chishui city is worth saving for a meal. The tofu is so tender you can't pick it up with chopsticks; you have to use a spoon. Paired with the crispy grilled fish, it's spicy and fresh. 🍜 A three-pound fish for two people, plus tofu and side dishes, costs just over eighty yuan—a great deal. 07 Mudanjiang City | Heilongjiang Province Jingpo Lake in summer is a paradise for escaping the heat. I went in mid-July; the daytime temperature was only 24 degrees Celsius, but you needed a jacket at night. The lake water was so clear you could see the stones at the bottom. Taking a boat to the center of the lake, surrounded by green mountains, the breeze from the water was as cool as air conditioning. The Diaoshuilou Waterfall is at the north end of the lake. There are diving performances every day at 10 am and 2 pm. The old man in his sixties stood on the top of the waterfall, dozens of meters high, and jumped off; my palms were sweating. 📍 You need to arrive at the waterfall viewing platform half an hour early to secure a spot; otherwise, you'll have to stand in the back. There is a tourist bus from Mudanjiang city to Jingpo Lake; the journey takes an hour and a half and costs around 20 yuan. ⏰ The next morning, you can visit the crater underground forest, a primeval forest ten meters underground. The steps are a bit steep; if you have knee problems, it's recommended to turn back halfway and not push yourself. 08 Yinchuan City | Ningxia Yinchuan has been underestimated for far too long. In summer, the reed marshes of Mingcui Lake are filled with birdsong. Rent a small boat and row yourself for 50 yuan an hour, navigating the reed maze, occasionally startling a flock of wild ducks that flutter overhead. ⏰ After 6 pm, the light is softest, and the lake surface looks like it's coated in honey. The Helan Mountain rock paintings are located on the eastern slope of the mountain. Those suns and sheep carved into the stones are tens of thousands of years old. Standing before the rock paintings, I reached out and touched the weathered stone surface. The rough texture traveled through my fingertips, and suddenly I felt that a lifetime is truly insignificant in the face of time. 🚄 A taxi from downtown Yinchuan costs around 100 yuan one way. You can share a ride or take the tourist shuttle bus for 40 yuan round trip. Visiting Shuidonggou and the Western Xia Mausoleums in one day is too rushed. The Ming Great Wall ruins and hidden military caves at Shuidonggou are connected and take about three hours to complete. The Western Xia Imperial Tombs museum is worth taking your time to explore; the broken inscriptions and Buddha statues will leave you feeling heavy-hearted. ⚠️ Both attractions are far from the city center, so I recommend splitting them into two days. Don't do what I did and try to finish them all in one day—your legs were killing you! The Huaiyuan Night Market in Yinchuan is the most authentic night market I've ever experienced. Beef patties are six yuan each, freshly made, and bursting with oil when you bite into them; spicy pudding is one yuan a skewer—you can stand on the roadside and eat it, slurping away even when it's so spicy you can't stop. 🍜 Don't eat too much; save some room for eight-treasure tea—it's sweet and refreshing.

