Reverse summer escape with kids: This place is uncrowded and cool
They say taking kids out during summer vacation is "paying for suffering," with popular attractions so crowded you question your life choices. But what you might not know is that some places, despite offering water activities, summer escapes, and spectacular sights, are surprisingly quiet, as if forgotten by tourists. Accessible by high-speed rail in 2 hours, with affordable flights, and reliable food and accommodation—this time, I've selected 8 destinations truly worth visiting with kids, from Jiangnan water towns to Northwest salt lakes, and from grassland stone forests to plateau canyons. There's sure to be one that suits you.
01 Shanghai
▫️ ⏰ Arrive at Expo Park before 9 AM, before the crowds surge. Head straight to the "Flying Over Shanghai" dome theater; a 15-minute wait will get you in, and the kids will be thrilled.
▫️ At noon, detour to Yu Garden's Nine-Bend Bridge. Avoid the main street; the shops selling xiaolongbao on Wenchang Road nearby have much shorter lines. A basket of crab roe xiaolongbao with a bowl of chicken and duck blood soup costs 30 yuan.
▫️ 🍜 If it gets hot in the afternoon, go to the underground museum at Guangfulin Cultural Relics. The water architecture looks like a floating palace, and it tells the story of Shanghai's origins. It's air-conditioned and educational.
▫️ ⚠️ It's recommended to schedule the Disneyland Resort for the last day. Weekday visits are half as crowded as weekends. Download the app in advance to check real-time wait times for each attraction. Don't wait foolishly for "Roaring Rapids" for 2 hours; go to "Pirates of the Caribbean" first, as the wait isn't as long.
02 Baicheng | Jilin
▫️ Many people don't know about Baicheng's Da'an Nenjiang Bay Scenic Area. In summer, the riverside is windy, and the perceived temperature is several degrees lower than in the city. If your kids love playing in water, bring water guns and a change of clothes; they can wade in the shallow areas by the river.
▫️ If your child is younger and doesn't want to walk too far, rent an electric car and drive along the river embankment. You can see the entire wetland in 30 minutes. In the evening, you'll see flocks of birds returning to their nests, which is more vivid than a cartoon.
▫️ ⏰ It's recommended to go between 3 PM and 5 PM, when the light is softest, and photos won't need filters. Locals suggest bringing a picnic mat, finding a shady spot by the river, enjoying the breeze, and having some snacks. The kids can play for a long time on their own.
03 Yueyang | Hunan
▫️ ⏰ At 6:30 AM, Dongting Lake is still misty, and fishing boats create ripples on the water. Take your kids to Yueyang Tower and recite a couple of lines from "Be the first to worry about the world's troubles." Even if they don't understand, the adults will feel a sense of calm when the wind blows.
▫️ 🍜 Don't rush off after leaving Yueyang Tower. There's an old restaurant called "Dongting Lake Fresh Seafood Restaurant" on Bianhe Street nearby. They make a milky white soup from freshly killed hilsa herring, which kids can drink two bowls of. Remember to ask the owner to use less chili.
▫️ ⚠️ To go to Junshan Island in the afternoon, you need to take a ferry. The last return ferry is at 5:30 PM, so don't forget the time while playing. You can pick a leaf from the tea plantations on the island and smell it; the kids will find it novel.
04 Nyingchi | Tibet
▫️ If your family has good physical fitness and isn't afraid of altitude sickness (altitude around 3,000 meters), Nyingchi in summer is definitely the ultimate summer escape. Stay in Bomi County, where you'll see snow-capped mountains and forests outside your window. Wear long sleeves in the morning and evening.
▫️ 🚄 Charter a car from Nyingchi city to Basum Lake, about a 1-hour drive. There's a small temple on the island in the middle of the lake; a walk around takes only 15 minutes, but the color of the lake changes with the clouds, and kids can squat by the shore watching fish for half an hour.
