6 Hidden Gem Cities Perfect for a 3-5 Day Summer Vacation with Kids!

1. Chenzhou, Hunan Chenzhou is a hidden gem in Hunan. At dawn, Dongjiang Lake is shrouded in mist, with fishermen casting their nets, creating a scene straight out of a fairy tale. The Gaoyiling Scenic Area showcases unique karst landscapes, with emerald-green lakes dotting the hillsides. Climb to the top for a breathtaking panoramic view. Yangtianhu Grassland is ideal for summer escapes, featuring alpine meadows, spinning windmills, and even a Hobbit-style cottage, making it feel like a whimsical fairy tale world where kids can have endless fun. ✅ Transportation: High-speed rail to "Chenzhou West Station," about 1.5 hours from Guangzhou. ✅ Recommended Attractions: Dongjiang Lake, Gaoyiling, Mangshan Forest Park, Yangtianhu Grassland, Banliang Ancient Village. ✅ Local Delicacies: Fish noodles, Shazhufen (pork noodle soup), Dongjiang salmon, Guiyang jar meat, Linwu duck, rice dumplings. ✅ Accommodation: Stay near Dongjiang Lake for easy access to morning mist views. In the city, choose areas near Wuling Square or Beihu Park. ✅ Itinerary: D1: Stay near Dongjiang Lake—visit in the morning for the mist, take a boat tour—head to Gaoyiling in the afternoon for sunset views—explore Yuhou Street at night. D2: Visit Yangtianhu Grassland—explore Banliang Ancient Village in the afternoon—stroll through Heping Night Market in the evening. D3: Beihu Park—Chenzhou Museum. 2. Hezhou, Guangxi Hezhou is an ancient Lingnan city with a rich history, home to the thousand-year-old Huangyao Ancient Town, where small bridges span gentle streams and ancient trees tower overhead. Take a bamboo raft ride along the river for a serene experience. Escape the heat in Guposhan Forest Park, where waterfalls and streams line the hiking trails, offering a tranquil retreat. Ziyun Fairyland features stunning karst caves illuminated by colorful lights, creating a magical atmosphere. ✅ Transportation: High-speed rail to "Hezhou Station," about 1.5 hours from Guangzhou. ✅ Recommended Attractions: Huangyao Ancient Town, Guposhan Forest Park, Yushi Forest, Shibashui Ecological Scenic Area, Zhongshan Hundred-Mile Ink Painting Gallery, Ziyun Fairyland. ✅ Local Delicacies: Steamed pork ribs with Huangyao fermented beans, sour beef intestines, oil tea, Hakka stuffed dishes, water chestnut cake. ✅ Accommodation: Stay in a Huangyao Ancient Town B&B for a charming morning view. In the city, choose areas near Lingfeng Square in Babu District. ✅ Itinerary: D1: Explore Huangyao Ancient Town—stay overnight in a town B&B. D2: Hike Guposhan—return to Hezhou city for the night. D3: Visit Yushi Forest or Zhongshan Hundred-Mile Ink Painting Gallery. 3. Guilin, Guangxi "Guilin's scenery is the best under heaven." Don’t miss its breathtaking landscapes this summer! Cruise the Li River, surrounded by picturesque karst peaks and emerald waters, passing landmarks like Nine Horses Fresco Hill and Yellow Cloth Reflection. For more river views, try the Yulong River bamboo raft ride—a mix of relaxation and mild adventure amid stunning scenery. In Guilin city, visit Elephant Trunk Hill, Two Rivers and Four Lakes, and the Prince of Jingjiang’s Mansion. ✅ Transportation: High-speed rail to "Guilin North Station," about 3 hours from Guangzhou. ✅ Recommended Attractions: Li River (Yangshuo section), Xingping Ancient Town, Yulong River, Yangshuo West Street, Xianggong Mountain, Elephant Trunk Hill, Two Rivers and Four Lakes, Prince of Jingjiang’s Mansion, Longji Rice Terraces. ✅ Local Delicacies: Guilin rice noodles, Yangshuo beer fish, stuffed