4 Hidden Gems in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai! 1-Hour High-Speed Rail Access

“10 Times Less Crowded Than Suzhou and Hangzhou! These 4 Small Towns Are Breathtakingly Beautiful!"** 🚗 Nanxun, Zhoushan, Moganshan, Kunshan—Direct high-speed rail or self-driving access, fewer people, beautiful scenery, low prices, perfect for a spontaneous weekend getaway!

🚗 Transportation Guide
▫️ **Nanxun**: 30-minute taxi from Huzhou High-Speed Rail Station (about 20 RMB per person for carpooling)
▫️ **Zhoushan**: 1.5-hour bus from Ningbo (direct to Zhujiajian)
▫️ **Moganshan**: 40-minute taxi from Deqing West Station (car rental recommended)
▫️ **Kunshan**: 17-minute high-speed rail from Shanghai Hongqiao (faster than the subway)

🏡 Heavenly accommodations from 150+ RMB per person
✔️ **Nanxun**: Bai Jian Lou Riverside Inn (open the window to see the black-awning boats)
✔️ **Zhoushan**: Zhujiajian Fisherman’s Homestay (includes three meals, about 200 RMB per person)
✔️ **Moganshan**: Bamboo Forest Poolside Guesthouse (pet-friendly)
✔️ **Kunshan**: Jijiadun Ideal Village (pastoral style, super healing)

📝 Must-Do List for the Four Towns*

**1️⃣ Nanxun: The Last Pure Land of Jiangnan**
✅ **Free admission before 7:00 AM**! Enjoy the misty morning at Bai Jian Lou with no crowds
✅ **Hidden activity**: Take the 3 RMB water bus (locals only know this)
✅ **Must-eat**: Double sauce noodles (crispy pork + fried fish), Dingsheng cake

2️⃣ Zhoushan: The Ultimate Island-Hopping Tour
✅ **Dongji Island**: Filming location of "The Continent" (buy ferry tickets in advance)
✅ **Zhujiajian**: Daqingshan coastal self-driving tour (stop and take photos anytime)
✅ **Late-night snack**: Shenjiamen food stalls (60 RMB per person to eat your fill)

3️⃣ Moganshan: Top Summer Escape Spot
✅ **Yucun Square**: Republic of China style café + cultural shops
✅ **Free fun**: Biwu Longtan (glass water creek trekking)
✅ **Exclusive delicacy**: Bamboo forest chicken soup (stewed with mountain spring water)

4️⃣ Kunshan · Suzhou: Shanghai’s Backyard Garden
✅ **Jinxi Ancient Town**: 10 times quieter than Zhouzhuang (boat ride only 80 RMB)
✅ **Yangcheng Lake**: Not just famous for hairy crabs! Cycling here is super comfortable
✅ **Artistic check-in**: Treasure Island Village (pretend you’re in Taiwan)

🍜 Regret if You Don’t Try Series
✔️ **Nanxun**: Xunti (featured on "Twelve Flavors")
✔️ **Zhoushan**: Seafood noodles (30 RMB, more seafood than noodles)
✔️ **Moganshan**: Bamboo forest free-range chicken pot (soup so fresh it’ll make your eyebrows raise)
✔️ **Kunshan**: Aozao noodles (both red and white soup are amazing)

💡 Insider Tips Only Locals Know
⚠️ Nanxun is free after 5 PM (night views are even more beautiful)
⚠️ Bring seasickness medicine for Zhoushan island hopping (Dongji route is very bumpy)
⚠️ Book Moganshan’s popular guesthouses one month in advance
⚠️ Kunshan Metro Line 11 goes directly to Shanghai Disneyland