High-speed rail direct access! 4 underrated yet stunning small cities!

Tired of crowded popular cities? These 4 off-the-beaten-path cities are reachable by high-speed rail, with beautiful scenery and low prices. Every photo looks like a masterpiece. Students & workers, quickly take note! 👇

1. Wenzhou, Zhejiang · A secret realm where mountains meet the sea
✨Must-try experiences:
- Nanxi River: bamboo raft drifting (80 RMB/person), see ancient villages reflected in the water
- Dongtou Island: Rainbow dam like Xiao Erhai, free for Instagram-worthy shots
- Wuma Street: stroll through a Republic of China style old street, taste authentic glutinous rice

📸Photo spots:
Lingshangrenjia night view | Huagang fishing village | Baizhangji Waterfall
🍜Must-eats:
Dengzhan cake | Duck tongue
💡Tips: Direct bus from Wenzhou South Station to attractions, don’t miss the bayberry season in June

2. Qingyuan, Guangdong · A Lingnan landscape painting
✨Must-try experiences:
- Gulong Gorge: walk the glass bridge + rafting (combo ticket 198 RMB), perfect summer cool down
- Lianzhou Underground River: boat tour exploring billion-year-old karst caves (ticket 120 RMB)
- Yingxi Fenglin: cycling through karst landforms (bike rental 30 RMB/day)

📸Photo spots:
Huangchuan Three Gorges | Ou Family Terraces | Green World Fields
🍜Must-eats:
Qingyuan chicken | Zhouxin porridge | Knife-cut glutinous rice cakes
💡Tips: 0.5h high-speed rail from Guangzhou, recommended to stay in Qingxin Hot Spring area

3. Hengyang, Hunan · The underestimated pearl of southern Hunan
✨Must-try experiences:
- Mount Heng (Nanyue): hike or cable car to the summit (ticket 110 RMB), watch the sea of clouds roll
- Shigu Academy: millennium-old school to experience Huxiang culture (free)
- Dongzhou Island: the "Little Orange Isle" in the Xiang River, perfect for vintage artistic photos

📸Photo spots:
Zhurong Peak sunrise | Huiyan Peak | Baoweili comic wall
🍜Must-eats:
Fish noodles | Spicy snails | Glutinous rice cake
💡Tips: 0.5h high-speed rail from Changsha, foot-of-mountain homestays 100+ RMB/night in June

4. Dandong, Liaoning · The romance of a border town
✨Must-try experiences:
- Yalu River Broken Bridge: gaze towards North Korea (ticket 30 RMB), stunning night views
- Hushan Great Wall: eastern starting point of the Great Wall (ticket 60 RMB)

📸Photo spots:
Jiangjie Railway Bridge | Hekou Peach Blossoms | Hun River big bend
🍜Must-eats:
Stir-fried yellow clams with noodles | Strawberries (May season 10 RMB/jin) | Korean cold noodles
💡Tips: 1.5h high-speed rail from Shenyang, choose riverside rooms for accommodation

🚄Recommended itineraries:
- Weekend trip: Qingyuan + Hengyang (mountains & waters combo)
- Short holiday: Dandong + Wenzhou (sea & mountain combo)
- Foodie trip: Hengyang + Dandong (noodles + seafood)

💬Interactive giveaway:
Which small city do you most want to unlock?
Tag 2 friends to win the "Underrated Cities Hand-drawn Guide" 🎨