In China's vast urban map, there are a few places that have become summer paradises with their unique climatic advantages. While most of the country is experiencing hot summers, these cities are able to offer a cooler experience, and their summers are like air conditioning is a redundant fixture. Kunming, Xining and Dalian, these three cities have become the first choice for people to travel in summer because of their unique natural conditions and cultural environment. They not only have a pleasant climate, but also convenient transportation and moderate consumption levels, so that 1,000 yuan per capita can enjoy a good time for a week. The unique charm of these cities is reflected not only in the pleasant climate, but also in their unique economic and cultural ecology. As a macroeconomist, I will interpret the charm of these cities from an economic perspective, exploring the economic wisdom and development strategies behind them.
Argument 1: Kunming - China's "Spring City".
Kunming, known as the "eternal spring", has a pleasant climate, with an average temperature of around 15 degrees all year round, and even in the hot summer, the temperature rarely exceeds 31 degrees. Such climatic conditions make Kunming a summer resort for domestic and foreign tourists. Kunming's economic development is closely linked to its climatic characteristics, and tourism has become a key force driving the local economic development. Data for 2023 shows that Kunming's tourism revenue has grown steadily, attracting a large number of domestic and foreign tourists.
There are many tourist attractions in Kunming, such as the stone forest of the world natural heritage, the Chongsheng Temple with a thousand-year-old history, and the beautiful Dianchi Lake, which are all must-visit places for tourists. The Yunnan Nationalities Village and Jinma Biji Fang fully demonstrate the rich and colorful local ethnic culture and lifestyle. In terms of food, special snacks such as cross-bridge rice noodles and flower cakes are very popular among tourists, and the exotic Thai-Vietnamese cuisine also provides tourists with more choices.
The ease of transportation is another important factor that attracts tourists in Kunming. The rapid development of high-speed rail has enabled Kunming to achieve rapid connections with many large cities in China, such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. In addition, the per capita disposable income of residents in Kunming is relatively low, according to 2023 data, which also makes the cost of living and tourism consumption in Kunming relatively low, with 1,000 yuan per capita to enjoy a week's leisure and tourism life.
Argument 2: Xining – a cool city on the plateau
Xining, a city on the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau, is an ideal place to escape the heat with its pleasant climate and unique location. The average summer temperature in Xining is around 20 degrees Celsius, and the maximum temperature rarely exceeds 30 degrees, which makes Xining the "summer capital of China".
From an economic point of view, Xining, as a transportation hub and cultural center on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, has an economic structure mainly composed of service industries, tourism and light industry. With the continuous improvement of high-speed rail and air routes, Xining is becoming more and more closely connected with other major cities in the country, which provides convenient conditions for Xining's economic development. Xining is rich in tourism resources, and tourist attractions such as Ta'er Temple, Qinghai Lake, and the Ancient Tea Horse Road attract not only a large number of religious believers, but also many tourists seeking natural beauty and cultural experiences.
Xining's cuisine is also part of its economy and culture, with specialty foods such as Qinghai yogurt and hand-fingered mutton enjoying a good reputation throughout the country. At the same time, the cost of living in Xining is relatively low, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, the per capita disposable income of residents in Xining is lower than the national average, which also makes the cost of travel in Xining low, with 1,000 yuan per capita enough to support a week's travel spending.
Argument 3: Dalian - a seaside summer resort in Northeast China
Dalian, a beautiful coastal city, is known for its pleasant summer climate and beautiful coastline. The average summer temperature in Dalian is around 24 degrees Celsius, which gives people a cool and comfortable feeling. Dalian's economic development is inextricably linked to its geographical location, and it is an important seaport city in Northeast China and one of the important tourist cities in China.
Dalian's seascape is naturally its greatest charm, and Xinghai Square, Laohutan and other places are the best places for tourists to watch the sea. Historical and cultural attractions such as Zhongshan Square and Russian Style Street show the multicultural background of Dalian. Dalian's cuisine is mainly based on seafood, and fresh seafood is the specialty here.
Dalian's transportation network is also convenient, and the convenience of high-speed rail and air routes has enabled Dalian to achieve rapid connections with many cities at home and abroad. According to KPMG China, the per capita disposable income of residents in Dalian is slightly higher than the national average, but the overall consumption level is still moderate, and 1,000 yuan per capita can enjoy a pleasant holiday in Dalian for a week.
Kunming, Xining and Dalian, these three cities have become the first choice for summer escape with their unique climatic advantages and rich tourism resources. They not only show the characteristics of China's vast territory and diverse climate, but also show the wisdom and strategy of China's urban economic development. Here, people can not only enjoy the cool climate, but also experience different cultural customs and economic vitality.