Top 10 Cities to Visit in China During Summer 2024

1. Inner Mongolia - Eye Pleasing Green Grassland

Location: North of China

Average Temperature in Summer: 18~28°C (64~82°F)

Highlight spots: Hulunbuir Grassland, Xilamuren Grassland and Gegentala Grassland, Huitengxile Grassland, Inner Mongolia Museum, Dazhao Temple
Recommended Trip Length:  4-10 days

Summer (July to September) is the best time to visit Inner Mongolia when the temperature is most comfortable. Inner Mongolia has one of China's most beautiful and unusual natural areas. It was once the domain of the Mongol empires, and you can see Mongolian yurts in some places still.  Vast grassland is the most attractive natural scenery of Inner Mongolia.  Besides the charming scenery,  visitors can also ride horses, watch wrestling, horse racing, and eat the prairie-style “full mutton feast” on the grassland to experience the unique customs of the nomads.

The grand Naadam Fair held at Hulunbuir Grassland, Huitengxile Grassland, Xilamuren Grassland and Gegentala Grassland from middle July to August every year is the best event to see the strength, talent, braveness and artistic charm of Mongolian ethnic boys and girls living in Inner Mongolia! Horse racing, wrestling, and archery are the essential skills every Mongolian man should learn. There will be contests of the three skills, folk dances, costume show, and food exhibition.

2. Tibet - A Pure Land with Mysterious Culture

Location: Western China

Average Temperature in August: 12~23°C (54~73°F)

Highlight spots:Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Mount Everest, Namtso, Sera Monastery, YamdrokTso, Drepung Monastery

Recommended Trip Length:  3-11 days

Tibet is overflowing with characteristic Tibetan landmarks, vast Tibetan plateau, herds of cattle and sheep, blue skies, clear water, and fresh air. Cool-weather and religious vistas, both natural and cultural, grant Tibet one of the best destinations for your summer travel in China.  It's hard to get admission into Tibet for foreign travelers, and that makes it even more attractive. The temperature in summer in Tibet is around 12-24°C (54-75°F). In summer, you may have lower risk of altitude sickness because the air has a higher oxygen content than in other seasons. These make for a comfortable and easy trip to explore Tibet's various highlights.

One of its landmarks is Potala Palace in Lhasa, the holy palace in the heart of pilgrims which houses many historical relics, such as pagodas, murals, Tangkaa and scriptures. Aafter admiring in the cool Potala Palace in Lhasa, you can watch lamas debating on Buddhist doctrines in Sera Monastry or stroll around Barkhor Street to get unique Tibetan style souveniors. Or, enjoy a wonderful view of Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world, in Shigatse. Besides, paying holy visits to various representative and ancient temples and joining in local grand festivals like Shoton Festival in July or August, Nagchu Horse Racing Festival, etc. in a summer Tibet trip will help you escape from the summer heat successfully and comfort your mind with the belief culture of Tibetan people!

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3. Guizhou -  Waterfalls and Minority Culture

Location: Inner land of south-western China

Average Temperature in Summer: 25~28°C (77~82°F)

Highlight spots: Huangguoshu Waterfall, Fanjingshan, Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village, Zhenyuan Ancient Town, Qingyan Ancient Town, Zhaoxing Dong Village, Xiaoqikong Scenic Area

Recommended Trip Length:  2-7 days

 Due to the humid subtropical monsoon climate, summer in Guizhou is not so agonizing. It is an ideal summer escape spot. With an average temperature of 20-25°C (68-77°F), a summer holiday in Guizhou is blessed with amazing landscapes (mostly waterfalls and mountains) and colorful minority lives. Enjoy the unique charm of Huangguoshu Waterfall, which is surrounded by peaks and thick vegetation. Canyons, caves and stone pillars are everywhere, a typical karst landform. Furthermore, as the “Mountain Province”, Guizhou is globally renowned with its strange and awesome Fanjingshan, where you are also highly recommended to have a visit at leave once to see the particular cool soaring peaks and feel the peaceful Buddhist culture cradled.

