Discover suburban tranquility: Four hidden Fujian towns an hour away by high-speed rail
On holidays, if you want to avoid crowded popular attractions, a short trip within the province can be quite pleasant. Below is a list of four tranquil towns within an hour's high-speed rail journey, offering coastal scenery, century-old overseas Chinese heritage, karst caves, and ancient mountain villages. With few tourists and a peaceful environment, spending two days and one night relaxing and shedding daily fatigue is perfect💨
🌊First stop: Zhangpu (Xiamen → Zhangpu, about 30 minutes)
Keywords: Lesser-known coastal area, volcanic landscape, pristine and healing fishing village
Compared to the crowded and noisy popular islands, Zhangpu retains the most original appearance of the southern Fujian coast. Its clear blue sea combined with unique volcanic geological landscapes makes it a quiet and pleasant destination with few tourists, an excellent choice for a short seaside getaway.
· ✨Must-visit spots
◦ Volcanic Island Natural Ecological Scenic Area: Unique black volcanic rocks paired with a clear blue sea create an atmospheric setting. Easily capture stunning, atmospheric island photos that rival popular coastal resorts.
◦ Liuao Emerald Bay: Fine, soft white sand beach with windmills scattered along the coast. In the evening, the sunset paints the sea, creating a romantic and healing atmosphere.
◦ Abstract Gallery: Oddly shaped rocks, weathered by waves and time, form a naturally sculpted landscape with a strong artistic feel.
It is recommended to visit Emerald Bay in the evening to avoid the daytime sun and simultaneously enjoy the beach, windmills, and sunset. There will be fewer tourists, allowing for unobstructed photos.
· 🥢Must-try foods
◦ Zhangpu abalone: Locally caught fresh abalone, excellent value, allowing for affordable seafood indulgence.
◦ Tushun dong (sand worm jelly): A distinctive southern Fujian snack with a chewy, refreshing, and unique texture.
◦ Oyster omelet: Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, locking in the seafood flavor, a truly authentic southern Fujian taste.
· 🏡Accommodation: Seaside fishing village guesthouses, average price around CNY 180, offering sea views from the window, quiet and comfortable.
🏯Second stop: Yongchun (Quanzhou → Yongchun, about 40 minutes)
Keywords: Millennium ancient county, tea-scented town, slow city with overseas Chinese charm
This underestimated ancient county in southern Fujian hides unique overseas Chinese charm and a rich tea culture. Free from commercial hustle and bustle, it offers only the tranquility of ancient houses and the fragrance of tea-covered mountains, with a relaxed pace perfect for peaceful relaxation.
· ✨Must-visit spots
◦ Niumulin: Known as the "Xishuangbanna of southern Fujian," this entire primeval forest is lush and green, rich in negative oxygen ions, making hiking a super stress-relieving experience.
◦ Hushan Ancient Town: Clusters of century-old southern Fujian traditional houses, combined with old lychee groves, exude an antique charm, preserving the authentic atmosphere of an old street.
◦ Yongchun Old Vinegar Cultural and Creative Park: An immersive experience to learn about intangible cultural heritage vinegar culture and try handmade vinegar craftsmanship, full of fun.
Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit Yongchun. The mountains are covered with lush tea trees, and exploring ancient villages and smelling the tea creates a wonderful atmosphere. The weather is comfortable and not stuffy.
· 🥢Must-try foods
◦ Yongchun white duck soup: Sweet and mild, nourishing and refreshing, a local signature dish.
◦ Getan (hot pot): An affordable hot pot with southern Fujian characteristics, fresh ingredients, warm and comforting.
◦ Ma lao (fried glutinous rice balls): Crispy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside, sweet and delicious, an excellent souvenir.
· 🏡Accommodation: Ancient charm guesthouses in the ancient town, average price around CNY 190, renovated from old houses, offering an immersive slow-living experience.
⛰️Third stop: Jiangle (Sanming North → Jiangle, about 50 minutes)
Keywords: Karst wonderland, natural caves, cool mountain forest oxygen bar
A hidden summer retreat in northwest Fujian, with pleasant temperatures year-round, lush mountains, and fantastical caves. With almost no crowds, it's a treasure destination for escaping the heat and getting close to nature in summer.