01 Xing'an League | Inner Mongolia The summer in Arxan is the kind of comfortable coolness you feel as soon as you arrive. 🌲 I went there at the end of July. The daytime high was only around 22 degrees, and you need a light jacket in the morning and evening. Early August is just right to visit. 📍 Arxan National Forest Park. It’s best to take the Tianchi route first, then the Santan Gorge route to avoid the morning tour groups. 🍜 At the park entrance, there’s a “Lin’s stir-fry” restaurant. Potato stewed with green beans served with rice, about 30 yuan per person, very authentic taste. ⚠️ The combined ticket for admission and sightseeing bus is 285 yuan. Remember to book one day in advance on the official mini program. If you go directly to the window on the day, you’ll wait at least half an hour. Walking through the whole park takes four to five hours. Wear non-slip shoes as many boardwalks are slippery. If it rains, bring a raincoat because the wind on the mountain makes umbrellas hard to use. 02 Changzhou | Jiangsu Changzhou is a city that’s hot but not stuffy. Although it’s sunny during the day in August, the evening breeze makes it comfortable. 🌊 Tianmu Lake is best visited after 4 PM. Walk along the lakeside boardwalk where the light reflections on the water are beautiful and the crowds are light. 🍜 On Huxi Road, there’s a “Tianmu Lake fish head restaurant.” Clay pot fish head is 88 yuan per serving. The soup is milky and fresh, perfect for two people. 📍 Chunqiu Yancheng Tourist Area has air conditioning indoors, ideal for escaping the midday heat. The exhibits of the Three Cities and Three Rivers ruins are detailed. 🚄 Global Dinosaur City is better for families with kids. There are many water attractions. Afternoon visits have shorter lines. Remember to bring quick-dry clothes. ⚠️ Night tickets at Dinosaur City are nearly half the price of daytime tickets. Attractions are open until 9 PM. If you want to enjoy the water, go for the night session. 03 Changchun | Jilin Summer in Changchun is cool enough in the morning and evening to make you forget the daytime sun. 🌳 Jingyuetan is the top choice. The forest trails in early August are fully shaded, and you might spot squirrels. ⏰ It’s best to arrive before 7 AM. The 30 yuan ticket lets you enjoy the whole day and avoid the midday sun. 📍 The Puppet Manchurian Imperial Palace Museum focuses on indoor exhibits with strong air conditioning. The history displays are solid. It takes about two hours to tour, perfect for midday heat relief. 🎨 Visit Changchun World Sculpture Park in the afternoon. The lawn is windy and great for relaxing. Tickets are 60 yuan, half price for students. 🍜 Next to Changying Century City, there’s “Laochang spring pancake” restaurant. Pancakes with braised pork, about 40 yuan per person. Eat well before enjoying the attractions. ⚠️ The sightseeing bus at Jingyuetan stops running at 5 PM. Don’t go too deep or you’ll have to walk back. 04 Xiangyang | Hubei August in Xiangyang isn’t cool, but Gulongzhong is an exception. The mountains are 5 to 6 degrees cooler than the city. 🏔️ The Gulongzhong Scenic Area opens at 8 AM. It’s best to enter right at opening and walk up the stone steps surrounded by ancient trees. The breeze feels especially fresh. 📍 The stone bridge in front of Sangu Hall has fewer people and better lighting for photos than the main hall entrance. 🍜 Ten minutes south of the park, there’s “Longzhong old noodle shop.” Beef noodles are 12 yuan a bowl. The broth is rich, and you can adjust the spiciness. ⚠️ After 2 PM, the sun is direct and there’s no shade on the mountain path. Bring a hat. Tickets are 80 yuan. Buying online in advance saves 5 yuan. Walking the whole area takes two and a half hours. Wear sneakers, not sandals, as the stone steps are slippery. 05 Jinhua | Zhejiang Jinhua’s heat is humid, but Hengdian World Studios has several indoor venues to perfectly avoid the sun. 🎬 Qinwang Palace and the Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival are best visited in the morning. The indoor exhibits have air conditioning and performances. In the afternoon, visit Guangzhou Street and Hong Kong Street, where the evening lights are beautiful. ⏰ Shuanglong Scenic Area is a true summer escape. The cave stays at 18 degrees year-round. Wear long sleeves inside. The contrast of hot and cold is a unique experience. 