Escape the 40°C heat this summer! These 4 cities promise coolness and romance

1️⃣ Dali (Yunnan) 🚗 Transport: Direct flight to Dali Airport or transfer via Kunming with a 2-hour high-speed train 🌊 Must-do: Cycling along Erhai Lake Ecological Corridor (bike rental 50 RMB/day), vegetarian meal at Jizhao Temple, market day at Shaxi Ancient Town 🍜 Food: Grilled rushan with rose jam, sour-spicy fish, Weishan bā ròu ěr sī rice noodles 🏠 Stay: Seafront B&Bs in Shuanglang (recommend "Muxi Dali" with lake-view rooms facing Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake) 2️⃣ Shaoxing (Zhejiang) 🚄 Transport: 1-hour high-speed train from Hangzhou/Shanghai, 80 RMB for traditional Wupeng boat ride in town 🎐 Must-do: Sanwei Study at Lu Xun's Hometown, Wupeng boat adventure at East Lake, Lanting Pavilion's winding water poetry 🍵 Food: Huangjiu milk tea, braised pork with preserved vegetables, cream puffs (must-buy at Cangqiao Straight Street) 🏡 Stay: Calligrapher Sage's Hometown B&Bs (cobbled paths + carved wooden windows, tranquil water town vibes) 3️⃣ Zhangzhou (Fujian) ✈️ Transport: 2-hour taxi from Xiamen Gaoqi Airport or train to Yunxiao Station + bus 🌅 Must-do: Pink Monument Valley at Volcano Island, Zhenhai Cape's lighthouse seascape, jade-green bay beachcombing 🦪 Food: Four-fruit soup with taro paste, oyster omelet with sweet chili sauce, Dongshan Island squid sashimi 🏖 Stay: Volcano Island Bubble Houses (stargazing + private beach, ~300 RMB/person) 4️⃣ Yangzhou (Jiangsu) 🚇 Transport: 1.5-hour high-speed train from Nanjing/Shanghai, 120 RMB/person for Slender West Lake boat tour 🌸 Must-do: Bamboo rain whispers in Ge Garden, Dongguan Street night market for lacquerware, He Garden's double corridor maze 🥟 Food: Crab roe soup dumplings (sip broth first!), Yangzhou fried rice with lotus root starch balls 🏯 Stay: Slender West Lake Hot Spring Hotel (onsen with lake views, 20% off summer special) 💡 Summer Relaxation Tips: ✔️ Pack sun sleeves for Dali/Zhangzhou, oil-paper umbrellas for Shaoxing/Yangzhou ✔️ Student discounts at Shaoxing/Yangzhou attractions, claim Ctrip coupons in advance ✔️ Stay overnight at Zhangzhou's Volcano Island, avoid midday heat for comfort This summer, let these 4 cities soothe your heat fatigue—bookmark this guide and go! 🌊✨