The coastal city of Qinhuangdao in north China's Hebei Province has emerged as an unexpected summer haven, drawing travelers from across the globe eager to escape the heat and soak up its unique blend of natural beauty and cultural charm.

Visitors can wander along the coastline, enjoy a wide range of water sports, discover exhibits of China's intangible cultural heritage, and lose themselves in immersive evening performances.

"I really love the sea in Beidaihe. The sea breeze is refreshing," said Stepan, a Russian visitor.

"The night view of Beidaihe is stunning. The live performances are fantastic, and the nightlife here is so rich and full of energy," said Veranika, another Russian visitor.

In the first half of this year alone, Qinhuangdao welcomed 43,000 inbound tourist arrivals, a sharp 50 percent jump year on year. The average stay for overseas visitors has more than doubled, rising from seven days to 15 days.