Escape the Summer Heat with These 5 Hidden Gems for a Refreshing Reverse Travel Experience

When popular tourist cities are sweltering under the summer heat and overcrowded, why not try a different approach? Embark on a reverse travel adventure to these lesser-known treasures and enjoy a cool retreat. Here are 5 off-the-beaten-path destinations perfect for beating the heat in July and August, offering you a peaceful and refreshing summer getaway. 👉 Ningde, Fujian: A Secret Maritime Adventure 🌊 - Transportation: Just a 3-hour high-speed train ride from Shanghai, or 2 hours from Hangzhou 🚄 - Attractions: Don’t miss the island-hopping experience in the Sishuang Archipelago. Hop on a speedboat and feel the ocean breeze. The red cliffs of Dongshuang Island look like nature spilled its paintbox, vibrant and striking. Nanxiang Island’s "blue tears" glow magically at night, while Bird Island’s seagull colonies make every photo look like a cinematic masterpiece 🐦 - Food: Indulge in Xiapu’s seafood stalls—feast to your heart’s content for just a few dozen yuan per person. Try the crispy and tender salt-and-pepper mantis shrimp, the tangy and spicy seaweed shoot soup, or the succulent Fuding meat slices 🍤. After dinner, catch the sunrise at Beqi Mudflat, where the sky and water merge into a breathtaking panorama. Stay in a local island homestay, lulled to sleep by the waves and awakened by the gentle sea breeze 🏡 👉 Lishui, Zhejiang: Slow Living in a Landscape Painting 🖼️ - Transportation: A convenient 2.5-hour high-speed train ride from Shanghai or 1.5 hours from Hangzhou 🚄 - Attractions: Take the scenic shuttle to Qixingdun at dawn, where sea of clouds floats above terraced rice fields, creating a fairy-tale scene. In July, the water-filled Yunhe Terraces mirror the sky and mountains, making for stunning wallpaper-worthy shots 🌾. Wander through Songyang’s ancient villages in the afternoon, where time seems to stand still on the cobblestone streets and centuries-old houses 🏘️ - Stay: Book a homestay in Guyan Huaxiang with views of the Ou River. Show your train ticket for free entry to 9 attractions and up to 30% off homestays 💸. Stroll along the river at night, watching fishermen haul in their nets, and soak in the serene charm of Jiangnan 🚢 👉 Shennongjia, Hubei: A Cool Retreat in the Forest Oasis 🌳 - Transportation: A 2.5-hour high-speed train ride from Wuhan to Shennongjia Station 🚄 - Attractions: Marvel at the dreamy sea of clouds at Shennong Peak, the tranquil wetlands of Dajiuhu, and the playful golden snub-nosed monkeys at Guanmen Mountain 🐒. Hike through the forest, listening to birdsong and breathing in the fresh greenery—pure therapy. Wear anti-slip shoes and bring plenty of water for this immersive forest adventure 🥾 - Food: In Muyu Town, savor local specialties like crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside potato cakes, delicate wontons with flavorful broth, and wild herb soup cooked with mountain spring water 🍲. Cap off the night with the immersive "Secret Shennongjia" performance at Yandi Theater 🎭 👉 Yichun, Heilongjiang: A Fairytale in the Emerald Wilderness 🌲 - Transportation: A 2-hour high-speed train ride from Harbin to Yichun West Station 🚄 - Attractions: Wander through the lush red pine forests of Wuying National Park, a natural oxygen bar. Ride the forest train and feel like you’ve stepped into a fairytale 🚂. The crystal-clear streams of Maolangou Gorge offer a refreshing escape from the summer heat 💦 - Stay: Affordable homestays in the city start at just 120 yuan—great value for money 💰. Start your day with local soybean pudding and fried dough sticks 🥣. Spend the afternoon fishing by the river or host a BBQ under the stars at night 🌟 👉 Ulanqab, Inner Mongolia: Romance Amidst Grassland Volcanoes 🌋 - Transportation: A 2-hour high-speed train ride from Beijing to Ulanqab Station 🚄 - Attractions: Suit up in an astronaut outfit and hike to the top of a volcano for panoramic views of the volcanic cluster—it’s like stepping onto another planet 🚀. No. 3 Volcano, with its wooden walkway, is ideal for climbing and photos. Spend the night in a yurt, stargazing under the Milky Way to the sound of horsehead fiddles 🎻 - Food: On the Huilengxile Huanghuagou Grassland, feast on local delicacies like oat flour dishes dipped in lamb soup, juicy hand-grabbed mutton, and crispy fried cakes 🥢. Ride a mini-train through flower fields and enjoy equestrian shows in the afternoon 🐎 This summer, skip the crowded hotspots and scorching heat! Pack your bags for these hidden gems, where 20°C breezes, authentic flavors, and leisurely days promise an unforgettable season.