Quietly, summer has arrived. Where should we go to beat the summer beat? Cool caves, shady forests, thrilling rafting … we have compiled a list of great summer resorts for you. Read on to learn more …
Hangzhou Lingshan Fairyland
灵山幻境
Hangzhou Lingshan Fairyland is a cave located inside the West Lake Scenic Area, fifteen kilometers away from downtown Hangzhou. The cave has a history of over 1,500 years and is famous for its dangerous landscape and its combination of wind, water, gas and waterfalls. On its wall is still well preserved the personal inscription of the Hangzhou governor—Zu Wuze (祖无择,1006-1085). In addition, many poets of the Tang and Song Dynasties have been here, and left behind them many works of art as well as footprints.
The scenic spot is also known as Spirit Caves. Different from other caves, Hangzhou Lingshan Fairyland is vertical with the relevant height difference being 109 meters. Encompassing a total area of over 4,000 square meters, the cave can be divided into five sections. Inside the cave, there are all shapes of Stalactites, with some like flowers, some like animals, etc.
# Address:
Lingshan Characteristic Town, Xihu District 西湖区灵山风情小镇
Shuangxi Rafting
双溪漂流景区
Located in Yuhang District, 30 km northwest of Hangzhou, Shuangxi Rafting (双溪漂流) is renowned as the Best Bamboo Rafting in South China. It is famous for crystal-clear water, fresh air, and a superb natural environment with the forest coverage rate reaching 91.9%.
Hangzhou Shuangxi Rafting is known for its three characteristics. Firstly, it’s the clear water. Shaoxi Stream, the source of Taihu Lake, features crystal-clear streams. Rafting down, one can see the fish swimming in the river. Secondly, it has the biggest dike which plunges into a pool 3 meters below. The third one is its dense bamboo forest.
In addition, you can take the ox cart to soak up the laid-back atmosphere of rural areas, if you are interested, you can also swim in the outdoor leisure area, or play volleyball on the beach volleyball court in the entertainment district.
# Address:
7, Zhuhai Road, Shuangxi Village, Jingshan Town, Yuhang District 余杭区径山镇双溪竹海路7号
Hangzhou Shangougou Scenic Area
山沟沟景区
Hangzhou Shangougou Scenic Area is located in Yuhang District (余杭区), forty kilometers northwest of Hangzhou. In the scenic area lies the No. 1 peak in Hangzhou—the 1,095-meter-high Youtao Mountain (窑头山), and so does the No. 2 peak—the 1,025-meter-tall Hongtao Mountain (红桃山). And, it’s an important source of Taihu (太湖).
In Hangzhou Shangougou Scenic Area, there are abundant tourist resources: excellent ecological environment, rich plant and animal species. The vegetation coverage ratio of the area is up to 95 percent. All these have formed the fantastic surrounding environment and the unique “Kangle Style (康乐型, literally means healthy and happy)” climate environment.
# Address:
65 Xiayu, Shangougou Village, Luniao Town, Yuhang District 余杭区鸬鸟镇山沟沟村下余65号
Fuchun Taoyuan Scenic Area
富春桃源风景区
With convenient transportation and beautiful scenery, Fuchun Taoyuan Scenic Area is a pearl shining on the golden tourist route: Hangzhou – Qiandao Lake. It is 60 km away from Hangzhou city, with an area of 15 square km.
The Fuchun Taoyuan Scenic Area is a comprehensive attraction integrated with beautiful mountains, lakes, forests and caves. It consists of 5 major sections: Jiuxiao Biyun Caves, Xiaoyao Yanling Lake, Tiancheng Castanopsis Forest, Taoyuan Village and Leisure Crane Dance Floor. Known as the largest cave in Asia, with an area of 28,000 square meters, the Jiuxiao Biyun Caves is the most unique attraction in East China.
# Address:
Shanglian Village, Xukou Town, Fuyang District 富阳区胥口镇上练村
Yunwu Tea Town
云雾茶镇
The forest coverage of Lishan Town (里山) is up to 73%. Anding Mountain (安顶山), the highest peak in the town, has an altitude of over 790 meters. It is shrouded by mist and clouds all year round and features picturesque scenery and an agreeable climate with the average annual temperature being 15 degrees Celsius and the highest temperature in summer being about 30 degrees. It is home to many attractions and historical legends. The Anding Yunwu (Cloud and Mist) Tea produced here was an imperial tribute from the Ming Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty.
# Address:
Lishan Town, Fuyang District 富阳区里山镇
Longmen Ancient Town
龙门古镇
Longmen Ancient Town is well-known as the hometown of the famous warlord Sun Quan (孙权). He was the emperor of the Three Kingdoms state of Wu (184–280) and one of the main characters in Romance of the Three Kingdoms (三国演义) – one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. And in the town, about 90 percent of the inhabitants are surnamed Sun (孙), who are said to be the descendants of Sun Quan.
The town still retains Ming-or Qing-style building complexes, among which are ancestral halls, residential houses, pagodas and memorial arches – most of which have a history of over three hundred years. The best-known ones include Hundred Flower Hall (百花厅) and Hundred Lion Hall (百狮厅).
# Address:
Longmen Town, Fuyang District 富阳区龙门镇
Tianmushan Scenic Area
天目山风景区
The scenic area boasts towering ancient trees, picture-postcard scenery, a tranquil environment, and an agreeable climate. It is a national-level nature reserve and also a world biosphere reserve.
