Four Treasure Cities You Must Visit Before 40! Low Cost, Slow Pace

🌟 Travel Guide to 4 Treasure Cities to Visit Before 40 🌟 1. Xiamen — The Double Romance of Art and Island Life 🏝️🎨 Recommended Attractions: - Gulangyu Island 🏛️: An expo of international architecture, known as the Piano Island; stroll through alleys to feel the artistic vibe. - Xiamen University 🏫: One of China's most beautiful campuses, adjacent to Nanputuo Temple, blending culture and nature. - Huandao Road 🚴‍♂️: Cycle or walk along the route to Zengcuoan (an artistic fishing village) and Huangcuo Beach (a perfect sunset spot). - Botanical Garden 🌵: Tropical rainforest area and giant cacti make for great photo spots. Itinerary: 📅 Day 1: Gulangyu Island (Shuzhuang Garden, Sunlight Rock) → Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street (Minnan snacks) 📅 Day 2: Xiamen University → Nanputuo Temple → Shapowei Art District → Huandao Road cycling 📅 Day 3: Botanical Garden → Zengcuoan → Huangcuo Beach 💰 Budget Reference (3 days, 2 people): - Transportation: High-speed train/flight varies by location; local bus/taxi about 200 RMB - Accommodation: Guesthouses or comfortable hotels about 400-600 RMB/night - Tickets: Gulangyu combo ticket about 100 RMB/person, Botanical Garden 30 RMB/person - Food: 80-150 RMB/person/day (Satay noodles, oyster omelet, peanut soup, roasted meat rice dumplings, earthworm jelly for the brave) 🍜 Food Recommendations: Satay noodles, oyster omelet, peanut soup, roasted meat rice dumplings, earthworm jelly (challenge for the brave) 😋 2. Arxan — Northern Xinjiang’s Secret Realm, A Fairy Tale All Year Round ❄️🍁 Recommended Attractions: - Arxan National Forest Park 🌲: Tianchi Lake, Rhododendron Lake, Stone Forest; autumn scenery like a painting. - Bailang Peak ☀️: Stunning sunrise and sea of clouds; winter frost wonderland. - Unfrozen River ❄️: Does not freeze in severe winter, misty like a fairyland. - Oronbukan Tribe 🏕️: Explore Ewenki culture, forest hiking. Itinerary: 📅 Day 1: Arxan Railway Station (popular check-in spot) → Wuli Spring (free mineral water) → city hot springs experience 📅 Day 2: Arxan Forest Park (Tianchi Lake, Santan Gorge) 📅 Day 3: Bailang Peak sunrise → Deer Park (filming location of "Dear Inn") 💰 Budget Reference (4 days, 2 people): - Transportation: Recommended self-drive/charter (about 800 RMB/day), train to Ulanhot then bus - Accommodation: Wooden cabins in the park or city hotels 300-500 RMB/night - Tickets: Forest Park 180 RMB/person (includes sightseeing bus) - Food: 60-100 RMB/person/day (roast lamb chops, dairy products, wild vegetables) 🍖 Food Recommendations: Hand-held lamb, Mongolian milk tea, wild mushroom hotpot, milk chew rice stir-fry 🥛 3. Datong — A Thousand-Year-Old Ancient City Beyond the Great Wall 🏯⛰️ Recommended Attractions: - Yungang Grottoes 🪨: World cultural heritage, pinnacle of Northern Wei Buddhist art. - Hanging Temple 🏯: "Sky castle" on a cliff, supported only by wooden pillars. - Huayan Temple 🏛️: Liao and Jin dynasty architectural treasure, exquisite murals and sculptures. - Datong Earth Forest 🌄: Erosional landforms, magical light and shadow at sunset. Itinerary: 📅 Day 1: Yungang Grottoes → Datong Museum → Ancient city wall night view 📅 Day 2: Hanging Temple → Hengshan Mountain (optional hike) → Hunyuan Liangfen shop 📅 Day 3: Huayan Temple → Shanhua Temple → Earth Forest (a must for photography lovers) 💰 Budget Reference (3 days, 2 people): - Transportation: 2-hour high-speed train from Beijing, local charter about 500 RMB/day - Accommodation: Boutique inns inside the ancient city 200-400 RMB/night - Tickets: Yungang Grottoes 120 RMB/person, Hanging Temple 125 RMB (includes climbing fee) - Food: 50-100 RMB/person/day (knife-cut noodles, lamb offal, yellow rice jelly) 🍜 Food Recommendations: Knife-cut noodles (Oriental shaved noodles), Hunyuan liangfen, Datong lamb offal, Baihua shumai dumplings 🥟 4. Sanya — Tropical Paradise, The Lazy Vacationer's Top Choice 🌴☀️ Recommended Attractions: - Wuzhizhou Island 🏝️: Crystal-clear sea, paradise for diving and water sports. - Yalong Bay 🏖️: "Eastern Hawaii," cluster of five-star hotels and fine sandy beaches. - Coconut Dream Corridor 🌅: 20 km coastline, free sunset check-in spot. - Nanshan Temple 🙏: 108-meter sea Guanyin statue, a place for blessings. Itinerary: 📅 Day 1: Wuzhizhou Island (diving/electric island tour car) → Houhai Village Night Market 📅 Day 2: Yalong Bay Beach → Tropical Paradise Forest Park (filming location of "If You Are the One") 📅 Day 3: Nanshan Temple → Tianya Haijiao (classic landmark) → Walk along Coconut Dream Corridor 💰 Budget Reference (5 days, 2 people): - Transportation: Flight varies by location, recommended car rental/self-drive (about 200 RMB/day) - Accommodation: Yalong Bay sea view hotels 800-1500 RMB/night, guesthouses more affordable - Tickets: Wuzhizhou Island 140 RMB/person, Nanshan Temple 129 RMB/person - Food: 100-200 RMB/person/day (seafood, coconut chicken, Baoluo noodles, coconut milk dessert, tropical fruits like mango and durian) 🍍 Travel light to enjoy to the fullest! 🎒✨