SHANGHAI is hot and humid and it's going to stay that way for several months. But there are cool refuges, near and far, some in China, some as far as Finland and the Canadian Rockies. Here are a few of them, Hu Min recommends. Canadian Rockies

The Canadian Rockies are awe-inspiring and virtually defy description. The region contains snowy peaks, glaciers, glacier-fed lakes, pristine forests, limestone caves and flower-filled meadows.

National parks such as Banff (including emerald-green Lake Louise), Jasper, Waterton, Yoho and Kootenay draw visitors from around the world.

Jasper is the wildest of the mountain parks and contains a superb back country trail system as well as the world famous Columbia Icefields.

The Canadian Rockies in summer are cool.



? Tips:

A rental car is one of the best ways to tour the region. The Icefields Parkway is the most popular drive in rockies. There's a big diurnal temperature difference, so dress appropriately.

Redang Island, Malaysia



A good way to beat the heat is to dive into water and Pulau Redang (Redang Island) in Malaysia offers spectacular snorkeling and scuba diving.

One of the largest islands off Malaysia's east coast, Redang has snow-soft sand, azure water and brilliantly colored coral, fish and other sea life. There are also sea turtles.

Redang is one of nine islands forming a marine park that contains around 500 types of coral in a reef and 3,500 species of fish.

Visitors can see how sea turtles lay eggs between May and September at the sea turtles reserve.

The best time to visit is between May and October. The typhoon season lasts from November through April.



? Tips:

Direct flights for the island leave from Kuala Lumpur's Subang Airport. Visitors can take ferries from Shahbandar jetty in Kuala Terengganu (KT) or Merang jetty. Most ferries leave in the morning, so plan to arrive in KT or Merang earlier to allow plenty of time to catch the ferry. Temperatures on Redang Island are high throughout the year, so hats and sun block are necessary.

Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, China



One needn't go to Provence for seas of lavender, delicate fragrance and dreamy scenery. Vast fields of lavender are planted in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

The Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture in Xinjiang is a tranquil spot and the valley is a sea of lavender when the flowers are in full bloom. From June to August, it's a vision in purple covering more than 13 square kilometers.

The area is one of the world's four major cultivation areas, together with Provence in France, Hokkaido in Japan and the Caucasus in Eurasia.

In 1964, lavender was introduced to Ili from Provence.

People can buy lavender essential oils in Ili.



? Tips:

Vehicles can be rented in Urumqi for Kazak. The road passes several scenic spots such as Sayram Lake and pasture lands. The lavender blossom period is short, so be quick.

Suomenlinna, Finland



Of course, one could always chill in Scandinavia.

Finland contains thousands of lakes and islands and it's famous for outdoor recreation such as hiking, cycling, boating, fishing and leisurely berry picking in meadows. There are also quaint villages to explore.

Suomenlinna (Castle of Finland) is sea fortress built on six islands. It offers spectacular scenery, from cliffs and beaches to wild meadows. The flora and fauna are at their richest in summer. The Swedish crown began construction of the fortress in 1748 as protection against Russian expansion.

The area contains a number of museums, as well as the Finnish submarine, Vesikko. The fortification, the monumental King's Gate and Suomenlinna Church are major attractions.

It is popular for people in Helsinki, the capital, to take a 15-minute ferry trip to Suomenlinna, a popular picnicking spot. The summer temperature is comfortable, ranging between 13 and 23 degrees Celsius and the daytime is long, lasting around 19 hours around the summer solstice.

Suomenlinna is a UNESCO World Heritage site.



? Tips:

Only accessible by water. There is year-round regular ferry service from Market Square in downtown Helsinki to Suomenlinna. The 2-kilometer crossing takes 15-20 minutes. There are no minibuses or bicycles for hire, so wear walking shoes.

Mountain resort of Chengde, China

Chinese ancestors knew how to beat the heat, and the mountain resort of Chengde in north China's Hebei Province is the magnificent result of their efforts.

Literally meaning "mountain villa for avoiding the heat" in Manchu, Chengde was chosen by Emperor Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) as the location for his summer residence in 1703. The resort took 89 years to complete.

The resort is 180 kilometers from Beijing and covers 5.6 square kilometers. The emperors' playground is complex of palaces and gardens.

Because of its vast collection of varied landscapes and architecture, the resort in many ways represents the variety of gardens, pagodas, temples and palaces from around China. It contains 72 scenic spots.

Emperors Kangxi, Qianlong and Jiaqing in the Qing Dynasty spent several months a year in Chengde to escape the heat in the capital city of Beijing. The palace zone in the southern part of the resort was designed to resemble the Forbidden City in Beijing. Emperor Jiaqing died at Chengde in 1820.

The main palace contains a front court where the emperor received high officials, nobles of minority nationalities and foreign envoys; and in the rear are the imperial family's living quarters.

The best time to visit is summer and early autumn. The temperature is cool and lotus is in full bloom in July and August.



? Tips:

Buses No. 5, 7 and 11 from Chengde Railway Station go to the resort. Chengde city taxis should cost less than 10 yuan (US$1.60). Hotels in the resort are not recommended: conditions are poor and prices are high.



Moganshan, China

Just 200 kilometers and three hours from Shanghai, Moganshan is one of the most delightful resorts in China and an increasing number of foreigners have fled Shanghai to the mountain in Deqing County, Zhejiang Province.

There are lush greenery, bamboo forests, mountain streams, secluded temples and many European villas. It used to be a haunt of botanists and ornithologists.

It's usually 6-7 degrees Celsius cooler than in Shanghai.

There's a saying that in Moganshan there's no need of a fan in the daytime, but quilt is a must at night.

Legend has it that China's most talented swordsmith Gan Jiang and his wife Mo Ye cast and forged a pair of special swords on the mountain for Emperor Wu. Hence, the name Moganshan (shan means mountain). Sword Pond is a major tourist attraction. Nearby are statues of Gan and Mo and a cracked black stone - the cleft looks like a sword cut.



? Tips:

Buses for Moganshan leave from the Shanghai Railway Station and the Hutai Road Coach Station. The trip takes around three hours. Travelers can also take the train to Hangzhou and then a bus to Moganshan, around 60 kilometers.