Curated journeys for moments of pure serenity.

In the peak of July, the most vivid, intense, intoxicating, and even “extreme” moments and qualities of summer are amplified endlessly. Beyond the immersive interplay of light and shadow, the thriving vitality of nature and the lazy sense of freedom also reach their pinnacle.

This time, we will journey to the idyllic Nalati Grassland in Xinjiang, listen to the cool poetic breeze of Dolon Lake in Inner Mongolia, and touch the last primeval forest of East China… True summer escape is not about fleeing the heat, but stepping into nature, embracing its peak beauty, and experiencing a thrilling and soul-stirring shock.

[Snow-Crowned Peaks and Blooming Wildflowers]

[Ctrip Vacation Farmstay (Nalati Valley Grassland Branch)]

If there is one word to describe the Nalati Grassland in July, it is “Suspended Summer.” Nestled in the Ili Valley at an altitude of 2,200 meters, this “Sky Grassland” enters its golden season. Snow-capped peaks reflect silver light under the July sun, while golden waves of wild rapeseed flowers and tiny blue-violet dots of sage blend into a mesmerizing palette of green and blue.

When sunlight pierces through the clouds, golden meadows intertwine with glacial silver light, as if “the gods overturned a divine palette.” Time seems suspended here—winter and summer coexist in the same frame, frozen into an eternal moment. Kazakh herders drive their sheep like pearls rolling along the ridge, and horse caravans carrying yurt frames travel slowly through seas of flowers. The yurts, like white pearls, scatter across the waves of grass, while the migrating herds form undulating lines that resemble the very ridges of the vast steppe.

“Our Yurts” — Ctrip Vacation Farmstay · Nalati Grassland Valley Branch sits deep within the grassland, with 40 guest rooms spread across 40 acres of private meadow. From the window, you can see winding valleys, endless grass fields, towering snow mountains, and grazing cattle and sheep. The 1,100㎡ public area includes a reading lounge, tea room, and viewing terrace. Here, you may immerse in intangible cultural heritage crafts, taste freshly brewed Kazakh milk tea, ride horses through the valley, drive UTVs across primal pastureland, or enjoy an indulgent afternoon tea while watching golden sunlight drape the snow-capped peaks—an entire grassland painting unfolds at the foot of your bed.

[And Then, We Have Poetry and Bonfires]

[Ctrip Vacation Farmstay (Dolon Langji Ranch Joint Branch)]

Who says the grassland experience must be in Hulunbuir? Just north of Beijing lies a Windows-desktop-level hidden paradise—Dolon Grassland. Deep within the Xilingol Prairie, the shimmering 20,000-acre waters of Dolon Lake carry cooling breezes. Known as the “Emerald of Xilingol,” this serene blend of mountains and water showcases the unique aesthetics of northern summer retreats.

Mint-green lake water, golden flower fields, lush meadows—under intense sunlight, the saturation levels soar, creating a feast of pure color. Migratory birds feed their young, fish swim upstream, and wildflowers burst into bloom—the ecosystem’s energy reaches its peak. Grasslands and lakes embrace travelers from all corners, becoming a life journey transcending geographic distance.

During a lakeside drive, dunes, meadows, forests, and silhouettes of swans flow past your window. As the sun sinks behind the ridge, the world becomes a sweeping gradient of blue and purple. The mirrored Milky Way emerges above Dolon Lake, with starlight dripping into its mint waters. Under the stars, poets recite original verses while a local “band” imitates the sound of wind using throat singing, and the strings of the horsehead fiddle tremble like galloping hooves.

[The Rainy-Season Fantasy of the Avatar Planet]

[Ctrip Vacation Farmstay (Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Branch)]

No one can refuse an “invitation” from the home planet of Avatar. The floating mountains and rolling seas of clouds are spectacular scenes visible only in summer. After rain, evaporating mist rises among the peaks, forming cloud seas stretching for dozens of kilometers. When the clouds part, sunlight streams through gaps, scattering golden beams—making even the air shimmer.

In Yuanjiajie, three thousand stone pillars pierce through the clouds, exposing only their tops—resembling the floating “Hallelujah Mountains” from Avatar. Sunbeams break through the clouds to create “God Rays,” illuminating peaks that fade in and out of drifting mist. In summer, lush vegetation adds layers of life to the stone forests. At Yangjiajie, cliff walls appear ax-split, yet pine trees growing stubbornly from cracks thrive with resilience. In Golden Whip Stream, macaques leap between ancient towering trees—a collision between the ancient and the young.

On July afternoons, the terraced fields in front of the Ctrip Zhangjiajie Manxin Branch ripple like cascading green steps. The air is warm and sticky, carrying faint sweet notes of newly budding rice blossoms and hints of creamy fragrance. Standing on the field ridge, you feel heat rising from the earth and rice stalks—until a cool mountain breeze sweeps through the valley, dissolving it instantly. In the lotus pond, summer blooms sway, and a dragonfly—its wings almost transparent—can barely keep its balance against the wind.

Summer is the season most suited for “wild play”—harvesting honey, herding ducks, exploring village fields. Here, rural rituals long distant from urban life unfold naturally. Even if you don’t want to run around sweating, tea by the rice fields or coffee by the pool makes this summer retreat utterly blissful.

[The Breath of the Primeval Forest at 31°N]

[Ctrip Vacation Farmstay (Jinzhai Dawancun, Anhui)]

Mazong Ridge is the last primeval forest in East China, located in the core of the Tianma National Nature Reserve. In summer, walking along the boardwalk, you can feel the cool breeze sweeping through treetops. Streams dance over stones, composing the joyful song of summer, while drifting clouds and dramatic light add a magical touch to the forest.

After rain, clouds rise and billow through valleys, surrounding mountain peaks and drifting at your feet. When sunlight pierces through, it tints the leaves—half crimson, half emerald. The 76-meter waterfall flows year-round, plunging between two mountains like a silver ribbon disappearing into the mist, splashing into the gorge in a dreamy spray.

Ctrip Vacation Farmstay Jinzhai Dawancun features 20 independent courtyard villas built along the mountainside, each with a private yard embraced by bamboo. Walking along the stone path upon arrival, bamboo shadows sway and gentle fragrance lingers—like entering the abode of a hermit. Every room includes panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows and a spacious terrace. From your bed, you can admire the starry sky; from the balcony, immerse yourself in boundless greenery—the near dancing bamboo and the distant rolling mountains painted by shifting sunlight. Time feels suspended, and the beauty of summer converges in this serene moment.

The winding shallow creek beside the farmstay is a natural summer playground. Step barefoot into the cool water, feel the smooth pebbles massage your soles, and watch children splash and chase happily—this pure joy is the rarest treasure missing from city life. Every small detail makes this summer unlike any other.

These hidden summer retreats, forgotten by time,
blossom into the year’s most breathtaking aesthetic spectacle.
When dawn gilds the mountains and streams hum through the forest,
when wildflowers sway in the wind and the scent of grass drifts in the air—
they weave the dreamlike poetry of summer.
In this moment, all you need is to set down your luggage
and let your body and mind sink into this unexpected beauty.
After all,
the most luxurious summer moments
are simply being amazed by nature, doing nothing at all.