June Off-the-Beaten-Path Travel: These Four Destinations Will Surprise You

Sanming

• Must-Visit Spots: Dajin Lake boasts unique water-based Danxia landforms; Ganlu Temple is a thousand-year-old cliffside monastery; Taining Ancient Town preserves numerous Ming and Qing dynasty architectures; Yuhua Cave, one of Fujian's "Three Wonders," features extraordinary stalactite formations.

• Food Recommendations: Nationally famous Shaxian snacks include flat wontons, mixed noodles, and steamed dumplings. Also try Mingxi dried pork jerky and Youxi kumquats.

• Accommodation Options: Hotels and homestays are available in Sanming city and near attractions. Stay in Taining Ancient Town homestays for an immersive historical experience.

Beihai

• Must-Visit Spots: Weizhou Island, formed by volcanic eruptions, showcases sea erosion, sedimentation, and lava landscapes; Beihai Silver Beach has fine white sand; Beihai Old Street features Sino-Western arcade buildings; Beihai Underwater World displays diverse marine life.

• Food Recommendations: Try local seafood at Yuexiang Kitchen, fresh catches at Shark Fishing Port, Liuzhou river snails rice noodles at Shi Luo Ji, and Vietnamese rolls at Vietnamese Roll Shop.

• Accommodation Options: Luxury stays include Beihai Silver Beach Green Garden Resort; family-friendly options like Crowne Plaza Beihai Silver Beach; for stunning views, consider Weizhou Island Whale View Poolside Hotel.

Yangzhou

• Must-Visit Spots: Slender West Lake is a picturesque waterside garden; He Garden blends Chinese and Western styles; Daming Temple was Jianzhen's pre-Japan mission site; Dongguan Street offers food, shopping, and visits to Ge Garden.

• Food Recommendations: Must-tries: emerald shaomai at Quyuan Teahouse, dim sum at Fuchun Teahouse, Huaiyang cuisine at Yechun Teahouse, and shrimp roe noodles at Jiangjiaqiao Noodle Shop.

• Accommodation Options: Yangzhou Guest House and Slender West Lake Hot Spring Resort offer scenic, convenient stays.

Chifeng

• Must-Visit Spots: Ulan Butong Scenic Area merges grasslands, forests, and lakes for horseback riding and archery; Yulong Sand Lake, home of the "First Chinese Dragon," offers desert off-roading; free-entry Chifeng Museum is a national top-tier museum; Dali Lake is a "bird paradise"; Arxan Stone Forest showcases glacial relics.

• Food Recommendations: Crispy "duijia" pastries with savory fillings; original-flavor hand-grabbed mutton; golden roasted whole lamb with tender meat; rich Mongolian milk tea.

• Accommodation Options: Hotels in Chifeng city, or homestays/yurts near attractions like Xiaohongshanzi Village homestays in Ulan Butong or yurt camps at Arxan Stone Forest entrance.