Four Treasure Cities You Must Visit Before 40! Low Cost, Slow Pace

🌟 Travel Guide to 4 Treasure Cities to Visit Before 40 🌟

1. Xiamen — The Double Romance of Art and Island Life 🏝️🎨

Recommended Attractions:

- Gulangyu Island 🏛️: An expo of international architecture, known as the Piano Island; stroll through alleys to feel the artistic vibe.
- Xiamen University 🏫: One of China's most beautiful campuses, adjacent to Nanputuo Temple, blending culture and nature.
- Huandao Road 🚴‍♂️: Cycle or walk along the route to Zengcuoan (an artistic fishing village) and Huangcuo Beach (a perfect sunset spot).
- Botanical Garden 🌵: Tropical rainforest area and giant cacti make for great photo spots.

Itinerary:

📅 Day 1: Gulangyu Island (Shuzhuang Garden, Sunlight Rock) → Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street (Minnan snacks)

📅 Day 2: Xiamen University → Nanputuo Temple → Shapowei Art District → Huandao Road cycling

📅 Day 3: Botanical Garden → Zengcuoan → Huangcuo Beach

💰 Budget Reference (3 days, 2 people):

- Transportation: High-speed train/flight varies by location; local bus/taxi about 200 RMB
- Accommodation: Guesthouses or comfortable hotels about 400-600 RMB/night
- Tickets: Gulangyu combo ticket about 100 RMB/person, Botanical Garden 30 RMB/person
- Food: 80-150 RMB/person/day (Satay noodles, oyster omelet, peanut soup, roasted meat rice dumplings, earthworm jelly for the brave)

🍜 Food Recommendations:

Satay noodles, oyster omelet, peanut soup, roasted meat rice dumplings, earthworm jelly (challenge for the brave) 😋

2. Arxan — Northern Xinjiang’s Secret Realm, A Fairy Tale All Year Round ❄️🍁

Recommended Attractions:

- Arxan National Forest Park 🌲: Tianchi Lake, Rhododendron Lake, Stone Forest; autumn scenery like a painting.
- Bailang Peak ☀️: Stunning sunrise and sea of clouds; winter frost wonderland.
- Unfrozen River ❄️: Does not freeze in severe winter, misty like a fairyland.
- Oronbukan Tribe 🏕️: Explore Ewenki culture, forest hiking.

Itinerary:

📅 Day 1: Arxan Railway Station (popular check-in spot) → Wuli Spring (free mineral water) → city hot springs experience

📅 Day 2: Arxan Forest Park (Tianchi Lake, Santan Gorge)

📅 Day 3: Bailang Peak sunrise → Deer Park (filming location of "Dear Inn")

💰 Budget Reference (4 days, 2 people):

- Transportation: Recommended self-drive/charter (about 800 RMB/day), train to Ulanhot then bus
- Accommodation: Wooden cabins in the park or city hotels 300-500 RMB/night
- Tickets: Forest Park 180 RMB/person (includes sightseeing bus)
- Food: 60-100 RMB/person/day (roast lamb chops, dairy products, wild vegetables)

🍖 Food Recommendations:

Hand-held lamb, Mongolian milk tea, wild mushroom hotpot, milk chew rice stir-fry 🥛

3. Datong — A Thousand-Year-Old Ancient City Beyond the Great Wall 🏯⛰️

Recommended Attractions:

- Yungang Grottoes 🪨: World cultural heritage, pinnacle of Northern Wei Buddhist art.
- Hanging Temple 🏯: "Sky castle" on a cliff, supported only by wooden pillars.
- Huayan Temple 🏛️: Liao and Jin dynasty architectural treasure, exquisite murals and sculptures.
- Datong Earth Forest 🌄: Erosional landforms, magical light and shadow at sunset.

Itinerary:

📅 Day 1: Yungang Grottoes → Datong Museum → Ancient city wall night view

📅 Day 2: Hanging Temple → Hengshan Mountain (optional hike) → Hunyuan Liangfen shop

📅 Day 3: Huayan Temple → Shanhua Temple → Earth Forest (a must for photography lovers)

💰 Budget Reference (3 days, 2 people):

- Transportation: 2-hour high-speed train from Beijing, local charter about 500 RMB/day
- Accommodation: Boutique inns inside the ancient city 200-400 RMB/night
- Tickets: Yungang Grottoes 120 RMB/person, Hanging Temple 125 RMB (includes climbing fee)
- Food: 50-100 RMB/person/day (knife-cut noodles, lamb offal, yellow rice jelly)

🍜 Food Recommendations:

Knife-cut noodles (Oriental shaved noodles), Hunyuan liangfen, Datong lamb offal, Baihua shumai dumplings 🥟

4. Sanya — Tropical Paradise, The Lazy Vacationer's Top Choice 🌴☀️

Recommended Attractions:

- Wuzhizhou Island 🏝️: Crystal-clear sea, paradise for diving and water sports.
- Yalong Bay 🏖️: "Eastern Hawaii," cluster of five-star hotels and fine sandy beaches.
- Coconut Dream Corridor 🌅: 20 km coastline, free sunset check-in spot.
- Nanshan Temple 🙏: 108-meter sea Guanyin statue, a place for blessings.

Itinerary:

📅 Day 1: Wuzhizhou Island (diving/electric island tour car) → Houhai Village Night Market

📅 Day 2: Yalong Bay Beach → Tropical Paradise Forest Park (filming location of "If You Are the One")

📅 Day 3: Nanshan Temple → Tianya Haijiao (classic landmark) → Walk along Coconut Dream Corridor

💰 Budget Reference (5 days, 2 people):

- Transportation: Flight varies by location, recommended car rental/self-drive (about 200 RMB/day)
- Accommodation: Yalong Bay sea view hotels 800-1500 RMB/night, guesthouses more affordable
- Tickets: Wuzhizhou Island 140 RMB/person, Nanshan Temple 129 RMB/person
- Food: 100-200 RMB/person/day (seafood, coconut chicken, Baoluo noodles, coconut milk dessert, tropical fruits like mango and durian) 🍍

Travel light to enjoy to the fullest! 🎒✨