Heze, Shandong | Visiting in the off-season during July-August is truly delightful with fewer crowds and beautiful scenery

- Dear friends😘, summer in Heze is like a hidden treasure! Although the weather is a bit hot🔥, there are fewer people, beautiful views, and prices are cheap—it's simply amazing~ The average temperature in Heze during July-August is between 25-32℃. Despite the heat, the city is full of blooming lotus flowers and rich historical culture to explore, definitely worth a visit! Here’s a guide to help you enjoy Heze to the fullest~💕 - ➤ Heze Summer Must-Dos 🌟 Why visit Heze in July-August? ❶ Sea of Flowers: Summer lotus blooms at Caozhou Peony Garden and vast lotus ponds, breathtakingly beautiful🪷 ❷ Cultural Hits: Water Margin Heroes City + Sun Bin Tourism City, a paradise for history lovers🏯 ❸ Food Feast: Shan County mutton soup, Cao County roasted beef, foodies won’t be able to stop eating🍜 - ➤ Top Attractions Recommended: 1. 【Caozhou Peony Garden】(World’s largest peony garden · Summer lotus) 📍Recommendation rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🌟Highlights: Although named Peony Garden, the summer lotus flowers are also spectacular! In July-August, the lotus blooms cover the ponds, perfect for stunning photos📸, with plenty of pavilions to relax in, a great summer escape~ 🕒Opening hours: 8:00-18:00 💰Tickets: 30 RMB (half price for students) ✨Magical experiences: ● Wear Hanfu and take photos by the lotus pond, ethereal vibes👗 ● Watch the lotus flowers at sunset, super romantic🌅 ● Buy freshly picked lotus seed pods, fresh and sweet🌰 💡Secret photo spot: Center of the Nine-Bend Bridge, for a "walking in a painting" effect! - 2. 【Water Margin Heroes City】(Water Margin cultural theme park) 📍Recommendation rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🌟Highlights: Realistic restoration of Water Margin scenes! Daily live performances, plus light shows at night in July-August🌃, cool and fun, a must-visit for Water Margin fans! 🕒Opening hours: 8:30-21:00 (night shows start at 18:00) 💰Tickets: 60 RMB daytime / 40 RMB night show ✨Time travel tips: ● Watch the live "Three Attacks on Zhu Family Village" performance, very impressive🎭 ● Try ancient games like archery and pot throwing🏹 ● Don’t miss the night light show, stunningly beautiful✨ - 3. 【Sun Bin Tourism City】(Military sage cultural theme park) 📍Recommendation rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🌟Highlights: The hometown of Sun Bin! A large garden-style park, shaded with trees in July-August🌳, much cooler than the city, and you can learn a lot about military strategy~ 🕒Opening hours: 8:00-17:30 💰Tickets: 50 RMB ✨Walking guide: ● Be sure to hire a guide, the stories are fascinating🎧 ● Experience ancient battle formations in the Military Strategy Garden⚔️ ● Climb the viewing platform for panoramic views👀 - 4. 【Fulong Lake Ecotourism Area】(Largest freshwater lake north of the river) 📍Recommendation rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🌟Highlights: Visiting Fulong Lake in summer is super comfortable! You can take boat rides🚤, fish🎣, and enjoy fresh lake delicacies, a perfect summer retreat~ 🕒Opening hours: Open all day 💰Tickets: Free (boat rides charged separately) ✨Cool activities: ● Rent a small boat to drift on the lake, very relaxing🛶 ● Bike along the lake at sunset, enjoy the breeze🚴 ● Try the fish soup at the lakeside restaurants, incredibly fresh🐟 - 5. 【Shan County Paifang Ancient City】(Ming and Qing dynasty architecture complex) 📍Recommendation rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 🌟Highlights: Well-preserved Ming and Qing architecture! Night markets in July-August🍢, perfect for strolling, eating, and experiencing history all at once~ 🕒Opening hours: Open all day (recommended to visit in the evening) 💰Tickets: Free ✨Artistic experiences: ● Wear Hanfu and take photos on the ancient streets📸 ● Shop for handmade crafts as souvenirs🛍️ ● Must try the night market’s hanging oven baked flatbread🥮 - 🌸 Heze 2-Day Magical Itinerary Day 1: Culture × Food Tour 08:00 Visit Caozhou Peony Garden to see lotus flowers🪷 → 12:00 Enjoy Shan County mutton soup🍲 → 14:00 Watch performances at Water Margin Heroes City🎭 → 18:00 Explore the night market at Paifang Ancient City🌃 - Day 2: Nature × Leisure Tour 08:30 Learn military strategy at Sun Bin Tourism City📜 → 12:00 Eat Cao County roasted beef🍖 → 15:00 Boat ride and fishing at Fulong Lake🎣 → 18:00 Have another bowl of mutton soup before heading back🥣 - ➤ Food Highlights ❶ Shan County mutton soup: white broth with fresh flavor, perfect with baked flatbread🤤 ❷ Cao County roasted beef: tender and melts in your mouth🐮 ❸ Hanging oven baked flatbread: crispy outside, tender inside, gets more delicious the more you chew🥮 ❹ Pan-fried buns: thin skin, generous filling, a breakfast must-have🥟 ❺ Heze porridge: a special breakfast, nourishing and tasty🍲 - ➤ Accommodation Recommendations 🏯 Ancient City Inn: perfect for fans of traditional style, very convenient for night market visits!💖 🏨 Lakeside Hotel: near Fulong Lake, good environment and quiet🛏️ - 🚗 Transportation Guide ✈️ By plane: Jinan Yaoqiang Airport → bus to Heze (2 hours) 🚄 High-speed rail: Heze East Station, 3 hours from Beijing 🚌 Within city: well-developed bus system, taxis are affordable🚖 🚗 Self-driving: From Jinan via Rilan Expressway → Heze (2.5 hours) - 💡 Summer Travel Tips ❶ Clothing: Sunscreen clothes + hat are essential! Light colors recommended for cooler feel👒 ❷ Heat prevention: Carry a small fan and Huoxiang Zhengqi liquid🌡️ ❸ Hidden perks: Many attractions offer half-price tickets with student ID🎟️ ❹ Cultural bonus: Special performances at Water Margin Heroes City every Saturday🎪