Moreover, Guizhou has the second highest number of minority groups next to Yunnan Province. Tujia, Miao, and many others make Guizhou an important place for ethnic culture. Tourists can travel to Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village, Zhenyuan Ancient Town and other ethnic minorities’ villages which are mostly built besides mountains and rivers and join the local’s party and dance to the folk music. Wearing local costumes and taking photos against green mountains and rivers.It is also best to learn about their cultures and disappearing traditional crafts.

4. Qinghai -  Salt Lakes, Grassland, Ethnic Minorities

Location:  Northern China

Average Temperature in Summer: 12~25°C (54~77°F)

Highlight spots: Qinghai Lake, Chaka Salt Lake, Taer Monastery,  Rape flowers around the lake, Rape Flower Field in Menyuan County

Recommended Trip Length:  3-6 days

Imagine a large open place like a city or province with a giant invisible air-conditioner. That where it feels the same in Qinghai in Northwest China in summer, when the temperature keeps between 10-20°C for the most comfortable cool in summer months!  Qinghai Lake is the largest inland lake and saltwater lake in China, surrounded by plateaus, grassland, snow mountains, and desert. In July, the lake is decorated with golden clothing, as tens of thousands of hectares of rape flowers spread out from Qinghai Lake's shores. together with the pure blue sky and colorful prayer flags, they resemble an “oil painting”. Having a bike ride along the lake is highly recommended. You will also appreciate the Tibetan culture and local delicacies of northwestern China.

Another ionic site is Chaika Salt Lake. It is a salt field of more than 3,000 years which has a large amount of salt and naturally crystallize into a white lake. It is very clear to reflect the blue sky and white clouds, hence reputed as “Mirror of Sky”; visitors can also walk barefoot to the lake and have their reflections capture. If you come to visit the lake during July and August, you may also have chance to participate the International (bicycle) Tour of Qinghai Lake.  You can also take the most classic 7-day Silk Road cultural circuit tour to Xining, Qinghai Lake, Zhangye, and Dunhuang, and see the key sites of Qinghai Lake, Chaika Salt Lake, Water Yadan, Dachaidan Emerald Lake, Mogao Grottoes, and Echoing Sand Mountain.

5. Yunnan - Pleasant Kunming, Lijiang, Dali & Shangri-La

Location:  Southwestern China

Average Temperature in Summer: 23-25℃ (73-77℉)

Highlight spots: Stone Forest in Kunming, Dali Ancient City, Mount Cangsha and Erhai Lake in Dali, Lijiang Old Town, Lijiang, Tiger Leaping, and Tibetan lifestyle in Shangri-La

Recommended Trip Length:  3-8 days

Yunnan has the mildest climate in China. Summertime is warm and mildly humid, the average temperature of is between 19℃ and 22 ℃. The pleasant and colorful Yunnan should be listed in the best cool summer vacations in China. The cities of Dali, Kunming, Lijiang Shangri-la, and Xishuangbanna are suitable for travel in summer, Those iconic cities are distinctive with splendid ethnic cultures, majestic landscapes, and tropical rainforests.The capital city of Yunnan - Kunming is known as “The City of Eternal Spring”. You’ll see flowers blossoming all year-round and an abundance of green trees and plants.

 Dali with shimmering sapphire Erhai Lake and verdant Cangshan Mountain attracts many visitors to spend their leisure vacations. While Lijiang with also leisure old city can get you cooler down with higher altitude and the snow capped Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, peaceful Black Dragon Pond and the verdant and cool Lugu Lake. Shangri-la is a remote peaceful land with transparent sky, snow-covered mountains, dignified monasteries and primary forest. During the early summer, lush trees, serenity lakes and vast grasslands are in their prime time, you will also find wild flowers, especially the graceful azaleas, varied in shapes and kinds, coloring the fields.

