5 Destinations with Convenient Transportation Suitable for High-Speed Rail Direct Access and 7-Day Slow-Paced Stays

### **1. Zhangzhou, Fujian** **High-Speed Rail Station**: Zhangzhou Station (transfer at Xiamen North Station for easier access) **Why Visit**: - **Living Fossil of Minnan Culture**: The ancient city preserves Ming and Qing-era arcade streets, where you can experience intangible cultural heritage like puppet shows and copper foil cutting. - **Mountain-Sea Countryside Charm**: Dongshan Island (reachable via Yunxiao Station by high-speed rail) offers pristine beaches with fewer crowds, while the Volcanic Island (accessible by car) features unique geological landscapes. - **Food Paradise**: Try local snacks like Four-Fruit Soup, Oyster Omelette, and Braised Noodles, averaging just 5-10 RMB—perfect for kids. **Where to Stay**: Boutique guesthouses in the ancient city (e.g., "Zhangzhou Ancient House") or seaside lodgings on Dongshan Island. --- ### **2. Songyang, Zhejiang** **High-Speed Rail Station**: Lishui Station (1-hour bus transfer) **Why Visit**: - **Last Secret of Jiangnan**: Named "Zhejiang’s Most Beautiful Village" by *National Geographic*, Yangjiatang Village glows like a "Golden Potala Palace" at dusk. - **Family-Friendly Farming**: Pick tea, make tofu, or try tie-dyeing with kids, and visit firefly bases in the mountains. - **Cliffside Bookstore**: Pioneer Bookstore (Chenjiapeng Village branch) floats above sea clouds—a serene spot for reading. **Where to Stay**: Rammed-earth lodgings (e.g., "Fei Niao Ji") with terraced-field views. --- ### **3. Jingxi, Guangxi** **High-Speed Rail Station**: Jingxi Station (~2 hours from Nanning) **Why Visit**: - **Mini Guilin Landscapes**: Goose Spring and Quyang Lake are less crowded than Yangshuo, ideal for summer boating, fishing, and cave exploration. - **Zhuang Culture**: Craft embroidered balls on Xiuqiu Street or watch traditional brocade-making in Jiuzhou Ancient Town. - **Border Adventure**: Detour to Detian Transnational Waterfall (1.5-hour drive). **Where to Stay**: Lakeside guesthouses (witness dawn fishing nets at Goose Spring). --- ### **4. Qianyang Ancient Town, Hunan** **High-Speed Rail Station**: Huaihua South Station (40-minute bus transfer) **Why Visit**: - **More Authentic Than Fenghuang**: This 1,000-year-old Tang Dynasty town remains uncommercialized, with locals still using ancient wells for laundry. - **Poetic Living**: Wang Changling wrote "A Heart as Pure as Ice in a Jade Vase" here—visit Furong Tower for kids’ calligraphy practice. - **Yuan River Fun**: Summer bamboo rafting, pebble collecting, and riverside meals like sour-radish fish stew. **Where to Stay**: Revamped ancient-town inns (e.g., "Misty Hongjiang"). --- ### **5. Xiuwu County (Yuntai Mountain), Henan** **High-Speed Rail Station**: Jiaozuo Station/Xiuwu West Station (30 minutes from Zhengzhou East) **Why Visit**: - **Geology Textbook**: Hike family-friendly trails through Red Stone Gorge’s danxia landforms and Tanpu Gorge, a cool summer retreat. - **Cultural Gems**: Nearby sites include the hermitage of the "Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove" and Song-era jiaotai ceramic workshops. - **Night Adventures**: Yunxi Valley light shows and stargazing at mountain campsites. **Where to Stay**: Yuntai Mountain’s boutique clusters (e.g., "Puju Lakeside"). --- ### **Tips for Extended Stays** - **Transport**: All cities are high-speed rail accessible; some require short transfers (taxi/tourist shuttles)—allow half a day for connections. - **Pacing**: Plan 1-2 main sights daily, paired with hands-on activities and free exploration to avoid rushing. - **Family-Friendly**: Prioritize lodgings with kitchens/laundry for long stays. These destinations offer 7-day itineraries rich in nature, history, and crafts—perfect for immersive family travel.