High-speed rail accessible! 3 "lazy paradise" small towns for a 3-day getaway, just enjoy the leisure without the rush
Tired of fast-paced, "special forces" style travel and just want to find a quiet small town to zone out? No need to wake up early to rush around; just wander at will, drink tea, and hunt for food. These three small towns each have their own charm, featuring ancient villages, beautiful landscapes, and rich culture—perfect for slowly healing your body and mind.
Fujian Shaowu | A hidden castle gem in northern Fujian 🍃
Recommended attractions
Heping Ancient Town is a rare castle-style ancient village. Its 600-meter-long Ming and Qing dynasty street is paved with cobblestones, and the connected ancient houses are well-preserved. Climb the East Gate Watchtower for an overlook of the entire village. Heping Academy boasts a long cultural history, and you can still see the traditional process of making "Youjiang" tofu in the old workshops along the street. Local residents have lived here for generations, so you won't find any noisy, internet-famous shops.
Tiancheng Qixia hides a Danxia canyon. Take a bamboo raft for a slow ride along the stream, surrounded by towering red cliffs in a cool, tranquil setting.
Yunlingshan features dense forests. In summer, you can experience canyon rafting. If you prefer to stay dry, hiking along the forest trails for some fresh air is also incredibly comfortable.
In your leisure time, take a stroll along the banks of the Futunxi River, enjoy the evening breeze, and soak in the slow-paced daily life of this small town.
Travel itinerary | 3 days, 2 nights relaxed getaway
Day 1: Arrive in Shaowu. In the afternoon, head to Heping Ancient Town to wander the ancient streets and explore the old houses. In the evening, wait for the lanterns to light up the town, then stay overnight in the town or the city center.
Day 2: Spend the whole day at Tiancheng Qixia. Take a bamboo raft to tour the canyon scenery and immerse yourself in the Danxia landscape.
Day 3: In the morning, head to Yunlingshan. Choose between hiking or water activities based on your preference. In the afternoon, return to the city center to hunt for snacks, rest up, and then head home.
Food recommendations
"Youjiang" tofu is tender, smooth, and savory—delicious whether fried, braised, or stewed. "Baochi" (stuffed rice cakes) have a wrapper scented with mugwort and are filled with bamboo shoots and meat. "Jiaozhangchi" (foot-shaped rice cakes) are soft, chewy, and flavorful, easily found at street stalls. The "Heping Eight Bowls" offer a rich variety of dishes, allowing you to taste authentic northern Fujian flavors, while "Suitong" tea is fragrant and refreshing.
Local highlights
Located in the foothills of the Wuyi Mountains, this area is far from the crowds of popular tourist spots, offering both castle culture and canyon landscapes. The ancient town has a low level of commercialization, preserving a genuine, vibrant local atmosphere. Summer temperatures in the mountains are comfortable, and prices are affordable. It's perfect for travelers who love quiet ancient architecture, want to get close to nature, and don't want to be swept up in the tourist tide.
Anhui Jingxian | A poetic, ink-wash painting village in southern Anhui 🌿
Recommended attractions
Chaji Ancient Village is a grand complex of Ming and Qing dynasty residences. Three streams flow through the village, with white walls, black tiles, stone bridges, and narrow alleys interwoven throughout. Wander along the streams and you'll see artists sketching everywhere. In the early morning, mist blankets the ancient village, creating a truly atmospheric vibe.
Taohua Tan (Peach Blossom Pool) is famous for its ancient poetry. The pool water is emerald green. Take a bamboo raft to cruise the water, passing the "Tage" ancient bank and the Wenchang Pavilion standing quietly on the shore, where the mountains and water reflect like a painting.
Yueliangwan (Moon Bay) has clear stream water and is lined with endless bamboo forests. In summer, you can wade in the water, ride a bamboo raft, and cool off.
At the China Xuan Paper Culture Park, you can witness the ancient papermaking process firsthand and immerse yourself in this intangible cultural heritage.
Travel itinerary | 3 days, 2 nights slow-paced tour
Day 1: Upon arrival, head to Chaji Ancient Village. Wander aimlessly through the stone-paved alleys, enjoy the twilight over the ancient village in the evening, and stay at a local guesthouse.
Day 2: Visit Taohua Tan in the early morning and go boating on the pool. In the afternoon, head to the Xuan Paper Culture Park to experience traditional papermaking techniques.
Day 3: Go to Yueliangwan to play in the water and take a walk. Browse the surrounding village shops, taste local farm-style food, and then head home.
Food recommendations
"Maolin Hu" (a local thick soup) has a smooth, savory taste. Jingxian braised noodles soak up the broth for a rich flavor. Braised pork with dried bamboo shoots is a classic southern Anhui farm dish. Steamed sponge cake is soft, chewy, and sweet—perfect when paired with rice wine. The local free-range chicken soup is fresh and mellow; it's incredibly healing to enjoy a bowl after a long day of exploring.
Local highlights
Experience authentic southern Anhui scenery, where Hui-style ancient villages, bamboo forests, and streams come together. The landscape is naturally poetic, the pace is slow, and you can find corners to sit and zone out everywhere. You can explore thousand-year-old architecture or head into the mountains to play in the water and cool off. It's perfect for those who love the ancient charm of Jiangnan and are looking for a relaxed trip.
Jiangxi Leping | Home of ancient stages, a vibrant small town in northeastern Jiangxi 🎭
Recommended attractions
Huxi Ancient Stage is known as the "No. 1 Stage in Jiangnan." This Qing dynasty double-sided stage features intricate, exquisite wood carvings and stunning caisson ceilings. If you're lucky, you might catch a Gan opera performance.
The China Ancient Stage Museum houses a large collection of stage models and opera artifacts, offering a systematic look at Gan opera and stage culture.
Hongyan Wonderland is a karst cave millions of years old. The cave maintains a constant temperature year-round, featuring stalactites in all shapes and sizes and a stunning underground waterfall—a perfect summer escape.
The Strange Stone Forest is filled with unique rock formations. Climb to the top for views of the surrounding countryside and mountains—perfect for a relaxing hike.
Travel itinerary | 3 days, 2 nights healing small town getaway
Day 1: Arrive in Leping. Head to the Huxi Ancient Stage to carefully admire the ancient wood carvings. In the evening, wander through the old streets in the city center and taste various snacks.
Day 2: Spend the whole day exploring Hongyan Wonderland and discovering the wonders of the karst cave. In the afternoon, stroll through the Stone Forest and enjoy the mountain scenery.
Day 3: Visit the Ancient Stage Museum, take a slow stroll through the local market, eat your fill of local Gan-style snacks, rest up, and then head home.
Food recommendations
Stir-fried "Jianshuiba" (alkaline rice cakes) is a local signature dish; it's chewy and fragrant when stir-fried with cured meat. "Youtiao" wrapped in "Machi" (glutinous rice cake) is a popular street snack that's both crispy and chewy. Cold noodles are sour, spicy, and appetizing, while "Taqian" thick soup is savory and warming. "Dengzhan" cakes and walnut cookies have unique flavors, making them perfect snacks for your trip.
Local highlights
This is truly the home of ancient stages, with hundreds of them scattered throughout the city and countryside, reflecting a deep Gan opera cultural heritage. With rich natural resources like karst caves and stone forests, the caves are cool and comfortable in the summer. The small town has a vibrant local atmosphere, friendly prices, and a wide variety of food options. Avoid the crowds of Jingdezhen and come here to understand the unique culture and landscapes of northeastern Jiangxi. It's perfect for travelers who love historical sites and are passionate about exploring local food.