Guide to Hidden Gems: 5 Lesser-Known Cities Reachable by 2-Hour High-Speed Train

Discover 5 underrated cities with stunning scenery and budget-friendly prices, all accessible within 2 hours by high-speed rail. Experience ancient water towns, mountain retreats, and cultural heritage sites while spending only 100-150 RMB per day for an immersive slow travel experience!

🏯 1. Quzhou, Zhejiang | The Spicy "Little Chongqing" of Jiangnan
🚄 Transport: 1.5h from Hangzhou (≈109 RMB), 2h from Shanghai
💰 Daily Budget: 100-150 RMB/person
✨ Highlights:
Shuitingmen Ancient Street: Free night strolls along lantern-lit flagstone roads, photo ops at Quzhou's "Hongyadong"
Jianglang Mountain: UNESCO-listed Danxia landform with three iconic peaks (100 RMB in peak season)
Nianbadu Ancient Town: Ming-Qing architecture at a tri-province border (65 RMB ticket)
🍜 Must-try:
"Three Heads and One Paw" spicy stews (5 RMB/piece)
Quzhou baked cakes (3 RMB) with pickled veggie fillings
🏡 Stay: Riverside B&Bs near Shuitingmen (100-150 RMB/night)

🌿 2. Jixi, Anhui | Poetic Huizhou Villages
🚄 Transport: 2h from Hangzhou (≈110 RMB), 2.5h from Shanghai
💰 Daily Budget: 80-120 RMB/person
✨ Highlights:
Longchuan Scenic Area: 1,000-year-old Hu Clan Ancestral Hall (75 RMB)
Huizhou-Hangzhou Ancient Trail: Free bamboo-shaded hiking routes
Renli Village: Unspoiled Ming dynasty harvest scenes
🍜 Must-try:
"Hu Shi Stew Pot" (30 RMB/person)
Jixi fried sweet potato noodles (15 RMB)
🏡 Stay: Farmstays in Longchuan (80-120 RMB/night with meals)

🍵 3. Zhenjiang, Jiangsu | Ancient Ferry Port Charm
🚄 Transport: 1h from Nanjing (≈30 RMB), 1.5h from Shanghai
💰 Daily Budget: 100-150 RMB/person
✨ Highlights:
Xijin Ferry: Five-dynasty old street with morning tea rituals
Jinshan Temple: Legendary "Flooded Golden Mountain" site (50 RMB)
Beigu Mountain sunset: Poetic Yangtze views (30 RMB)
🍜 Must-try:
"Lid Noodles" with fragrant pork (10 RMB)
Vinegar-flavored ice cream (5 RMB)
🏡 Stay: Xijin Ferry guesthouses (150 RMB/night)

🏺 4. Lanxi, Zhejiang | Morning Tea Time Capsule
🚄 Transport: 1.5h from Hangzhou (≈60 RMB)
💰 Daily Budget: 80-120 RMB/person
✨ Highlights:
Youbu Ancient Town: 6am tea market feasts (10 RMB/table)
Zhuge Bagua Village: Eight-trigram layout (80 RMB)
Lan River sunset at Zhongzhou Park
🍜 Must-try:
Egg-stuffed crispy cakes (8 RMB)
Stone-ground salty soy milk (3 RMB)
🏡 Stay: Huizhou-style B&Bs (100 RMB/night)

🪔 5. Liling, Hunan | Porcelain Capital Vibes
🚄 Transport: 0.5h from Changsha (≈35 RMB), 2h from Wuhan
💰 Daily Budget: 80-120 RMB/person
✨ Highlights:
Ceramic workshops (30 RMB DIY)
Weishan ancient kiln ruins
Zhuangyuan Island cycling
🍜 Must-try:
Liling stir-fried noodles (8 RMB)
Spicy cured duck (25 RMB/half)
🏡 Stay: Bookish hostels (60 RMB/bed)

💎 Pro Tips:
• Book Friday-Sunday trips using 12306's "Frequent Traveler" passes
• Rent e-bikes (10 RMB/day) at smaller stations
• Visit ancient towns before 8am to avoid crowds
• Skip overpriced combo tickets in Quzhou
• Family-friendly activities:
- Zhenjiang's Jinshan Temple printmaking (20 RMB)
- Lanxi's free Bagua maze for kids

🌿 Slow City Charms: Quzhou's spice, Jixi's ink-wash scenery, Zhenjiang's vinegar, Lanxi's tea, Liling's porcelain—all offering urban escape under 100 RMB/day. Two hours by train, twenty years back in time. Pick a weekend to disconnect and breathe!