Reverse travel from September to October, avoid the crowds, and visit the 6 best off-the-beaten-path cities!
Meaning of travel
The true value of travel lies in: "Because I have witnessed the beauty of the world, I love life more and look forward to the next exciting journey."
01
📍Leshan, Sichuan Province
Leshan, formerly known as Jiazhou, boasts three world-class heritage sites including the natural and cultural heritage of Mount Emei and the Leshan Giant Buddha, as well as the irrigation heritage of Dongfeng Weir. It is also known as the "Land of Begonia Fragrance."
✅Transportation
Flight: Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport High-speed rail/train: Leshan North Station, Leshan Station
✅Recommended accommodations
Leshan Jiazhou International Youth Hostel, Leshan Impression Hotel (chain economy), Jiazhou Yaju Boutique Homestay
✅Must-visit attractions
Leshan Confucian Temple, Mount Emei Scenic Area, Jiayang Small Train, Leshan Museum, Oriental Buddha Park, Leshan Giant Buddha, Bagou Ancient Town
✅Local delicacies
Qiaojiao Beef, Mianmian Ice, Rice Flower Candy, Tofu Pudding, Chicken Feet, Sweet Skin Duck, Bobo Chicken, Egg Pancake, Brown Sugar Glutinous Rice Cake
✅Suggested itinerary
Day 1: Leshan Giant Buddha → Oriental Buddha Park → Jiadingfang → Leshan Museum → Suji Ancient Town
Day 2: Leshan Confucian Temple → Laoxiaoding → Xiaowu Li Book House → Long March Park → Sifang Street
Day 3: Jiayang Small Train → Bagou Ancient Town → Qianwei Confucian Temple → New Square Pigeon House → Hengdu Wharf
02
📍Mangshi, Yunnan Province
Mangshi is surrounded by mountains on three sides and water on all sides, with mountains and white clouds visible everywhere. The sky here is low and the clouds thick, and the thick clouds between the mountains are always breathtaking.
✅Transportation
Flight: Mangshi International Airport High-speed rail/train: Mangshi Station
✅Recommended accommodations
Mangshi Youth Hostel (such as Lantingju), Mangshi Yuelianzhuang Homestay, Ruili Jingchengdi Sea Hot Spring Center
✅Must-visit attractions
Shubao Pagoda, Silver Pagoda, Dehong Museum, Golden Pagoda, Lei Ajiang Bookstore, Bodhi Temple, Tuanjie Street, Dai Ancient Town
✅Local delicacies
Ersi (rice noodles), Paoluda, Baojiang Tofu, Lemon Corner, Sapie, Shuai Baba, Iced Milk Tea, Beef Stew, Jingpo Green Leaf Banquet
✅Suggested itinerary
Day 1: Shubao Pagoda → Bodhi Street → Bodhi Temple → New Play Factory → Menghuan Great Golden Pagoda → Menghuan Silver Pagoda
Day 2: Mangshi Square → Tuanjie Street → Bingwu Clothing City → Xingchang Agricultural Market → Dai Ancient Town → Jewelry Town
03
📍Yantai, Shandong Province
Strolling along Yantai’s seaside, the soft and delicate sand beneath your feet feels like a gentle conversation with the sea. The waves gently lap the shore, producing rhythmic sounds.
✅Transportation
Flight: Yantai Penglai International Airport High-speed rail/train: Yantai Station, Yantai South Station
✅Recommended accommodations
Home Inn Business Hotel (Yantai Binhai Plaza Branch), Haiyuege Inn, Yangmadao Tourism Resort Economy Villas
✅Must-visit attractions
Yangmadao, Yantai Mountain, Penglai Pavilion, Lonely Whale, Fisherman’s Wharf, Chaoyang Street, Suochengli, Penglai Changdao, Binhai Middle Road
✅Local delicacies
Yantai Menzi, Sea Intestine Rice, Fushan Big Noodles, Laizhou Mutton Soup, Penglai Small Noodles, Teppanyaki Squid, Hairtail Fish Dumplings
✅Suggested itinerary
Day 1: Penglai Pavilion → Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea Scenic Area → Lonely Whale → Jinsha Bay Seaside Park → Housha Square
Day 2: Yantai Mountain Scenic Area → Chaoyang Street → First Seawater Bathing Beach → Fisherman’s Wharf → Yantai University Seawater Bathing Beach
Day 3: Pink Sand Beach → Xin’an River Grand Bridge → Yangmadao → Island Diary → Lotus Sunset → Return
04
📍Lanzhou, Gansu Province
Lanzhou boasts stunning natural scenery. The Yellow River flows through the city, its rushing waters showcasing the majestic power of nature.
