Where to Go in Beijing from June to July? These 5 Hidden Gems Offer Ultimate Coolness!

Who says Beijing in summer is only about the heat? Those who truly understand the city actually love spending June and July afternoons exploring hutongs, shaded alleys, and ancient libraries, discovering Beijing’s best-kept "cool" secrets.

1⃣ Dongjiaominxiang (Old Legation Quarter) – A "European Corner" Under the Trees
Location: Dongcheng District, adjacent to Tiananmen’s east side
🚇 Transport: 8-minute walk from Qianmen Station (Line 2)
🧭 This is China’s only well-preserved cluster of Western-style embassy buildings. In summer, the tree-lined streets filter sunlight beautifully. Unlike the bustling Nanluoguxiang, it’s perfect for quiet strolls. Red-brick walls, carved windows, and old tram tracks exude history. Walking from the former French Post Office to the Belgian Legation feels like time-traveling between colonial Europe and Republican-era China—especially magical at dusk.

2⃣ National Museum of Classic Books – Where the AC Outshines the Literature
Location: Inside the National Library East Branch, Haidian District
🎫 Admission: Free (book via official WeChat mini-program)
🚇 Transport: Direct access from National Library Station (Line 4)
🧭 A low-key but intellectually rich museum showcasing oracle bones, Dunhuang manuscripts, rare Ming-Qing texts, and the *Yongle Encyclopedia*. The silence here is profound—ideal for reading and cooling down (literally, bring a jacket—the AC is intense).

3⃣ Beijing Botanical Garden’s Water Lily Pond – Monet’s Garden IRL
Location: At the foot of Fragrant Hills, inside Beijing Botanical Garden
🎫 Ticket: ¥10 (some greenhouses cost extra)
🕰 Best time: Blooms start in June; peak mid-July to early August
🚇 Transport: 5-minute walk from Botanical Garden Station (Xijiao Line)
🧭 Every summer, the aquatic plant area transforms into a dreamy water lily paradise—pink, white, and purple blossoms glistening under the sun. Few visitors mean unobstructed photo ops. Nearby shaded trails offer fragrant, breezy walks with cicada serenades.

4⃣ Liulichang Cultural Street × Hutong Branches – Old Beijing’s Slow-Life Stage
Location: Near Hepingmen, Xicheng District
🚇 Transport: Short walk from Hepingmen Station (Line 2)
🧭 This "scholars’ street" is lined with antique shops and calligraphy stores, more authentic than Panjiayuan. Summer afternoons here feature elders repairing brushes, kids with popsicles, and deep hutong vibes. Explore side alleys like Xidamochang or Zhangzizhong Hutongs for Republican-era architecture—perfect for sketching or daydreaming.

5⃣ Beihang University Campus – An Urban Oasis
Location: Xueyuan Road, Haidian District
🚇 Transport: 15-minute walk from Zhichunlu Station (Line 10)
🧭 The spacious campus is a canopy of phoenix and ginkgo trees, staying cool even at noon. With students away in summer, it’s serene for walks, reading, or admiring aerospace exhibits. Evening breezes and campus broadcasts create unmatched ambiance.

📎 Final Notes
If winter calls for hot *douzhi* in hutongs, summer in Beijing is about finding quiet, cool corners to savor the city’s unhurried beauty. String these 5 spots together for a locals-approved micro-getaway.