There are many summer escapes in China, but summer vacations aren’t just about escaping the heat; they’re also about vacationing and relaxing. They require not only a cool and pleasant climate, but also a refreshing environment and a comfortable living atmosphere. Overall, I believe the following eight cities are among the best summer escapes in China for 2024. Which one is your favorite?

Liupanshui

Guizhou is the coolest province in southern China, but when it comes to the coolest city in southern China, it has to be Liupanshui.

Liupanshui is known as the “Cool Capital of China.” Located at an altitude of 1,800 meters, it is the highest city in Guizhou. The average summer temperature is 19.6°C. In the hottest months of July and August, temperatures range from 19°C to 26°C. Throughout the summer, temperatures rarely exceed 28°C, and even those who sleep under blankets are required. This makes it the coolest city not only in Guizhou but also in southern China. For this reason, it has been awarded the title of “China’s Cool Capital” by the China Meteorological Society and is the only city in China named after its climate characteristics.

Liupanshui also boasts an excellent ecological environment. Its forest coverage rate is 62%, ranking second in Guizhou. The air is fresh and smog-free, and it boasts numerous national forest parks and over ten national-level scenic spots. With convenient transportation, including airports, high-speed railways, and highways, it enjoys excellent public security, comprehensive infrastructure and amenities, and abundant medical resources, including tertiary hospitals. It is a rare summer escape and well-being paradise in China.

Kunming

Kunming has long been known as the “City of Spring.” Its characteristically mild winters and moderate summers are its exceptionally pleasant climate. It boasts not only the best climate among major cities in China, but also one of the best in the world. Through recent development, Kunming has achieved considerable development in urban development, infrastructure, and medical resources, perfectly complementing its reputation as a popular summer resort destination.

Kunming’s hottest months of the year aren’t the dog days of summer, but May. Therefore, July and August are quite cool, with highs rarely reaching 30°C, and those highs occur only between noon and 5 PM. Shady areas offer comfort and a sense of relief. A Kunming saying goes, “There’s no cold or heat in the four seasons; rain brings winter.” Therefore, even on rainy days, you’ll still need to wear a cashmere sweater. Kunming’s downsides include slightly stronger ultraviolet rays and a slightly elevated altitude of 1,900 meters.

Xining

Xining is known as the “Summer Capital of China” because of its ideal natural conditions for escaping the summer heat. As the largest city on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Xining’s urban area sits at an altitude of 2,261 meters. This height prevents significant altitude sickness and ensures cool summers. The average summer temperature here consistently hovers around 20°C, rarely exceeding 28°C. The temperature difference between morning and evening is significant, and mosquitoes are rare, making it a very comfortable summer escape.

Xining’s economy is underdeveloped, with its annual GDP often ranking in the bottom few among provincial capitals nationwide, and its urban architecture lacks the grandeur of a metropolis. However, its streets are neat and orderly, its atmosphere peaceful and tranquil, its pace of life slow, and its medical resources well-developed. The people of Xining are warm, kind, and simple. Xining is not only the starting point and transit point for the Northwest Grand Loop, but also boasts numerous beautiful sights. Combining tourism with summer vacation is an ideal way to spend the summer in Xining.

Guiyang

Guiyang is known as “Cool Guiyang,” referring to its exceptionally comfortable summers. Located at a moderate altitude of 1,070 meters, Guiyang boasts a favorable ecological environment. The city’s forest coverage rate reaches 55.3%, and its air quality consistently ranks among the top ten in China. The city also boasts excellent water quality. Guiyang offers a diverse breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu, along with a wide variety of snacks, making it a perfect summer escape for the elderly.

Thanks to Guiyang’s favorable ecological environment, its climate is also pleasant. Winters are mild, and summers are even more comfortable without scorching heat. Even during the hottest days of summer, temperatures range from 24 to 29°C, with a significant difference between morning and evening. This makes it the most suitable major city in Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan provinces for summer vacations, aside from Kunming. However, the city’s narrow and sometimes congested roads are a drawback, and summers are often foggy, making the sun rarely visible.