The unique geographical environment and forest effects of Tianmu Mountain have formed a unique microclimate, making it an ideal summer resort. The content of negative ions in the air is up to 1.36 million per cubic centimeter, and enhanced by its refreshing scenery, Tianmu Mountain is a great place that you shouldn’t miss this summer!
# Address:
Tianmushan Village, Lin’an District 临安区天目山村
Daming Mountain
大明山
Dubbed Hangzhou’s Mt. Huangshan, Daming Mountain is only 70 km away from Mt. Huangshan. With a similar climate and geology to Mt. Huangshan, it is blessed with many spectaculars. On the 1100-meter-high mountain top stretches a wide range of meadows commonly known as the Field of Thousand Mu. Spectacular mountainscape can be seen almost anywhere. The sea of clouds over the Daming Mountain is wonderful, but there is more amazing Longmen Waterfall.
# Address:
Daming Village, Qingliangfeng Town, Lin’an District 临安区清凉峰镇大明村
Taihuyuan Scenic Area
太湖源风景区
Taihuyuan Scenic Area is located in Lin’an City and 65 km away from downtown Hangzhou. There is a ten-mile valley and has 15 spots featured by sheer cliffs, steep ghats, deep pools, old temples, etc. With bold cliffs, murmuring clear streams, roaring cascades, wild monkeys and a similar ecological environment with Jiuzhaigou Valley, Taihuyuan is honored as small Jiuzhaigou Valley. In summer the scenic area is cool and the highest temperature keeps under 30 degrees Celsius. So it is not only a paradise for plants and animals but also an ideal summer resort.
# Address:
Baishacun Village, Lin'an District 临安区白沙村
Zhexi Dalongwan Scenic Area
浙西大龙湾景区
Located in Longjin Village, Longgang Town, Lin’an City, Zhexi Dalongwan Scenic Area in West Zhejiang is 95% forest. Belonging to the Mt. Huangshan extension, it consists of five scenic spots, namely, Heaven-beach Food Street, Fishing Lake, Giant Stone and Fantastic Waterfall, Gorge Adventure and Heaven-beach Greatness; it also boasts 28 attractions and other cultural landscapes.
Majestic mountains, luxurious forests, tall bamboos, fantastic stones, limpid creeks, roaring waterfalls and expansive beaches are all part of the beautiful scenery. Reputed as the best scenic spot of the West Zhejiang Landscape, it boasts jutting giant stones, the mysterious bottomless dragon pond, fairytale-like natural baths, and the unparalleled Thousand-Meter Heaven-Beach, which has integrated myth, natural landscapes and folk customs. Local residences were built according to the mountain landform, representing the wit of the West Zhejiang residents. With the Wu and Yue culture and ethnic customs adding radiance and charm, the Dalongwan Scenic Area is a must-visit attraction in Lin’an.
# Address:
Longgang Town, Lin’an District 临安区龙岗镇
Qiandao Lake Grand Canyon
千岛湖大峡谷
Located in the beautiful Dashu Town, Qiandao Lake Grand Canyon is 40 kilometers away from Qiandaohu Town. It's adjacent to Chunyang Road (the most beautiful Greenway in Qiandao Lake) and Xiajiang Village (one of the typical examples of Chinese characteristic villages). The canyon is 35 kilometers in length and runs from southeast to northwest. It is composed of two canyons, Shangfang Canyon and Dongxi Canyon. With a shape resembling the English letter "n", the canyon connects with Chunyang Road to form a loop. At present, it is the largest canyon in Qiandao Lake.
# Address:
inside Dashu Town, Chun’an County 淳安县大墅镇境内
Dreamlike Xin’an River Dragon Boat Rafting
In Jiande, you can experience the “Dreamlike Xin’an River — Dragon Boat Rafting”, which is heralded as “No. 1 Misty Rafting in China”. Tourists can board the specially-shaped dragon boat and feel the coolness of the 17-degree Xin’an River at close range in mist.
The rafting is about eight kilometers long, passing Nongfu Spring Production Base, Zishu Greenway, Summer Day Winter Swimming Base, Xin’an River Hydropower Station, etc and takes roughly one and a half hours to go back and forth.
# Address:
Fengyuexuan Wharf, Xin’anjiang Street, Jiande City 建德市新安江街道风月轩码头
Sailing for Seven Miles
七里扬帆景区
Sailing for Seven Miles is also called Qililong. With the wonderfulness of nature, rare fantastic mountains and tranquil environment, it’s the most beautiful place along the Fuchun River. With a length of 23 kilometers, it got its name because of an old proverb. The 70-mile-long river seems to be only seven miles when you sail downwind. With cliffs towering alongside the river, boating in the expansive river will make you feel like that you’re rowing in a picturesque fairyland. As one of the 36 green channel demonstration sites, it has four special features, namely, enjoying the Seven-Mile Sailing, viewing the Hulu Grand Cataract, experiencing the Yanling Culture and tasting the fish dishes.
# Address:
Yaowu Wharf, Meicheng Town, Jiande City 建德市梅城姚坞码头
Tips: Please pay attention to personal safety while taking summer-day mountain and rural tours! Stay alert to mountain torrents, landslides and other geological disasters while touring and staying at a hotel in mountainous areas, and pay attention to the safety of your children, take good care of them and protect them from drowning while rafting or swimming.