China’s Chongqing Boosts Rural Tourism With High Altitude Summer Retreats

Published on August 11, 2025 |

With heatwaves still smothering swathes of China, travellers are heading to nan cooler heights of Southwest China’s Chongqing municipality. The mountainous plateaus are nan summer’s best-kept secret, serving up caller aerial and a break from nan relentless heat. The high-altitude villages are abruptly busy, and nan surge of vacationers is breathing caller life into nan alleged “summer cooling economy”. Rural homestays, family-run guesthouses, and open-air beverage terraces are each seeing dependable bookings. This uptick is astir much than room nights and room rates; it’s weaving contented and commerce together, helping section crafts, people dances, and seasonal festivals go arsenic sought aft arsenic nan upland breezes.

The Rise of Rural Tourism successful Chongqing

Chongqing, known for its picturesque mountainous landscape, is seeing a important influx of visitors drawn to its cool, high-altitude locations. One specified destination is Shizhu Tujia Autonomous County, wherever nan Daobeiliang Forest Campsite has go a celebrated retreat. Perched astir 2,000 metres supra oversea level, this campsite offers visitors a refreshing break from nan stifling summertime power of nan little altitudes. The region’s unsocial ambiance and breathtaking earthy beauty person made it an charismatic summertime getaway for some home and world tourists.

This surge successful tourism has been a catalyst for agrarian tourism growth, pinch nan section authorities taking steps to create nan area’s tourism infrastructure and merge section civilization pinch recreation offerings. The surrounding landscapes, including stunning cliff views and winding upland roads, person go celebrated for activities specified arsenic cycling and photography. Additionally, nan area is gaining a estimation arsenic an perfect spot for families and quality lovers looking for some relaxation and escapade successful a cooler environment.

Boosting nan Local Economy Through Tourism

The dependable travel of visitors has had a noticeable effect connected nan section economy. In 2025, tourism gross from nan region has reached astir 7 cardinal yuan (about $979 million), marking a 6.28% summation compared to nan erstwhile year. The area’s tourism efforts person been truthful successful that immoderate attractions, specified arsenic nan Daobeiliang campsite, person reached regular visitant numbers of astir 2,000 during highest seasons. The area’s efforts to capitalise connected its cool ambiance and divers landscapes person intelligibly paid off.

Local authorities successful Shizhu person besides introduced caller attractions, specified arsenic upland biking trails and cloud-top go-karts, to heighten nan region’s summertime tourism offering. These additions person proven to beryllium peculiarly celebrated pinch families during schoolhouse breaks, further boosting nan area’s appeal. The integration of escapade tourism pinch nan region’s earthy beauty has contributed to nan emergence of Chongqing arsenic a sought-after summertime destination.

Popular Attractions successful Chongqing’s High-Altitude Regions

Among nan astir well-known destinations successful Chongqing is nan Fairy Mountain National Tourist Resort, located successful nan Wulong district. This resort, which is rated 5A, nan highest nationalist tourer standing successful China, draws important numbers of visitors during nan summertime months. Positioned betwixt 1,100 and 1,700 metres successful elevation, nan edifice offers a cool and temperate climate, perfect for visitors seeking respite from nan heat. Its wide entreaty spans various demographics, including children, seniors, and quality enthusiasts.

Recent additions to nan resort’s offerings, specified arsenic nan “Treetop Walk” quality acquisition camp, person contributed to its popularity. This campy features wood exploration zones, nature-themed learning activities, and zip lines, attracting complete 200,000 visitors during highest seasons. The edifice has besides introduced an apitherapy clinic, which uses honeybee products, further diversifying its appeal, peculiarly to older visitors seeking relaxation and wellness benefits.

In summation to these attractions, nan Wulong territory has knowledgeable important maturation successful tourer numbers. As of mid-July, summons income and gross from scenic areas saw year-on-year increases of 25.27% and 19.06%, respectively. These figures show nan region’s increasing position arsenic a apical summertime destination successful China.

A Family-Friendly Destination for All

Chongqing’s cooler highlands person besides proven celebrated pinch families, galore of whom person flocked to resorts specified arsenic nan Wanfo Gorge Rafting Resort successful nan Qijiang district. Located astatine an elevation of complete 1,000 metres, these resorts connection a invited flight from nan power while providing a scope of recreational activities for visitors. The area’s rafting and different outdoor activities person attracted families looking for adventure, pinch immoderate resorts seeing grounds profits during nan highest summertime months.

Local residents, for illustration Shuai Chengyou, person benefited from nan emergence successful tourism, gaining employment successful nan off-season while still engaging successful farming during nan highest cultivation months. Many locals person group up mini businesses, specified arsenic snack stalls, to cater to nan increasing number of tourists. One specified vendor, Wang Guangmin, operates a stall trading acold noodles and iced jelly astatine nan entranceway of a scenic area. The income generated from tourism during nan highest play allows locals to bask financial stableness while besides enhancing nan wide visitant experience.

Future of Chongqing’s Summer Tourism

The ongoing occurrence of Chongqing’s high-altitude tourer destinations demonstrates nan effectiveness of integrating tourism pinch section civilization and earthy beauty. This strategy not only boosts nan section system but besides provides a sustainable measurement to create agrarian areas. As much visitors flock to these cool retreats to flight nan heat, nan region is poised to proceed its upward trajectory successful nan tourism sector.

In summation to existing attractions, nan authorities plans to further grow nan tourism infrastructure successful nan coming years, ensuring that nan area remains a premier destination for some section and world travellers. With continued maturation successful nan “summer cooling economy”, Chongqing’s high-altitude resorts are group to stay a cardinal subordinate successful China’s tourism landscape.

Conclusion

Chongqing’s allure for agrarian and high-altitude tourism is driven by travellers seeking refuge from searing summertime temperatures. Cool breezes, sweeping upland vistas, and rich | taste touchpoints now tie adventurers and relaxation seekers alike. Visitors tin hike ridged trails, glide on mist-covered rivers aliases observe quiet villages wherever centuries-old customs stay vibrant. As liking successful nan “summer cooling economy” rises, nan region is sharpening its appeal, positioning itself not conscionable for home play getaways but for a increasing number of world travellers who, increasingly, want summertime journeys that cool some assemblage and spirit.