Donāt fly to Switzerland or Xinjiang! 2 hours from Shanghai to 4 affordable hidden gems
āNo need to take leave or squeeze through crowdsāØ
Depart from Shanghai by high-speed train or self-drive, 2 hours direct, 4 lesser-known secret spots that are simply divine
Little Switzerland of Jiangnan, Little Kanas, Heart-shaped Bamboo Sea, Water Town Secrets all covered
Weekend trips on a whim, photos ready to post straight out of the camera, maximum cost performanceš
āļø Huzhou Anji | Little Switzerland of Jiangnan
Must-visit spots: Xiaohangkeng Viewing Platform, Jiangnan Tianchi, Zhongnan Herb Garden
Tickets: Xiaohangkeng 49.9 RMB, Jiangnan Tianchi 80 RMB, Zhongnan Herb Garden 150 RMB
Photo spots: Campground No.1 Lawn, Lonely Tree, Alpine Lake, Bamboo Sea Meadow
Transport: 1.5h high-speed train to Anji Station, then 20min taxi; 2h self-drive
Food: Braised dried bamboo shoots with pork, native chicken pot, Anji white tea, about 50 RMB per person to eat to your fill
Highlights: Tens of thousands of acres of bamboo sea + alpine meadows, Swiss-style healing scenery, full of negative oxygen ions, one-stop camping, hiking, oxygen intake, soft light in the morning and evening, forest-style photos easily captured
š Changzhou Liyang | Nanshan Bamboo Sea + Heart-shaped Lake
Must-visit spots: Nanshan Bamboo Sea, Heart-shaped Lake, Jing Lake
Tickets: Nanshan Bamboo Sea 81 RMB, Heart-shaped Lake free
Photo spots: Panoramic view of Heart-shaped Lake, Bamboo Forest Mini Train, Jing Lake Bamboo Raft, Jiming Village
Transport: 1h high-speed train to Liyang Station, 15min taxi; 1.5h self-drive
Food: Tianmu Lake claypot fish head, black rice, pig liver, rich local flavors
Highlights: 35,000 acres of lush bamboo forest rivaling Swiss forests, Heart-shaped Lake clear and green, free entry, bamboo rafting through the bamboo sea, tranquil and healing, perfect for families and couples
šļø Shaoxing Xinchang | Little Kanas of Eastern Zhejiang
Must-visit spots: Chuan Yan Nineteen Peaks, Hanfei River, Xiayanbei Village
Tickets: Chuan Yan Nineteen Peaks 60 RMB, Hanfei River free
Photo spots: Feilong Glass Walkway, Hanfei River Big Bend, Sea of Clouds Terraces, Danxia Strange Peaks
Transport: 1.5h high-speed train to Shengzhou Xinchang Station, 20min taxi; 2h self-drive
Food: Xinchang fried rice cakes, taro dumplings, lamb bone soup, carb lovers rejoice
Highlights: Danxia landform + canyon streams, recreating the grandeur of Kanas, misty like a fairyland, filming location for martial arts dramas, stunning for ancient style and natural scenery photography
šŖ· Jiaxing Tongxiang | The Pinnacle of Water Towns
Must-visit spots: Wuzhen, Puyuan Fashion Ancient Town
Tickets: Wuzhen East Scenic Area 110 RMB, West Scenic Area 150 RMB; Puyuan Ancient Town free
Photo spots: Wuzhenās small bridges and flowing water, West Scenic Area night view, Puyuanās bluestone roads, ancient bridges and eaves
Transport: 20min high-speed train to Tongxiang Station, then bus/taxi; 1.5h self-drive
Food: Tongxiang casserole, Dingsheng cake, braised duck, Wuzhen lamb noodles
Highlights: Authentic Jiangnan water town, avoid crowds by visiting lesser-known ancient towns, white walls and black tiles, small bridges and flowing water, more lively than popular water towns, evening night scenes full of atmosphere
š” Tips to Avoid Pitfalls
1.ā@AdventureSeekerExtra Ā· 5 months ago