2-Hour High-Speed Rail Getaway: 4 Underrated Cities with Low Costs & Slow Living

Here are travel guides for 4 lesser-known cities accessible within 2 hours by high-speed rail:

Liangshan Yuexi County

- Transport: Direct high-speed rail from Chengdu, fastest journey 2h14m.
- Attractions: Known as "China's Natural Oxygen Bar" with summer avg. 20°C. Stroll through the laid-back county or explore surrounding forest therapy spots.
- Accommodation: ~¥100/night (off-peak), negotiable for long stays.
- Food: Try local specialties like Yuexi Nine-Bowl Banquet.

Huainan

- Transport: 40-min high-speed rail from Hefei.
- Attractions: Bagong Mountain's bamboo forests & ancient rock formations; Shouxian Ancient Town's historical charm; Longhu Park for urban leisure.
- Accommodation: Diverse hotels/homestays across price ranges.
- Food: A "carb-lover's paradise" with night market skewers, fried rice cakes, and signature tofu banquets.

Lianyungang

- Transport: 2-hour high-speed rail from Nanjing.
- Attractions: Must-visit Huaguo Mountain (peak views); Liandao Island's seascapes; Yuntain Mountain's cable car rides; nostalgic Lianyun Old Street.
- Accommodation: Huaguoshan Wuyunkong Hotel (panoramic mountain views) or Haizhou Bay Conference Center (private beach sunsets).
- Food: Xugou Seafood Market offers steamed crabs, peppered mantis shrimp, and unique sweet-vinegar cold noodles.

Shaoxing

- Transport: 30-min high-speed rail from Hangzhou.
- Attractions: Lu Xun's Hometown (author's childhood stories); Shen Garden (poetic romance); Keqian Scenic Area (Lu Xun's fictional town); Anchang Ancient Town (famous sausages featured on TV).
- Accommodation: Lantern Puxian Hotel (Hui-style courtyards) or Oriental Landscape Golden Sands Hotel (theme park access).
- Food: Xunbaoji Restaurant's local dishes; Kong Yiji Tavern's fennel beans; innovative yellow wine milk tea.