2-Hour High-Speed Rail Getaway: 4 Underrated Cities with Low Costs & Slow Living

Here are travel guides for 4 lesser-known cities accessible within 2 hours by high-speed rail: Liangshan Yuexi County - Transport: Direct high-speed rail from Chengdu, fastest journey 2h14m. - Attractions: Known as "China's Natural Oxygen Bar" with summer avg. 20°C. Stroll through the laid-back county or explore surrounding forest therapy spots. - Accommodation: ~¥100/night (off-peak), negotiable for long stays. - Food: Try local specialties like Yuexi Nine-Bowl Banquet. Huainan - Transport: 40-min high-speed rail from Hefei. - Attractions: Bagong Mountain's bamboo forests & ancient rock formations; Shouxian Ancient Town's historical charm; Longhu Park for urban leisure. - Accommodation: Diverse hotels/homestays across price ranges. - Food: A "carb-lover's paradise" with night market skewers, fried rice cakes, and signature tofu banquets. Lianyungang - Transport: 2-hour high-speed rail from Nanjing. - Attractions: Must-visit Huaguo Mountain (peak views); Liandao Island's seascapes; Yuntain Mountain's cable car rides; nostalgic Lianyun Old Street. - Accommodation: Huaguoshan Wuyunkong Hotel (panoramic mountain views) or Haizhou Bay Conference Center (private beach sunsets). - Food: Xugou Seafood Market offers steamed crabs, peppered mantis shrimp, and unique sweet-vinegar cold noodles. Shaoxing - Transport: 30-min high-speed rail from Hangzhou. - Attractions: Lu Xun's Hometown (author's childhood stories); Shen Garden (poetic romance); Keqian Scenic Area (Lu Xun's fictional town); Anchang Ancient Town (famous sausages featured on TV). - Accommodation: Lantern Puxian Hotel (Hui-style courtyards) or Oriental Landscape Golden Sands Hotel (theme park access). - Food: Xunbaoji Restaurant's local dishes; Kong Yiji Tavern's fennel beans; innovative yellow wine milk tea.