30 Summer Getaways for 2025 (1/2) – Scenic Spots, Cuisine & Activities
Escape the summer heat in 2025! Here's a curated list of 30 hidden gem destinations. From cool mountains to tranquil lakes, pristine forests to fairytale towns, there's a perfect retreat for everyone. Swap air-conditioned rooms for natural breezes and embark on a refreshing spontaneous journey that makes this summer sparkle with comfort and beauty!
🌄 Arxan: Volcanic hot springs and forest oxygen bar.
🌡️ Avg. summer temp: ~15°C.
🚶🏻♀️ Activities: Hot spring baths, forest views, Tianchi Lake.
🖼️ Attractions: Arxan National Forest Park, Tianchi Lake, Rose Peak, Halaha River, Hot Spring Museum.
🍽️ Food: Hand-grabbed mutton🥩, roasted whole lamb🐑, Hulunbuir dumplings🥟, milk tea☕️, milk tablets🍬, air-dried beef🥩.
❄️ Harbin: Cool summer capital with exotic charm.
🌡️ Avg. summer temp: ~20°C.
🚶🏻♀️ Activities: Stroll Central Street, enjoy ice pops, summer performances.
🖼️ Attractions: Central Street, Sophia Cathedral, Sun Island Park, Ice-Snow World (summer events), Songhua Riverside.
🍽️ Food: Harbin red sausage🌭, sweet and sour pork🍖, Modern ice pops🍦, Russian bread🍞, iron pot stew🥘, pickled cabbage with vermicelli🥣.
🌊 Dalian: Romantic coastal retreat.
🌡️ Avg. summer temp: ~23°C.
🚶🏻♀️ Activities: Beach days, seafood feasts, square exploring.
🖼️ Attractions: Xinghai Square, Tiger Beach Ocean Park, Jinshitan National Resort, Binhai Road, Bangchuidao Island.
🍽️ Food: Oysters🐚, sea urchin🍤, crab🦀, grilled squid🦑, mantis shrimp🦐, Spanish mackerel dumplings🥟.
🌲 Yichun: China's "Forest Capital", natural oxygen bar.
🌡️ Avg. summer temp: ~18°C.
🚶🏻♀️ Activities: Rafting, hiking, forest bathing.
🖼️ Attractions: Wuying National Forest Park, Jiayin Dinosaur Geopark, Tangwanghe Stone Forest, Wuyiling Rafting, Meixi Russian Village.
🍽️ Food: Blueberries🫐, hazelnuts🌰, pine nuts🌰, wild greens🥬, mushroom chicken stew🍗, wild cold-water fish🐟.
☁️ Changbai Mountain: Volcanic lake & pristine wilderness.
🌡️ Avg. summer temp: ~16°C.
🚶🏻♀️ Activities: Tianchi Lake views, hot springs, waterfalls.
🖼️ Attractions: Tianchi Lake, Changbai Waterfall, Small Tianchi, Jinjiang Canyon, Hot Spring Cluster.
🍽️ Food: Ginseng chicken🍗, kimchi🥬, Yanbian cold noodles🍜, BBQ🥩, matsutake mushrooms🍄, wild mushroom soup🍲.
🐎 Hulunbuir: Vast grasslands & nomadic culture.
🌡️ Avg. summer temp: ~18°C.
🚶🏻♀️ Activities: Horse riding, grass sliding, sunrise views, bonfire parties, yurt stays.
🖼️ Attractions: Hulun Lake, Manzhouli Border Gate, Erguna Wetland, Moergle River (Golden Horde Site), Chen Barag Grassland.
🍽️ Food: Roasted whole lamb🐏, lamb chops🐑, hand-grabbed meat🥩, milk tea☕️, milk curd🍬, blood sausage🥄, meat sausage🥄.
🌊 Weihai: Blue seas & happy coastline.
🌡️ Avg. summer temp: ~22°C.
🚶🏻♀️ Activities: Coastal cycling, seafood, seagull watching.
🖼️ Attractions: Liugong Island, Chengshantou Cape, Coastal Road, Hailu Island, Weihai Park.
🍽️ Food: Oysters🐚, clams🐚, sea urchin🍤, grilled oysters🐚, mackerel dumplings🥟, shrimp cakes🍳.
🍁 Yuexi: Anhui's hidden summer escape.
