Suitable for a short stay of 3-4 days, low cost, slow-paced cities
Want to escape the fast-paced life and find a quiet place to stay for a few days? These 4 cities accessible by high-speed rail hide the charm of everyday life, poetry, and comfort. Immerse yourself for 3-4 days and completely relax your body and mind~
Jiangsu · Yangzhou 🌿
Highlights: Slow-paced water town in Jiangnan, with morning tea, gardens, and canals, everywhere is gentle 🍵.
✅ Must-visit: Take a boat ride on Slender West Lake to enjoy the scenery, experience the art of rock stacking at Ge Garden, and feel the bustling life on Dongguan Street; have morning tea at Quyuan Teahouse, don’t miss the hot dried tofu and crab roe soup dumplings!
🍜 Food recommendations: Yangzhou fried rice, lion’s head meatballs, shrimp roe wontons, enjoy Huaiyang cuisine for 30-50 RMB per person.
🚄 Transportation: From Nanjing/Shanghai, high-speed rail reaches Yangzhou East Station in as fast as 30 minutes. City buses and taxis are convenient. Stay at a guesthouse near Dongguan Street, 150-200 RMB per night, with ancient streets right outside your window.
Guizhou · Anshun ⛰️
Highlights: Karst secret realm + food paradise, a wonderful collision of Huangguoshu Waterfall and Tunpu culture 🌊.
✅ Must-visit: Feel the grandeur of Huangguoshu Waterfall, explore the underground caves at Dragon Palace Scenic Area, experience 600 years of Ming Dynasty heritage at Tianlong Tunpu; try wrapped rolls and silk dolls at Xiaoshizi Night Market, only 5 RMB per serving until you’re full!
🍜 Specialty snacks: Anshun crispy buns, Duoduo powder hotpot, authentic Qian flavors unlocked for 20 RMB per person.
🚄 Transportation: High-speed rail from Guiyang reaches Anshun West Station in 25 minutes. Renting a car or taking direct shuttle buses to scenic spots is very convenient. City hotels cost 120-180 RMB per night, offering great value.
Guangdong · Chaozhou 🍜
Highlights: Thousand-year-old city + food capital, a variety of flavors from morning till night, full of lively atmosphere 🔥.
✅ Must-visit: Watch the “bridge dismantling after crossing” spectacle at Guangji Bridge, take photos of arcade buildings on Paifang Street, feel the Zen at Kaiyuan Temple; enjoy different dishes daily like beef hotpot, oyster omelet, and duck mother rolls!
🍜 Foodie’s delight: Zhenji beef offal rice noodles, Xie Huailiang fish salad, achieve food freedom for 40 RMB per person.
🚄 Transportation: From Guangzhou/Shenzhen, high-speed rail takes 2-3 hours to Chaoshan Station, 15 minutes by taxi to the ancient city. Guesthouses cost 100-150 RMB per night, with a food street right downstairs.
Sichuan · Leshan 🍢
Highlights: “Center of the food universe” + Buddhist-style small city, eat and stroll, happiness overload!
✅ Must-visit: Feel the shock up close at Leshan Giant Buddha, soak in hot springs and enjoy vegetarian meals at the foot of Mount Emei; from day to night, feast on Zhanggongqiao Food Street with spicy chicken skewers, foot-tapping beef, and iced jelly, starting at just 10 RMB!
🍜 Must-eat list: Grandma Ye’s spicy chicken skewers, Feng Siniang’s foot-tapping beef, eat until you can barely walk for 50 RMB per person.
🚄 Transportation: High-speed rail from Chengdu reaches Leshan Station in 30 minutes. Shared bikes in the city make sightseeing easy. Stay at a hotel in the city center, 130-200 RMB per night, with food hubs right downstairs.
💡【Short Stay Tips】
🚄 Ticket booking: Check train schedules in advance, choose early departure and late return trains, and leave plenty of time for immersive experiences~
🏡 Accommodation: Prioritize places near scenic spots or food streets to reduce commute time; short-term rentals are recommended for a home-like comfort!
💰 Budget: 300-500 RMB per day, including accommodation, food, and transportation, offering excellent value!