Beijing 1-Hour Reach: Four Seriously Underrated Cities

Beijing 1-Hour Circle | Four Underrated Hidden Gem Cities, I Visit the First One Every Week! Who gets it, fam! Within a 1-hour high-speed train or drive from Beijing, there are 4 "low-key but impressive" small cities, great for food, shopping, and fewer crowds. This travel radar wholeheartedly recommends them to all sisters wanting to escape the concrete jungle on weekends～ 1️⃣ Langfang 20 minutes by high-speed train! A hidden gem known as Beijing people’s "canteen"～ ▪️ Must-eat: Jingdong Meat Pie (crispy to the point of crumbling), Sanhe Tofu Shreds (perfect with porridge), Yongqing Huji Roast Chicken (marinated to the bone) ▪️ What to do: Visit "The First City Under Heaven," a replica of the Forbidden City architecture; wear Hanfu for photos with amazing vibes; cycle along the Chaobai River at dusk, with the scent of grilled skewers in the evening breeze～ ▪️ Stay: Choose hotels near Langfang Station for easy return the next day, great value for money! 2️⃣ Xinglong 1.5 hours by car into a "natural oxygen bar"! The real Swiss Alps of Chengde～ ▪️ Must-visit: Wuling Mountain (average 18°C in June, alpine meadows + sea of clouds breathtakingly beautiful), Xinglong Caves (stalactites like a crystal palace) ▪️ Food: Xinglong Hawthorn (sweet and sour juicy, also used for fruit leather), Nantianmen Lamb Soup (milky broth so fresh it’ll blow your mind) ▪️ Tips: Wear a light-colored dress for meadow photos, bring a light jacket for cool mornings and evenings～ 3️⃣ Xingtai 1 hour by high-speed train! The underrated "Pearl of Taihang," with countless historical sites～ ▪️ For culture lovers: Kongshan Baiyun Cave (the northernmost cave, stalactites that "cry"), Xingtai Grand Canyon (red rocks and clear water are stunning) ▪️ Carb heaven: Daokou Sesame Seed Cake (crispy to the point of crumbling), Xingtai Potstickers (crispy bottom, juicy inside), Julu Braised Chicken (rich soy sauce flavor) ▪️ Stay: Choose a guesthouse near the ancient city, with blue bricks and black tiles right outside your window～ 4️⃣ Hengshui 30 minutes by high-speed train! Beyond the famous Laobaigan liquor, the lake views are heart-melting～ ▪️ Healing activities: Hengshui Lake cycling (rent a bike to circle the lake, lotus flowers are super soothing), Luli Ancient Town (Han-style street photography in Hanfu is picture-perfect) ▪️ Hidden food gems: Hengshui Donkey Meat Sandwich (crispy outside, tender inside), Hengshui Lake Fish Feast (freshly caught and cooked, unbelievably delicious) ▪️ Transport tips: Taxis in the city are super cheap, only 15 RMB to the lake～ Among these 4 cities, Langfang is perfect for foodies on a quick trip, Xinglong suits mountain lovers, Xingtai is ideal for culture buffs, and Hengshui is the top choice for healing vibes! Don’t know where to go this weekend? Just pick one and go～ (PS: For specific train times and ticket info, just search the city name on Trip.com for one-click booking, super lazy-friendly 💯)