The Summer Olympics is here, but with the sizzling sun and the humid weather, the happiness index is sure to plummet. If traveling to a tropical place is not an option, there is still a popular alternative - Tonglu County, situated at the Fuchun River in Zhejiang province in southeastern China.

A great mix of natural scenery and historic sites, Tonglu county was extolled by ancient poets. Karst caves, groves, springs, waterfalls, rivers, lakes, mountains and rocks can all be found here, helping you cool off down during the hot summer days.

The tourist attractions in Tonglu County that ranked as national parks as early as 1983 include the Fuchun River, Tongjun Hill, Yan Ziling Angling Terrace, the Baiyunyuan Valley and Yaolin Wonderland.

Other tourist spots have also been developed recently, adding to the radiant splendor of Tonglu county, such as Daqi Forest Park, Luci Bay Angling Islet, Fuchun River Stele Garden, Yaolin Wonderland Myth World Show Palace, and Thirty-Six Tricks Wax House.

Tranquil Fuchun River

This year Fuchun River welcomes its first "Summer Splash" festival with a water theme during the Olympic season. This festival is expected to enhance the joy of the summer days by providing a chance to watch the Olympic Games.

The renowned Fuchun River, like a green jade ribbon, stretches through the green and luxuriant hills. The most tantalizing place along the quiet and beautiful river is Tonglu county, dotted with tranquil villages and trees on both banks.

The stunning "small three gorges", situated on the Fuchun River, should not be missed. They are often compared to the Three Gorges along the Yangtze River in terms of natural beauty. Here, tourists can experience a series of cool water games, such as water cycling, water tug of war and water basketball.

As tourists drift along the Fuchun River, they might feel they are entering a mobile landscape painting, and will take delight in scenery pleasing both to the eye and the mind.

Yaolin Wonderland

During the Olympic season, visitors coming to the Yaolin caves can watch the live broadcast of the Games while cooling off in the caves. Yaolin Wonderland is a group of limestone caves formed by corrosion through the ages. With stalagmite and peak stones in fantastic shapes and colors as well as murmuring streams, pools and cliffs, its halls are interconnected with passages and chambers.

Yaolin Wonderland stretches 1 km in depth and covers 28,000 sq m. It ranks second on the list of the newly developed natural scenic sports among the Forty Best Tourist Resorts in China. It was also awarded as one of the Ten Best Tourist Resorts in Zhejiang province.

In the spacious fourth to sixth halls of Yaolin Wonderland, 300-odd immortals from more than 20 myths and legends, such as Nuwa Patching the Skies and Houyi Shooting Down the Nine Suns, are displayed through lifelike modern audio-animatronics, complementing the beauty of the stalagmites in the other three halls of Yaolin Wonderland and adding a touch of mythology.

Yan Ziling Angling Terrace

If you think taking a rest at the waterside, drinking a cup of Tonglu Kuding tea, and watching others fish are a great way to chill, head for the Yan Ziling Angling Terrace. It is located on the Fuchun Hill. Half way up the hill stand two giant rocks hundreds of meters high confronting each other. They are called the East Terrace and the West Terrace.

Yan Ziling, a hermit in the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD25-220), was a classmate of the emperor. He declined the latter's summons to assist him in his royal court and led a plain life, amusing himself by angling here. Later generations worship him as an intellectual who gave up personal fame and material pursuits.

Also check out Yan's Ancestral Temple, Kexing Pavilion, Shuangqing Pavilion, Cangbo Bridge, Qingfeng Lofty Study, the Stele Garden and the brook, which is famous as the 19th most beautiful of its kind in China. All these appeal to visitors a lot.

Tonglu county, the pearl of Fuchun River, thus has plenty of reasons to invite visitors from all over the world to appreciate its natural beauty and historic sites. One must also taste the unique delicacies of Tonglu county, such as Youfeimantou, a kind of fried bread sandwiched with beancurd with odor; Baiguogao, a kind of cake made of 100 fruits, and Youfeiguo, a kind of fried fruit.

Hangzhou China Travel Service: (24h) 86-571-88398499, 13588476467