4 Hidden Gem Towns for a Slow-Paced Getaway 🌿

Need to unwind for a few days? These 4 secluded towns accessible by high-speed rail are perfect! Songyang ancient villages, Shaxi Tea-Horse Road, Xiapu mudflats, Huangyao's slow living... Stay 3 days for just 1k+ RMB and escape city chaos completely! 🏡 Songyang: Jiangnan's Last Hidden Paradise ▪️ Slow-living highlights: - 【Yangjiatang Village】Dawn mist over the "Golden Potala Palace" - 【Pioneer Bookstore】Read in a cliffside glass café - 【Damushan Tea Plantation】Cycle through tea fields and try tea-making 🍴 Eat: Baixian Noodle's wine-lees large intestine noodles, salt-baked chicken 💡 Tips: 1h taxi from Lishui Station, cloud homestays ~150 RMB/person 🐎 Shaxi: Dali as it was 20 years ago ▪️ Idle moments: - 【Yujin Bridge】Listen to caravan bells at dusk - 【Friday Market】Hunt handmade tie-dye, drink fresh goat milk - 【Cosmic Bakery】Wait for random-flavored artisan bread 🍴 Eat: Peter's Kitchen, Three Fish Snacks 💡 Tips: 2h shared ride from Dali, 10x quieter than old towns 🌅 Xiapu: Photographers' Secret Haven ▪️ Golden hours: - 【Beqi Mudflats】Sunrise over seaweed racks at 5am - 【Dongbi Village】Santorini-like sunset over fishing boats - 【Yushan Island】Hike grassland lakes with ocean views 🍴 Eat: Minnan savory cakes, sweet potato cups 💡 Tips: 40min taxi from Ningde Station, stay at photo-themed B&Bs 🏮 Huangyao Ancient Town: Guangxi's Slow-Life Benchmark ▪️ Lazy routines: - 【Immortal Ancient Well】Foot soak + tea for 10 RMB/afternoon - 【Autumn Harvest】Red pepper photo ops (Sep-Oct) 🍴 Eat: Fermented bean noodles, bamboo shoot dumplings 💡 Tips: 2h bus from Guilin, free entry after 6pm 💤 Stay Guide: 1. Transport: Shaxi requires transfer from Dali, others direct by HSR 2. Lodging: Songyang's village homestays, Xiapu's Dongbi Village 3. Pace: 1-2 spots/day, focus on experiences ✨ Highlights: - Songyang+Shaxi for artsy souls - Xiapu for shutterbugs - Huangyao for pure relaxation 90% fewer tourists than Dali/Lijiang, half the prices!