5 Destinations with Convenient Transportation Suitable for High-Speed Rail Direct Access and 7-Day Slow-Paced Stays

### **1. Zhangzhou, Fujian**
**High-Speed Rail Station**: Zhangzhou Station (transfer at Xiamen North Station for easier access)
**Why Visit**:
- **Living Fossil of Minnan Culture**: The ancient city preserves Ming and Qing-era arcade streets, where you can experience intangible cultural heritage like puppet shows and copper foil cutting.
- **Mountain-Sea Countryside Charm**: Dongshan Island (reachable via Yunxiao Station by high-speed rail) offers pristine beaches with fewer crowds, while the Volcanic Island (accessible by car) features unique geological landscapes.
- **Food Paradise**: Try local snacks like Four-Fruit Soup, Oyster Omelette, and Braised Noodles, averaging just 5-10 RMB—perfect for kids.
**Where to Stay**: Boutique guesthouses in the ancient city (e.g., "Zhangzhou Ancient House") or seaside lodgings on Dongshan Island.

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### **2. Songyang, Zhejiang**
**High-Speed Rail Station**: Lishui Station (1-hour bus transfer)
**Why Visit**:
- **Last Secret of Jiangnan**: Named "Zhejiang’s Most Beautiful Village" by *National Geographic*, Yangjiatang Village glows like a "Golden Potala Palace" at dusk.
- **Family-Friendly Farming**: Pick tea, make tofu, or try tie-dyeing with kids, and visit firefly bases in the mountains.
- **Cliffside Bookstore**: Pioneer Bookstore (Chenjiapeng Village branch) floats above sea clouds—a serene spot for reading.
**Where to Stay**: Rammed-earth lodgings (e.g., "Fei Niao Ji") with terraced-field views.

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### **3. Jingxi, Guangxi**
**High-Speed Rail Station**: Jingxi Station (~2 hours from Nanning)
**Why Visit**:
- **Mini Guilin Landscapes**: Goose Spring and Quyang Lake are less crowded than Yangshuo, ideal for summer boating, fishing, and cave exploration.
- **Zhuang Culture**: Craft embroidered balls on Xiuqiu Street or watch traditional brocade-making in Jiuzhou Ancient Town.
- **Border Adventure**: Detour to Detian Transnational Waterfall (1.5-hour drive).
**Where to Stay**: Lakeside guesthouses (witness dawn fishing nets at Goose Spring).

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### **4. Qianyang Ancient Town, Hunan**
**High-Speed Rail Station**: Huaihua South Station (40-minute bus transfer)
**Why Visit**:
- **More Authentic Than Fenghuang**: This 1,000-year-old Tang Dynasty town remains uncommercialized, with locals still using ancient wells for laundry.
- **Poetic Living**: Wang Changling wrote "A Heart as Pure as Ice in a Jade Vase" here—visit Furong Tower for kids’ calligraphy practice.
- **Yuan River Fun**: Summer bamboo rafting, pebble collecting, and riverside meals like sour-radish fish stew.
**Where to Stay**: Revamped ancient-town inns (e.g., "Misty Hongjiang").

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### **5. Xiuwu County (Yuntai Mountain), Henan**
**High-Speed Rail Station**: Jiaozuo Station/Xiuwu West Station (30 minutes from Zhengzhou East)
**Why Visit**:
- **Geology Textbook**: Hike family-friendly trails through Red Stone Gorge’s danxia landforms and Tanpu Gorge, a cool summer retreat.
- **Cultural Gems**: Nearby sites include the hermitage of the "Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove" and Song-era jiaotai ceramic workshops.
- **Night Adventures**: Yunxi Valley light shows and stargazing at mountain campsites.
**Where to Stay**: Yuntai Mountain’s boutique clusters (e.g., "Puju Lakeside").

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### **Tips for Extended Stays**
- **Transport**: All cities are high-speed rail accessible; some require short transfers (taxi/tourist shuttles)—allow half a day for connections.
- **Pacing**: Plan 1-2 main sights daily, paired with hands-on activities and free exploration to avoid rushing.
- **Family-Friendly**: Prioritize lodgings with kitchens/laundry for long stays.

These destinations offer 7-day itineraries rich in nature, history, and crafts—perfect for immersive family travel.