While much of China swelters this summer, savvy travelers are heading to one of the country's cooler destinations: Liupan Mountain National Forest Park in Jingyuan County, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. With average summer temperatures hovering around 18 degrees Celsius and forest cover topping 80%, it's become one of summer's favorite cool-down spots.

The star of the park is Xiao'nanchuan – nicknamed the "Jiuzhaigou of the northwest China" for its crystal streams and dense, shaded woods. Follow the winding creek and you're covered by canopy shade the whole way, sunlight barely getting a ray in.

There's greenery everywhere. Wander along the water, stop for photos, breathe it all in. This is what summer is hoped to feel like.