Who knew? This place is truly a paradise for spontaneous trips!
Everyone says popular cities are crowded, but some places, despite their rich heritage and wild scenery, are always underestimated. I've explored these 8 cities for you; some are perfect for a weekend stroll, while others are worth a special trip. Don't wait for a holiday, it's not too late to book your tickets now.
01 Jiangmen, Guangdong
Many people know Jiangmen because it was a filming location for "The Knockout," but what truly made me remember this city are the Kaiping Diaolou.
📍 In Zili Village, the cluster of Diaolou is surrounded by rice paddies. At 5 PM, the light hits the gray walls at an angle, casting long shadows that are more effective than any filter. Don't just focus on the famous Ming Shi Lou; walk further down the deserted paths, and you'll find abandoned Diaolou with ivy climbing up to the third-floor windows. That quiet atmosphere is truly captivating.
🍜 Don't rush off after seeing the Diaolou. Head back to the city for a bowl of Waihai noodles; the bamboo-pressed noodles are springy, and the wontons are filled with whole shrimp.
⚠️ The Diaolou scenic area stops admitting visitors at 5 PM. Don't arrive at 4:50 PM, as the security guards at the entrance genuinely won't let you in.
🚄 Take the high-speed train from Guangzhou South Station to Kaiping South Station, about 1 hour. A taxi from the station to the scenic area costs about CNY 30.
02 Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan
This area isn't for rushing; it's for immersing yourself. That day, I drove from Xinduqiao to Mugecuo. The grasslands outside the car window gradually changed from yellow-green to deep gold, and yaks slowly crossed the road, ignoring my horn. The lake water in Mugecuo is an unreal blue. The wind by the lake is strong enough to blow your hat into the water, so remember to hold it tight.
Daocheng Yading is another story. The hiking trails require good physical stamina. I climbed to Milk Lake, which is 4,700 meters above sea level, in 4 hours, resting 7 or 8 times along the way.
⚠️ Oxygen tanks cost CNY 25 at the foot of the mountain and CNY 60 on the mountain. Prepare them in advance. You can touch the glacier tongue of Hailuogou at a low altitude, but to see the "Golden Mountain in the Morning Sun," you need to be at the viewing platform before 7 AM. ⏰ After 8 AM, the clouds roll in, and the view is gone.
03 Jingmen, Hubei
If a friend hadn't dragged me along, I wouldn't have put Jingmen on my weekend list. But the quietness of Xianling Tomb became its advantage. This Ming Dynasty imperial tomb doesn't have the crowds of the Ming Tombs in Beijing. The stone statues stand in the twilight, and the wind rustles through the cypress trees along the sacred way, making you afraid to speak loudly.
📍 Enter from the entrance by Mochou Lake. Walking the entire sacred way takes about 40 minutes. The stone path is flat, so it's not tiring for seniors or children.
🎫 The ticket is about CNY 70. ⚠️ Ticket sales stop at 4:30 PM. Don't be like me and arrive at 3:50 PM, almost getting turned away. After visiting the tomb, head back to the city for a plate of Zhongxiang Panlong Cuisine. Pork and fish are minced, rolled into a log, sliced, and pan-fried. Locals only serve it during festivals.
04 Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia
The Hulunbuir Grassland isn't "a piece" of grassland; it's "an entire expanse" of grassland, so vast that your navigation shows 80 kilometers ahead, yet you still see the same green. I rented an SUV from Hailar. The driver, a local Mongolian, stopped halfway and pointed to a hillside, saying, "Climb up there, and you can see the bends of the Morigele River."
⏰ The most beautiful time on the grassland is from 5 AM to 7 AM. Morning mist flows over the tips of the grass, and herds of cattle emerge from the mist, like a painting.
🍜 At noon, drink salty milk tea at a herdsman's home, served with hand-torn meat. You eat the meat directly with your hands; it's fatty but not greasy.
⚠️ Don't buy "all-natural dairy products" at the scenic area entrance; many are made from powder. Look for freshly squeezed and boiled ones.
🚄 A taxi from Hailar Airport to the city center costs about CNY 20. A chartered car for a day costs CNY 600–800, which will be more expensive during peak season.
