Cool and Refreshing Outing and Water Fun Spots for Kids Around Xi'an—Qinling Off-the-Beaten-Path Guide

Hey, little treasures! Summer in Xi'an has arrived just like that, and the weather has suddenly heated up. Today, I'm going to share with you a fantastic spot around Xi'an for taking the kids out for a cool and refreshing walk and to play in the water—the Qinling off-the-beaten-path routes! We've checked out an off-the-beaten-path route in the Qinling before, and it's really perfect for a family trip! That's the Qinling National Botanical Garden. Generally, most people might take Route 1, but we've personally tested Route 2, and it's simply the perfect way to enjoy summer! Every summer, Qinling always has new hidden gems waiting for you to discover, and this place is definitely the king of the gorges around Xi'an! Getting off the sightseeing bus, you're greeted with a cool and fresh feeling. There are trees, streams, moss, wildflowers, just like Xi'an's version of the Emerald City. The river water in the mountains is as clear as jade, and the babbling of the stream is incredibly relaxing. Walking back and forth along Route 2 takes about 3 hours, and the concrete path is very flat, so pushing a stroller is no problem at all. Of course, playing in the water by the river and upstream is super cooling! The Liangcha River at the entrance is quite special, with low-hanging branches like natural large umbrellas, and the winding stream stretches out, with the beauty of nature right before your eyes. The facilities here are also quite complete, with inns and restaurants, and accommodations are available. The farmhouses inside raise their own fish for sale, with an average cost of around 60 RMB per person, depending on what you order. A warm reminder: To take Route 2, you need to ride the sightseeing bus, which stops entering the mountain at 14:00 every day. The round trip on the sightseeing bus takes 1 hour, plus 3 hours for walking back and forth, so you need at least 4 hours to complete the visit. Everyone must plan their time wisely! Additionally, farmhouses in the scenic area require reservations, with an average cost of around 60 RMB per person. If you're camping or picnicking, pay attention to environmental hygiene and take your trash with you. When taking children to play, make sure they are accompanied by adults, and be careful when playing by the water. The address of the Qinling National Botanical Garden is near No. 2 Jucai Road, Zhouzhi County. It's recommended to drive there, and there's a parking lot at the entrance. Regarding tickets, the entrance fee is 25 RMB per person, and it's cheaper to buy through the Shaanxi Cultural Tourism Benefit People mini-program. The ticket for Route 2 sightseeing bus is 60 RMB per person, with free admission for children under 1.4 meters and people over 65 years old, and half price for minors, students, and people aged 60-65. Besides this, let me recommend a few more off-the-beaten-path routes in the Qinling that are suitable for family outings: 👉 Huangyugou: Located in Luan Town, Chang'an District, you can drive and navigate to 'Miyan Temple,' or take buses 332, 334, or Tourist Bus 9 to 'Shangwang Village' station and then walk towards the mountain. As soon as you enter the mountain, there's a stream where you can camp and play in the water. 👉 Gaoguanyukou: Located at the foot of the Qinling Mountains, you don't need to enter a scenic area. Navigate to Li Jiayan Farmhouse, and after eating, you can play in the river opposite the east gate. Both sides of the riverbank are free for water play, with parking for 10 RMB.