Weekend Short Trips by High-Speed Rail to Seven Stunning Cities
Below is a travel guide for weekend short trips by high-speed rail to seven stunning cities: Tianjin, Chengde, Baoding, Jinan, Datong, Shenyang, and Wuxi, including detailed introductions to their history and culture:
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### **1. Tianjin**
**History & Culture:**
Tianjin is an important northern port city. In modern history, it formed a "World Architecture Expo" due to its concession culture, while also preserving the folk culture of the old city.
**Must-Visit Attractions:**
- **Five Great Avenues**: A collection of historic buildings from Britain, France, Italy, and other countries, such as Minyuan Square and Zhang Garden.
- **Ancient Culture Street**: Experience intangible cultural heritage like Yangliuqing New Year paintings and Clay Figurine Zhang.
- **Italian Style Town**: A concentration of modern consulates and celebrity residences.
- **Tianjin Eye**: A Ferris wheel spanning the Haihe River with stunning night views.
**High-Speed Rail:** Beijing South → Tianjin (30 minutes).
**Local Food:** Jianbing Guozi (Chinese crepes), Goubuli Baozi (steamed buns), Guoba Cai (crispy rice with vegetables).
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### **2. Chengde (Hebei)**
**History & Culture:**
A Qing Dynasty royal summer resort blending Manchu, Han, and Tibetan cultures, famous for the Mountain Resort and the Eight Outer Temples.
**Must-Visit Attractions:**
- **Mountain Resort**: The world’s largest royal garden with 72 scenic spots from the Kangxi and Qianlong eras.
- **Puning Temple**: A Tibetan Buddhist temple housing a wooden statue of the Thousand-Armed Guanyin.
- **Putuo Zongcheng Temple**: Built to imitate the Potala Palace in Lhasa.
**High-Speed Rail:** Beijing Chaoyang → Chengde South (1 hour).
**Local Food:** Lamb soup with baked flatbread, Manchu Eight Bowls.
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### **3. Baoding (Hebei)**
**History & Culture:**
Former capital of Zhili Province, known as a key area near Beijing, preserving many Ming and Qing dynasty relics and revolutionary culture.
**Must-Visit Attractions:**
- **Zhili Governor’s Office**: A model of Qing provincial government offices.
- **Ancient Lotus Pond**: A representative northern classical garden.
- **Baiyangdian Lake** (summer): Enjoy lotus flowers by wooden boat and experience the history of the Yanling Anti-Japanese team.
**High-Speed Rail:** Beijing West → Baoding East (40 minutes).
**Local Food:** Donkey meat sandwich, Baiyunzhang steamed buns.
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### **4. Jinan (Shandong)**
**History & Culture:**
Known as the "City of Springs," with a 2,600-year history, birthplace of Longshan culture, and hometown of poets Li Qingzhao and Xin Qiji.
**Must-Visit Attractions:**
- **Baotu Spring**: The top spring in China, with an imperial stele from Emperor Qianlong.
- **Daming Lake**: Boat rides to enjoy "lotus flowers on all sides and willows on three sides."
- **Qu Shui Ting Street**: A microcosm of old Jinan residences and spring water life.
**High-Speed Rail:** Beijing South → Jinan West (1.5 hours).
**Local Food:** Braised pork, sweet soup, nine-turn large intestine.
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### **5. Datong (Shanxi)**
**History & Culture:**
Capital of the Northern Wei Dynasty and secondary capital of the Liao and Jin Dynasties, known as the "Pearl Beyond the Great Wall" and a treasure trove of Buddhist art.
**Must-Visit Attractions:**
- **Yungang Grottoes**: A UNESCO World Heritage site with over 50,000 Buddha statues.
- **Huayan Temple**: Liao Dynasty wooden architecture with exquisite murals.
- **Hanging Temple** (half-day round trip): A millennium-old temple on the cliffs of Hengshan Mountain.
**High-Speed Rail:** Beijing North/Qinghe → Datong South (2 hours).
**Local Food:** Knife-cut noodles, lamb offal noodles, Hunyuan cold noodles.
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### **6. Shenyang (Liaoning)**
**History & Culture:**
Birthplace of the Qing Dynasty and center of Manchu culture, known as "the origin of one dynasty and the capital of two emperors."
**Must-Visit Attractions:**
- **Shenyang Imperial Palace**: The second-largest existing royal palace complex in China.
- **Zhang Family Marshal Mansion**: Former residence of Zhang Xueliang, witness to Republican era history.
- **Beiling Park** (Zhao Mausoleum): A UNESCO World Heritage site.
**High-Speed Rail:** Beijing Chaoyang → Shenyang (2.5 hours).
**Local Food:** Laobian dumplings, smoked meat pancakes, Xita cold noodles.
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### **7. Wuxi (Jiangsu)**
**History & Culture:**
One of the birthplaces of Wu culture, cradle of modern national industry and commerce, known as the "Jiangnan Water Alley" by Taihu Lake.
**Must-Visit Attractions:**
- **Yuantouzhu (Turtle Head Isle)**: Taihu Lake’s top scenic spot, cherry blossoms like snow in spring.
- **Huishan Ancient Town**: Home to the Tang Dynasty’s "Second Best Spring in the World" and Ming-Qing ancestral halls.
- **Lingshan Grand Buddha**: An 88-meter tall bronze Buddha statue and Buddhist cultural site.
**High-Speed Rail:** Beijing South → Wuxi East (4 hours, suitable for long weekends).
**Local Food:** Wuxi soup dumplings, braised spare ribs, Sanfengqiao meat shop specialties.
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### **Travel Tips**:
1. **Best Seasons:** Spring and autumn are suitable for most cities; summer for Chengde’s cool retreat; autumn for Datong’s pleasant weather.
2. **Itinerary Suggestion:** 2 days and 1 night; day one for historical and cultural sites, day two for natural scenery or special neighborhoods.
3. **Ticket Reservations:** Advance booking required for Yungang Grottoes, Mountain Resort, and others.
These cities are conveniently accessible by high-speed rail, combining nature and culture, perfect for short but in-depth trips!