7 Places to Visit in Beijing in August

The Beijing weather in August could be unbearably hot. What to do in Beijing in August to embrace a cool summer and a comfortable holiday? We’d like to recommend some cool places, waterside places or indoor scenic spots for those visiting Beijing in August.

Visit National Museum of China

The National Museum of China is a comprehensive museum that systematically displays the culture and history of the Chinese nation and is one of the largest museums in the world. Visitors can see ancient Chinese bronzes, Buddha statues, jade, porcelain, national gifts, modern classic art works, etc. The collected items have reached more than 1.4 million. The museum is listed as a place to visit in Beijing in August also because it has been equipped with air-conditioners, so you can enjoy a cool summer trip inside.

Play Water in Water Cube

The National Swimming Center, also known as the "Water Cube", is the main swimming pool built in Beijing for the 2008 Summer Olympics, after which it has become a water sports center, integrating swimming, fitness and leisure functions. It's no more comfortable to get in touch with water here on a hot summer day, hence it is recommended as a top thing to do in Beijing in August. This water park has ten water rides, a total of more than 20 various slides for visitors to experience
the thrill, excitement and joy of water entertainment. At night there is also the Water Cube music stage, accompanied by the bright lights show.

Olympic Forest Park

The Olympic Forest Park is a great place to visit in Beijing in August featuring high green planting coverage and many artificial wetlands. It is divided into two areas, connected by an ecological bridge across the Five Ring Road, with the South Park dominated by natural landscapes and the North Park with a small creek landscape. It is the largest urban park in Beijing and has become a natural landscape tourist area after the 29th Olympic Games in 2008. Visitors can spend half a day at least here to enjoy the tranquil environment and experience local residents’ life.

Appreciate Lotus in Summer Palace

August is the flower season of lotus and appreciation the lotus flowers has been one of the top things to do in Beijing in August. Inside Summer Palace, the best site to admire those beauties is Kunming Lake. You can either stroll along the lakeside or take a boat to cruise on the lake and get close to the beautiful flowers. Summer Palace is the largest and best-preserved royal garden in China, so take some time to look at the design and architecture, too. Center on Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill, it is also a relatively cool place to spend a hot summer day.

Recommended Tour:

One Day Beijing Mini Group Tour with Summer Palace from $99

Book a Summer Palace Ticket

Lotus Festival of Old Summer Palace (Ruins of Yuanmingyuan)

Old Summer Palace is a large royal palace built by Qing emperors over 150 years. Although destroyed by the war, scattered debris still tells the prosperity of the past years. The Yuanmingyuan Lotus Festival is held from July to August every year, when visitors can appreciate 400 kinds of lotus flowers. And during the lotus festival, Old Summer Palace will also hold a series of activities including lotus music festival, lotus photography contest and so on.

Book an Old Summer Palace Ticket

Outdoor Activities in Shidu

Shidu Scenic Area is a river valley along the Juma River, which has a large number of karst landscapes. The temperature here is lower than downtown, hence a good place to visit in Beijing in August. In addition to watching the beautiful natural scenery, visitors can do bungee jump, play live CS, go rafting and so on. There are many farmhouses near the riverbank offering accommodation, so people can taste authentic local cuisine and experiencing country life.

Kangxi Grassland

Kangxi Grassland, 80 kilometers (50 miles) away from Beijing city, is also a famous cool summer resort for those traveling to Beijing in August. Every summer, green grass covered the ground and flowers are in full bloom. The herds around the yurts are integrated with mountains, water, and grasses, forming the breathtaking scenery. During the day, you can ride horse on the grasslands, at night you can hold a bonfire party to experience a different life style.