Reverse travel for National Day: slow down in small cities to truly relax
Don't want to fight the National Day crowds? 8 quiet small cities to explore at your own pace
01 Zhoukou | Henan
If you're looking for a place with fewer people and a sense of history for National Day, Zhoukou is a great choice. Don't expect trendy photo spots here; instead, it offers a whole set of reasons to slow down.
⏰ In the morning, head to the Taihao Fuxi Mausoleum Cultural Tourism Zone. Arrive before the tour buses to enjoy the scent of cypress trees in the air and a peaceful walk. The mausoleum area is large, so wear comfortable shoes. If seniors have trouble walking, they can take the sightseeing shuttle.
📍 In the afternoon, head to Taiqing Palace. The two spots are not far apart, about a 30-minute taxi ride. This is the hometown of Laozi, and the ancient cypress trees in front of the hall are older than many cities. Hire a guide to get a better understanding, or you might just end up rushing through.
🍜 Don't settle for food at the entrance of the scenic area. Head back to the city center for a bowl of Xiaoyao Town hot and sour soup with pan-fried buns. "Liangchan" (a mix of two types of soup) is the local code.
⚠️ Taiqing Palace stops admitting visitors after 5:00 PM, so don't cut it too close.
02 Linfen | Shanxi
I recommend splitting this Linfen itinerary into two days. If you cram three spots into one day, you'll end up just remembering the highway.
The Hongdong Dahuaishu Ancestor Worship Park is best visited in the morning when it's less crowded and the light is soft. The atmosphere in front of the offering hall is perfect for a leisurely stroll.
🚄 It's about a 40-minute taxi ride from Linfen West Station. There are buses, but they run infrequently.
You should set aside half a day for the Yellow River Hukou Waterfall Scenic Area.
⏰ After 3:00 PM, the side lighting hits the water mist, making it highly likely you'll see a rainbow.
⚠️ The muddy ground by the bank is slippery. Don't climb over the railings for photos. It's cheaper to buy shoe covers on-site than to bring your own.
Yunqiu Mountain is perfect for the second day. The ice cave cluster is its highlight; you need a jacket even in summer, and it's much less crowded than Hukou during National Day. It's great for families with kids and hikers. The cable car plus walking combination is the least tiring.
03 Pingxiang | Jiangxi
I've been to Wugong Mountain twice, once on a sunny day and once on a rainy day. My conclusion: the weather determines the experience, but your mindset determines the fun.
🚄 There are direct buses from Pingxiang North Station to the scenic area. Don't believe the people at the station trying to solicit business by saying "chartering a car is a better deal." During National Day, the cable car queue can make you question your life choices, so ⏰ I recommend arriving at the mountain gate before 7:00 AM.
📍 The Golden Summit is a must-visit, but the real photo-worthy spot is the meadow section from Diaomazhuang to the Golden Summit. In late September and early October, the grass starts turning yellow and ripples like waves in the wind. Camping to watch the stars is a signature activity. ⚠️ It gets close to 0°C at night on the summit, so renting a military-style overcoat is more reliable than bringing a thin sleeping bag.
If you don't want to crowd the Golden Summit, head toward Fayunjie. It's half as crowded, and the scenery is just as good. If you're with seniors or children, take the two-stage cable car to Zhong'an and then walk up slowly; don't force yourself to hike the whole way.
04 Ningbo | Zhejiang
The beauty of Ningbo is that it doesn't rush to impress you; instead, it makes you want to stay once you're there.
📍 Put Tianyi Pavilion and Moon Lake on your schedule for the first morning. You can't take photos inside the library, but the scent of old paper and camphor wood is worth putting your phone away for. There are seniors playing chess by Moon Lake; sitting there for a while is more comfortable than rushing between attractions.
In the afternoon, head to the Xikou Tengtou Scenic Area, which is about an hour from the city center 🚄. Tengtou Village is great for families. If you buy the thousand-layer cake in Xikou Town, get it fresh out of the oven; the texture isn't as good once it cools down.
⚠️ The Xuedou Mountain cable car has capacity limits during National Day, so check the reservation rules on official channels in advance.
Save the second day for Qiantong Ancient Town.
⏰ At 7:00 AM, Qiantong is almost empty. The stream flows through the village, and the stone paths are still damp. The local breakfast is Qiantong old tofu and dried tofu, paired with a bowl of soy milk. Don't come at noon; the light is harsh and it gets crowded.