6. Guilin —  Karst Landscapes and Bamboo Rafting

Location: North Guangxi, China

Average Temperature in Summer: 22-30℃ (72-86℉)

Highlight spots: Li River, Yangshuo, Elephant Trunk Hill, Reed Flute Cave, Seven-Star Park, Longji Rice Terraces

Recommended Trip Length:  3-7 days

There’s an ancient Chinese saying: “桂林山水甲天下 (guì lín shān shuǐ jiǎ tiān xià)” - meaning “Guilin’s mountains and water scenery is the best under heaven.” Indeed, Guilin is a sight to behold. Its shapely-rising limestone towers and crystal-clear waters are often portrayed in Chinese artworks. Adding to its natural beauty are many fascinating caves. The Lijiang River is the most important part of Guilin's scenery. The city is hot and humid in summer but caving and water activities will cool you off. Compared with the popular Li River, its tributary Yulong River sees fewer visitors, meaning you can spot the fantastic Karst mountains by quiet rafting.

Guilin is best known for its natural scenery, which includes otherworldly, tree-covered mountains carved of limestone, long networks of clear rivers, and the timelessness of the rural Chinese countryside, which can be seen embodied in the breathtaking Longsheng Rice Terraces. Summer is the time for irrigating the Longji Terraced Fields. Seen from the mountainside viewpoints, the fields look like layer upon layer of exquisite mirrors. It also features incredibly beautiful and extensive cave systems. A few of the best caves to check out are the Reed Flute Cave, Silver Cave, Crown Cave, and Seven Star Cave. Be sure to bring your camera to capture the stunning stalagmites.

7. Qingdao - Beach, Beer and fresh Seafood

Location: Southeast part of Shandong Province

Average Temperature in Summer: 23-29℃ (74-83℉)

Highlight spots: Mt Laoshan, No.1 Bathing Beach, Little Qingdao Isle, May 4th Sq,  Beer Street.

Recommended Trip Length:  3-5 days

Qingdao is situated at the foot of Lao Shan Mountain and on the shore of the Yellow Sea. It is a picturesque port city with a penchant for beer brewing. Qingdao’s legacy of beer brewing dates back to 1898, when the Germans who occupied the city established the Tsingtao Brewery and left behind the know-how for making light, crisp, German-style lagers. The Qingdao International Beer Festival takes place every summer, and beer street is the place to be. Aside from beer, Qingdao is also an ideal place to eat super fresh seafood, due to its booming fishing industry.

The beach in Qingdao can be a must-go place during your Qingdao City. And the No.1 Bathing Beach, which is famous for the soft sand, clean water and clam waves, welcomes you all the time. Surrounded on three sides by mountains, the beach is like the pearl of Huiquan Bay. The gentle slope and mild waves make the place a comfortable play area. If you love architecture, you’ll love Qingdao’s old town. The exotic buildings are beautifully-preserved from Qingdao’s Germanic past. Red roof tiles, green trees, azure seas and blue skies mirror the beautiful manner of Qingdao. Its crimson reefs, gentle waves, colorful sailing boats and golden beaches help to make up the beautiful scenery.

8. Zhangjiajie - Floating "Hallelujah Mountains"

Location:  Northwest of Hunan Province

Average Temperature in Summer: 19 to 29°C (66–84°F)

Highlight spots: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Tianmen Mountain, Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, and Glass Bridge, Hanglong Cave, Yuanjiajie, Huangshi Village, Golden Whip Stream

Recommended Trip Length:  3-5 days

The region of Zhangjiajie in northwestern Hunan Province is like a natural labyrinth, especially renowned for its mountain scenery. Summer is the peak tourist season in Zhangjiajie, The average temperature  is around 19℃（66℉）-29℃（84℉). Wulingyuan Scenic Resort of this region, which including the famous Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Suoxiyu Scenic Area and Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve, is the nice summer resort for avoid the hot summer fever. Towering mountains, clear streams, and fresh air make Zhangjiajie a natural air conditioner and a natural oxygen bar.

