5 reasons China’s the coolest

By Ben Groundwater
Published: Friday, November 16, 2018

There’s something important to remember when planning a trip to China in the northern summer: it can get hot. Really hot. Fortunately, the world’s most populous country has more than enough spectacular places where you can unwind and cool off. This isn’t a game of Chinese whispers – you can take our word for it.

Guilin

Sleepy Guilin is the China of your dreams, where limestone karsts rise above lonely rice paddies, and sampans float on the gorgeous Li River (pictured at top). This is a place to hit the water in summer, to swim or go boating, and venture inside caves in the karsts. Tropical storms usually hit in the evening – the perfect excuse to hunker down at a local restaurant. If it’s on the menu, try the beer fish to see how the Chinese bring new meaning to cracking a beer on a hot day.

Go boating on the Li River.

Lijiang

With a history stretching back 1000 years, this ancient city enjoys a position high in the mountains of the Yunnan province, keeping it cool and pleasant in summer. There’s plenty to do here, from wandering the UNESCO-listed old town to learning about the cultures of local ethnic minorities. For a scenic vista you won’t forget, head to Tiger Leaping Gorge, a spectacular canyon a short drive from the city.

Wander Lijiang Old Town.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Few areas in the world are more impressive than Zhangjiajie, a protected site in the central Hunan province. This UNESCO-listed park was said to be the inspiration for the sci-fi alien movie Avatar. So much so, part of the site was officially renamed Avatar Hallelujah Mountain.

Whether you’re standing among the high mountains or towering natural stone pillars – some more than a kilometre high – you’ll feel like you’ve landed on another planet.

If your feet get a little sore from all the walking, take 1 of the 3 outdoor glass elevators to the top. In less than 2 minutes, you’ll be transported more than 300m high for a bird’s-eye view. The scenery’s picture-perfect – some would say it’s been plucked straight out of a movie.

Zhangjiajie National Forest has outdoor elevators.

Hainan

Who would’ve thought in a country as bustling as China you’d find a slice of tropical paradise? Summertime on Hainan Island is warm enough to bask beachside, but not too hot that you’ll need to tiptoe across the sand. In Sanya, on the island’s southern tip, cool ocean breezes keep temperatures pleasant, perfect for hiking, scuba-diving, or just lying on a beach.

Tropical slice of paradise in China.

Tibet

Nicknamed the ‘roof of the world’, Tibet delivers on most travellers’ high expectations. The mercury rarely tips 25 degrees, even at the height of summer, which means the sun shines for longer and there’s more light in the day for sightseeing. The main attraction here is not the temperate weather, however. It’s the unique culture, encapsulated by stunning sites like Potala Palace, clinging to a hillside; by sacred Yamdrok Lake with its brilliant turquoise waters; and by the chance to gaze in awe at Mount Everest.

Potala Palace clings to a hillside.