2h Direct from Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai, Pitfall Avoidance Guide, Five Lesser-Known Travel Destinations

Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai workers rejoice! Five hidden gems reachable within 2 hours, no crowds allowed🙅‍♀️ Who understands, family! Want to escape the city on the weekend but afraid all the popular spots are just a sea of backs? Here’s a personally tested, no-pitfall guide to lesser-known places, reachable by high-speed train or car within 2 hours, beautiful, peaceful, and budget-friendly. Save it and go! 👇 1️⃣ Lishui Guyan Painting Village | The Oujiang version of “Ink Wonderland” ✨Highlights: Fishermen burn pine smoke to create mist in the early morning, ancient camphor trees hide artists’ studios, and a ferry ride feels like traveling back to the Ming and Qing dynasties. ❌Pitfall to avoid: Don’t buy the combo ticket! The ancient street and riverside are free to visit; buying tickets for core attractions separately is more cost-effective. 😋Personal feeling: The café at the end of the lotus leaf boardwalk is super healing, like stepping into a scene from "Little Forest," perfect for photos! 🎫Tickets: Some attractions charge, all-access pass 50 RMB｜🚗Transport: Lishui high-speed rail then bus direct 2️⃣ Jiaxing Puyuan Ancient Town | A simpler thousand-year-old water town than Wuzhen ✨Highlights: 800-year-old ginkgo trees perfect for photos, immersive ancient-style performances on Shiwang Street at night, very little commercial atmosphere. ❌Pitfall to avoid: Avoid peak times for night tours on holidays; fewer people on regular days better capture the tranquility of Jiangnan. 😋Personal feeling: The water pavilion in Shufang Zen Garden is shrouded in mist, wearing Hanfu for photos needs no retouching! 🎫Tickets: Discounted 60 RMB (original 120)｜🚗Transport: Tongxiang high-speed rail plus 30-minute taxi 3️⃣ Zhoushan Huanglong Island | Healing time on a lesser-known island ✨Highlights: Layered volcanic rock houses, the bare-chested mountain lighthouse is full of atmosphere, barnacle tofu stew is so fresh it makes you stomp your feet. ❌Pitfall to avoid: Check the tide schedule! You can only hunt for clams at low tide. 😋Personal feeling: Went to “Sea Withers and Rocks Rot” at 5 a.m. to watch the sunrise; the moment the morning sun dyes the reefs red, all worries vanish! 🎫Tickets: Free｜🚗Transport: Take a boat from Shenjiawan Pier with transfers 4️⃣ Ningbo Minghe Ancient Town | Slow life with the scent of medicine ✨Highlights: Qing Dynasty traditional Chinese medicine hall filled with herbal fragrance, the lake-view pavilion at Baiyang Lake is super relaxing, Jin Xian Temple sunset is stunning. ❌Pitfall to avoid: Don’t buy overpriced specialties on the main street; old shops in the alleys are more authentic. 😋Personal feeling: Radish shredded meat-filled rice cake dumplings for 5 RMB each, biting into one sends oil splashing everywhere, warms your heart! 🎫Tickets: Free｜🚗Transport: Ningbo high-speed rail then bus direct 5️⃣ Anji Xiaohang Keng | The Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai version of “Xinjiang Yili” ✨Highlights: Bamboo forests and babbling streams, camping under a star-filled sky, summer rafting is super refreshing. ❌Pitfall to avoid: Book camping in advance on holidays, bringing your own gear saves money. 😋Personal feeling: The morning mist covers the valley, deep breaths full of negative oxygen ions, healing all the fatigue of workers! 🎫Tickets: Free｜🚗Transport: 1.5h drive from Hangzhou 💡Travel Tips 1. High-speed trains basically reach the core areas directly; a 15-30 minute taxi ride from the station gets you to the attractions. 2. Big temperature difference between morning and evening in Jiangnan, remember to bring a light jacket and rain gear (weather is more unpredictable than a boyfriend’s promises). 3. Wear comfortable sneakers! Warning: average 20,000 steps per day, so you won’t get tired while eating and sightseeing~ Stop crowding the popular spots! These hidden gems are the soul of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai. Hurry and invite your travel buddy to go! 💕