A Guide to "Reverse Travel" During the May Day Holiday: 4 Hidden Gem Cities
Instead of squeezing into popular destinations during the May Day holiday, why not try "reverse travel" and explore some lesser-known hidden gem cities?
Wuzhou, Guangxi: A Quiet Corner of Lingnan Charm 🌆
• Features: Wuzhou has a rich Lingnan flavor. The arcade streets, Baiyun Mountain, and the Xijiang River all exude an ancient charm. It's a great place to avoid the holiday crowds.
• Three-Day Itinerary:
◦ Day 1: Stroll through the arcade streets for free, admire the carvings, and taste paper-wrapped chicken. Then, spend a small amount of money to visit the Dragon Mother Temple and pray for good fortune.
◦ Day 2: Climb the free Baiyun Mountain, breathe in the fresh air, drink iced soy milk at the foot of the mountain, and visit the free Wuzhou Museum to learn about the city's history.
◦ Day 3: Stroll along the riverside park for free to enjoy the river view. In the evening, explore the old street night market and sample affordable delicacies such as river snails and turtle jelly.
• Transportation: Take the high-speed train to Wuzhou South Station. There are many buses, and some attractions are within walking distance. Taxis are also inexpensive.
• Featured Cuisine: Turtle jelly, paper-wrapped chicken, and Liubao tea are all affordable and delicious.
Ankang, Shaanxi: A Tranquil Haven Between the Qinling and Bashan Mountains 🌌
• Features: Ankang is surrounded by mountains and rivers, with beautiful natural scenery. It's a peaceful and pleasant place to spend the May Day holiday.
• Three-Day Itinerary:
◦ Day 1: Take a boat trip on Yinghu Lake for a reasonable price, enjoy the scenery, and sample a fish feast. In the afternoon, spend a little money to enter Xiangxi Cave and experience the tranquility of Taoism.
◦ Day 2: Go to Pingli Taohuaxi to enjoy the free peach blossom scenery, and eat affordable farm-style dishes at a farmhouse. Then, go to the free Longtou Village to experience rural life.
◦ Day 3: Visit Nangong Mountain for a cost-effective ticket price, admire the azaleas, and sample tea.
• Transportation: The high-speed train goes directly to Ankang Station. Tourist lines and buses are convenient, and the CNY 1 ticket makes transfers easy.
• Featured Cuisine: Steamed noodles, Ziyang selenium-rich tea, and Hanyin baked pancakes are all delicious and inexpensive.
Meizhou, Guangdong: A Leisurely World of Hakka Culture 🎇
• Features: Meizhou is the hometown of the Hakka people, with simple and unsophisticated enclosed houses and melodious mountain songs. During the holiday, you can experience authentic Hakka life.
• Three-Day Itinerary:
◦ Day 1: Visit the free China Hakka Museum to learn about history. Eat affordable Meizhou marinated noodles for lunch. In the afternoon, spend a reasonable amount of money to enter Ketianxia and experience Hakka culture.
◦ Day 2: Visit the Yannanfei Tea Plantation Scenic Area, admire the tea gardens, watch tea art performances, and eat featured delicacies. Then, go to Qiaoxi Guyun to experience the tranquility of the countryside. Transportation costs are low.
◦ Day 3: Visit the former residence of Marshal Ye Jianying for free, eat authentic Hakka cuisine nearby, and take a leisurely stroll in the afternoon.
• Transportation: Take the high-speed train to Meizhou West Station or Meizhou Station. Buses are available in all directions. Taxis or rural buses to remote attractions are reasonably priced.
• Featured Cuisine: Meizhou marinated noodles, preserved vegetable with pork belly, and stuffed tofu are all economical and affordable.
Tonghua, Jilin: A Unique Holiday in a Northern Mountain City ❄️
• Features: Tonghua is located at the foot of Changbai Mountain. The spring scenery is just beginning to bloom during the May Day holiday, making it a unique destination.
• Three-Day Itinerary:
◦ Day 1: Visit Wunvfeng for a reasonable ticket price to see the azaleas and admire the strange peaks. In the afternoon, go to the Koguryo relics in Ji'an to explore history.
◦ Day 2: Enter Yunxia Cave to see the unique stalactites, and eat affordable iron pot stew for lunch. In the afternoon, climb the free Yuhuang Mountain Park to overlook the city and enjoy the new greenery.
◦ Day 3: Explore the forest in the partially free Baijifeng area, eat featured delicacies such as mountain vegetables, and take a walk along the stream in the afternoon.
• Transportation: Take the high-speed train to Tonghua Station. There are bus lines to the scenic spots. For long distances, you can take a long-distance bus. Taxis are not expensive.
• Featured Cuisine: Tonghua wine, iron pot stew, and mountain vegetables are all inexpensive and delicious.
Choose these 4 cities for "reverse travel" during the May Day holiday and embark on a unique journey!