A Month-by-Month China Travel Guide: Where to Travel in China in June
A year-round guide to discovering China’s most beautiful, culturally rich, and seasonally perfect destinations.
June is a month of contrast. As summer quietly arrives, highland valleys turn green, seasides come to life, and deep interior provinces glow with early rains and humid light. It’s mango season in the tropics, wildflower season in the meadows, and tea-picking season in the hills. While parts of China begin to feel the monsoon’s touch, June remains a sweet window — especially if you know where to go.
June
Grasslands, Glacier Lakes & Summer Highlands
Fujian Tulou
Earthen fortresses in misty mountain silence
Built by the Hakka people for protection and community, the Fujian Tulou are massive circular or square earthen buildings tucked deep in the green folds of southern Fujian. June brings thick jungle-green backdrops, bright rice paddies, and soft, humid mornings that feel almost prehistoric.
Top things to do:
Visit the Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster, known as the “Four Dishes and a Soup” for its bowl-shaped layout.
Step inside Chengqi Lou, the “King of Tulou,” with 400 rooms across four concentric circles.
Hike from village to village past bamboo forests, stone trails, and terraced fields.
Stay overnight in a tulou guesthouse for starry skies and home-cooked Hakka meals.
What to eat: Salted duck with taro, Hakka stuffed tofu, flat rice noodles, pickled radish, and sweet rice wine.
Travel tips:
Base yourself in Yongding or Nanjing counties for access to the best clusters.
Roads are winding — bring motion sickness pills if sensitive.
Combine with Xiamen for a coast-and-country contrast.
Gouqi Island, Zhejiang
Sea air, ghost villages, and island hikes
Part of the Shengsi Archipelago, Gouqi Island is famous for the surreal, overgrown remains of Houtouwan Village, a once-abandoned fishing hamlet reclaimed by vines and sea breeze. In June, the beaches are warm, ferries are running, and the hills are green — a perfect off-grid retreat.
Top things to do:
Explore Houtouwan, a hauntingly beautiful village swallowed by ivy.
Swim or sunbathe at Dongya Beach, known for clear water and golden sand.
Walk cliffside trails with views of squid boats and rocky islets.
Eat seafood straight from the docks — think sea urchin, abalone, and razor clams.
What to eat: Grilled cuttlefish, seaweed soup, steamed mantis shrimp, and kelp salad.
Travel tips:
Ferries depart from Shanghai or Ningbo — weather can impact schedules.
Book accommodations in advance — choices are limited but charming.
Bring cash, sunblock, and motion-friendly shoes for uneven trails.
Qinghai Lake, Qinghai
Blue skies, saltwater serenity, and Tibetan horizons
Qinghai Lake is China’s largest saltwater lake, sitting at 3,200 meters above sea level on the northeastern Tibetan Plateau. June is when it truly shines: the surrounding grasslands bloom with wildflowers, herds of sheep and yaks graze peacefully, and the mirror-like surface reflects infinite blue.
Top things to do:
Bike part of the 360-km loop around the lake — or just do a scenic section.
Visit Erlangjian Scenic Area for boat rides and panoramic views.
Stop at Chaka Salt Lake, often called “China’s mirror of the sky.”
Explore Tibetan monasteries or camp under starlit skies with local nomads.
What to eat: Yak milk yogurt, butter tea, tsampa (barley flour), and fried dough twists.
Travel tips:
June temperatures are mild during the day but cold at night — bring warm layers.
High altitude can cause shortness of breath — acclimate slowly and hydrate.
Combine with Xining and Kumbum Monastery for cultural context.
Hulunbuir Grasslands, Inner Mongolia
Endless skies, yurts, and the first golden herds of summer
Often called the most beautiful grasslands in China, Hulunbuir comes alive in June, with green meadows stretching to the horizon and rivers winding like silver ribbons. This is Mongolian heartland — open, free, and full of seasonal rhythm.
Top things to do:
Ride horseback across the Erguna Wetlands, filled with wildflowers and birdsong.
