In the past, people often said, “In the scorching summer, traveling is but a dream, and one can only huddle under the protection of air conditioning.”
However, this statement is far from the truth! It is utterly wrong!
The coolness of air conditioning is not limited to the confines of a room. It may be quietly permeating the entire city, transforming into a gentle coolness that sweeps away the summer’s irritability and stuffiness.
At this moment, let us explore together the cool places hidden beneath the city’s prosperity and experience the summer surprises this city has prepared for you.
The Only Certified “Cool Capital” in China
A joke once circulated: “Liupanshui doesn’t need to sell air conditioners because it is a natural ‘giant refrigerator’.”
When the fierce flames of midsummer mercilessly scorch the entire country and temperatures soar, Liupanshui seems to be in a different world. Here, the words “heat wave” appear utterly out of place.
In the summer, Liupanshui’s average temperature is like a young girl’s silhouette, fixed at 19 degrees Celsius. Once the temperature slightly touches the threshold of 30 degrees, a high-temperature alarm is immediately triggered. While other cities frantically purchase air conditioners to escape the heat, Liupanshui’s air conditioner sales remain calm. Instead, warm blankets become the best-selling favorites.
This unique coolness has earned Liupanshui the title of “China’s Cool Capital” from the China Meteorological Society, making it the only city in the country named after its climatic characteristics.
Liupanshui’s topography and landforms are like nature’s palette, with mountains, hills, basins, plateaus, valleys, and canyons intertwining, resembling vivid scrolls of paintings.
Take a deep breath, and you can almost smell the mint-like freshness permeating the air, while everywhere you look, there are natural wonders that seem to be the work of supernatural craftsmanship.
Every summer, Liupanshui becomes a haven for countless tourists seeking to escape the heat. There are no noisy crowds, no congested traffic, and life is convenient with a slow pace.
Whether you are a first-time visitor or returning after a long absence, this place will not make you feel unfamiliar or distant. It feels more like returning to a faraway “hometown”.
Beipan River Grand Canyon
“The Great Rift of the Earth”
When a writer stepped into the Beipan River Grand Canyon, he emotionally sighed, “The Beipan River Canyon seems to lead me through a thousand years, allowing me to rediscover the lost charm of Tang poetry and Song lyrics.”
In this land of wonders in Guizhou, the Beipan River Canyon is still regarded as the pinnacle of canyons, and its uniqueness is self-evident and irreplaceable.
Looking up at the nearly thousand-meter-high and several-thousand-meter-long sheer cliffs, it resembles a magnificent and vast mural hanging between heaven and earth. The 388-meter-long Beipan River Super Bridge spans across the canyon like a giant dragon meandering through, making people marvel at the magnificent sight of “a bridge flying across the north and south, turning the natural barrier into a thoroughfare”.
Standing on the bridge and looking down, the deep and lengthy grand canyon comes into view. It has the elegant steepness of the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River and the majestic beauty of the Grand Canyon of Colorado in the United States, seeming like a masterpiece of nature that leaves people in awe.
When you venture deep into the canyon, it is another world altogether. The canyon, which originally appeared “fierce”, feels so gentle upon close observation. You can savor the beauty and tranquility of nature in every blade of grass and tree.
Waterfalls cascade down like white silk, underground streams gurgle through the dense forests, flower shoals shimmer with a kaleidoscope of colors under the sunlight, and caves are shrouded in mystery. There are also rocks of various shapes, seemingly exquisite works of art carefully crafted by nature. These sights appear one after another, like a series of treasures enticing people to keep moving forward, exploring deeply, and forgetting their fatigue.
Zangke River
In the rolling mountains of western Guizhou, a river called Zangke rushes out from the countless valleys. It is like a silver ribbon, winding through the towering peaks.
The Zangke River is surrounded by majestic mountains, with steep and precipitous terrain. The mountains act as natural barriers, blocking the strong winds and creating a cool and tranquil world. The fresh and pleasant air in the mountains makes the Zangke River even more mysterious and charming, earning it the reputation of “Little Guilin of the Cool Capital”.
This ancient and mysterious Zangke River, like a deeply hidden pearl, has been secluded for a long time and is rarely known to people. It quietly guards this pristine land, preserving the original features of nature.
Standing on the banks of the Zangke River, both sides are lush with greenery. At a glance, it seems like being immersed in a green ocean. Amidst the clouds and mountains, a scene of lakes and mountains suddenly comes into view. The green mountains and white clouds are reflected on the emerald water surface, like a beautiful scroll unfolding before your eyes.
You can leisurely walk on the wooden plank road, admiring the beautiful scenery on both sides of the Zangke River and appreciating the wonders of nature. Alternatively, you can drive along the riverside road, turning the car window into a picture frame, capturing the beauty of the Zangke River. It is best to stay here for a night.
When dusk falls, watch the red sun gradually set, outlining the silhouette of the mountains like a poem or a painting. Later, it quietly hides behind the mountains, transforming into a sky full of stars, illuminating the entire night sky.
Such a masterpiece from nature is truly beyond description. It is intoxicating, as if being in a hidden paradise.
Yushe National Forest Park
Yushe National Forest Park, a unique green treasure of Liupanshui, is like a dazzling emerald embedded in this land.
Stepping into this park, it instantly feels like being transported to a pure and flawless green fairyland. Three hundred acres of pristine forest, like a vast ocean of trees, lush and vibrant. They perfectly preserve the original features of nature, allowing people to experience endless tranquility and harmony.
Walking along the winding trails, every step is an exploration and discovery of nature.