river snails, oil tea, water chestnut cake, osmanthus cake, glutinous rice balls, taro pork belly, bamboo tube rice. ✅ Accommodation: Stay near Two Rivers and Four Lakes or Elephant Trunk Hill in Guilin; choose West Street in Yangshuo; opt for a local guesthouse in Longji Terraces. ✅ Itinerary: D1: Arrive in Guilin—visit Elephant Trunk Hill—night cruise on Two Rivers and Four Lakes—stay in Guilin. D2: Travel to Yangshuo—Li River cruise—Xingping Ancient Town—West Street nightlife—stay in Yangshuo. D3: Yulong River rafting—bike through Ten-Mile Gallery. D4: Longji Rice Terraces. 4. Zhangzhou, Fujian Zhangzhou blends rich history with stunning coastal and mountain scenery. Visit the "Four Dishes and One Soup" tulou cluster in Nanjing, where the illuminated earthen buildings exude rustic charm at night. Yunshuiyao Ancient Town offers lush greenery and centuries-old banyan trees. For seaside lovers, Dongshan Island—a filming location for the movie *Left Ear*—boasts pristine beaches, quaint fishing villages, and colorful houses perfect for photos. ✅ Transportation: High-speed rail to "Zhangzhou Station," about 4 hours from Guangzhou. ✅ Recommended Attractions: Nanjing Tulou, Yunshuiyao Ancient Town, Dongshan Island, Volcano Island, Zhangzhou Ancient City. ✅ Local Delicacies: Braised noodles, oyster omelet, four-fruit soup, hand-pulled noodles, seafood congee, glutinous rice cakes. ✅ Accommodation: Stay in Zhangzhou Ancient City or tulou guesthouses; Dongshan and Volcano Islands have unique B&Bs. ✅ Itinerary: D1: Zhangzhou city—Nanjing Tulou—stay overnight. D2: Dongshan Island (Nanmen Bay—Sufeng Mountain—Jinluan Bay). D3: Fishbone Sandbar. 5. Quanzhou, Fujian Quanzhou is a cultural and coastal gem. Stroll through its ancient streets, where history meets modernity, and visit landmarks like Kaiyuan Temple. Explore bustling West Street for Minnan snacks, or try the floral headdresses of Xunpu Village. Hike Qingyuan Mountain for cool summer breezes and city views. ✅ Transportation: High-speed rail to "Quanzhou South Station," about 4 hours from Guangzhou. ✅ Recommended Attractions: Quanzhou Ancient City, West Street, Qingyuan Mountain, Xunpu Village, Luoyang Bridge, Maritime Museum, Chongwu Ancient City, Jinjiang Wudian Street. ✅ Local Delicacies: Thread noodles, sea worm jelly, ginger duck, four-fruit soup, beef soup, savory rice. ✅ Accommodation: Stay near West Street for convenience. ✅ Itinerary: D1: Kaiyuan Temple—West Street—Qingyuan Mountain—stay in the ancient city. D2: Xunpu Village—Luoyang Bridge—Maritime Museum—Jinjiang Wudian Street. D3: Chongwu Ancient City. 6. Nanchang, Jiangxi Ascend Tengwang Pavilion for poetic views of the Gan River, especially stunning at sunset. At night, ride the Nanchang Star Ferris Wheel for a romantic cityscape. Discover treasures at Jiangxi Provincial Museum, including artifacts from the Haihunhou Tomb. Hike or raft in Meiling Forest Park for summer fun. ✅ Transportation: High-speed rail to "Nanchang West Station," about 4 hours from Guangzhou. ✅ Recommended Attractions: Tengwang Pavilion, Bayi Square, Nanchang Star Ferris Wheel, Qiushui Square, Jiangxi Provincial Museum, Meiling Forest Park, Anyi Ancient Villages. ✅ Local Delicacies: Nanchang mixed noodles, clay pot soup, stir-fried pork with artemisia, sugar cake, three-cup chicken. ✅ Accommodation: Stay near Tengwang Pavilion or Bayi Square. ✅ Itinerary: D1: Tengwang Pavilion—Bayi Square—Jiangxi Provincial Museum—night views at Qiushui Square. D2: Hike and raft in Meiling Forest Park—ride the Ferris Wheel at night. D3: Explore Anyi Ancient Villages.