High-speed rail 2h|¥500 Weekend Fun: These 5 Lesser-Known Small Cities Are the Hidden Gems of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai
“High-speed rail within 2 hours,” “lesser-known,” “low cost,” and “slow pace” — these four keywords combined are synonymous with the perfect escape trip.
We have carefully selected the following five treasure cities that perfectly match your criteria and provide detailed “slow life” guides.
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1. Zhejiang · Shaoxing (Departing from Shanghai/Hangzhou)
* **High-speed rail reference**: Hangzhou East → Shaoxing North **19 minutes** | Shanghai Hongqiao → Shaoxing North **1.5 hours**
* **Why choose it**: Compared to Wuzhen and Xitang, Shaoxing is a “living ancient town.” There is no heavy commercial atmosphere here, only traces of native life, the aroma of yellow wine, and the charm of literature and ink. The cost of living is low, and the pace of life is very slow.
* **Slow pace experiences**:
1. **Drift into Jiangnan on a black-awning boat**: No need to squeeze into the main street of Lu Xun’s hometown; turn into **Baziqiao Straight Street** or **Xixiaolu**, take a black-awning boat, and watch elderly locals drink tea and play chess on both banks — this is the real Shaoxing.
2. **Get intoxicated by the flavor of yellow wine**: Go to **Cangqiao Straight Street**, eat a **yellow wine popsicle** (5 yuan), drink a cup of **yellow wine milk tea**, and warm a pot of Taidiao wine at night. Or visit **Xianheng Hotel** and enjoy a meal of fennel beans with yellow wine like Kong Yiji.
3. **Free museum tours**: **Shaoxing Museum**, **Lu Xun’s Former Residence** (ticket reservation required), and **Scholar’s Former Residence** all offer free in-depth insights into the cultural heritage of this ancient city.
* **Accommodation suggestion**: Stay in renovated old Tai-men-style homestays near Lu Xun’s Former Residence or Cangqiao Straight Street for great value and the tranquility of century-old houses.
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2. Jiangsu · Zhenjiang (Departing from Nanjing/Shanghai)
* **High-speed rail reference**: Nanjing South → Zhenjiang **20 minutes** | Shanghai Hongqiao → Zhenjiang **1 hour 10 minutes**
* **Why choose it**: This millennium-old small city next to Jinling (Nanjing) is completely overshadowed by Nanjing and Yangzhou but has astonishing depth. The streets full of pot cover noodle shops and the aroma of vinegar are its most authentic local flavor. The cost of living is among the lowest in the Yangtze River Delta.
* **Slow pace experiences**:
1. **Eat a bowl of piping hot pot cover noodles**: Get up early and find an old noodle shop in an alley like a local, order a bowl of **braised meat pot cover noodles**, and start a leisurely day.
2. **Climb Jinshan Temple and seek the Legend of the White Snake**: **Jinshan Park** is the site of the “Flooding of Jinshan,” with a temple built on the mountain, very distinctive. Few people and quiet, perfect for a slow stroll.
3. **Walk through Xijin Ferry for a thousand years**: A well-preserved historic street with bluestone roads that seem to span a millennium. Visit during the day for architecture, at night for lights, and sit in a café or tea house to daydream.
* **Accommodation suggestion**: Stay in a homestay within the Xijin Ferry scenic area to enjoy peaceful nights and mornings all to yourself.
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3. Anhui · Chizhou (Departing from Nanjing/Hefei)
* **High-speed rail reference**: Nanjing South → Chizhou **1 hour** | Hefei South → Chizhou **1.5 hours**
* **Why choose it**: Chizhou’s soul is **Jiuhua Mountain**, but the city itself is underrated. It is China’s only “National Ecological Economic Demonstration Zone,” with **Pingtian Lake** in the city, known as the “Erhai of Jiangnan,” boasting stunning scenery and completely free. The cost of living is very low.
* **Slow pace experiences**:
1. **Cycle or stroll around Pingtian Lake**: Rent a bike and spend half a day circling the lake. The water is clear, distant mountains are like ink paintings, and the sparse population makes it feel like you’ve taken over the entire lake and mountain scenery.
2. **Visit Xinghua Village**: The “herdsman pointing to Xinghua Village” refers to this place. It’s not a bustling attraction but a quiet cultural park, perfect for nostalgia, walking, and relaxing.
3. **Live like a villager under Jiuhua Mountain for a day**: If you don’t climb the mountain, stay in **Kecun** at the foot of Jiuhua Mountain, enjoy the view of the peaks, breathe oxygen-rich air, and have an authentic farmhouse meal.
* **Accommodation suggestion**: Choose a hotel by Pingtian Lake or a homestay at the foot of Jiuhua Mountain for close contact with nature.
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4. Shandong · Qingzhou (Departing from Jinan/Zibo)
* **High-speed rail reference**: Jinan → Qingzhou City **30 minutes** | Zibo North → Qingzhou City **22 minutes** (then taxi to downtown)
* **Why choose it**: Shandong’s “hidden king,” one of the ancient “Nine Provinces,” a national-level historical and cultural city. It has a complete **Qingzhou Ancient City**, stunning **Longxing Temple Buddhist statues** (in the museum), but few tourists, very low prices, and an unbelievably slow pace.
* **Slow pace experiences**:
1. **Get lost in Qingzhou Ancient City**: This is not a replica street but a real ancient city. No entrance fee, locals live here. Walk on the bluestone streets of Ouyuan Street and Beimen Street, visit old shops, eat Longsheng pastries, and drink big bowls of tea.
2. **Worship the “Venus of the East”**: The **Qingzhou Museum** (new building) is the only county-level national first-class museum, with exquisite Buddhist statues from Longxing Temple’s underground storage, definitely worth a visit (advance reservation required).
3. **Climb Yunmen Mountain for blessings**: The mountain is not high and suitable for a slow climb. At the top is a huge cliff carving of the character “Shou” (longevity), symbolizing good fortune, with a panoramic view of Qingzhou city.
* **Accommodation suggestion**: Stay in an inn inside Qingzhou Ancient City, with history right outside your window.
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5. Hunan · Loudi (Departing from Changsha)
* **High-speed rail reference**: Changsha South → Loudi South **40 minutes**
* **Why choose it**: Absolutely off the beaten path! But it hides a world-class landscape — the **Ziquejie Terraces**. This globally important agricultural cultural heritage site has terraced fields created since the Qin Dynasty, requiring no irrigation from reservoirs, relying on a magical natural water system. August to September, when the rice first turns yellow, is the most beautiful season.
* **Slow pace experiences**:
1. **Stay in the clouds above the terraces**: Spend a night in a homestay at the top of **Ziquejie**, watch the morning mist rise from the terraces, and see the sunset gild the layers of rice waves. This is true pastoral seclusion.
2. **Explore Meishan Dragon Palace**: A huge karst cave with unique interior scenery, incredibly cool in summer.
3. **Experience the culture of Chiyou’s hometown**: This is the core area of Meishan culture, with unique and mysterious folk customs to quietly appreciate.
* **Accommodation suggestion**: Be sure to stay in a homestay within the Ziquejie scenic area to enjoy undisturbed sunrises and sunsets.
**Summary:**
* **Love Jiangnan charm** -> Choose **Shaoxing**
* **Love history and local life** -> Choose **Zhenjiang**
* **Love lake and mountain scenery** -> Choose **Chizhou**
* **Love ancient city heritage** -> Choose **Qingzhou**
* **Love pastoral hidden gems** -> Choose **Loudi**
We hope these five lesser-known treasure destinations bring you a truly quiet, slow, and immersive travel experience.