Four hidden gem cities perfect for a three-day stay, easily accessible by high-speed rail – a travel must-see for the lazy!
✅Gaoyou, Jiangsu | Canal Town, Wang Zengqi's Local Charm, Relaxing Flatland (Highly Recommended for travelers from Jiangsu/Zhejiang/Northern China, those who appreciate a slow-paced lifestyle)
· High-speed rail: Direct from Gaoyou Station, approximately 40 minutes from Nanjing, 1.5 hours from Shanghai; 10-minute taxi ride from the station to the old town, the entire town is flat, accessible by walking/shared electric bikes, almost no hills required.
· Atmosphere: The Grand Canal, an original Jianghuai old town, minimal commercialization, slow-paced local life, gentle and soothing morning tea/lake delicacies; Wang Zengqi's hometown, understated yet flavorful, quiet and peaceful.
· 3-Day Itinerary:
Day 1: Mengcheng Post Station (Ming Dynasty Ancient Post Station) → South Gate Old Street, eat Pubaorou (stuffed pork), Gaoyou Yangchun Noodles, salted duck eggs → stroll along the canal and watch the sunset.
Day 2: Wang Zengqi Memorial Hall, Zhenguo Temple Pagoda → relax by Gaoyou Lake/Reed Marsh, cycle, watch the sunset over the lake. Day 3: Morning tea (hot dried bean curd strips, crab roe buns), local market, Qingshuitan Metasequoia Forest, leisurely return trip.
· Advantages: Most convenient and stress-free, gentlest pace, affordable prices, flat terrain suitable for the elderly/lazy people, direct high-speed rail access without transfers; Disadvantages: Few attractions, relatively quiet and artistic, less bustling atmosphere.
✅Lanxi, Zhejiang | Morning tea and local life + ancient village maze, central Zhejiang Jiangnan, rich in culture (love ancient villages, local life, summer retreat)
· High-speed rail: Direct from Lanxi East Station (about 1 hour from Hangzhou East); taxis/buses are needed to get from the city center to Zhuge Bagua Village and Youbu Ancient Town, attractions are slightly scattered, short commutes required.
· Atmosphere: Youbu morning tea (opens at dawn, local old teahouses), Zhuge Bagua Village (an ancient village of nine palaces and eight trigrams from the descendants of Zhuge Liang), underground river cave with a constant temperature of 18℃ for summer retreat, authentic local life, not trendy, very lively atmosphere.
· 3-Day Itinerary:
Day 1: Morning tea in Youbu Ancient Town (5-9 am) – Rouchenzi (meat dumplings), Jiziguo (chicken omelet), soy milk → Explore the ancient village maze of Zhuge Bagua Village
Day 2: Underground River (boat ride into a karst cave, cool off) → Stroll through Lanxi Ancient City, Mustard Seed Garden, and Lanhu Lake
Day 3: Slowly stroll through the old streets, enjoy Lanxi beef noodles, and return home leisurely.
· Advantages: Unique cultural atmosphere, one-of-a-kind morning tea experience, comfortable karst cave in summer; Disadvantages: Scattered attractions, taxi required, entrance fee to Bagua Village, slightly crowded during peak season, not entirely relaxing, requires some walking.
✅Guangxi Wuzhou|Lingnan arcade buildings, Cantonese cuisine, Three Rivers view, warm-toned old town (For those who like Lingnan style, food, arcade building photography, and those departing from Guangdong and Guangxi)
· High-speed rail: Direct from Wuzhou South Station; taxi to the arcade old town takes about 20 minutes; Cantonese-speaking environment, humid and hot climate (be aware in summer).
· Atmosphere: A century-old arcade city (largest in the country, free admission), the confluence of the Xijiang and Sanjiang rivers, Baiyun Mountain, Liubao tea, Cantonese morning tea/paper-wrapped chicken/guilinggao/Bingquan soy milk, Lingnan charm, warm and historically rich.
· 3-Day Itinerary:
Day 1: Stroll through the arcade city, Weixinli Old Alley → Longmu Temple → Riverside night view, night market snacks
Day 2: Baiyun Mountain (view of the confluence of the three rivers), Bingquan soy milk, City Museum, Liubao Tea Street
Day 3: Stroll through the old town, enjoy morning tea, buy Liubao tea souvenirs and return home.
· Advantages: Extensive arcade buildings, authentic and affordable food, mild climate; Disadvantages: Farthest from Shaanxi, longer high-speed rail journey, hot and humid summers, hilly terrain, style leans towards Guangdong and Guangxi
✅ Yifeng, Jiangxi | Zen-inspired bamboo forest, tranquil and healthy, very few people, secluded and less crowded (pure relaxation, enjoy mountains, forests, bamboo forests, Zen meditation, hot springs, avoid crowds)
· High-speed rail: Yifeng Station is accessible, but the core attractions (Dongshan, Tianbao Ancient Village, Jiutian Hot Spring) are scattered, requiring taxis/car rentals for transportation; it's not like you can immediately explore the old town after exiting the station. It's convenient from Nanchang, but a detour from Baoji, requiring more transfers.
· Atmosphere: Dongshan, the ancestral temple of the Caodong sect; Tianbao, a Ming and Qing dynasty Gan-style ancient village; bamboo forest oxygen bar; hot springs; almost no tourists; extremely quiet; mountain forest health retreat; a truly therapeutic place to relax and unwind.
· 3-day itinerary:
Day 1: Slow stroll through Tianbao Ancient Village, Gan-style ancient architecture, few people and quiet.
Day 2: Zen meditation at Puli Temple in Dongshan; hiking in the bamboo forest for fresh air.
Day 3: Relax at Tianmu Hot Springs; local county cuisine (shumai, dried bamboo shoots).
· Advantages: Least crowded; tranquil and therapeutic; natural oxygen bar; comfortable hot springs.
Disadvantages: Most difficult transportation; scattered attractions; weak commercial facilities; limited food and accommodation options; remote mountain area, not a city retreat.