Along the way, rare plants such as dove trees and taxus chinensis come into view. Some soar into the clouds, while others are low and creeping, weaving together beautiful scrolls. The air is filled with the gentle fragrance of grass and trees, making people indulge in it and feel refreshed.
Deep in the dense forest, there is a different scene altogether. Wild animals freely shuttle between the trees, their silhouettes appearing particularly lively under the slanting sun. Those vivid scenes seem to transport people to a mysterious and beautiful fairyland, making it hard to leave.
Dadong Bamboo Sea
Dadong Bamboo Sea, a secluded and charming place far from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Here, the lush bamboo forest is like an ocean of green, surging with waves and exuding a fresh and pleasant aroma. Clear streams meander through the bamboo forest, like silver ribbons wrapped around the emerald green bamboo, adding a touch of vitality to this tranquil world.
In the height of summer, strolling through this bamboo forest feels like being in a cool world. Sunlight filters through the gaps between the bamboo leaves, casting dappled shadows. The breeze gently blows, and the bamboo leaves sway gracefully, bringing bursts of coolness, making people forget the heat and noise of the outside world.
Ten thousand acres of gray bamboo extend across the mountains, like a sea of green waves, rising and falling. As the breeze blows, the bamboo leaves sway with the wind, making a rustling sound, as if it were a movement of nature, intoxicating people.
After enjoying this beautiful scenery, you can also delve into the mysteries of ancient papermaking. Watching the lush green bamboo leaves transform into sheets of white paper through the skilled hands of craftsmen, one cannot help but marvel at the wonders of nature and human wisdom.
The most anticipated part is the all-bamboo feast. A variety of delicacies made from bamboo, with excellent color, aroma, and taste, make people drool. Whether it’s bamboo tube rice, bamboo tube chicken, or bamboo tube wine, they all leave an unforgettable taste, as if being in a kingdom of delicacies.
Dadong Bamboo Sea, a place that makes people linger and forget to leave, is waiting for you to explore.
Wumeng Grassland
Wumeng Grassland, with an average altitude of 2,500 meters, stands tall and proud. It is not only the pinnacle of Guizhou’s elevation but also the king of vast alpine pastures. The local people affectionately call it “Poshang Grassland”.
Its beauty lies not in the boundless flatness, but in the undulating hills, like waves on the earth, rising and falling leisurely. In this green ocean, a few adorable goats are scattered, like pearls dotted on a green canvas, adding a touch of liveliness and vitality to the grassland.
Standing on the vast expanse of green mountains and fields, you can see small groups of cattle and sheep leisurely grazing. They seem to be the darlings of nature, enjoying the gifts of this world.
The distant mountains are layered, and the winding paths at the foot of the mountains are like ribbons, winding between the mountains. Just as you are indulging in this beautiful scenery, a gust of wind blows, and a white mist instantly surges, enveloping the distant scenery in a hazy veil.
Here, daydreaming becomes a luxurious enjoyment.
You can do nothing, just lie quietly on the grass and let the scent of nature fill your nostrils. At that moment, you seem to merge with this grassland, becoming a part of nature. In this world, you feel a tranquility and peace that you have never experienced before.
Tuole Village
Tuole, a village hidden deep in the mountains, is like a paradise untouched by the earthly world. It lies quietly in the embrace of nature, undisturbed by the noise of the outside world, thus retaining a primitive and rustic style.
When you step into this mysterious land, the first thing that catches your eye is the small bridge over flowing water, with the stream gurgling, like a low-singing pastoral song. The ancient trees in the village seem to be witnesses of time, quietly telling the stories of the past. The surrounding mountains, with their towering peaks, form a natural barrier, guarding this rustic and tranquil ancient village in the mountains.
Tuole, this ancient village in the mountains full of ancient charm, is like a flowing scroll, making people linger and forget to leave.
The Taste of Liupanshui
Many people have only heard of Liupanshui’s cool climate but have never experienced the enticing flavors behind this small city that linger in the memory.
When it comes to the representative food of Liupanshui, Shuicheng Lamb Noodles are undoubtedly the unrivaled favorite. This steaming bowl of lamb noodles is not just a simple meal, but a deep nostalgia and longing in the hearts of countless wanderers.
Lamb noodles carry the rich flavor of hometown, while the hot pot embodies deep homesickness. Imagine a pot of delicacies slowly simmering on the fire, with various ingredients interweaving wonderful flavors in the flat-bottomed pot. Dip them in the carefully prepared dipping sauce, and pair them with a mouthful of cool sparkling water. That taste is simply intoxicating and unforgettable.
Cichong Chicken Hotpot is another unique flavor. With one mouthful, the spicy aroma bursts forth, leaving a lingering fragrance on the lips and teeth, as if transporting people to an ocean of delicacies.
On scorching summer days, the Langdai Cool Noodles stall is always bustling. People queue up, just to taste that mouthful of spicy and cool flavor, experiencing the refreshing sensation from the tongue to the heart.
Liupanshui’s delicacies are far more than these. The savory and delicious Panxian Ham, the dizzying Sour Soup, the heat-clearing and detoxifying Panzhou Green Tofu, the unique Guaiyu Rice of Guizhou… Each dish carries the unique flavors and cultural heritage of Liupanshui.
In Liupanshui, blue skies and white clouds are the norm. Peaks and wetlands shine in harmony, and the warmth of human kindness radiates like sunshine in every corner. If poetry and distant places have a concrete form, then Liupanshui is undoubtedly the most beautiful portrayal. Here, delicious food and beautiful scenery coexist, making people linger and forget to leave, finding it hard to forget.