Dalian

Located at the southernmost tip of Liaoning Province, Dalian is surrounded by the sea on three sides and boasts lush mountains and clear waters. It is one of China’s most beautiful coastal cities. It enjoys a semi-humid continental monsoon climate, characterized by mild weather and distinct four seasons. Summers are particularly cool, with temperatures hovering in the 20s. Combined with the refreshing sea breeze, it creates a refreshing and comfortable atmosphere, making it one of the coolest cities at its latitude and a prime summer resort in northern China.

Dalian boasts a modern, stylish, and developed urban landscape. Its city is clean and tidy, with comprehensive supporting facilities, a flourishing commercial sector, and abundant educational and health resources. It boasts a vibrant commercial district, beautiful and stylish buildings, and lawn-covered plazas, creating a vibrant holiday atmosphere. It is also home to dozens of Grade A hospitals. From its urban charm to its amenities and medical facilities, Dalian is a premier summer resort in China.

Harbin

Harbin is a city rich in character and romance. It was one of China’s earliest open cities. Its architecture is stylish and European, and its cultural and urban atmosphere are also imbued with exotic charm. It boasts a prosperous commercial sector, comprehensive supporting facilities, and a beautiful urban environment, encompassing the Songhua River, urban wetlands, Sun Island, and the Forest Botanical Garden. It is a city of music and is known as the “Moscow of the East.”

Located at the golden latitude of 45 degrees north, Harbin is China’s northernmost metropolis. With a four-month annual snowy season, Harbin is not only a winter destination for snow and ice activities, but also a summer escape. With average summer temperatures ranging from 18°C ​​to 22°C, it’s comfortable, cool, and affordable, making it a top-rated summer resort in northern China.

Datong

Datong in summer is a refreshingly cool world of pleasant weather. Located just outside the Great Wall, Datong boasts the best air quality in Shanxi. Even during the hottest days of summer, the average temperature is only 19-21.9°C. Daytime highs never reach 30°C, and at night, they dip to 15-16°C, requiring a thicker blanket for sleeping. There are no sauna-like days, let alone air conditioning, making it an underrated summer resort.

Datong is also an underrated tourist destination, home to many renowned historical sites and cultural treasures. The Yungang Grottoes, Mount Heng, the Hanging Temple, the Huayan Temple, and the Nine Dragon Screen are all well-worth visiting, offering a chance to deeply experience the charm of this historic city while escaping the heat.

Datong offers excellent value for money in its summer getaways. The pace of life is slow, the area is uncrowded and noisy, and prices are low. Food and accommodation are affordable, and transportation is convenient. With an airport and high-speed rail connections to Taiyuan and Beijing in two hours, it’s a highly cost-effective summer resort.

Lanzhou

Lanzhou is a key starting point and transit point for Northwest China tours. Whether traveling to Qinghai Lake, Xinjiang, or Dunhuang, Lanzhou is an essential city. It boasts numerous worthwhile attractions, including the Yellow River Iron Bridge, the Yellow River Scenic Line, the Ink Painting Danxia, ​​and the Gansu Museum.

Lanzhou also offers excellent value for money, with affordable dining and accommodation, as well as a wide variety of delicious foods and fruits, ensuring visitors a unique culinary experience.

Lanzhou is also a popular summer resort. Located at the junction of three major plateaus, Lanzhou enjoys mild winters and even more comfortable summers. The dramatic temperature swings between day and night make it a delightful and refreshing experience, especially when sipping tea by the Yellow River in the evening! It’s truly beautiful and refreshing, attracting thousands of tourists from mainland China every year to escape the summer heat. It has become one of China’s most renowned summer resorts.

These eight cities are all worth visiting this summer. Which one do you prefer?