Escape Bengbu for the weekend | 5 less-known slow cities reachable by high-speed rail in 1–3 hours, with beautiful scenery and fewer crowds
Do you want to escape the city's hustle and bustle as soon as the weekend arrives? Starting from Bengbu, within a 1–3 hour high-speed rail radius, there are many hidden gem small cities with fewer crowds, beautiful scenery, and a slower pace! No need to take time off, no rushing, just pack up and go. Please keep this "weekend escape plan" 👇
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🏯 Guzhen | A thousand-year-old ancient city traversing Chu and Han dynasties
[Highlights] The site of the "Battle of Gaixia," with an incredibly rich Han culture! So few people that you can have the historical sites to yourself, immersing yourself in the tragic story of Xiang Yu and Yu Ji.
[2-day, 1-night itinerary]
· Day 1: Morning at Guzhen County Museum (3,000+ artifacts, see Han dynasty treasures) > Guyang City Ruins Park; afternoon at Jinpu Railway Guzhen Station Ruins Park > Xu Shen Cultural Park; evening at Chu-Han Pedestrian Street for intangible cultural heritage night market.
· Day 2: Immersive tour of Gaixia Ruins Park (prehistoric city rammed earth walls + Farewell My Concubine sculpture group) > Return trip.
[Must-try food] Chu-Han night market snacks (CNY 30–50 per person).
[Transportation] High-speed rail to Bengbu South Station, then about a 1-hour taxi ride to Guzhen County; about a 1-hour drive via Guben Expressway.
[Suitable for] History buffs, culture enthusiasts, and literary youth who enjoy quietly exploring historical sites.
🏛️ Fengyang | The starting point of the Ming Dynasty
[Highlights] The hometown of Zhu Yuanzhang, which almost became the capital of the Ming Dynasty! The historical sites are pristine, with very few tourists, so you don't have to avoid people when taking photos.
[2-day, 1-night itinerary]
· Day 1: Morning at Fengyang Museum (see the "Panlong Stone Base" museum treasure) > Mingzhongdu National Archaeological Site Park; evening stroll around Mingzhongdu Drum Tower.
· Day 2: Morning at Xiaogang Village (birthplace of reform and opening up, free visit to the Dabao Gan Memorial Hall) > afternoon at Langxiang Miyu (admission CNY 60, ride a vintage mini-train through karst landforms).
[Must-try food] Fengyang stuffed tofu, Xiaogang Village farmhouse dishes (clay pot crispy rice, firewood chicken, CNY 40 per person).
[Transportation] High-speed rail to Bengbu South Station, then about a 20-minute taxi/bus ride to Fengyang County (bus CNY 4, shared taxi about CNY 20); about a 40-minute drive via Banghe Expressway.
[Suitable for] History lovers, cultural travelers, and office workers seeking tranquility.
🌿 Huaiyuan | A taste of three provinces in one bite
[Highlights] A small city in northern Anhui where the Huai and Wo rivers meet, directly accessible by high-speed rail in 20 minutes! The aroma of Shandong cuisine, the richness of Henan cuisine, and the freshness of Huaiyang cuisine all blend into one bowl.
[2-day, 1-night itinerary]
· Day 1: Morning at Bailu Spring Scenic Area (Su Shi-certified "Seventh Spring under Heaven," climb Wanghuai Tower for a panoramic view of the Huai River) > afternoon at Jingshan + Yuwang Palace (where Bian He discovered the Heshi Bi jade, easy hiking).
· Day 2: Morning at Xigang Ancient Street (a living Ming and Qing dynasty ancient street, no commercial tricks, bluestone paths + old teahouses to listen to Sizhou opera) > afternoon stroll and sunset viewing at Wohe Wetland Park.
[Must-try food] Breakfast sesame pancake with shredded pork (CNY 5), Huaiyuan roasted whole chicken (CNY 40–60 per person), Huaiwang fish with glass noodles.
[Transportation] High-speed rail to Bengbu South Station, then transfer to a bus, or about a 1-hour drive via Shanghai-Chongqing Expressway.
[Suitable for] Foodies, slow travelers, and friends who love the vibrant atmosphere of old streets.
🌊 Wuhe | Northern Anhui's "Little Jiangnan" water town
[Highlights] A water town in northern Anhui where five rivers converge, with a solitary lighthouse at the junction of the Huai and Kui rivers, peaceful like a forgotten secret realm.
[2-day, 1-night itinerary]
· Day 1: Morning stroll along Shunhe Old Street (Ming and Qing dynasty ancient residences, bluestone paths) > afternoon boating at Tuohu Wetland (nearly 100,000 mu of water, flocks of water birds); evening sunset viewing at Huaihe Lighthouse.
· Day 2: Boat tour of Tianjing Lake Scenic Area (visit the thousand-year-old temple on the island) > Return trip.
[Must-try food] "Three Treasures of Wuhe" (silverfish, hair-tail fish, crabs), Tuohu crabs (a must-eat in autumn), thousand-head fish noodle soup.
[Transportation] About a 1-hour drive directly from Bengbu city; high-speed rail to Bengbu South Station, then transfer to long-distance bus.
[Suitable for] Water town enthusiasts, photographers, and city dwellers seeking quiet contemplation.
🍵 Huainan | Slow living in the birthplace of tofu
[Highlights] The origin of the idiom "when one man gets to heaven, all his pets and livestock go with him," the only Song dynasty ancient city wall in the country, incredibly low prices, CNY 300 per person for two days!
[2-day, 1-night itinerary]
· Day 1: Morning at Bagongshan National Geopark (tofu making experience + geological museum with 4D volcano film, admission CNY 40–60) > afternoon at Shouxian Ancient City (bike ride around the Song dynasty city wall, see the "Chu Great Ding" at the Chu Culture Museum).
· Day 2: Morning at Jiaogang Lake Wetland (thousands of acres of lotus flowers are stunning from June to August, boat ticket CNY 78) > afternoon return trip.
[Must-try food] Qianfeng Snack Street beef soup with crispy sesame pancake (CNY 10 for a filling meal), Shouxian Dajiaojia (CNY 5 each), Wangji Tofu Feast (chrysanthemum tofu soup recommended).
[Transportation] High-speed rail to Huainan East Station; about a 1.5-hour drive via Banghe Expressway.
[Suitable for] Food hunters, culture enthusiasts, and students on a budget.
📝 Small tips for departing from Bengbu
1. 🚗 Driving conditions: Highways around Bengbu are generally good, but Ningluo Expressway is prone to congestion during weekend return peaks, so it's recommended to return early Sunday afternoon.
2. 🎫 High-speed rail tickets: Bengbu South Station is a high-speed rail hub for Beijing-Shanghai/Beijing-Fuzhou lines, and tickets are tight on weekends. It's safest to book 2–3 days in advance!
3. 👗 Outfit suggestions: Northern Anhui is hot in summer with many mosquitoes, so it's recommended to bring sun protection clothing + mosquito repellent; wear comfortable flat shoes when exploring ancient cities and historical sites.
4. 📱 Navigation: Map annotations for less-known attractions may not be precise, so remember to download offline maps before departing.
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Don't just lie around this weekend! Pick one, pack up and go, escape the city's hustle and bustle, and recharge yourself in these less-known slow cities 🔋