Cities with direct high-speed rail access, low prices, and a slow pace of life.

✅Youxi

• Attractions: The Lianhe Terraces are a globally significant agricultural heritage site, offering spectacular views of mirror-like terraces in May and golden rice waves in October. The east side of Meixian Town is ideal for photography. Guifeng Ancient Village features 75 Ming and Qing dynasty houses, with exquisite wood carvings in the Cai Family Ancestral Hall. Jiufu Mountain Gorge is a pristine forest with nine waterfalls and wild azaleas blooming in May. Free to visit, Longmenchang Ancient Ginkgo Forest showcases ancient ginkgo trees.

• Transportation: Drive from Fuzhou via the Fuyin Expressway and exit at Youxikou. Mountainous roads connect most scenic spots, so an SUV is recommended. High-speed rail reaches Youxi Station, with tourist shuttles to the county town or e-bike rentals available.

• Food: Try specialties like Laochezhan Large Intestine Cake and Shencheng Mixed Noodles. Ask your homestay host about the "Mobile Wine-Duck" stalls.

• Accommodation: Terraced Cloud Homestay offers rammed-earth rooms with stunning views, while Guifengli Homestay is a renovated Ming-Qing era residence.

✅Hongjiang

• Attractions: Families can visit Qianyang Ancient Town, surrounded by water on three sides, with many Ming-Qing buildings and the Hibiscus Tower where Wang Changling wrote his famous poem. Hongjiang Ancient Commercial Town is an authentic architectural complex. Free Qingjiang Lake Scenic Area offers lakeside views. Also visit Daxing Zen Temple on Songyun Mountain.

• Transportation: From Zhijiang to Qianyang Ancient Town, take a taxi or rideshare. Buses run from Qianyang to Hongjiang Ancient Commercial Town.

• Accommodation: Budget options include Qianyang Hotel and Hanchen Mingzhi Hotel.

✅Jixi

• Attractions: Families will enjoy Longchuan Scenic Area, a Huizhou-style village known for producing famous figures. For water fun and summer escapes, visit Zhangshan Grand Canyon or hike the Huihang Ancient Trail. Free attractions include the Three Carvings Museum and Jixi Museum. Kantou Village is a historic ancient settlement.

• Transportation: External transport is convenient; local taxis or transit connect attractions.

• Accommodation: Boutique stays like Jixi Ruoyin and Jixi Fangkong Mountain Retreat, or upscale hotels like Yilong Hotel and Jixi Duoli International Hotel.

✅Hebi

• Attractions: Families and summer visitors can explore Yunmeng Mountain Scenic Area, a rare grassland in the Taihang Mountains. Free Hebi City Museum is renowned for kiln ceramics. Qigu Valley Scenic Area features ancient trees and stone houses. Sangyuan Town offers historic architecture and local cuisine.

• Transportation: Convenient city transit includes buses, taxis, or self-driving.

• Accommodation: Upscale options like Hilton Garden Inn Hebi High-Speed Rail Station, mid-range choices like Mosheng Light Living Hotel, and budget stays like Hebi Baoma Hotel.