Chinese tourists are retreating to cooler summer destinations, away from the sweltering heatwave that has gripped large parts of the country.
Datong Hui and Tu Autonomous County in northwest China's Qinghai Province, nestled at an altitude of over 2,800 meters, offers a refreshing escape, attracting numerous tourists to seek respite from the baking temperatures.
One of the county's top attractions is the Bianmagou Flower Sea, surrounded by lush forests and mountains.
In a bid to enhance the region's allure, the local government has ingeniously intertwined tourism and agriculture by planting scenic tree species such as the Qinghai spruce and crabapple, while introducing a variety of high-altitude flowers including lupines, gazanias, and irises. Now, the blooming season has extended from June to mid-October, making it an idyllic summer sanctuary.
Apart from the unique plateau scenery, the county is also rich in folk customs, as 26 ethnic groups reside here. It is also the birthplace of Qinghai's intangible cultural heritage, the Hua'er grassroot folk song, which is popular in the northwestern parts of China.
Visitors can delve into paper-cutting, drawing, and the thousand-year-old Qinghai embroidery.
Tongzi, a county in southwest China's Guizhou Province, has seen tourists flocking there to enjoy the cool summer breeze. The average summer temperature there is about 25 degrees Celsius, due to its altitude -- approximately 1,100 meters above the sea level.
Making a good use of the tranquil environs, a local community Loushan has 174 homestays.
"This is the eighth year that I have been spending summer here. It's cool here, and life is good. Rooms are clean as well," said Li Yun, a tourist.
Anlu, a city in central China's Hubei Province, draws in a crowd of diners to its night market, with a sizzling array of barbecue delights.
"The atmosphere at night is great here. Sitting in the open air, and having some barbecue and drinks is quite good," said a visitor.
In recent years, with the expanding night market economy, the "Anlu barbecue" became a new urban trend. The number of barbecue establishments in the city has surged from a few dozen to over 200, offering a wide array of over 100 barbecue options for food enthusiasts.
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Chinese tourists pursue cool summer escapes amid sweltering heat