Suitable for a short stay of 3–4 days, quiet and slow-paced life, accessible by high-speed rail
1. Fujian · Ningde (Xiapu/Zherong)
′*High-speed rail stations: Ningde Station / Xiapu Station
**Reasons to recommend**:
- Nestled between mountains and sea, featuring both fishing village life and tea garden mountain views, perfect for daydreaming, photography, and eating seafood.
- Low cost, homestays **80-150 RMB/night**, seafood per person **40-60 RMB**.
- **Ideal for slow living experience**:
- **Xiapu Tidal Flats** (Beiqi/Dongbi Village): free to watch sunrise and sunset, scenes of fishermen at work.
- **Zherong Yuanyang Grassland**: a rare highland grassland in the south, entrance fee **50 RMB**.
- **Tailao Mountain** (take high-speed rail from Ningde to Fuding): a fairy mountain by the sea, entrance fee **140 RMB** (optional).
**Pace**: Sleep in naturally every day, stroll through fishing villages, eat seafood, watch the tides, perfect for zoning out.
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**2. Zhejiang · Lishui (Songyang/Yunhe)**
**High-speed rail station**: Lishui Station (transfer by bus to Songyang/Yunhe)
**Reasons to recommend**:
- Rated by National Geographic as "the last secret realm of Jiangnan," featuring ancient villages, terraced fields, and bamboo forests, like a hidden retreat.
- Moderate cost, homestays **100-200 RMB/night**, farmhouse dishes per person **30-50 RMB**.
- **Ideal for slow living experience**:
- **Songyang Yangjiatang Village**: golden Potala Palace, free to stroll.
- **Yunhe Terraces**: sunrise and sea of clouds, entrance fee **80 RMB** (free if staying in scenic area homestay).
- **Guyan Painting Village**: an ink-wash town by the Ou River, entrance fee **50 RMB**.
**Pace**: Visit ancient villages in the morning, drink tea and sketch in the afternoon, watch stars at night.
*3. Anhui · Jixi**
**High-speed rail station**: Jixi North Station
**Reasons to recommend**:
- One of the birthplaces of Huizhou culture, less crowded than Hongcun and Xidi, with well-preserved ancient architecture.
- Low cost, inns **80-120 RMB/night**, Huizhou cuisine per person **30-40 RMB**.
- **Ideal for slow living experience**:
- **Longchuan Scenic Area**: Hu family ancestral hall, Yishi Shangshu Archway, entrance fee **75 RMB**.
- **Huizhou-Hangzhou Ancient Trail**: light hiking (free entrance section), or full trail (entrance fee **68 RMB**).
- **Jiapeng Township**: rapeseed flower terraces (green pastoral scenery in August), free.
**Pace**: Visit ancient residences and walk the ancient trail during the day, stroll by the river at dusk, eat Mao tofu and Hu Shi specialty hotpot.
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**4. Hunan · Huaihua (Hongjiang Ancient Commercial City/Qianyang Ancient Town)**
**High-speed rail station**: Huaihua South Station (transfer to Hongjiang/Qianyang)
**Reasons to recommend**:
- A lesser-known ancient town in western Hunan, low commercialization, preserving Ming and Qing dynasty shops, escort agencies, and old brothel sites.
- Extremely low cost, accommodation **60-100 RMB/night**, rice noodles **6 RMB/bowl**.
- **Ideal for slow living experience**:
- **Hongjiang Ancient Commercial City**: a living Ming and Qing commercial museum, entrance fee **90 RMB** (night tours free).
- **Qianyang Ancient Town**: quieter than Fenghuang, free to visit Furong Tower and old streets.
- **Drinking tea by the Yuan River**: a local gathering spot, a cup of tea **5 RMB**.
**Pace**: Sleep in, stroll old streets, eat western Hunan pickles and blood duck, experience everyday life.
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**Summary Comparison**
| City | High-speed Rail Station | Features | Daily Budget | Suitable For |
|------|-------------------------|----------|--------------|--------------|
| **Ningde** | Xiapu Station | Fishing village + tidal flats + mountains and sea | 100-150 RMB | Sea lovers, photographers |
| **Lishui** | Lishui Station | Ancient villages + terraced fields + bamboo forests | 150-200 RMB | Recluses, artistic youth |
| **Jixi** | Jixi North Station | Huizhou architecture + ancient trail | 100-130 RMB | Culture lovers, light hikers |
| **Huaihua** | Huaihua South Station | Ming and Qing ancient town + western Hunan style | 80-120 RMB | History buffs, everyday life seekers |
**Suggestions**:
- If you like **slow seaside life**, choose **Ningde Xiapu**;
- If you prefer **mountain retreat and seclusion**, choose **Lishui Songyang**;
- If you want to **visit ancient sites + hike**, choose **Anhui Jixi**;
- If you pursue **ultra-low cost + local life atmosphere**, choose **Huaihua Hongjiang/Qianyang**.
These places are accessible by high-speed rail, suitable for a short stay of 3-4 days, quiet and uncrowded, with low costs.