China in July: Where to Visit & How to Avoid the Heat
July marks the peak of summer in China and the start of the busy travel season. During this time, western China is especially beautiful, with blooming flowers around Qinghai Lake and lush green grasslands in Inner Mongolia. With some strategic planning, we can design a flexible itinerary filled with activities tailored to your interests while helping you avoid the crowds and high temperatures.
Li River in Yangshuo, Guilin
Is It Hot in July in China?
July is hot in most cities across China, but it's very manageable if you avoid spending too much time outdoors during peak heat hours and add in some indoor attractions. Since air conditioning is very common in China, most indoor attractions, hotels, restaurants, and ferries have it. Below is a list of some of China's most popular cities and attractions and what kind of temperature you can expect when you visit them in July.
- Beijing: between 22°C (72°F) and 31°C (88°F)
- Shanghai: between 27°C (81°F) and 33°C (91°F)
- Xi'an: between 23°C (73°F) and 32°C (90°F)
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Zhangjiajie: between 24° C (75°F) and 32°C (90°F)
Recommended Tour Itinerary
Top Places to Visit in July
Although July is hot in most popular cities in China, there are plenty of places that are cooler to visit. With flexible itineraries and destinations, you can still have a wonderful trip.
Guilin & Yangshuo
Elephant Trunk Hill in Guilin
Guilin sits right in the Li River Valley, and temperatures range from 25°C (77°F) to 32°C (90°F), but you can cool off with a lovely Li River cruise or explore the karst caves nearby. Reed Flute Cave and Swallow Cave are both excellent options, offering incredible karst natural rock formations.
Yangshuo is beautiful in July, with clear rivers and stunning karst mountains. You can take a bamboo raft ride or cycle through the countryside rice fields and enjoy a relaxing time in nature.
Guizhou
Pingtang Bridge in Guizhou
Visit Guizhou, where temperatures range from a pleasant 19°C (66°F) to 26°C (79°F), and you'll have the chance to explore the Huangguoshu waterfall, Xiaoqikong Scenic Area, and ethnic minority villages. This spot is popular during the summer, so you will probably have to contend with more crowds, but it's worth it for the natural splendor. This region is renowned for its Miao villages, which offer you a unique insight into a different side of Chinese life, and the astonishing nature and karst land formations in some of this region's top parks will leave you speechless.
Inner Mongolia
Yurts on the Inner Mongolia grassland
Inner Mongolia is a very cool place to visit during July, with temperatures that range from 13°C (55°F) to 25°C (77°F). The area's top attraction is the Hulunbuir Grasslands, and they are at their most beautiful and vibrant green this time of year. July is a great time to explore the highlands and enjoy stunning vistas of the wildflowers and snowy mountains beyond. You'll also likely come across yurt camps, where ethnic Han and Mongol people live, giving you insight into some of China's ethnic minorities.
Shangri-La
Songzanlin Monastery in Shangri-La
Shangri-La is one of the coolest places in China during July, and you can expect temperatures between 10°C (50°F) and 20°C (68°F). It's perfect for people who want to explore China's natural beauty without dealing with high temperatures, because there are tons of alpine flowers, lovely lakes, and shaded forests to wander through. There are also plenty of prominent religious sites, like Songzanlin Monastery, where you can see stunning Buddhas and lovely architecture.
Gansu and the Silk Road
Zhangye Danxia Geopark in Gansu
Visit the ancient Silk Road cities of Gansu (Lanzhou and Dunhuang) for a taste of Buddhist culture. You'll also have the chance to see Zhangye Danxia Geopark, and the entire region is quite cool at just 15°C (59°F) to 28°C (82°F). This spot is truly one of China's most unique places to visit, with incredible desert and badlands and ancient monasteries around every corner.
These spots are some of our favorite places to cool off during the hotter months of the year. We're happy to help you see one or more of them on your July vacation to China.
Travel Costs and Tips in July
July tends to be a more expensive time to visit China because it's when the summer holidays fall. You'll generally see increased prices for flights and hotels; for example, a four-star hotel that normally has rooms for 600 RMB might raise their prices to 800 to 1000 RMB. Since popular cities like Xi'an, Beijing, and Shanghai will be crowded, we'll put together a flexible itinerary that will help you avoid the crowds.
We also put together some key travel tips that will help you make your vacation memorable. We're happy to provide you personalized information regarding your specific needs and questions, too.
- Book your hotels, flights, and attraction tickets 2-3 months in advance to make sure they're available and to secure as good a rate as possible.
- Be flexible with your itinerary, and consider having a private guide and transfers so that you can make last-minute changes as needed.
- Visit attractions in the early morning or late afternoon, and schedule some indoor activities to avoid spending the hottest part of the day outdoors.
- Pack lightweight clothes in a breathable fabric, like linen, and bring sunscreen, a sunhat, and an umbrella if you're spending a lot of time outdoors or staying at a higher altitude.
- Stay hydrated, especially if you're planning on hiking long distances, as the sun and humidity can become dangerous if you don't take precautions.
Beat the Heat and Have the Vacation of Your Dreams
July is one of the hottest months in China, but you can have the vacation that you've always wanted with a flexible itinerary and some smart planning. Explore lesser-known regions of China and experience local culture and fantastic landscapes. We're here to help you get started and create the most memorable vacation possible. Visit our contact page or email us at trip@odynovotours.com to start your exciting journey today.
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