Recommended Small Cities for a Three-Day Stay with Direct High-Speed Rail Access

Detailed travel guides for four lesser-known cities (Datong, Pu'er, Qiqihar, and Mohe) accessible by high-speed rail for a three-day trip. Includes attraction addresses, must-visit spots, transportation, and itinerary planning, combining historical culture and natural scenery for an in-depth experience: --- ### **1. Datong, Shanxi: Time Travel Through a Thousand-Year-Old Capital** **High-speed rail station**: Datong South Station (approx. 2 hours from Beijing, 1.5 hours from Taiyuan) **Recommended spots**: - **Yungang Grottoes** (Address: Yungang Town, Yungang District, Datong): One of China's four major grottoes, representing the peak of Northern Wei Buddhist art. Key highlights include the outdoor Buddha in Cave 20 and the "Five Caves of Tan Yao." - **Hanging Temple** (Address: Jinlong Gorge, Hengshan, Hunyuan County, Datong): A wooden architectural miracle built on a cliff face, praised by Li Bai as "magnificent." Advance reservations required for entry. - **Datong Ancient City**: Includes Huayan Temple (a treasure of Liao and Jin architecture), Shanhua Temple (free admission), and Nine Dragon Screen (Ming Dynasty glazed relief). At night, lights outline the ancient city's silhouette; strolling along Qingyuan Street is recommended. **Transportation**: City buses go directly to Yungang Grottoes (Route 3); for the Hanging Temple, chartered or shared cars are recommended (about 100 yuan/person). **Itinerary**: - **Day 1**: Yungang Grottoes (half day) + Datong Ancient City night view (Huayan Temple, Four Archways); - **Day 2**: Hanging Temple + Mount Heng (optional) + Shanhua Temple and Nine Dragon Screen in the ancient city; - **Day 3**: Datong Museum (free, learn about Northern Wei history) + cycling on the city wall (rebuilt Ming Dynasty walls, overlooking the entire city). --- ### **2. Pu'er, Yunnan: Tea Paradise on the Tropic of Cancer** **High-speed rail station**: Pu'er Station (approx. 3 hours from Kunming) **Recommended spots**: - **Sunriver National Forest Park** (Address: Yixiang Town, Simao District): Interact with red pandas and rhinos, experience the pristine rainforest oxygen bar. Electric cart tickets recommended. - **Nakeli Tea Horse Road** (Address: Tongxin Town, Ning'er County): Ancient post station preserving caravan culture; recommended to enjoy tea with a view at Changting Wai Café. - **Jingmai Mountain Ancient Tea Gardens** (Address: Huimin Town, Lancang County): World Cultural Heritage site, experience tea-making and cloud sea sunrise at Wengji Ancient Village and Nuogan Dai Village. **Transportation**: Take taxis in Pu'er city or rent a car (drive carefully on the complex roads to Jingmai Mountain). **Itinerary**: - **Day 1**: Sunriver Forest Park + Daijia Lane (artistic alley, recommended: Yicao Lane Café); - **Day 2**: Nakeli Tea Horse Road + China Pu'er Tea Expo Garden (tea picking and processing experience); - **Day 3**: Jingmai Mountain (Wengji Ancient Village, Dapingzhang Ancient Tea Garden) + Nayun Ancient Town in Menglian (Dai ethnic culture). --- ### **3. Qiqihar, Heilongjiang: Slow Ecological Lifestyle in Crane Country** **High-speed rail station**: Qiqihar South Station (approx. 1.5 hours from Harbin) **Recommended spots**: - **Zhalong Nature Reserve** (Address: Zhalong Town, Tiefeng District): World's largest red-crowned crane habitat, with crane releases twice daily (9:30 AM, 2:00 PM). Boat trips available into the reed wetlands. - **Longsha Park** (Address: Park Road, Jianhua District): Century-old urban green space, offering ice skating in winter and lotus viewing in summer. - **Shuishi Forest Hot Springs** (Address: Shuishiying Town, Ang'angxi District): Cold-region hot spring experience with medicinal baths and Northeastern cuisine. **Transportation**: Take Bus 306 to Zhalong Scenic Area; self-driving or chartered vehicles recommended for hot springs. **Itinerary**: - **Day 1**: Crane watching at Zhalong Wetland + Longsha Park night view; - **Day 2**: Mingyue Island (island in the Nenjiang River with replica ancient buildings and natural scenery) + Korean Village BBQ (Pak Laoda Korean flavors); - **Day 3**: Relaxation at Shuishi Hot Springs + Peace Square (anti-Japanese war memorial). --- ### **4. Mohe, Heilongjiang: Polar Exploration at China's Northernmost Point** **Transportation**: First take high-speed rail to Harbin, then transfer to a K-series train (approx. 12 hours) or fly to Mohe Gulian Airport. **Recommended spots**: - **Arctic Village** (Address: Arctic Town, Mohe City): Visit the northernmost post office and Arctic Sandbar boundary marker; experience water-to-ice phenomenon in winter. - **First Bend of Heilongjiang River** (Address: Tuqiang Forestry Bureau): Omega-shaped big bend in the river; climb the observation deck for views of the China-Russia border river. - **Beihong Village** (Address: Beihong Village, Mohe City): Pristine village located further north than Arctic Village, excellent for stargazing. **Itinerary** (3-day chartered tour approx. 680 yuan/person including transportation, accommodation, and tickets): - **Day 1**: Nine Curves and Eighteen Bends + Birch Forest + First Bend of Heilongjiang River + stay in Beihong Village (kang bed experience); - **Day 2**: Evenki Reindeer Park + Arctic Village (skiing in Christmas Village, northernmost post office); - **Day 3**: Songyuan Park (forest that survived a fire) + North Star Square (city landmark). --- ### **Tips and Summary** - **Datong**: Ideal for history and architecture enthusiasts; recommended foods include knife-cut noodles, baked buns, and smoked