I’ve traveled around China’s big and beautiful places for many years, and I can tell you that summer makes this country even more amazing. Most tourists go to the same popular spots, but I found five places that are really special during the warm months. Each one is different; some have foggy mountains, others have clear, blue lakes and I believe they’ll change the way you see China. Let me tell you about what makes each of these places so awesome to visit.

Jiuzhaigou Valley, Sichuan: A Fairy Tale Wonderland of Crystal Lakes and Waterfalls

Nestled in the mountains of northern Sichuan, Jiuzhaigou Valley becomes like a fairy tale during summer. I’m always amazed by its bright blue lakes, waterfalls that fall in many steps, and green forests that look like something out of a storybook.

There are more than 100 clear lakes that show off the mountains around them in beautiful shades of blue and green. The valley works hard to protect rare animals like giant pandas and golden snub-nosed monkeys in their natural homes.

In summer, the weather is nice and warm, and wildflowers bloom everywhere in the meadows. You can walk along wooden paths that go through this special UNESCO World Heritage Site while experiencing Tibetan culture.

During this time, there are festivals with traditional dancing, music, and local food, making your trip even more exciting and full of culture.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Hunan: Avatar’s Floating Mountains Come to Life

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in Hunan is really cool, especially if you like the movie Avatar. Instead of colorful lakes like in Jiuzhaigou Valley, this park has thousands of tall sandstone pillars that shoot up into the sky, kind of like giant natural skyscrapers. These floating mountains actually inspired the floating mountains in Avatar.

Thousands of towering sandstone pillars rise like natural skyscrapers, creating the real-world inspiration for Avatar’s floating mountains.

If you take the Bailong Elevator, which is the tallest outdoor elevator in the world, you’ll go up 326 meters in less than two minutes and see these amazing mountains up close.

If you want some excitement, you should check out the Glass Bridge at Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. It’s 430 meters long and hangs 300 meters above the ground! In the summer, the green plants grow all over the pillars and make them look like giant emerald towers covered in mist.

You can also ride the Tianzi Mountain cable car for a bird’s-eye view of this strange and beautiful landscape, and it will feel like you’re visiting Pandora from the movie.

Qingdao, Shandong: Coastal Charm With German Heritage and Beach Bliss

If you want to go to the beach and see a bit of Europe, Qingdao in Shandong Province is a great place to visit. This city has German-style buildings and beautiful beaches, making it a cool summer spot. You should check out the old town with its red-roofed buildings, then relax at Golden Beach or Shilaoren Beach.

There are lots of fun activities at the beaches:

And don’t forget to try Qingdao’s famous Tsingtao beer while enjoying the ocean view!

Shangri-La, Yunnan: Tibetan Culture and Alpine Meadows in Full Bloom

Shangri-La is a beautiful place in northern Yunnan Province, sitting more than 3,000 meters above sea level. It’s a special area where Tibetan culture is very strong, and in the summer months of June to August, colorful wildflowers cover the high mountain meadows. The best time to visit is during summer when the flowers are in full bloom, turning the valleys into bright, colorful scenes.

Here are some must-see places:

1. Songzanlin Monastery – The biggest Tibetan monastery in Yunnan, with golden roofs and more than 600 monks living and praying there.
2. Pudacuo National Park – Go for a hike through beautiful meadows filled with rhododendrons and see rare animals.
3. Dukezong Ancient Town – Walk along old cobblestone streets and see the world’s largest prayer wheel.
4. Napa Lake – Watch migratory birds flying by with snowy mountains in the background.

Since the air is thin at this high altitude, the weather stays comfortable.

Visiting Tibetan monasteries gives you a chance to learn about their culture and traditions that you won’t see anywhere else in China.

Guilin and Yangshuo, Guangxi: Cruise Through Iconic Karst Landscapes

When you think of classic China, you probably picture Guilin’s tall limestone peaks rising above green rivers, looking like giant stone monsters. In summer, this area becomes perfect for taking photos, especially on boat trips along the Li River between Guilin and Yangshuo.

It’s best to go early in the morning when fog hangs over the mountains, making everything look magical. In Yangshuo town, you can ride bikes through rice fields or climb the famous rocky mountains.

The weather here stays pretty nice and not too hot in summer because of the local climate.

Summer in China is like opening a treasure chest where each jewel has its own story. I’ve picked out five amazing places for you to visit beautiful lakes that hold old secrets, tall stone pillars reaching for the sky, seaside spots touched by faraway lands, mountain temples where the earth meets the sky, and green rivers that flow through history. Now it’s your turn to pick which one will make your trip unforgettable!