📍 The queue at Shuanglong Cave entrance is shaded but crowded. It’s best to arrive before 9 AM. 🍜 In Hengdian town, there’s “Old Hengdian pancake shop.” The freshly baked preserved vegetable and pork pancake is 5 yuan each, perfect with mung bean soup. ⚠️ Shuanglong Cave tickets are 90 yuan, including the boat ride. The cave floor is slippery, so elderly and children should hold the railings. Staying overnight in Hengdian costs about 150 yuan on average for guesthouses, offering good value. 06 Zhangjiajie | Hunan August in Zhangjiajie is a mix of rainy and sunny days, but Wulingyuan after rain is the most beautiful. 🌧️ Tianmen Mountain is best visited on cloudy days for a higher chance of sea of clouds. The cable car ride takes about 30 minutes. The temperature at the top is 8 degrees cooler than the city. A short-sleeve shirt plus a light jacket is just right. 📍 Walk the glass plank road on the west line. It’s less crowded and the views are more open than the east line. 🍜 At the foot of the mountain, there’s “Chef Hu’s three-pot stew.” It’s a stew of cured meat, pork intestines, and tofu, about 45 yuan per person, spicy and flavorful. ⚠️ Zhangjiajie National Forest Park tickets are valid for four days. Don’t try to finish in one day; split it into two. On day one, walk Jinbian Stream, which is flat and suitable for elderly and children. On day two, climb Yuanjiajie. If your legs aren’t strong, take the Bailong Elevator for 72 yuan one way. ⏰ Don’t wear regular sneakers during the rainy season. The park is damp year-round. Non-slip shoes are essential. 07 Yinchuan | Ningxia August in Yinchuan is dry heat with a large temperature difference between day and night. It cools down immediately after sunset. 🏜️ Mingcui Lake National Wetland Park is best visited in the morning or evening. The reeds are windy, and there are many water birds. Tickets are 60 yuan. Boat rides cost an additional 30 yuan. The lake surface is much cooler than the shore. 📍 Helan Mountain Rock Art Scenic Area is best visited in the afternoon. There’s shade at the foot of the mountain. The rock art is concentrated high on the cliff and is clearest when the sunlight is slanting. 🍜 Next to Lingwu Shuidonggou Tourist Area, there’s “Shuidonggou farmhouse.” Hand-pulled lamb is 68 yuan per jin, served with eight-treasure tea to cut the richness. Eat before entering the scenic area. ⚠️ The outdoor part of the Western Xia Tombs is exposed to the sun. It’s recommended to visit the museum first (air-conditioned indoors) and then see the tomb pagoda after 4 PM when the light is just right. 🚄 A taxi from downtown Yinchuan to the Western Xia Tombs costs about 40 yuan. It’s cheaper to split the fare with others. In August, it’s still light out at 9 PM, so don’t pack your schedule too tightly. 08 Yingtan | Jiangxi Summer in Longhu Mountain is all about “cool by the water.” 🚣 The bamboo raft ride on Luxi River is a must. It lasts about 40 minutes. The water is cool, and the Danxia landforms on both sides with tree shadows make it much more comfortable than hiking. ⏰ It’s best to get on the raft before 10 AM when the sun isn’t fully out and there’s a breeze on the river. 📍 There’s a thousand-year-old camphor tree at the entrance of Tianshi Mansion. Sitting in its shade lets you feel the quiet of the old Taoist temple. 🍜 In Shangqing Ancient Town, there’s “Tianshi chestnut rice dumplings.” They’re 5 yuan each. The sticky rice mixed with chestnut bits wrapped in bamboo leaves is perfect for eating on the go. ⚠️ The combined ticket for Longhu Mountain admission, sightseeing bus, and bamboo raft is 230 yuan. Booking online in advance saves 20 yuan. The bamboo raft stops running at 4 PM, so don’t stay too late. Walking the whole scenic area takes half a day. Wear sandals or clogs. The stone steps by the river are slippery when wet. escape travel gems rail accessible