✅Transportation
Flight: Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport High-speed rail/train: Lanzhou Station
✅Recommended accommodations
All Seasons Hotel (Lanzhou South Binhe Road Branch), Xuzhou Boton Wyndham Hotel (New District Branch), Home Inn Business Hotel (Lanzhou West Station Branch)
✅Must-visit attractions
Ink Wash Danxia, Zhongshan Bridge, Baita Mountain, Gansu Museum, Santai Pavilion, Waterwheel Expo Park, Guohuang Art Museum
✅Local delicacies
Spicy Hot Pot, Beef Noodles, Sanpaotai, Manor Yogurt, Roasted Lamb, Ma San Potato Chips, Juicy Wide Noodles, Stuffed Skin Noodles
✅Suggested itinerary
Day 1: Gansu Provincial Museum → Xiaoxihu Yellow River Mother Statue → Baita Mountain → Zhongshan Bridge → Zhangye Road Pedestrian Street
Day 2: Ink Wash Danxia → Yellow River Tower → Lanzhou Old Street → Lanshan Santai Pavilion → Nanguan Night Market
05
📍Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province
Jiaxing, an ancient city nestled in the heart of the Jiangnan water towns, has long been famous for its unique geographical location and rich cultural heritage.
✅Transportation
Flight: Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport High-speed rail/train: Jiaxing Station, Jiaxing South Station
✅Recommended accommodations
Jiaxing Nanhu Hotel, Wucun Toy Homestay, Xitang Muyangju Inn, Xitang Riverside Homestay
✅Must-visit attractions
Wuzhen, Yuehe Old Street, Meiwan Street, Xitang Ancient Town, Ferris Wheel, Nanxun Ancient Town, Wucun, Jiaxing Nanhu Lake
✅Local delicacies
Eight Treasures Cake, Dongpo Pork, Salted Egg Yolk Fairy Bean Cake, Snow Vegetable Braised Wang Fish, Meat Juice Bamboo Shoots, Taro Cake, Purple Sweet Potato Fairy Bean Cake
✅Suggested itinerary
Day 1: Jiaxing Nanhu Lake → Nanhu Tiandi → Catholic Church → Yuehe Historic District → Flower and Bird Lane
Day 2: Xitang Ancient Town → Shipinong → Button Museum → Wuzhen East Scenic Area → Muxin Art Museum
Day 3: Jiaxing Botanical Garden → Zicheng Ruins Park → Meiwan Street → Yuexiu Market → Xiushui Nianhua Ferris Wheel
06
📍Qinhuangdao, Hebei Province
On the coast of Qinhuangdao, the waves gently lap the rocks as if whispering stories from a thousand years ago. Qinhuang once entered the sea here seeking immortality, leaving behind mysterious legends.
✅Transportation
Flight: Qinhuangdao Beidaihe Airport High-speed rail/train: Qinhuangdao Station, Beidaihe Station, Changli Station
✅Recommended accommodations
Beidaihe Liuzhuang Homestay Area, Hilton Hampton by Hilton Qinhuangdao Beidaihe, Shanhaiguan Wangyang Road Hotel
✅Must-visit attractions
Jinmeng Bay, Qianshui Bay Bathing Beach, Pigeon Nest Park, Tiger Stone, Sea and Sky in One Color, Xigang Garden
✅Local delicacies
Seafood stuffed steamed dumplings, Fried Meat Strips, Shanhaiguan Hun Pot, Mixed Chicken Frame, Potato Pancakes, Soup-filled Grilled Cold Noodles
✅Suggested itinerary
Day 1: Tiger Stone Park → Xianluo Island Park → Cat’s Sky City → Cloud Swing → Anaya
Day 2: Pigeon Nest → Sea and Sky in One Color → Qianshui Bay Bathing Beach → Wildlife Park → Golden Bay Beach
Day 3: Biluo Tower → Qinhuangdao Glass Museum → Shanhaiguan Old Dragon’s Head → Return trip
Nanhu Lake is not only beautiful, but also filled with historical stories, particularly those related to the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China. There's even a museum there. The scenery is closely integrated with revolutionary education. A guided tour is highly recommended.
Jiaxing's Nanhu Scenic Area, a National 5A-rated scenic spot, blends lakeside beauty with revolutionary memories. The Misty Rain Tower on the lake's heart island evokes the legacy of the Five Dynasties, while the Red Boat, moored here, witnessed the concluding session of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 1921. Upon landing, you'll arrive at the Nanhu Revolutionary Memorial Hall, where the modern "工"-shaped building stands like the Party emblem. Over 10,000 artifacts and interactive videos recreate the "earth-shattering events" that marked the beginning of the revolution, inspiring the spirit of the Red Boat. Enjoy an afternoon stroll through Huijing Garden and Haogu Pagoda, where reflections of Jiangnan gardens intertwine with Song Dynasty pagodas. At night, explore the musical fountain at July 1st Square, where the water curtains reflect the "dawn of Nanhu Lake." Free admission for an hour, immerse yourself in a century of history. This is a must-see at the Red Boat's departure site!