Highlighting outstanding geological features and fabulous natural beauty, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and draws a savvy crowd from around the world. The famous Hallelujah Mountains in Avatar were inspired by towering mountain pillars in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.Besides, this treasure outdoor world has more to get cool and fun, such as hiking along the Golden Whip Stream, walking along the world hit Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, more thrilling walkings and cable riding at Tianmen Mountain, wander at the cool and dazzling karst cave at Huanglong Cave, and so forth!

9. Jiuzhai Valley - Green & Blue Fairyland

Location: Northern Part of Sichuan Province

Average Temperature in Summer: 17 ~ 27.6℃ (62.6 ~ 81.68℉)

Highlight spots:  Jiuzhaigou Natural Reserve, Nuorilang Waterfall, Pearl Shoal Waterfalls, Jiuzhai Romance Park

Recommended Trip Length:  3-5 days

Jiuzhaigou Valley, or Jiuzhaigou National Park is located in northern Sichuan province which  is composed of three deep valleys in a Y-shaped shape, Rize Valley, Zechawa Valley, and Shuzheng Valley.   Its superb landscapes are particularly interesting for their series of narrow conic karst land forms and spectacular waterfalls. All the forests, lakes, waterfalls, landform are the best gifts from other mother nature.Jiuzhaigou Valley is known as “the Most Beautiful Waterscape in China”, Word Natural Heritage Site, “Fairytale Land”, 5A National Park. All people who have been to Jiuzhaigou know all these reputation match the reality. It is even regarded as the “Paradise for Photographers”.

Within the scenic area, there are breathtakingly beautiful primordial forests. There are also a huge number of lakes, which are so vast and vibrant they are often called "oceans". The many "oceans" of Jiuzhaigou have sparkling clear water. Under the bright rays of the sun, the water and the surrounding plant life are painted exquisitely beautiful shades of jade and turquoise. Some 140 bird species also inhabit the valley, as well as a number of endangered plant and animal species, including the giant panda and the Sichuan takin. With cool weather, summer is the best time to see Jiuzhaigou (Jiuzhai Valley)’s waterfalls and green lakes.

10. Huangshan - Verdant Mountain For Sightseeing & Hiking

Location: Anhui Province, East China

Average Temperature in Summer: : 16°C ~ 20°C (61°F ~ 68°F)

Highlight spots:  Yellow Mountain, Hongcun Village, Xidi Village, Tunxi Old Street, Hu Kaiwen Ink Factory

Recommended Trip Length:  3-4 days

Located in the south part of Anhui Province, Yellow Mountain in Huangshan is one of the top mountain-view spots of China and known as the No.1 Mountain under heaven. It features imposing peaks, grotesquely-shaped rocks, steep cliffs, fantastic caves and those peculiarities that make the mountain outstanding among others. The granite rockery peaks with bright green twisted pines and other old trees soothe your eyes and mind best without any difficult. And after summer rains, the lingering mists in the air and rolling sea of clouds are the quite unforgettable of the nature charm of Mount. Huang.

 Yellow Mountain can be divided into Beihai Scenic Area, Xihai Scenic Area, Songgu Scenic Area, Yungu Scenic Area, Yuping Scenic Area, Baiyun Scenic Area and Hot Spring Scenic Area. In 1990, UNESCO enrolled it as a World Heritage Site. In addition to the awesome vistas, Huangshan also offers a thrilling summer with a cool temperature. The average temperature in summer is 12-20°C (54-68°F), making it a cool- even a bit cold- trip on the mountain top.After sightseeing at Huangshan Mountain, you can also spend some leisure and cultural time and savor the artistic architectural designs at Huangshan local picturesque old villages with slow life, including Hongcun, Xidi, and so forth!

These are the most recommended summer tour destinations in China. The view in these places are the most beautiful.