Today marks the official start of summer (夏天 – xià tiān). All across China, children are finishing up their final exams while parents are busy scheduling summer activities. The weather is getting hotter and hotter, and you can expect to see the “Beijing bikini” on display as men roll up their shirts to deal with the heat. It’s a sweaty, but fun time to be in China. There’s lots to do in the summertime – hiking trips, beach vacations, beer festivals, and traditional Chinese holidays. To get you ready for the season, here are 10 videos for summer in China.

Summertime in Qingdao

Qingdao (青岛 – qīng dǎo) is one of the most popular places to visit in China in the summer months. Tour its beaches, historic churches, and beer festival in this short video.

Dragon Boat Festival

Learn about the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节 – duān wǔ jié) in this video, detailing the most important aspects of this traditional Chinese holiday.

“Streets, Beats & Eats” – Xiamen

Explore Xiamen (厦门 – xià mén) in this short travel video highlighting Gulangyu island, a cool night market, and a bit of the nightlife of this coastal vacation city in China.

5 Awesome Beijing Day Trips

There’s a lot to do in Beijing, but the traffic and the smog can be overwhelming. Never fear, as there are plenty of things to do nearby. Check out five awesome BJ day trips in this short video: the Fragrant Hills, Botanical Gardens, Ba Da Chu, Red Snail Temple, and Shi Du.

Shenzhen Craft Beer Festival

Chinese beer (啤酒 – pí jiǔ) is, for the most part, watered down and tasteless. Thankfully a craft beer revolution is taking the Middle Kingdom by storm. Check out some highlights from the inaugural Shenzhen craft beer festival and join the beer-volution!

Chengde Summer Mountain Resort

The highlight of Chengde (承德 – chéng dé) is without a doubt the Summer Mountain Resort (避暑山庄 – bì shǔ shān zhuāng). Built during the Qing Dynasty, it served as a summer retreat for the Emperor and his family, who would escape the brutal heat of Beijing to hunt, relax, and hold meetings with visitors.

Huangguoshu Waterfall

The epic Huangguoshu Waterfall (黄果树瀑布 – huáng guǒ shù pù bù) in southwest China’s Guizhou province is the largest in all of China and one of the biggest in Asia. Here’s a short video tour showing you the mighty falls, a cool night market, and some of the karst mountain scenery the area is famous for.

Great Wall Music Festival

What happens when a group of both international and local DJs throw a party for thousands of people next to the Great Wall of China? See for yourself in this highlight video of the Great Wall Music Festival (长城音乐节 – cháng chéng yīn yuè jié).

Li River Cruise and Motorbike Trip in Yangshuo

The best part about visiting Yangshuo (阳朔 – yáng shuò) is getting out of town and taking in the area’s stunning landscapes – the karst mountain peaks and majestic Li River (漓江 – lí jiāng). Spend the morning cruising up the river in a bamboo raft to see the scenery so famous it’s on the back of the 20 RMB note. Then rent a motorbike and escape the crowded town to hit some incredible viewpoints.

Summer Activities in Beijing

This one is an oldie but a goodie! Summer time in Beijing is a whole lot of fun. In this video, join me for a daytime stroll around the Hou Hai (后海) area, as I enjoy some Chinese style summer fun. By night, it’s off to a local park, to practice some tai chi and do some singing and dancing.

 

Get talking about the season by learning some Chinese summer vocabulary. Don’t forget to learn a new Chinese word every day with us while you’re at it. Wherever you are, I hope you have an awesome summer!