## Summer Escape Guide: Discovering Cool Sanctuaries Amidst Azure Seas and Mountain Wilderness

The scorching July sun bakes the city's concrete jungle, and the air conditioning in my room can no longer soothe the inner heat. It's time to pack up and embark on a summer escape. I've spent several summers moving between different resorts, from heatwave-ridden beaches to cool, breezy plateaus, gradually developing a vacation philosophy for combating the heat – not fighting against high temperatures, but learning to dance with summer. The following tried-and-tested summer escape plans might inspire your summer travels. **First Stop: Dongshan Island – An Undiscovered Island Sanctuary** While most people flock to Sanya and Xiamen, Dongshan Island in Zhangzhou, Fujian, maintains a rare tranquility. There are no noisy tour groups here, only winding coastal roads connecting crescent-shaped bays. The most unforgettable is the morning at Nanmen Bay – after the tide recedes, large mirror-like mudflats are revealed. Walking barefoot across the cool shallows, sand crabs scurry past, and distant fishing boats dot the horizon, forming a natural ink wash painting. For accommodation, I recommend choosing a sea-view B&B in Tongling Town; the price is only one-third of hotels of the same caliber in Sanya. Be sure to try the local "xiaoguan" (a type of mini squid); blanched and dipped in a local special garlic soy sauce, its fresh, sweet, and springy texture is the perfect interpretation of a summer island. After 3 PM, rent an electric scooter to cycle around the island; the sea breeze will naturally adjust to a comfortable temperature. **Second Stop: Moganshan – An Artistic Retreat Deep in the Bamboo Forest** If humid sea breezes are not your preference, then Moganshan, a three-hour drive from Shanghai, will offer a completely different experience. This hilly area covered with moso bamboo has an average summer temperature 5-8℃ lower than the foot of the mountain. I was once woken up by the cool morning air in a mountain B&B in late July and had to put on a light jacket. Unlike traditional scenic spots, the essence of Moganshan lies in its designer B&Bs scattered throughout the mountains. Brands like "Lost Villa" perfectly blend rammed earth walls with modern minimalist style. Each window is like a carefully composed frame, enclosing the swaying bamboo sea. It's recommended to choose a room with a terrace, where you can relax in a private pool in the afternoon and watch the clouds drift by, or watch an old movie at an outdoor cinema in the evening, with the mountain fireflies serving as the most natural "stage lights." **Third Stop: Fuxian Lake, Yunnan – The Icy Blue Eye on the Plateau** When eastern cities are in "steamer mode," Fuxian Lake in Yuxi, Yunnan, still maintains a pleasant climate of around 20℃. This, China's largest deep-water freshwater lake, boasts Tiffany blue waters comparable to the Maldives. The most astonishing thing is when sailing into the center of the lake, the water's visibility of 7-8 meters makes the boat appear to float in the air. I recommend staying in a hillside villa within the Taiyangshan Resort, waking up naturally to the morning light on the lake every day. Be sure to try the local "copper pot fish," made with the lake's specialty Kanglang fish, cooked with surrounding mountain spring water and simple seasonings. The milky white fish soup is incredibly delicious. In the afternoon, you can cycle along the dedicated lakeside path, passing pink beaches and a fossil museum. Stopping to relax under the shade of trees at any time won't feel hot. **Travel Philosophy: Live Like a Local** My experiences in these summer resorts have taught me that true vacationing isn't about rushing from one checklist item to another, but about finding your own rhythm. In Moganshan, learn tea picking and making with the B&B owner. In Fuxian Lake, dance the "Yanhe Dance" with local residents in the evening. These unplanned experiences often become the most vivid memories. I suggest setting aside at least 4 hours each day with no specific plans, just to feel the temperature change as the wind blows across your skin and observe the movement of light on buildings. **Practical Tips:** 1. The best time for island trips is early June or September, avoiding the summer holiday crowds while still enjoying warm seawater. 2. Mountain B&Bs should be booked at least 1 month in advance; weekend prices may double. 3. Even in summer, a windbreaker is necessary for plateau lakes, and UV protection is essential. 4. Try discussing with the B&B chef about participating in cooking; you can often learn the most authentic home-style recipes. Looking back from the end of summer, the coolest memories don't come from powerful air conditioning. Instead, they are the sea wave temperatures remembered by the skin, the mountain forest scents stored in the nasal cavity, and the local flavors lingering on the tongue. This summer, why not choose a new destination and let your body and mind truly immerse themselves in nature's own "air-conditioned room."