Help! These 4 off-the-beaten-path cities with direct high-speed rail access are PERFECT for escaping summer heat in July-August – missing out would be a crime!

Folks! Summer vacation means crowds everywhere in popular destinations. Want to travel but dread being packed like sardines? Today I'm sharing my ultimate guide – 4 hidden gem cities reachable by high-speed rail! Scenic, uncrowded, and refreshingly cool. Bookmark this and get ready to go!

🌊 Hidden Gem Huludao – Weihai's Chill Alternative

Who says beach trips must mean crowded hotspots? Liaoning's Huludao stuns visitors with its serene shores! No tourist hordes here – just gentle sea breezes and powdery sand 🏖️, making "having the whole beach to yourself" an effortless reality!

- Must-visit spots📸:
- Xingcheng Beach: Sand so fine it feels like flour underfoot – ultra therapeutic! At dusk, tangerine-hued sunsets paint the sky gold 🌅, creating effortlessly atmospheric photos.
- Liandao Red Brick Old Street: Vintage red-brick buildings house artsy shops – retro lovers rejoice! Strike a pose for instant cinematic shots.
- Foodie heaven🍢: Night markets offer "seafood freedom"! 10 yuan gets you 6 grilled oysters 🦪 bursting with garlic aroma; freshly grilled scallops and clams are juicy perfection! Pair with tangy chilled chicken skewers and ice-cold beer 🍻 for double the joy! Next morning, try savory tofu pudding topped with broth, pickles, and scallions – authentic northern breakfast unlocked!

🌿 Hidden Gem Anshun – Summer's Natural AC

Guizhou's Anshun is summer's ultimate cool escape! With average 20°C temperatures ❄️, ditch AC rooms for nature's "giant refrigerator."

- Top experiences🎡:
- Dragon Palace: Overshadowed by Huangguoshu Falls nearby, this hidden treasure features boat rides through mystical underground rivers. Stalactites glow rainbow hues under lights while you bundle up in the cave's chill 🧣 – like stumbling into fairyland!
- Yunfeng Tunpu: Ming-Qing era stone villages with white walls and slate roofs. Don hanfu for photos 📷 and time-travel to ancient China!
- Food marathon🍜: Anshun's cuisine could keep you eating all day! Crystal-clear "guojuan" rolls pack flavorful fillings – impossible to stop at one! "Siwawa" wraps burst with bean sprouts, cucumber, and a dozen other fillings drenched in soulful sour soup. Must-try: rose jelly 🌹 – bouncy crystal jelly with sweet rose paste and crunchy peanuts, cooling and addictive!

🌊 Hidden Gem Fangchenggang – Coastal Utopia

Compared to Sanya's bustle, Fangchenggang is a "seaside paradise" with singing sands, ultra-fresh seafood, and secret fishing villages.

- Magical experiences✨:
- Bailang Beach: Sands that "sing" underfoot! Barefoot runs create rhythmic whispers – so fun! Join fishermen 🐟 to catch mantis shrimp and crabs 🦀, then feast on your fresh haul – mind-blowing flavor!
- Leshan Ancient Fishing Village: Golden sunsets 🌇 paint the sea while you collect shells and clams. Every silhouette photo looks like a movie still!

🌵 Hidden Gem Zhongwei – Desert Fairytale

Where desert meets Yellow River 💥 – Ningxia's Zhongwei delivers both the Gobi's grandeur and the river's poetic beauty.

- Must-dos🐫:
- Sheepskin rafting: Drift the Yellow River on traditional rafts between dramatic red cliffs, witnessing "the round sunset over long river" 🌄.
- Desert Stars Hotel: Gaze at the Milky Way 🌌 from bed! Next day, camel trek 🐫 through dunes, channeling your inner desert warrior!
- Flavor journey🍖: Juicy hand-torn lamb pairs perfectly with desert onions; sweet fermented wheat milk tea is instant love! Crispy-yet-tender Yellow River carp 🟡 with northwestern noodles will have your taste buds dancing!

🚄 Travel Tips

1️⃣ Ticket hack: Limited direct trains – set 15-day advance alarms ⏰!
2️⃣ Transport: Huludao/Fangchenggang sights are spread out – rent cars 🚗 for freedom. Anshun/Zhongwei have convenient taxis or day tours.
3️⃣ Sun protection: July-August UV is brutal! Pack sunscreen 🧴, sunglasses 🕶️, hats 🧢, and UV clothing unless you want a "tan" you can't undo.

This summer, skip the crowds! Grab your squad 👭 and use this guide to unlock uniquely romantic travels in these 4 hidden gems! 💖

Post by Sophia Price-88 | Jul 4, 2025

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