October relaxed travel! See if any of these places are on your list?
1. Huzhou Changxing
Quiet mountains and water with rich autumn vibes, where rice paddies and ancient villages reflect each other, perfect for slowing down and relaxing.
✅Attractions: Xianshan Lake, Ten-Mile Ancient Ginkgo Corridor, Shuikou Township
✅Route: Changxing County -> Xianshan Lake -> Ancient Ginkgo Corridor -> Farm villages
✅Transportation: High-speed rail to Changxing South Station, can take a taxi or rent an e-bike
✅Accommodation: Many farm stays in Shuikou Township, quiet environment, good value
✅Food: Stewed chicken, Changxing dry-tossed noodles
✅Travel tips: Ginkgo trees mostly enter the viewing period in late October; compare prices for local specialties around the scenic area.
2. Quzhou Kaihua
Mountain air is fresh, ancient villages have a strong local vibe, slow pace, great for relaxing and recuperating.
✅Attractions: Root Palace Buddhist Cultural Tourism Zone, Qianjiangyuan National Forest Park, Xiashan Ancient Village
✅Route: Rest in county town -> Root Palace -> Xiashan Ancient Village -> Quick visit to Qianjiangyuan
✅Transportation: High-speed rail to Quzhou Station, transfer to bus or drive to Kaihua
✅Accommodation: Plenty of hotels in the county town, also some atmospheric homestays in ancient villages
✅Food: Clear water fish, steamed sponge cake, Kaihua stir-fried rice noodles
✅Travel tips: Many steps in the forest park, wear soft-soled shoes; compare prices online before buying tickets for Root Palace.
3. Yichun Wentang Town
Hot spring town, warm and comfortable, surrounded by mountains, soak and relax, shed all fatigue.
✅Attractions: Wentang Ancient Well, Mingyue Mountain, Twenty-Four Bridges Mingyue Garden
✅Route: Stroll in Wentang Town -> Foot soak at ancient well -> Gentle trails at Mingyue Mountain
✅Transportation: High-speed rail to Yichun Station, direct bus to Wentang Town
✅Accommodation: Many hot spring homestays in town, some rooms have private hot springs
✅Food: Yichun rice noodles, selenium-rich local dishes, hot spring eggs
✅Travel tips: Follow on-site management rules for foot soaking at the ancient well; try not to soak on an empty stomach, seniors should pace themselves.
4. Ningde Xiapu
Beautiful light and shadow on mudflats, comfortable sea breeze, no need for strenuous walking, quietly watch the sunset by the sea.
✅Attractions: Dongbi Sunset, Beiqi Mudflats, Xiaohao Beach
✅Route: County town -> Beiqi Mudflats -> Xiaohao -> Dongbi for sunset
✅Transportation: High-speed rail to Xiapu Station, consider chartering a car or using shared e-bikes
✅Accommodation: Many sea-view homestays in Dongbi, some rooms offer ocean views
✅Food: Fresh seafood, Fuding meat slices, oyster omelet
✅Travel tips: If you need a photography guide, compare options before deciding; remember to confirm unit prices when ordering seafood.
5. Huizhou Yixian
White walls and black tiles, rows of ancient villages, quiet autumn days, stroll through alleys to feel the ancient charm of Jiangnan.
✅Attractions: Hongcun, Tachuan, Xidi
✅Route: Leisurely tour of Hongcun -> View Tachuan -> Stroll through Xidi
✅Transportation: High-speed rail to Huangshan North Station, can carpool to various ancient villages in Yixian
✅Accommodation: Many courtyard homestays in the ancient villages, great atmosphere
✅Food: Mao tofu, Huangshan sesame cakes
✅Travel tips: Stone roads in ancient villages can be slippery, watch your step; compare prices for local specialties around the scenic area.
6. Changde Taohuayuan
Full of pastoral atmosphere, quiet and uncrowded, leisurely stroll away from the hustle and bustle.
✅Attractions: Taohuayuan Scenic Area, Qingu, Wuliu Lake
✅Route: Walk around Wuliu Lake -> Check in at Qingu -> Gentle trails in Taohuayuan
✅Transportation: High-speed rail to Changde Station, can take a taxi or tourist bus
✅Accommodation: Many homestays around the scenic area, quiet environment
✅Food: Changde rice noodles, mugwort cakes, bowl dishes
✅Travel tips: The scenic area is large, no need to force yourself to visit every spot; be rational with spending on cultural and creative products.
7. Dali Jianchuan Shaxi Ancient Town
Preserves the original style of an ancient town, not overly commercialized, suitable for zoning out and living a slow life.
✅Attractions: Sideng Street, Heihui River, Librairie Avant-Garde Shaxi White Nationality Bookstore
✅Route: Stroll in the ancient town -> Read at the bookstore -> Walk by the river to watch the sunset
✅Transportation: High-speed rail to Jianchuan Station, then take a shuttle bus to Shaxi
✅Accommodation: Many Bai-style courtyard homestays in the ancient town, quiet and healing environment
✅Food: Shaxi earthen pot, rice noodles
✅Travel tips: Large temperature difference between day and night, remember to bring a thick jacket; many curves on surrounding mountain roads, drive carefully and slowly.
8. Shaoguan Nanxiong
Golden ginkgo in autumn, rustic countryside, easy travel, great for photos and relaxation.
✅Attractions: Maozifeng Ginkgo Forest, Zhuji Ancient Lane
✅Route: Quick visit to Zhuji Ancient Lane -> Stroll and take photos at Maozifeng Forest Farm
✅Transportation: High-speed rail to Nanxiong Station, can take a taxi or carpool to the scenic area
✅Accommodation: Homestays available at the forest farm, or choose to stay in Nanxiong city hotels
✅Food: Nanxiong preserved duck, sour bamboo shoot duck, stuffed tofu
✅Travel tips: Ginkgo leaves haven't fully turned yellow in October, plan to travel later if you want to see large areas of gold; limited dining options in the forest farm, bring some snacks.