01 Jinzhong | Shanxi In August, Jinzhong is cool in the mornings and evenings, like having air conditioning on. The midday sun is intense, but you can bask in the shade for a while. 📍 For Pingyao Ancient City, it's recommended to visit after 5 PM. The setting sun paints the city walls a warm yellow, and most tourists have left, making South Street less crowded. 🍜 If you want to eat "Wan Tu" (a type of local snack), look for the old-established shop on Yamen Street. They close at 2 PM, so don't miss it. Choose either the Qiao Family Compound or the Wang Family Compound; I prefer the Wang Family Compound. Its tiered courtyards built into the mountainside offer a more undulating experience, unlike the flat, linear Qiao Family Compound. Mianshan Mountain in Jiexiu is best visited early in the morning. The mountain is still foggy, and the path to the Water Curtain Cave is chilly. Remember to bring a light jacket, as the temperature inside the cave is about 7-8 degrees Celsius lower than outside. ⚠️ Some attractions in Pingyao Ancient City undergo maintenance on Monday mornings. Check the opening hours before you set off. 02 Chuzhou | Anhui The most comfortable route to Langya Mountain is to enter from the North Gate, walk along a tree-lined path to the Drunken Old Man's Pavilion, and then follow the stream up to the South Heavenly Gate. ⏰ Enter the mountain at 8 am. The sun hasn't yet reached its full strength, and the stone path along the stream is shaded by trees, making the walk easy. The mountain isn't high, but there are many steps. Elderly people and children should walk slowly; the entire hike can be completed in two to three hours. 🍜 There's a small noodle shop on Langya Road at the foot of the mountain. They serve shredded pork noodles with pickled mustard greens; you can eat there before heading up the mountain. ⚠️ The mosquitoes in the mountains are fierce; light-colored long pants are more effective than mosquito repellent. The viewing platform at the South Heavenly Gate offers a panoramic view of Chuzhou City on a clear day, but the afternoon light is too harsh, resulting in washed-out photos, unlike those taken before 10 am. 03 Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture | Xinjiang The blue of Sayram Lake is the kind that makes you wonder if it's been filtered after staring at it for three minutes. The ring road around the lake is over 90 kilometers long. Don't try to drive the whole thing; just choose the section from the south to the west shore. Meadows, lake water, and snow-capped mountains all come together in one frame. ⏰ Arrive at the lake around 4 PM. The sunlight shines obliquely down, making the lake surface look like shattered silver—much more beautiful than at midday. 📍 Anjihai Grand Canyon is on the way to Sayram Lake. You can easily find it on your navigation app. Standing on the edge and looking down, the depth of the rift valley is breathtaking. Be careful when taking photos; stay away from the edge as the soil is loose. Wenquan County is perfect for soaking in a wild hot spring after a long day of exploring. The open-air pools have just the right water temperature, and you can look up at the starry sky. 🚄 Hire a car from Bole city. It takes about an hour and a half one way. The driver will wait for you after you've finished exploring before taking you back. 04 Ankang | Shaanxi The name "Thousand-Layer River" is truly fitting, as the river cascades down in layers, like a mountain spring broken into several streams. 📍 Walking up the boardwalk from the scenic area entrance, the first waterfall is the most spectacular; the spray on your face instantly lowers the temperature by five degrees. ⏰ It's recommended to go in the morning when the mountain light is soft and the moss shines a vibrant green. In the afternoon, it gets crowded, the boardwalk is narrow, and congestion is possible. Fengyan Ancient Terraces are located in Xuanwo Town. Search for "Fengyan Ancient Terraces Viewing Platform" on your navigation app. Drive to the top and look down; in August, the rice paddies are a vibrant green, layered and covering the valley. 🍜 The town market sells freshly baked "kangkangmo" (a type of flatbread), crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Served with a bowl of jiangba hudu (a type of porridge), it's very filling. ⚠️ The mountain roads are winding; those prone to motion sickness should take medication beforehand. 05 Shiyan | Hubei The wind at Wudang Mountain is the kind that's chilly enough to make you feel cold without your jacket, but just right to keep you comfortable. 📍 Take a bus from the scenic area gate to Qiongtan, then take the cable car to the Golden Summit. This is the easiest way, suitable for first-timers. ⏰ The first cable car departs at 7:00 AM. Going early helps you avoid tour groups and increases your chances of seeing the sea of ​​clouds from the Golden Summit. Don't return the same way down the mountain. Take the Qingshen Path, passing Nanyan Palace. That section of stone steps along the cliff face, with a deep valley on one side and a mountain wall on the other, is heart-pounding, but the scenery is worth the price of admission. 