Sleep in a traditional yurt and share meals with herder families.
Visit border towns like Manzhouli, a quirky Russian-Chinese frontier city.
Watch the sunset over the Hulun Lake, often still and perfectly reflective.
What to eat: Grilled lamb ribs, dairy snacks (cheese curds, yogurt), wheat cakes, and milk tea with salt.
Travel tips:
Access via Hailar (flights from Beijing or Harbin) — then hire a local guide or driver.
Pack for rapid weather changes — the grasslands are windy and exposed.
June is early in the season — quieter and cooler than July/August.
Chengde, Hebei
Imperial retreats and cool mountain breezes
Just a few hours from Beijing, Chengde was once the summer retreat of Qing emperors escaping capital heat. In June, this forested city offers cool temperatures, imperial architecture, and views that pair grandeur with peace.
Top things to do:
Visit the Mountain Resort (Bishu Shanzhuang), a UNESCO-listed palace-and-garden complex larger than the Forbidden City.
Explore the Eight Outer Temples, which reflect Tibetan, Mongolian, and Han influences.
Take a cable car up to Shuangta Mountain for views of rock spires and rolling forest.
Stroll by the riverside in the cool early evenings with sweet hawthorn snacks in hand.
What to eat: Chengde pancakes with fillings, venison hotpot, and local jujube-based sweets.
Travel tips:
Avoid Beijing’s tourist crush by escaping here on weekends.
Cool nights — perfect for temple walks and open-air teahouses.
Consider pairing with Gubei Water Town or Jinshanling Great Wall en route.
Tibet (Lhasa & Yamdrok Lake)
Blue lakes, gold-roofed temples, and high-altitude clarity
June is one of the best months to visit Tibet. The skies are at their clearest, the air is crisp and pure, and roads are fully open for exploration. While altitude is always a consideration, this is the perfect time to witness Tibet’s spiritual core at its most brilliant.
Top things to do:
Visit the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Street in Lhasa.
Take a day trip to Yamdrok Lake, an unreal shade of turquoise and sacred to Tibetan Buddhists.
Sit in on early morning monk debates at Sera Monastery.
Light butter lamps or quietly join pilgrims circling temples and stupas.
What to eat: Momos (dumplings), tsampa, yak butter tea, and spicy noodle soups.
Travel tips:
You’ll need a Tibet travel permit, arranged via registered tour operator.
June skies are mostly clear, but sun at high altitude is intense — bring sunglasses and SPF.
Acclimate in Lhasa (3,600m) for 2–3 days before exploring higher areas.
Shangri-La, Yunnan
Tibetan culture meets wildflower meadows
High on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau, Shangri-La is at its most beautiful in June. Alpine meadows bloom with blue poppies, temples shimmer under big skies, and barley fields sway beneath snow-capped peaks. The mix of Tibetan, Naxi, and Han cultures creates a deeply soulful destination.
Top things to do:
Visit Songzanlin Monastery, often called "Little Potala."
Hike through Napa Lake grasslands, dotted with yaks and wildflowers.
Stroll the cobbled lanes of the rebuilt old town and stop for yak butter lattes.
Take a day trip to Pudacuo National Park for high-altitude lakes and moss forests.
What to eat: Yak hotpot, roasted barley cake, wild mushrooms, and Yunnan flower cakes.
Travel tips:
Cool and clear weather — perfect for hiking and long days outside.
Airport access from Lijiang or Kunming; altitude is ~3,200m.
Combine with Tiger Leaping Gorge or Lijiang for a diverse Yunnan loop.
June is China’s highland month – a time for mountains, grasslands, sacred lakes, and deep blue skies. It’s when the air is clearest, the flowers are brightest, and the roads are wide open. Whether you're chasing sunrises in Tibet, camping by Qinghai Lake, or sipping milk tea in a Mongolian yurt, June invites you to breathe deep and travel far.
Feeling inspired? Start mapping out your high-altitude adventure and stay tuned, July brings even more remote escapes, cool cities, and places to beat the summer heat.