CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- The northern region in China has experienced continuous heat waves for several days, with temperatures in some areas reaching new highs in the same period in history. However, the growing heat can’t stop travel lovers from enjoying the outdoors. The high-temperature economy has brought vitality to cool and refreshing summer travel, with many cities in China offering night walk tours. Also, considering the prices of air tickets and hotels are much lower compared to the upcoming summer vacation, many people prefer off-peak travel in June.

Qunar.com, based on the transportation and hotel prices as well as the climate conditions in various regions, has selected a list of summer resorts, including small towns with pleasant temperatures for short-distance travel in summer, helping travelers to seize the last chance for budget-friendly travel before the peak travel season arrives.

Night ticket sales of scenic spots increased by 40% compared with May

Since June, high-temperature warnings have been issued continuously for several days in many areas of Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Henan, Shandong, Liaoning, and other provinces, with the highest temperatures in some areas reaching 37-39°C and even exceeding 40°C.

With the end of the college entrance examination and high school entrance examination in various regions, Beijing remains the preferred destination for parent-child travel despite the continuous high temperatures. Indoor attractions, such as the Palace Museum, the National Museum of China, the China Science and Technology Museum, and the Beijing Aquarium, are more appealing to the crowds, with bookings for related scenic spots growing by 40% compared to the previous month.

There are many small cities with a cool climate around the ‘high-temperature circle’, such as Zhangjiakou and Qinhuangdao in Hebei Province, Datong in Shanxi Province, and Rizhao and Yantai in Shandong Province, which are great destinations for cool and refreshing summer travel. Take Zhangjiakou as an example, the price of luxury (five-star) hotels in the urban area ranges between 300 and 400 yuan, and that in Chongli District is around 500 yuan.

With many scenic spots in China offering night tours to attract tourists and further spur nighttime consumption every year around May, night walks have become a highlight of the summer cultural and tourism market, said the official from Qunar.com. Qunar’s data shows that since June, the sales of nighttime tickets for scenic spots nationwide have increased by 40% compared to May.

"Enjoying a summer vacation in the south" – Sales of tickets for water activities have increased by 80% compared to last week

Despite the lower altitude, southern China does not have very high temperatures in summer thanks to precipitation. Cities located between 23°N and 32°N, such as Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Wuhan, Changsha, Chongqing, Chengdu, and Kunming, have been relatively cool recently. Therefore, many people jokingly recommend enjoying a summer vacation in the south.

The hot and humid weather has also boosted the popularity of water activities. Qunar’s big data shows that in the past week, the ticket sales of water parks and rafting attractions nationwide have increased by 80% compared to the previous week. The popular scenic spots for water activities include Beijing Water Cube, Atlantis Sanya Water World, and Wuhan Maya Water Park.

The 2024 Fuling Nightlife Festival & the 3rd Water Aurora Electronic Music Festival in Mexin Wine Town, hosted by Mexin Wine Town under the guidance of the Chongqing Fuling Commerce Commission, will kick off this weekend. The event will stage a series of activities, such as a Youth Graduation Party, Parent-child Bubble Carvinal, A Carnival Night for Football Fans, and a Beer Music Festival, to offer an ‘electronic’ cultural and tourism feast in the summer and satisfy the diversified entertainment needs of citizens and tourists.

From the northeast to the northwest, wherever it is cool, it is popular

Without extreme heat and heavy rain, the northeast and northwest of China are perfect regions for tourists to avoid summer heat. Qunar data shows that popular destinations in the northwest region include Ili, Urumqi, Lanzhou, Kashgar, Xining, Altay, Jiuquan, Aksu, Haixi, and Zhangye; and popular destinations in the northeast region include Harbin, Changchun, Yanbian, and Hulun Buir. The daily maximum temperatures in these cities in the past week have mostly remained at around 20 ℃, with clear weather and no rainfall.

The 8-day Classic Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop Tour is popular on the Qunar platform, which covers Xining, Haixi, Lanzhou, Jiuquan, Zhangye, and Jiayuguan, allowing tourists to witness the magical Danxia landform, Mogao Grottoes, the Crescent Spring, the Qinghai Lake, the Chaka Salt Lake, and other attractions. Currently, 9AIR has opened direct flights from Guangzhou to cities such as Zhangye and Jiayuguan, which is more convenient and cheaper than high-speed rail. Small airports in China have started preparations for the upcoming summer travel season so as to provide passengers with various services.

Ili is the first dark horse in tourism this early summer. The Xinjiang Altay-Ili-Hemu tour is another fan-favored travel route on the Qunar platform. Bayinbuluk, the filming location of Pegasus; Duku Highway, known as one of the most beautiful highways in China; and the 10-day northern Xinjiang tour are also popular among tourists.

Following the travel craze to Harbin in January, the northeast region has once again regained its popularity among tourists. In summer, the northeast in summer is like a natural air conditioner and the Hulun Buir Grassland is also in its utmost luxuriance. Qunar’s data shows that the ticket prices (excluding airport construction and fuel fees) for flights from Zhengzhou, Shijiazhuang, Shenyang, Beijing, and other cities to Hailar are all below 500 yuan.

Summer is the peak travel season of the year, with air tickets and hotel prices being more expensive than in the off-season. Now it is a good time for travelers to plan budget-friendly travel before the summer vacation arrives! (Translated by Yuki, Fathom Language Limited)