· ✨Must-visit spots
◦ Yuhua Cave: Fujian's largest natural cave, with stalactites of various shapes illuminated by lights, resembling a dreamy underground palace, a truly stunning sight.
◦ Tianjieshan Forest Park: Dense forest vegetation. Climbing to the top offers panoramic views of the entire town. The hiking trails are gentle and easy, suitable for all ages.
◦ Changkou Village: A beautiful, popular rural village surrounded by green mountains and clear waters, with clean and fresh pastoral scenery, perfect for healing photos.
The temperature inside the cave is consistently low year-round. Even in midsummer, it's advisable to bring a light jacket to avoid catching a cold.
· 🥢Must-try foods
◦ Jiangle da juan (large roll): An authentic Hakka snack, savory, soft, and chewy, a local favorite.
◦ Smoked duck: Made with traditional smoking techniques, rich aroma, firm and flavorful meat.
◦ Red mushroom chicken soup: Boiled with rare wild ingredients, incredibly fresh, nutritious, and healthy.
· 🏡Accommodation: Boutique hotels in the county town, average price CNY 170–260, well-equipped facilities, convenient for travel, and excellent value.
🏮Fourth stop: Pingnan (Ningde → Pingnan, about 1 hour)
Keywords: Ancient mountain villages, summer retreat, artistic and healing hidden gem
A lesser-known county hidden deep in the mountains of eastern Fujian, with an average summer temperature of only 25℃. With gurgling streams and clusters of ancient villages, it's far from the city's hustle and bustle, making it a top choice for an immersive escape.
· ✨Must-visit spots
◦ Longtanli Ancient Village: An artistic ancient village nestled in a valley, with bookstores, streams, and small mountain shops scattered throughout, creating a deeply healing atmosphere.
◦ Yuanyang Stream: Deep canyons and numerous waterfalls, with clear, shallow waters perfect for playing and cooling off in summer.
◦ Jixia Village: A pristine ancient village from the Ming and Qing dynasties, surrounded by small bridges and flowing water, quiet and serene, offering an immersive experience of slow mountain life.
Many ancient villages in Pingnan have stone slab paths. It's recommended to wear comfortable flat shoes. There are many mosquitoes in the mountains, so remember to bring mosquito repellent.
· 🥢Must-try foods
◦ Pingnan taro noodles: Smooth, savory, and fresh, a staple breakfast for locals.
◦ Shoushan rabbit meat: Tender and fresh meat with no gamey taste, unique flavor, and highly characteristic of the local area.
◦ Qingcao juice guo (herbal jelly): Fragrant, soft, and chewy, made from natural herbs, refreshing and light.
· 🏡Accommodation: Mountain village guesthouses, average price CNY 220–320, offering views of green mountains from the window, falling asleep to the sounds of the mountain night.
📅Weekend itinerary (2 days and 1 night, relaxed and unhurried)
Day 1: Depart from various places in Fujian → 1-hour high-speed rail directly to the town → Check into guesthouse → Afternoon stroll through core attractions → Wait for the beautiful sunset → Try local specialty foods → Night tour of the town to experience the vibrant night scene.
Day 2: Morning stroll through lesser-known spots, enjoy a special breakfast → Relaxed return journey, a completely laid-back and leisurely trip, thoroughly escaping the crowds.
💡Small tips for your escape
1. High-speed rail tickets: Weekend short-distance travel can be busy, so it's recommended to book round-trip tickets 1 day in advance for a smoother trip.
2. Outfit suggestions: Light-colored clothing is suitable for ancient village trips, while bright-colored outfits are great for seaside trips, resulting in better photos.
3. Travel budget: Average cost per person for the entire trip is CNY 400–600, covering food, accommodation, and activities, offering much better value than popular tourist attractions.
4. Travel pace: Focus on a relaxed, slow travel experience. There's no need to deliberately visit all attractions; simply wandering, eating, and unwinding is enough to feel refreshed.
No need to travel far or meticulously plan long itineraries! These four lesser-known towns in Fujian, just an hour away, will fill your weekends with wonderful memories. Romantic mountains and seas, tranquil ancient villages, and cool mountain forests – they have it all. Pick a free weekend and start your healing micro-vacation now✨