🍜 There are vegetarian restaurants near Zixiao Palace at the foot of the mountain, serving at 11:00 AM. The vegetarian dishes are more flavorful than expected. ⚠️ Accommodation on the mountain is basic. It's recommended to stay in Wudangshan Town at the foot of the mountain and then head up the mountain early the next morning. 06 Shizuishan | Ningxia There's only one way to experience Shahu Lake: first, take a boat through the reed beds, then head to the desert area to play in the sand. 📍 The pier is to the left of the scenic area entrance. The boat ride takes about 20 minutes. In August, the reeds are lush and green, rustling in the wind, and water birds skim the surface. The desert area offers sandboarding and camel riding. Sandboarding costs 20 yuan per ride; the slope is gentle, suitable for first-timers. ⏰ Enter the scenic area after 3 PM when the sun isn't so strong and the sand isn't too hot. 🍜 At the scenic area entrance, there are vendors selling Shahu Lake fish heads, prepared two ways: stewed in soup or braised in soy sauce. The price is slightly high, but the portions are generous. ⚠️ The desert area is windy; sunglasses and a sun-protective mask are essential, otherwise your mouth will be full of sand. 07 Ya'an | Sichuan The essence of Bifengxia Gorge lies in the "walking" part. The entire route is a 5-kilometer hike, entering from the left gorge and exiting from the right, without backtracking. 📍 Descending from the visitor center to the bottom of the canyon, the first thing you'll see is Bailongtan Waterfall; the sound of the water is so loud you have to whisper in someone's ear. ⏰ Entering the canyon at 9 AM, the sunlight filters through the trees, and the air is full of moisture—more comfortable than an air-conditioned room. 🍜 There are vendors selling handmade noodles at the entrance of the scenic area, served fresh with bamboo shoots and beef sauce. It's worth eating before leaving. ⚠️ The boardwalks in the canyon are slippery; wear non-slip shoes, not flip-flops. For families with children, the panda base is a great option. Feeding time is at 10 AM; you can see the pandas sitting and munching on bamboo, much more active than if you go in the afternoon. 08 Chongqing August in Chongqing's main urban area is like a sauna, but if you switch your destination to mountains and water, you instantly switch to a summer retreat mode. 📍 Wulong Karst Tourist Area: Take a high-speed train from Chongqing North Station to Wulong Station, then transfer to a bus to Fairy Town; the whole journey takes two hours. The bottom of the Three Natural Bridges is seven or eight degrees lower than the ground level. Walking down the stone steps to the Tianlong Bridge, the wind blowing through the arches makes it chilly enough to need a jacket. Jinyun Mountain is much easier. It's a 20-minute taxi ride from Beibei city center, and you can hike up the fitness trail. The dense trees provide ample shade, and from the Lion Peak at the summit, you can see the entire Beibei riverfront. The essence of the Dazu Rock Carvings is at Baoding Mountain. The ticket includes a round-trip shuttle bus. It's highly recommended to hire a guide; otherwise, you'll only see the large Buddha statues and miss the stories behind them. 🍜 After visiting, head back to the city. Avoid the crowds at Hongyadong; the hot pot restaurants downstairs have queues of at least two hours. Instead, explore the backstreets and alleys of Guanyinqiao and find the old-fashioned restaurants for more authentic flavors. The Yangtze River Three Gorges is best enjoyed with ample time. Take a cruise from Chaotianmen Wharf for four days and three nights. The ship has air conditioning. You can go ashore during the day to explore the gorges and return to the ship at night. It's suitable for families with elderly members and children, and it's less tiring. ⚠️ Chongqing experiences frequent thunderstorms in summer, so bring an umbrella when you go out. It can start raining suddenly and stop in half an hour. Choose a destination for your trip in August! Which mountain is closest to you? Which lake captivates your heart? Let's chat in the comments.