05 Bijie, Guizhou
Zhijin Cave is the most "unreasonable" cave I've ever seen. It's so massive that it takes 2 hours to walk through, and the highest point inside is dozens of stories tall. Looking up, the stalactites resemble an inverted forest. The lighting inside the cave is very restrained, unlike some scenic spots that look like discos, which is commendable.
⏰ The cave is consistently around 15 degrees Celsius. Wear a jacket when entering in summer; don't believe "it's cool in the cave" and tough it out in a T-shirt.
Baili Azalea is a different world altogether. During the blooming season in March and April, azaleas from light pink to deep red cover the mountains as far as the eye can see.
📍 It's about a 40-minute drive from Qianxi County. The mountain roads have many turns, so take motion sickness medication in advance if needed.
🍜 After seeing the flowers, go to Dafang County to eat "Shanji Dian Tofu." The tofu is so tender you need a spoon, the broth is fresh and sweet, and it's hearty with a bowl of buckwheat rice.
06 Nanchang, Jiangxi
Is Tengwang Pavilion one of those places where you "regret not going, but also regret going"? I thought so until I ascended the pavilion at 6 PM. The Gan River was burning orange with the sunset, and the silhouettes of high-rises on the opposite bank overlapped with the twilight glow. Only then did I understand that Wang Bo's line, "A lone wild duck flies with the setting sun," was not an exaggeration.
⚠️ It's too crowded during the day, and there are long queues for the elevator. I recommend taking the stairs directly to the fifth floor, which only takes about 5 minutes.
🍜 After visiting Tengwang Pavilion, turn into the nearby Shengjinta Food Street. Have a bowl of ceramic pot soup and a plate of mixed noodles. Drizzle with chili oil for a CNY 3 delight.
📍 For accommodation, choose the Honggutan side. It's just one subway stop across the river to Tengwang Pavilion, and you can also stroll along the river at night to enjoy the night view.
🎫 Tengwang Pavilion ticket is CNY 50, half price for students. Remember to bring your ID.
07 Baoting County, Hainan
When Sanya is crowded, Baoting remains like an undiscovered secret. In Binglanggu's Li ethnic village, thatched houses are scattered among coconut groves. The weaving grandmothers work incredibly fast; before you can even make out the pattern, she's already changed threads.
📍 The last generation of tattooed Li grandmothers in the scenic area is now over 90 years old. You'll need luck to hear her sing.
Yanoda Rainforest is another face of the region. Walkways are built among the treetops, with deep valleys below and the sound of waterfalls in your ears.
⏰ It's recommended to go in the morning. The rainforest has high humidity, and sudden afternoon showers are common, making the walkways slippery and difficult to navigate.
🍜 The bamboo rice at the scenic area entrance is overpriced, CNY 20 for a small section, and the taste is mediocre. It's better to go to Baoting County afterward for a bowl of Lingshui sour noodles.
⚠️ Yanoda and Binglanggu are close, so you can plan them for the same day, but don't overdo it; walking through both places will truly exhaust your legs.
08 Anshan, Liaoning
The name Qianshan sounds ordinary, but once you enter, you'll understand why it's called "Northeast's Little Huangshan."
📍 Start from Wuliangguan and climb the stone steps, passing by Jiabian Stone—the narrowest part is only 40 centimeters wide. I personally saw a burly man get stuck sideways and had to be pulled out by his companion.
⏰ Arrive at the foot of the mountain before 8 AM. There are fewer people, and the mist hasn't dissipated yet, making the pine trees look like an ink wash painting in the fog.
🍜 After descending the mountain, go to Anshan city center for a sauerkraut and pork hotpot. The sauerkraut is tangy, and the pork dipped in garlic paste, paired with a bowl of sorghum rice, warms you right up.
⚠️ Qianshan ticket is CNY 80, cable car one-way is CNY 40. If you have good stamina, I recommend climbing up. You can reach Wufoding Peak in 2 hours, and the scenery is much better than what you see from the cable car.
🚄 A taxi from Anshan Station to Qianshan is about CNY 25. Bus No. 8 also goes there, but it's a bit slower.
These 8 cities, some are suitable for spontaneous weekend trips, while others are worth saving up for a longer holiday. I miss the snow-capped mountains of Garzê and the Diaolou twilight of Jiangmen the most. Which city has captured your heart? Share in the comments; maybe the next article will be about the city you have in mind.