Looking for family-friendly destinations for the National Day holiday? Check out these cities you might want to visit
New summer travel guides for Yishui Lake, Wolf Mountain, Yesanpo Grand Canyon, Baishi Mountain, Benxi, Kanas, Jiuzhaigou, and Bashang Grassland🍃
💡General travel tips: Mountainous canyons are cool in summer but prone to sudden showers, so bring rain gear; grasslands and plateaus have extreme day-night temperature differences, so a light jacket is essential; mountain and water scenic areas have many insects, so take precautions in advance.
Yishui Lake🌊
✨Recommended attractions: Laozi Peak suspension walkway, Jinyi Wharf lake cruise route, Taihang Water Town style street, lakeside camping lawn. The lake water is emerald green and tranquil, blending mountains and water. Known as the "Little Guilin of the North," it is perfect for light hiking and boating.
💰Estimated budget: 650–950 yuan per person for 2 days. Core expenses are tickets and boat tour packages. Local snacks are affordable, with no hidden mandatory charges, offering great value.
🚗Transportation: For out-of-town visitors, take the high-speed train to Baoding Station, then transfer to the direct tourist bus to the scenic area. Driving is the most convenient; the scenic area has large free parking lots, and the tour involves taking boats and walking.
🏨Accommodation: Lakeside boutique farmhouses cost 130–240 yuan, where you can enjoy local lake fish and home-cooked meals. Chain hotels in Yixian County cost 110–200 yuan, which are quiet, clean, and suitable for basic needs.
Wolf Mountain (Langya Mountain)⛰️
✨Recommended attractions: Mountain forest trails, high-altitude viewing platforms, flower valleys, and mountain-encircling glass viewing platforms. In summer, the mountain forest has high vegetation coverage and fresh air. The hiking difficulty is moderate, suitable for relaxing family trips.
💰Estimated budget: 500–800 yuan per person for 2 days. Scenic area tickets are affordable, there are no extra expenses for hiking, and food and accommodation are reasonably priced. A top choice for short weekend trips.
🚗Transportation: Take the high-speed train to Baoding, transfer to a county bus to Yixian, then take a taxi to the foot of the mountain. Driving is easy with smooth road conditions and convenient parking at the foot of the mountain.
🏨Accommodation: Characteristic homestays at the foot of the mountain cost 100–180 yuan, within walking distance to the entrance. Comfortable hotels in the county seat cost 120–220 yuan, with nearby supermarkets and restaurants for convenience.
Yesanpo Grand Canyon🏞️
✨Recommended attractions: Bailixia deep trails, Juma River wading shallows, Longmen Tianguan rock landscapes, and the colorful art town. The canyon is cool with a constant temperature and babbling streams, making it an excellent summer retreat for wading, hiking, and exploring niche streets.
💰Estimated budget: 750–1,200 yuan per person for 3 days. Single scenic area tickets are low-priced, with joint tickets being more cost-effective. Rafting and water activities are optional and paid for as needed.
🚗Transportation: Take a train directly to Yesanpo Station, then take a short taxi ride to the park. Driving allows you to connect all surrounding attractions with a flexible pace.
🏨Accommodation: Homestays around Bailixia cost 150–280 yuan, nestled in the mountains by the water. Boutique hotels in the town cost 180–320 yuan, where you can explore the night streets in the evening.
Baishi Mountain☁️
✨Recommended attractions: Cloud suspension walkway, Xiongshi viewing platform, mountain-top sea of clouds photo spots, and alpine meadows. With a significant altitude advantage, the average summer temperature is very low, and it is often shrouded in clouds and mist, making it a top-tier summer resort in North China.
💰Estimated budget: 850–1,300 yuan per person for 2–3 days. Ticket prices are fixed, cable cars are optional, and there are no extra expenses at the summit, making overall costs transparent.
🚗Transportation: Take the high-speed train to Laiyuan Station, then transfer to a local bus directly to the East Gate of the scenic area. Driving allows you to go directly to the ticket gate; mountain roads are stable and beginner-friendly.