When boarding the cruise ship, the water vapor of the flowers overflowed through the porthole window, dyeing the island in the heart of the lake into ink. In front of the Misty Rain Building, the red ship in 1921 was quietly moored, and the paint was darker than expected. The red color has settled into a historical birthmark. The most shocking is the holographic image of the memorial: when the shadows of the thirteen representatives emerge from the sparkle, the cruise ship suddenly shakes slightly with the picture, as if really crossing into that midsummer morning. When turning around, I found that the modern teenager outside the window was shooting Douyin against the same red ship model, and the background music was a mixed version of "Juvenile".
Nanhu Lake is one of the most famous scenic spots in Jiaxing. It is known as one of the "Three Famous Lakes in Jiangnan" along with Nanjing Xuanwu Lake and Hangzhou West Lake. It not only has beautiful scenery in Jiangnan, but is also an important revolutionary memorial in my country's modern history. You can go boating on the lake, see the beautiful scenery in Jiangnan, visit the small island in the middle of the lake, and sit in the Yanyu Tower where Emperor Qianlong stopped when he went to Jiangnan.
Thank you for all the gift card activities before Ctrip contributed to this trip to Jiaxing. The gift card ordered tickets to Nanhu Lake. The South Lake in the middle reaches of the breeze and rain has a special charm. South Lake is not as big as West Lake in area, but it has more historical value and chivalrous spirit. There are not only the Red Ship, which is of great significance to our Party's frontier-breaking, but also the smoke and rain buildings in Jinyong's novels. More able to climb the trench tower overlooking Jiaxing, I recommend that visitors must climb the highest level of the tower as far as possible, a glimpse of Jiaxing scenery.
Beautiful South Lake, enjoy the Red Revolutionary Army, improve their own cultural knowledge, historical knowledge, remember national events, cherish the hard-won good times, constantly enhance their experience, increase their own knowledge, it is worth our good young people to visit and watch.
Jiaxing Nanhu Scenic Area is the most famous scenic spot in Jiaxing City. It is also a red tourism scenic area and a 5A-level tourist attraction in my country. Many schools in Shanghai organize spring and autumn outings to visit Jiaxing Nanhu Scenic Area to educate students on patriotism. Nanhu Scenic Area is famous for the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China. In early August 1921, the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China closed on a cruise ship on Nanhu Lake, announcing the founding of the Communist Party of China, which is one of the most important events in Chinese history. The current Nanhu Scenic Area is mainly composed of Nanhu Red Boat, Yanyu Tower, Nanhu Revolutionary Memorial Hall, Lake Island, Lanxiu Garden, etc. You need to pay a boat ticket to visit the Lake Island. Other areas are free, and the scenery in other areas is also very good. For example, the Haogu Tower Courtyard has Wu Xiang Temple, which was built to commemorate Wu Zixu, a senior official of the Wu State in the late Spring and Autumn Period. Haogu Tower is one of the "Seven Towers and Eight Temples" in ancient Jiaxing. Haogu Tower has seven floors, and tourists can climb the tower to view the scenery. Lanxiu Garden is located on the other side of the river from Haogu Pagoda. We did not visit it with our children, but walked along the lakeside viewing path to the Shaoyuan Art Museum. The weather was good during the Qingming Festival, the peach blossoms were in full bloom, and the grass was lush. Many locals brought tents and camped on the lawn, and some tourists brought kites to fly kites here, so Nanhu Scenic Area is also a good place for a weekend parent-child tour. The Shaoyuan Art Museum in Nanhu is a Jiangnan garden. This is the private garden of Wu Changshi, an official of the History Department during the Chongzhen period of the Ming Dynasty. During the Qing Dynasty, the willows on the shore had begun to recover, the peach blossoms in the garden were in full bloom, and the carp in the lake were competing for beauty. After living in the bustling city of Shanghai for a long time, being in such a quiet garden, the body and mind can be well relaxed. Sitting on the tea room chair in the garden, watching the children feeding the fish in the pond, they were happy.
In fact, you can visit Nanhu Lake for free. The online tickets include tickets to the lake island (which is actually a cruise ship that you must take to enter), as well as three boat tickets, namely Huijing Garden-> Lake Island, Lake Island-> Wu Xiang Temple (Haogu Tower), and return to Huijing Garden. Among them, Wu Xiang Temple requires a ticket, which is included in this so-called ticket. You can enter the park by scanning the Ctrip QR code. There is a Haogu Tower in the temple, which is the tallest building around Nanhu Lake. You can climb up to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Nanhu Lake. There is a big red boat on the lake island and the Yanyu Tower, which Qianlong claimed to have climbed eight times. So buying a boat ticket is suitable for three types of people: 1. Those who want to see the red boat and Yanyu Tower, 2. Those who like to take a boat like children (because our son wanted to take a boat, so our family of four bought tickets with him), 3. Those who have difficulty walking or want to visit Nanhu Lake more easily and simply.