9 Best Places to Visit in China in August 2024

Trying to fill the summer days with anything outdoors? Traveling in August in China can pack light, and soak up the sunshine at any place.

Although China has fierce summer heat in August, however, many cool destinations are suitable for travel. This article will recommend places with pleasant weather, majestic landscapes and rivers, grasslands, and exotic cultures.

1. Tibet - Pleasant Weather, Summer Escape

August is certainly the best month to travel to Tibet because of the cool weather and many traditional festival events are celebrated in this month.

What to See & Do

The average temperature is around 20℃ (68℉), the summer heat in the Tibetan plateau area has gone, and the weather is gradually decreasing. Those areas of Tibet - Lhasa, Namtso, Shigatse, and Mt. Everest are recommended to visit.

Festivals in August in Tibet that Tourists Can Attend and Celebrate

• Ganden Thangka Showing, Ganden Monastery, Aug.12
• Nagqu Horse Racing Festival, Nagqu, Jul. 30
• Shoton Festival, Lhasa, Aug. 16
• Tibetan Bathing Festival, Lhasa, Aug. 22 -Aug. 28

What to Pack

UV rays are strong in 3000-5000 altitude regions in Tibet, pack with sunglasses, hats, sunscreen, and hydrating items to prevent sunburn.

Therefore, August is the rainy season in Tibet, and raincoats and umbrellas should be on your packing list. Bring some medicine in case of high-altitude sickness.

You can wear T-shirts and short pants for the day visit but also pack 2-3 long pants, long sleeves, and a thin jacket for the night as the temperature will be at 10°C (50 F). Wearing short pants and short sleeves are not allowed to enter the temples.

Tibet Travel Permit

Foreign passport holders should apply Tibet Travel Permit to enter Tibet, and can not travel to Tibet independently, therefore, Foreign visitors must travel with a tour agent like us.

Recommended Tibet Tour: Lhasa and Yomdrok Lake Tour

2. Inner Mongolia - Lush Green, Dry and Cool

Summertime in Inner Mongolia is relatively short and lasts only two months in July and August.

August is considered the most pleasant time of the year and also the best time to travel, the average temperature ranges from 16°C (60°F) to 28°C (82°F).

What to See & Do

Boundless grasslands in Hulunbuir, Russian Experience at Manzhouli, Visit Aoluguya Reindeer Herders Camp to see the cute and tame reindeer, horse riding experience in the grassland, having Mongolian cuisine will satisfy your taste buds.

Festivals in August in Inner Mongolia

If you are planning to travel to Mongolia in August, the Danshig Naadam Festival is one should not miss, it will be held in August in the West of Ulaanbaatar city.

What to Pack

1. Inner Mongolia is located on a plateau, with long sunshine time and strong light. Suggest packing with a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to prevent sun tend.

2. According to the characteristics of big temperature differences in Inner Mongolia, preparing long-sleeved shirts and rainproof jackets is necessary.

3. Xinjiang - Grasslands, Lakes, and Exotic Culture

August is the best month to travel to Xinjiang, the temperature is a mile and cozy, especially in Northern Xinjiang. The average daily temperature in August is 18 ℃ (64 F) - 30 ℃ (86 F).

What to See & Do

For first-time travelers, the best places you must visit are Urumqi, Turpan, Kashgar, and Kanas Lake, those cities combine majestic landscapes and ethnic minorities.

What to Pack

The daytime temperature in August is around 30 ℃ (86 F), recommended to wear cool fabric clothes such as cotton shirts, thin shirts, and T-shirts. The temperature will drop to 15 ℃（59 F）at night, suggest wearing long-sleeve T-shirts, a thin jacket, and long pants.

It is very hot and has strong ultraviolet rays at noon in August, so you should pack with sunscreen. hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

Xinjiang Travel Restrictions

Foreigners can travel to Xinjiang without a permit. Recommended Xinjiang Tour: Memories of Xinjiang Tour

4. Guilin - Cooling Summer Fun

August is the hottest month in Guilin comes up with constant summer heat and humidity.

