Top Cool Summer Getaways: 4 Cities Perfect for Short Trips

Here are four easily accessible, refreshingly cool cities and their surrounding destinations, ideal for short summer escapes. Each recommendation includes climate features, must-try experiences, and transportation details. ### 🌿 **1. Enshi, Hubei – A Canyon Paradise Between Wuhan & Chongqing's "Twin Furnaces"** - **Cool Feature**: Average 23°C, with canyon streams and karst caves forming natural air conditioning. 70% forest coverage. - **Must-Do**: - **Ping Mountain Grand Canyon**: Boat through "glass water" where boats seem to float mid-air. - **Tenglong Cave**: Explore Asia's largest karst cave with ancient ice mist wonders. - **Tujia Culture**: Sip chilled rice wine at Daughter City and try Hezha (tofu residue hotpot). - **Transport**: - High-speed rail: 2hrs from Wuhan, 2.5hrs from Chongqing to Enshi Station. - Drive: ~4hrs from Chongqing with stunning scenery. --- ### 🏞️ **2. Lushan (Guling Town), Jiangxi – East China's "AC-Free Town"** - **Cool Feature**: At 1,167m elevation, summer averages 22.6°C. Nights require light blankets, with misty "natural refrigeration". - **Must-Do**: - **Sandiequan Waterfall**: Hike to see "a 3,000-foot waterfall" with frequent rainbows. - **Guling Street**: Stroll past Republic-era villas; sip tea under stars at Nonna Pagoda. - **Family Picks**: Firefly forest night walks, stargazing at the observatory. - **Transport**: - High-speed rail: To Jiujiang Station, then 30min cable car to summit (¥90). - Drive: ~2.5hrs from Nanchang/Wuhan; switch to shuttle buses in the scenic area. --- ### 🌬️ **3. Huangshui Town, Shizhu (Chongqing) – Forest "AC" Just 1hr by Train** - **Cool Feature**: At 1,500m, summer averages 21°C. Light quilts needed at night—Chongqing's "summer retreat". - **Must-Do**: - **Qianye Grassland**: Camp under starry skies amid surreal stone sprouts and firethorn forests. - **Dafengbao**: Walk glass cliffs above sea of clouds; hike oxygen-rich primal forests. - **Food**: Mung bean noodles, water shield soup—cooling local flavors. - **Transport**: - Train: Chongqing North → Shizhu Station (1.5hrs, ¥67), then 25min bus to Huangshui. - Drive: ~3hrs from downtown Chongqing via expressway. --- ### ⛰️ **4. Li County (Near Chengdu), Sichuan – Tibetan-Qiang Corridor, 2hrs from Chengdu** - **Cool Feature**: Summer temps <28°C, cooled by snowmelt rivers and valley forests. - **Must-Do**: - **Bipeng Valley**: Hike lakeside trails by snowy peaks; snap photos at red rock beaches. - **Mengtun Valley**: Camp by streams, forage wild mushrooms. - **Guerkou Hot Springs**: Soak in forest-surrounded springs to unwind. - **Transport**: - Drive: 2hrs from Chengdu (Chengdu-Guan Expressway → Duwen Expressway). - Bus: Chadianzi Station → Li County (3hrs, ¥76). 💡 **Tips**: > - Pack **light jackets + sun protection** for mountain temperature swings. > - Book lodgings 1+ weeks early in peak season (especially Guling Town & Li County).