Must-Visit Summer Cool Spots in Shaanxi That Locals Have All Been To

Summer in Shaanxi is like a natural air-conditioned room gifted by nature🌿! From the secret forests in southern Shaanxi at 22°C, to the refreshing breezes of the Loess Plateau in northern Shaanxi; from the cool winds under the imperial tomb pine waves, to the thrilling iced rafting at the Danjiang source, these 6 summer cool spots let you instantly escape the heatwave of the Guanzhong Basin and dive into a 20°C cool secret realm❄️! 🌲 6 Must-Visit Summer Cool Spots in Shaanxi 1. Shangluo Niubeiliang & Zhashui Karst Caves 🌡️ Coolness Index: ★★★★★! At 2800m elevation, the forest’s average temperature is 22°C, and the caves maintain a constant 18°C. Here, you can trek through Lingniu Valley and wade in the icy mountain spring water🌊; climb Liuchiling to see the sea of clouds flowing over the fir forest, feeling the temperature drop by 10°C; enter Zhashui Karst Caves where the corridor of a thousand jade Buddhas is chilling, so you’ll need a light jacket even in midsummer🧥. Stay overnight in Zhongnan Mountain village and enjoy a bowl of immortal leaf jelly, covered with a thin quilt, super cozy~ 🎉 Special Experience: Feel the speed of the wind on the ancient trail glass bridge, sip iced persimmon vinegar from the cave, taste Zhashui’s thirteen flowers paired with walnut cakes, then stay in a treehouse listening to the pine waves🌲. 2. Baoji Taibai Mountain & Qingfeng Gorge 🌡️ Coolness Index: ★★★★★! The average temperature at Baxiantai is only 5°C, and the foot of the mountain at Tangyu is just 22°C. At the place where the sky meets the earth, the sea of clouds surges, and you can still see snow on Taibai in July❄️; the glacial lake at Dayehai is icy cold to the touch, wear a down jacket for photos and feel like you’re back in winter❄️. The hundred-meter waterfall in Qingfeng Gorge sprays a refreshing mist, and rafting there is exhilarating and cooling to the core🌊! After descending, soak in the Tangyu hot springs (there’s also a cold spring pool~), a full sensory experience! 🎉 Special Experience: Stay overnight at Xiaowengong Temple for stargazing✨, search for glacial potholes in the alpine stone sea, enjoy a bowl of Meixian kiwi smoothie, and stay at Yulong Bay Hot Spring Hotel for ultimate comfort~ 3. Weinan Huashan & Shaohua Mountain 🌡️ Coolness Index: ★★★★☆! The average temperature at the West Peak summit is 18°C; remember to bring a light down jacket for night climbs🧥. Avoid the scorching sun by night climbing Huashan🌞, and watch the sunrise at dawn on the East Peak wrapped in a rented military coat🌅, super romantic! The glass plank road at Qianlong Temple on Shaohua Mountain hangs a thousand meters in the air, with cold valley winds blowing upwards; at Shimen Gorge, wade in the creek to chill watermelon🍉, and enjoy the rare waterfall clusters in Guanzhong, amazing! 🎉 Special Experience: Challenge the long sky plank road, drink a bottle of iced Bingfeng soda🥤, taste Huayin cold noodles with honey rice dumplings, and stay at a Taoist temple guesthouse at the mountain foot to feel the unique atmosphere~ 4. Ankang Nangong Mountain & Ying Lake 🌡️ Coolness Index: ★★★★★! The secret realm of Bashan averages 21°C, with cold mist lingering over the lake islands~ At Nangong Mountain’s golden summit, walk the suspended walkway through the sea of clouds☁️, and the ancient trees of Hongyi Temple provide shade; boat on Ying Lake, explore the cool alleys of Cuiping Island, and let the waves wash away all the summer heat🌊. The 8-km rafting on Lan River is super thrilling, remember to wear sun protection~ 🎉 Special Experience: Feed the wild monkeys on Nangong Mountain🐒, eat steamed silverfish eggs on the lake island, drink a cup of iced jiaogulan tea, and stay in a fisherman's boat house watching fireflies dance✨, so dreamy! 5. Yan’an Huangling National Forest Park & Hukou Waterfall 🌡️ Coolness Index: ★★★★☆! The plateau forest averages 23°C, and the waterfall mist cools the air~ The pine waves at Feilong Ridge act like a natural fan, and the suspended plank road at Ziye Temple has a refreshing breeze🌬️. During the flood season at Hukou Waterfall, the mist soars sky-high, standing on the viewing rock feels like being showered with icy rain🌧️ (remember to wear a raincoat!). Stay overnight in a cave dwelling guesthouse, where the kang bed stays a constant 20°C, super comfortable~ 🎉 Special Experience: Trekking in Xuanyuan Valley, drink a bowl of iced jujube paste, eat yellow steamed buns with cold noodles, and stay in a glass house in the canyon for a full immersive experience! 6. Hanzhong Liping & Shimen Plank Road 🌡️ Coolness Index: ★★★★☆! The Bashan hinterland averages 24°C, and there’s also a Three Kingdoms cool trail~ Under the colorful rock walls of Hongchen Gorge, step on the jade pools with bone-chilling cold; walk along the Shimen plank road shaded by the Three Kingdoms story stele forest; ride horses chasing the wind on the cold dam meadows🐎, with big temperature differences on the plateau, so bring a light quilt for the night~ 🎉 Special Experience: Search for underwater strange stones on Longshan, drink iced Xiecun yellow wine🍶 by the plank road, eat immortal tofu with walnut bread, and stay in a Bashan guesthouse counting stars✨, so healing! 💡 Shaanxi Summer Cooling Tips - Clothing Rules: - High mountain scenic spots (Taibai/Huashan): windbreaker + light down jacket🧥 (night temperature ≤10°C) - Canyon rafting: quick-dry clothes + waterproof phone bag📱 (Lan River also rents straw sandals) - Loess Plateau: sun-protective shirt + magic scarf🧣 (Hukou is windy and sandy) - Transportation Tips: - Southern Shaanxi (Shangluo/Ankang): 1-hour high-speed train from Xi’an🚄, scenic spots are scattered so self-driving is recommended - Northern Shaanxi (Yan’an): bullet train to Yan’an station, car rental is more convenient for touring🚗 - Food & Drinks: - Southern Shaanxi: immortal tofu + iced Xiecun yellow wine🍶 - Guanzhong: honey cold rice dumplings + Bingfeng soda🥤 - Northern Shaanxi: potato pancakes with iced sea buckthorn juice🍹 - Hidden Activities: - Niubeiliang: night exploration of Zhongnan hermits (remember to hire a guide) - Taibai Mountain: pick Taibai tea in Medicine King Valley (July-August only) - Liping: Bashan market days (lunar calendar days 3, 6, 9, drink well water iced fermented rice wine, super refreshing) 🌿 Summer in Shaanxi is the cool touch of the eternal ice at Dayehai on Taibai Mountain, the refreshing streams flowing over your ankles at Niubeiliang, and the warmth brought by iced jujube paste on the kang bed in cave dwellings~ The coolness of the Sanqin land is hidden in every mountain ridge fold and lingering historical charm, waiting for you to discover💕!