🏨Accommodation: Light luxury hotels in Laiyuan County cost 140–260 yuan, with complete facilities and high value. Scenic homestays at the foot of the mountain cost 200–350 yuan, where you can see the morning mist.
Benxi🌿
✨Recommended attractions: Green Stone Valley stream secret, Dashihu cascading waterfalls, mountain forest oxygen bar, and suburban ecological trails. In summer, the forest is lush, the streams are cool, and the negative oxygen ion content is high, making it a natural summer retreat in Northeast China.
💰Estimated budget: 800–1,250 yuan per person for 3 days. Most natural scenic spots are affordable, and local Northeast cuisine has large portions at reasonable prices, keeping overall travel costs low.
🚗Transportation: Take the high-speed train directly to Benxi Station, then take a taxi or carpool to various scenic spots. Driving is recommended for easily connecting multiple niche spots like valleys and waterfalls.
🏨Accommodation: Business hotels in the city cost 130–240 yuan, convenient for transport and shopping. Farmhouse homestays around the valley cost 160–290 yuan for an immersive experience of the quiet mountain forest atmosphere.
Kanas🏔️
✨Recommended attractions: Shenxian Bay morning mist, Moon Bay valley, Wolong Bay waterfront, and riverside forest trails. In summer, the lake water is clear and emerald green, with grasslands and forests connected. The natural scenery of Northern Xinjiang is vast and healing, perfect for photos.
💰Estimated budget: 2,400–3,600 yuan per person for 4–5 days. Main expenses are transportation, shuttle buses, and accommodation. Scenic area views are free, with no extra hidden charges.
🚗Transportation: Fly into Altay Airport, then carpool or charter a car to enter the scenic area. Distances between attractions in Xinjiang are long, so public transport is not suitable; chartering a car is the best way to travel.
🏨Accommodation: Original ecological homestays inside the scenic area cost 320–550 yuan for a close-up experience of the mountain night. Hotels in Burqin County cost 200–380 yuan, offering better facilities and value.
Jiuzhaigou💧
✨Recommended attractions: Five-Color Pond, Nuorilang waterfall, Long Lake viewing area, and forest trails. In summer, the water volume is abundant, the various lakes have rich color layers, the mountain forests are lush, and the water scenery is vivid and beautiful.
💰Estimated budget: 1,800–2,800 yuan per person for 3–4 days. Tickets + sightseeing bus are mandatory expenses. Food and accommodation prices are moderate, suitable for a slow-paced tour.
🚗Transportation: Fly to Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport or take a bus directly to the Jiuzhaigou entrance. Sightseeing buses are available throughout the scenic area, so there is no need for long-distance hiking.
🏨Accommodation: Light luxury homestays around the entrance cost 180–400 yuan, within walking distance to the entrance. Resort hotels in the surrounding area cost 260–480 yuan, with complete facilities, suitable for longer stays.
Bashang Grassland🐎
✨Recommended attractions: Endless meadow viewing area, windmill ranch, sunset viewing slope, and grassland hiking trails. In midsummer, the grass is lush, wildflowers are everywhere, the evening breeze is cool, and the view is vast, creating a relaxed and healing atmosphere.
💰Estimated budget: 1,100–1,800 yuan per person for 3–4 days. Grassland sightseeing is free; horseback riding, aerial photography, camping, and other experiences are optional and paid for as needed, keeping expenses controllable.
🚗Transportation: Take the high-speed train to Chengde Station, then carpool to the grassland. Driving offers the best experience, allowing you to freely travel along the grassland roads and stop for photos at any time.
🏨Accommodation: Characteristic grassland courtyard homestays cost 160–300 yuan, clean and comfortable. Grassland-view yurts cost 200–360 yuan for an immersive grassland accommodation experience.
✨Exclusive summer travel tips
Roads in mountain and water scenic areas are slippery after rain, so be sure to wear non-slip shoes. The UV rays on plateaus and grasslands are very strong, so take thorough sun protection measures throughout the trip. Mountain areas often have short, sudden showers, so carry a folding umbrella. During peak season, accommodation is in high demand, so booking three days in advance is recommended.