The average daily temperature is 24℃ (75 F）- 33℃（91 F）, Thanks to its unique ecological landscape, the lifelike mountains and green river’s ubiquity create many fun water activities outdoor.

What to See & Do

Li River Cruise, Bamboo rafting, Stand-Up Paddleboarding, rock climbing, biking through idyll countryside, and rice paddies, there so much fun and engagement for all age travelers.

What to Pack

Cotton T-shirt, short pants, hat, sunglasses and sunscreen to prevent sun tend, bug spray for against mosquito bites.

Recommended Guilin Tour: Guilin and Yangshuo Memories Tour

5. Qinghai - Scenic Lake, Summer Resort

The weather in August is cool and dry. The daytime temperature is 23°C (73°F) and around 10°C (50°F) at nighttime.

What to See & Do

August is the best time to travel to Qinghai Lake surrounded by vast grassland. The beauty here lies in its salty vastness, the view of the lake and the mountain was superb, you can take a boat ride on it.

Other attractions like Chaka Salt Lake, Kunlun Mountain Pass, and Ta'er Monastery are recommended to visit this season.

What to Pack

The temperature in Qinghai is characterized by the large difference between morning and evening and gets strong UV rays during the day, wear a hat, sunglasses, and sunblock to prevent sun tend, and bring a heavy jacket, long pants, T-shirts, and hoodie for wearing.

6. Gansu - Awe-inspiring geological Landforms

The best time to visit Gansu is in August, the weather in most of the region is comfortable and warm, but there is a large temperature difference between day and night.

What to See & Do

Visit the marvel of Mogo Cave in Dunhuang, Echoing-sand Mountain, and experience speedy sliding down the mountainside. Feast your eyes on layered-colored mountains in Zhangye Danxia Geopark.

What to Pack

Packing 3-4 T-shirts and short pants for daytime travel, and a thin jacket to prepare for the night. A pair of comfortable hiking boots for walking at desert spots.

7. Guizhou - Grand Waterfalls, Culture Diversity

The weather in Guizhou in August is generally warm and humid. There are many spots built along rivers and waterfalls, those are great places to escape from the summer heat.

What to See & Do

The notable sites to visit are Huangguoshu Waterfall Scenic Spot and Seven Small Arches Geographic Park in Libo county. Immerse yourself in those different nature landscapes: cascades, rivers, lakes, and forests ... Ensuring you'll never be bored of incomparable natural wonders.

What to Pack

Cool and dry dresses, shirts, pants, waterproof jackets, sunscreen lotion, sunglasses, umbrella, and bug spray.

Recommended Guizhou Tour: Exotic Yunnan and Guizhou Tour

8. Yangtze River Cruise - Relaxing and Rewarding

August is the hottest month in cities along the Yangtze River Delta, the daytime temperature can reach 35°C (95°F). Taking a cruise definitely an ideal option for traveling in summer.

What to See & Do

Kick back on the sundeck, enjoy the tender breeze, and watch rolling gorges pass by. Engage in several different excursions and cities along the way, visit some historical relics, and get to know the life of migrants in the Yangtze River Delta.

What to Pack

T-shirts, skirts, shirts, casual clothes that are comfortable, sunscreen lotion, sunglasses, umbrella. No dress code requirement on the cruise.

Recommended Yangtze River Cruise： Top Yangtze Cruise Ships

9. Jiuzhaigou - Nature Reserve

August is a good season to go, although it is in the rainy season, the lakes are full of water, and the valleys are bestowed with an emerald green color.

What to See & Do

The average maximum daytime temperature lies around 25°C (77°F), nice to hike through Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve, which features dense forests, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and mountains.

What to Pack

T-shirt, casual clothes, pants, a pair of walking shoes, sunscreen lotion, sunglasses, umbrella.

Travel Tips:

Jiuzhaigou is situated in a medium to high altitude zone, and most of the tourists do not have much sensitivity to high altitude sickness. Another spot of  Huanglong Scenic Area is located in a high altitude zone with a maximum altitude of 5588 meters, should travel regarding your physical condition.

Recommended Jiuzhaigou Tour: Jiuzhai Valley Fairyland