🌡️ Avg. summer temp: ~24°C.
🚶🏻♀️ Activities: Summer retreat, autumn foliage (seasonal), hot springs.
🖼️ Attractions: Tianzhu Mountain (partial), Sikong Mountain, Miaodao National Forest Park, Rainbow Waterfall, Kujing Garden.
🍽️ Food: Mugwort cakes🥐, free-range chicken soup🍗, stone ear chicken🍗, mountain pepper oil noodles🍜, cured meat🥓, Xiao Diao wine🍻.
🏞️ Moganshan: Bamboo retreat with Republic-era charm.
🌡️ Avg. summer temp: ~25°C.
🚶🏻♀️ Activities: Boutique B&Bs, bamboo forest walks, gourmet dining.
🖼️ Attractions: Wuling Village, Reed Marsh Park, White Cloud Villa, Naked Castle, Le Passage Mohkan Shan.
🍽️ Food: Vegetarian noodles🍜, bamboo rice🍚, bamboo shoot pork🥓, handmade tofu pudding🍜, sandwiches🥪, coffee☕️.
🚄 Liupanshui: "Cool City" with mountain rail adventures.
🌡️ Avg. summer temp: ~19°C.
🚶🏻♀️ Activities: Scenic train rides, water activities.
🖼️ Attractions: Wumeng Grassland, Beipanjiang Grand Canyon, Yushe National Forest Park, Minghu Wetland, Cool City Water Park.
🍽️ Food: Griddle cooked dishes🍳, Si Wa Wa🥙, mutton noodles🍜, griddle potatoes🥔, buckwheat jelly🥣, rose hip juice🧃.
🌈 Jiuzhaigou: Colorful lakes & snow peaks.
🌡️ Avg. summer temp: ~16°C.
🚶🏻♀️ Activities: Hiking, water scenery, Tibetan culture.
🖼️ Attractions: Five Flower Lake, Nuorilang Falls, Long Lake, Five Color Pond, Shuzheng Falls.
🍽️ Food: Tibetan pork🐖, yak meat🥩, barley bread🍞, butter tea☕️, Tibetan noodles🍜, yogurt🍮.
☁️ Lushan: Misty mountain retreat.
🌡️ Avg. summer temp: ~22°C.
🚶🏻♀️ Activities: Cloud sea views, mountain hikes.
🖼️ Attractions: Hanpo Pass, Five Old Peaks, Three-Step Waterfall, Lushan Conference Site, Bai Juyi's Cottage.
🍽️ Food: Stone frog🐸, stone fish🐟, Lushan stone ear chicken🍗, Poyang Lake whitebait🐟, Lushan cloud tea🍵, Poyang Lake artemisia with bacon🥬.
👽 Shennongjia: "Wild Man" territory & primeval forest.
🌡️ Avg. summer temp: ~17°C.
🚶🏻♀️ Activities: Exploration, hiking, "wild man" spotting.
🖼️ Attractions: Shennong Peak, Shennong Altar, Banqiao River, Hongping Gallery, Tianmenya Pass.
🍽️ Food: Cured meat🥓, free-range chicken🍗, wild greens🥬, Shennongjia wild honey🍯, bamboo shoot stir-fry🥬, local fried fish🐟.
🏔️ Guiqing Mountain: Stone forest & Danxia landforms.
🌡️ Avg. summer temp: ~20°C.
🚶🏻♀️ Activities: Hiking, peak viewing, wildflowers.
🖼️ Attractions: Guiqing Mountain, Zheyang Mountain, Chanlin Temple, Jinsha Gorge, Stone Forest.
🍽️ Food: Cured meat🥓, pickled vegetables🥬, potato noodles🍜, lard bread🥖, pickled veggie noodles🍜, fern greens🥬.
🌼 Dali: Wind-flowers-snow-moon slow living.
🌡️ Avg. summer temp: ~20°C.
🚶🏻♀️ Activities: Erhai cycling, old town strolls, BBQ nights.
🖼️ Attractions: Erhai Lake, Dali Ancient Town, Three Pagodas, Cangshan Mountain, Butterfly Spring.
🍽️ Food: Rushan cheese🍢, sour-spicy fish🐟, Erkuai rice cake🥖, grilled cheese🍢, cold chicken rice noodles🍜, Xizhou baba pastry🥐.
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