▫️ If you're traveling with elderly people or children who are not yet accustomed to high altitudes, drive a short section of the Sichuan-Tibet Highway (only the Nyingchi section, don't go higher). There are viewpoints along the way where you can stop. There's a small museum at the entrance of the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon, where you can see a 3D sand table of the river valley, which helps understand the landscape better than just looking at it.
05 Chifeng | Inner Mongolia
▫️ What to bring your kids to see? The Hasihhatu Stone Forest Scenic Area, where strangely shaped giant rocks are scattered across the grassland, like building blocks arranged by aliens. The best thing about this place is that it's not sunny. There's always shade among the stone formations, and it's windy, making it very comfortable.
▫️ ⏰ It's recommended to arrive before 10 AM, when the light hits from the side, making the texture of the rocks clear. Kids can climb the rocks and count "which one looks like an elephant" or "which one looks like a turtle," spending an hour or two.
▫️ ⚠️ There are many insects on the grassland, so dress your kids in long pants and long sleeves, and spray mosquito repellent. There's a yogurt stand at the scenic area entrance, 5 yuan per cup, and it tastes better than the convenience store yogurt in the city.
06 Lianyungang | Jiangsu
▫️ Huaguo Mountain is a dream destination for every child who loves Journey to the West. Don't rush to take the cable car; first, walk up the wild path to the right of the mountain gate (there are guardrails, it's safe). You'll see free-roaming monkeys along the way, and kids can watch them eat peaches up close.
▫️ 🍜 In the afternoon, go to Liandao Island. You can drive directly onto the island. There's a seafood market on the island with freshly caught mantis shrimp and swimming crabs, steamed and eaten on the spot. "Apo Seafood" is recommended; prices are transparent. A plate of salt and pepper mantis shrimp costs 68 yuan, cheaper than in the city.
▫️ If you catch the low tide, take your kids to the rocky area by the beach to turn over stones; there are many crabs and small fish. Remember to bring an empty bottle to take a few back to keep for a couple of days.
07 Yingtan | Jiangxi
▫️ Longhu Mountain is suitable for families who enjoy Taoist culture and unique mountains and rivers. Rafting on a bamboo raft is the highlight, lasting about 40 minutes, with the Danxia landforms on both banks looking like a painting. The boatman will sing folk songs, and the kids will follow along.
▫️ ⏰ Try to choose rafting between 9 AM and 11 AM, when the sun isn't scorching, and there's a cool breeze from the water. At noon, go to Shangqing Ancient Town for an "Eight Trigrams Feast" (a local specialty set meal, arranged in an Eight Trigrams pattern, which kids will find fun).
▫️ ⚠️ Don't buy incense at the scenic area entrance; incense is provided for free inside the temples. If your child is young, don't force them to climb the steps; take a sedan chair up (the price is negotiable, 30 yuan for a one-way trip).
08 Haixi | Qinghai
▫️ Among these 8 places, Haixi is the most stunning. At the foot of Kunlun Mountain, the green of Qarhan Salt Lake is captivating. Have your kids wear shoe covers (available for rent at the scenic area) and walk on the salt bridge. Beneath your feet are dozens of centimeters of saltwater, and in the distance are snow-capped mountains, like walking to the end of the world.
▫️ 🚄 Charter a car from Golmud city to Emerald Lake, about a 40-minute drive. This place is much less crowded than Chaka Salt Lake. The lake water has different shades of green, and kids can pick up some salt crystals as souvenirs.
▫️ ⚠️ Whether it's Chaka Salt Lake or Emerald Lake, be sure to avoid the peak sunlight period from 2 PM to 4 PM; photos will be full of reflections. Go around 6 PM, when the sunset dyes the lake surface pink and gold, with fewer people and beautiful scenery. Also, the UV rays in the Northwest are strong, so apply high-SPF sunscreen to your kids and have them wear wide-brimmed hats.
Traveling with kids during summer vacation doesn't mean you have to crowd beaches or wait in long lines. These places have affordable tickets, offer fresh experiences, and are genuinely cool. Which one do you prefer? Tell me in the comments, and I'll help you with routes and accommodation.