05 Chifeng | Inner Mongolia
Hashhatu Stone Forest Scenic Area—the name is a mouthful, and the place is truly remote. But because it's remote, it's peaceful during National Day.
🚄 It's about a three-hour drive from Chifeng Station. I recommend chartering a car or joining a one-day tour, as public transportation is basically not an option.
⏰ Arrive before 9:00 AM, when the morning light hits the stone formations at an angle, making the textures look like they were carved by a knife.
📍 It takes about two hours to walk through the core area. Don't wear sandals; the gravel road is hard on your feet. It's windy, so wear a hat with a chin strap. There aren't many commercial facilities here, so ⚠️ bring enough water and snacks; you won't find a decent lunch inside the scenic area.
It's suitable for people who like geology and photography. If you're bringing children, tell them a little about glaciers and wind erosion beforehand, otherwise they'll just think it's a pile of rocks. Catch the sunset over the grassland on your way back; it's worth the trip.
06 Foshan | Guangdong
Foshan is the kind of city you think you know well, but only realize you haven't fully explored once you're there. When visiting during National Day, focus on avoiding the crowds at Lingnan Tiandi.
📍 Go to Qinghui Garden in the morning. The garden is small but exquisite. ⏰ Get there when it opens at 8:30 AM to take photos of the Manchurian windows without any passersby in the frame. At Minxin Old Shop on the nearby Huagai Road Pedestrian Street, get the cold double-skin milk; the hot one is a bit too sweet.
Head up Xiqiao Mountain in the afternoon.
🚄 It's about a 40-minute taxi ride from the city center. There's the Nanhai Guanyin statue and Baiyun Cave on the mountain. The cable car and walking paths are separate; if you're with seniors, I recommend taking the cable car both ways.
⚠️ Parking spaces at the foot of the mountain are limited during National Day, so arrive early or just take the bus.
Foshan is perfect for a two-day, one-night trip. In the evening, find an old-established restaurant to eat Shunde cuisine. Don't order too much raw fish or steamed pork at once; the portions are generous. For family trips, the Tingyin Lake area at the foot of Xiqiao Mountain is a great place to take the kids.
07 Yulin | Guangxi
Yulin isn't a traditional tourist city, so it's actually more relaxed during National Day. Its attractions are scattered, making it suitable for a road trip.
📍 Put Darong Mountain National Forest Park on the first day.
⏰ It's best to go after the rain, when the clouds and mist wrap around the mountainside like an ink wash painting. The mountain roads are winding, so new drivers should take it slow. The temperature on the mountain is 5–6 degrees lower than in the city, so bring a light jacket.
The second day is for the city route: Yuntian Cultural City and Wanhua Tower. The exterior of Yuntian Cultural City is stunning, but the internal exhibitions depend on your personal interest. ⚠️ The ticket isn't cheap, so decide in advance if you want to go in. Wanhua Tower is better in the evening, when the river breeze is comfortable.
🍜 Yulin beef jerky and beef brisket noodles are must-eats. Old street-side shops are more reliable than mall restaurants. It's suitable for people who aren't in a rush and want a change of pace for the holiday. If you have children, you can spend half a day at the Darong Mountain camping area.
08 Chizhou | Anhui
The vibe of Mount Jiuhua is the one stop on this list I most want to keep to myself. Mount Jiuhua isn't exactly empty during National Day, but as long as you avoid peak times, you can find some peace and quiet.
🚄 There are direct buses from Chizhou Station to the Mount Jiuhua Tourist Center, taking about an hour.
⏰ Either catch the first bus up the mountain at 6:30 AM, or enter the core area after 3:00 PM; the time in between is packed with people.
📍 The Roushen Hall and Baisui Palace are the main route. If the cable car queue is long, switch to walking. The stone steps are well-maintained, and you can get there in an hour and a half if you walk slowly.
⚠️ Prices on the mountain are high, so buy incense and candles at the foot of the mountain. Don't get pulled into "donations" in front of the halls.
Staying on the mountain is a better experience than staying at the foot, as you can see the two quietest times: evening and early morning.
🍜 The vegetarian meal is worth trying once; the rock ear scrambled eggs and dried bamboo shoots are local specialties. It's suitable for people who want to clear their minds and are willing to do some walking.
Of these eight places, if I had to pick three most worth visiting during National Day, they would be Chizhou, Linfen, and Chifeng. Fewer people, authentic scenery, and you set your own pace.
Which direction are you planning to choose? Let's chat in the comments, and I'll help you see if the route makes sense.