A Must-See for Family Summer Escapes! 4 Hidden Gem Small Cities, Affordable, Fun, and No Disappointments
Qingdao 🗺️
- Climate: Average summer temperature over 20℃, with cool sea breezes🌬️.
- Attractions: On the first day, visit Zhanqiao Pier to see seagulls🕊️, walk to the Catholic Church to experience exotic charm⛪, climb Signal Hill in the afternoon for a city view🗼, then take photos at Qinyu Road and Little Qingdao📸, and watch the light show at the Third Bathing Beach at night✨. On the second morning, take the Taiping Mountain cable car🚡, stroll through Badaguan🏘️, visit Yan'er Island Park and Xiaomai Island🏝️ in the afternoon, and explore Taidong Night Market🍢 in the evening. On the third day, watch the sunrise at Shilaoren Bathing Beach🌅, then take the Laoshan Yangkou route and check in at Qingshan Fishing Village🏡.
- Food: Recommended dishes include hairtail fish dumplings🥟 and seafood hotpot🦞. You can visit the "Chuange Fish" chain, as well as restaurants serving whelk oil and Qingdao local cuisine. Also try potstickers🥟, pork rib rice, and other local snacks🍚.
- Accommodation: Recommended to stay near Zhanqiao Pier or May Fourth Square, such as Qingdao Seaview Garden Hotel, which offers family rooms with sea views🌊, or Qingdao Xinjiang Wyndham Hotel, which has a children's playground🎠, perfect for family vacations.
Kunming 🗺️
- Climate: Average summer temperature 23℃, spring-like all year round🌸.
- Attractions: Visit Dianchi Haigeng Park and take the cable car for a panoramic view of Dianchi Lake🚠, interact with free-range animals at Yunnan Wild Animal Park🐒, and explore Dounan Flower Market to admire various flowers💐.
- Food: Try signature dishes like Crossing-the-Bridge Rice Noodles🍜, tofu flower rice noodles🍜, and old-style potatoes🥔, available at street stalls or local markets.
- Accommodation: Choose to stay near Dianchi Lake for easy access to attractions, such as Hanting Hotel and other chain hotels🏨, which are reasonably priced and conveniently located🚌.
Guiyang 🗺️
- Climate: Average summer temperature about 23℃, with frequent nighttime rain, "rainy at night, sunny by day," very cool🌧️☀️.
- Attractions: Qianling Park offers interaction with wild macaques🐒, Tianhetan features cave boating🚣 and waterfall hiking🌊, stroll on stone paths in Qingyan Ancient Town🛤️, and enjoy night tours at Jiaxiu Pavilion🛤. You can also visit Guiyang Polar Ocean World for dolphin shows🐬, and go cycling🚲 or picnicking🧺 at Huaxi Wetland and Shili River Beach.
- Food: Local specialties include silk rolls🌯, sour soup fish🐟, and spicy intestine noodles🍜. Night markets on Qingyun Road and Erqi Road offer a variety of authentic snacks🍢.
- Accommodation: Stay near the city center, such as at 7 Days Inn🏨, for convenient travel and abundant nearby dining options🍽️.
Chengde 🗺️
- Climate: 5-8℃ cooler than Beijing, cool in summer, a famous summer resort❄️.
- Attractions: Must-visit Chengde Mountain Resort, featuring mountains, water, pavilions, and towers🏞️, where kids can learn about Qing Dynasty history📜. If time permits, visit Saihanba National Forest Park, where children can ride horses🐎, run on the grasslands🏃, and stargaze🌌.
- Food: Try local specialties like Chengde cold noodles🥣, donkey rolling cake🥧, and buckwheat noodles🍜, available at local restaurants.
- Accommodation: Many guesthouses and budget hotels near the Mountain Resort🏡🏨, offering affordable prices and convenient transportation🚗.