Tourists looking for a respite from the summer heat are driving spending from beaches and mountain parks to cafes and museums, as destinations turn cooler weather and immersive experiences into attractions for families, young people and older visitors.
In Qinhuangdao, a coastal city in north China's Hebei Province, tourism operators are offering beach activities, leisure options and wellness trips tailored to different age groups. Visitors wade along the shore, watch the tides and collect shells in the shallows.
In Nanchang, in east China's Jiangxi Province, forest stream hikes, canyon rafting and water parks are being packaged into summer itineraries for families and students.
Cooler mountain areas are also benefiting.
Liupan Mountain National Forest Park in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, where average summer temperatures are about 18 degrees Celsius and forests cover more than 80 percent of the land, has become a popular retreat from the heat.
The park's outdoor activities and slower pace of life have helped lift rural tourism revenue in some surrounding communities.
In Guiyang, in southwest China's Guizhou Province, the summer tourism economy has also created opportunities for a growing cafe sector. At waterfalls and illuminated caves in the city's Huaxi District, visitors can stop for coffee while enjoying the cooler surroundings.
More than 3,000 coffee shops have opened in Guiyang in recent years. Annual coffee consumption has grown by nearly 50 percent on average, creating more than 15,000 jobs.
"With so many young people here and the city's support for the coffee industry in recent years, we wanted to bring something new to the sector. Combining coffee with sports is one of the features that sets us apart," said Zeng Zhiyun, a coffee industry professional in Guiyang.
Cultural venues are also extending their summer offerings, attracting spending beyond outdoor attractions.
Lingjiatan National Archaeological Site Park in east China's Anhui Province has extended its opening hours and introduced guided stargazing sessions, allowing children to observe the night sky with experts.
At Guangdong Museum in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, a digital art exhibition has created a 400-square-meter immersive visual space where children can explore cultural relics from the museum's collection alongside works by prominent artists.
Tourists looking for a cool respite lift summer travel spending in China
