BEIJING, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- With rising temperatures, more travellers are seeking cooler destinations for relaxation. From lush forests and vast grasslands to refreshing watersides, China offers a variety of retreats which provide cooler climates, scenic landscapes and diverse outdoor experiences.
Forest Escapes
Forest destinations across China feature lush woodlands and rich biodiversity, drawing visitors for nature-based activities.
An aerial drone photo taken on July 28, 2026 shows a view of the Arxan National Forest Park in Arxan of Hinggan League, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Li Zhipeng)An aerial drone photo taken on July 29, 2026 shows tourists enjoying rafting at a scenic area in Huangping County, southwest China's Guizhou Province. Huangping has leveraged its mountain springs and canyon landscapes to develop a rafting tourism brand, attracting visitors for a refreshing getaway while boosting local tourism and incomes. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)A drone photo taken on Aug. 2, 2026 shows tourists trying drifting at the Langya Mountain scenic area in Chuzhou, east China's Anhui Province. The Langya Mountain scenic area is home to the renowned Zuiweng Pavilion, which was featured in a celebrated essay by Northern Song Dynasty literary figure Ouyang Xiu. It has attracted visitors with daytime sightseeing and nighttime markets. (Photo by Ji Chengjun/Xinhua)An aerial photo taken on July 30, 2026 shows a tourist experiencing paragliding with a pilot at a paragliding base in Huangping County, southwest China's Guizhou Province. Visitors soared over the mountains with professional pilots and enjoyed the cool mountain air. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)An aerial drone photo taken on Aug. 6, 2026 shows the scenery at Longji terraced fields in Longsheng County of Guilin City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (Photo by Pan Zhixiang/Xinhua)Tourists take a selfie at Longji terraced fields in Longsheng County of Guilin City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on July 26, 2026. (Photo by Pan Zhixiang/Xinhua)People enjoy themselves on a swing at a resort on Changbai Mountain in Fusong County, Baishan City, northeast China's Jilin Province, June 10, 2026. (Xinhua)A foreign tourist looks on as local women make Tiaohua cross-stitch embroidery, a traditional handicraft, at Huxingshan Yao Township in Longhui County, Shaoyang City, central China's Hunan Province, Aug. 4, 2026. Huxingshan Yao Township embraces a tourism boom thanks to its alpine climate and rich intangible cultural heritage. (Photo by Zeng Yong/Xinhua)
Grassland Getaways
Grassland destinations feature wide-open views, mild weather and distinctive local cultures, attracting visitors seeking outdoor adventures.
An aerial drone photo taken on July 19, 2026 shows a volcano in a national geopark in Xilingol League, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (Photo by Wang Zheng/Xinhua)People visit Huitengxile Grassland in Qahar Right Wing Middle Banner of Ulanqab, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, July 31, 2026. Huitengxile Grassland and the Ulanhada volcano cluster in Ulanqab have attracted tourists with their magnificent scenery. (Xinhua/Bei He)Tourists play by Baiyin Chagan Lake, or "Milky Lake," in Xilin Gol League, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Aug. 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)Tourists enjoy the scenery at a ranch in Xilinhot, Xilin Gol League, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, on July 21, 2026. (Photo by Kang Wenkui/Xinhua)Actors perform Morin Khuur, a traditional Mongolian bowed string instrument featuring a horse-head carving at its top, during the opening of a starry grassland tourism season in Xilingol League, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Aug. 1, 2026. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)A drone photo taken on Aug. 6, 2026 shows a view of the Qilian Mountains in Sunan Yugur Autonomous County, Zhangye City, northwest China's Gansu Province. (Photo by Luo Jiawei/Xinhua)This stack composite photo taken on July 13, 2026 shows the Milky Way above Fujin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. (Photo by Qu Yubao/Xinhua)
Waterside Retreats
Waterside destinations are known for their cool waters, scenic surroundings and diverse recreational opportunities, making them popular choices for tourism.
A drone photo taken on Aug. 2, 2026 shows tourists enjoying drifting at the Langya Mountain scenic area in Chuzhou, east China's Anhui Province. (Photo by Ji Chengjun/Xinhua)An aerial drone photo taken on July 12, 2026 shows a view of the Ngoring Lake in Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Qinghai Province. (Xinhua/Zhang Long)An aerial drone photo taken on July 9, 2026 shows tourists visiting the Qairhan salt lake in Golmud, northwest China's Qinghai Province. The Qairhan salt lake, with a total area of 5,856 square kilometers, has been the largest potash fertilizer producing base in China. (Xinhua/Wang Yan)A drone photo taken on Aug. 5, 2026 shows tourists having fun at a salt lake in Otog Front Banner in the city of Ordos, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (Photo by Wang Zheng/Xinhua)Tourists visit Baiyin Chagan Lake, or "Milky Lake," in Xilin Gol League, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Aug. 4, 2026. The lake is dubbed "Milky Lake" as tiny mineral particles float in the water, turning it creamy-white like milk. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)A tourist experiences waterfall rappelling under the guidance of a staff member at a scenic area in Huangping County, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province, July 29, 2026. The waterfall rappelling here has attracted tourists for cool relief and exhilarating experience. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)This photo taken on July 30, 2026 shows a view of the Puzhehei scenic area in Qiubei County, Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)Foreign tourists enjoy canoeing at a wetland park in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, on July 26, 2026. (Photo by Zheng Yi/Xinhua)■
