Tourist spots along high-speed rail lines from SZ

As the Dragon Boat Festival holiday draws near, you may have planned an escape from the bustling city. With a short three-day break, maybe you’d like to take a quick trip to the not-so-busy spots in the neighboring areas. Thanks to the well-developed high-speed railway network, Shenzheners can now explore neighboring cities within hours. Let’s look at what is in store along the route.

Shenzhen-Fujian

Volcanic Island 漳浦火山岛

The Volcanic Island in Fujian is the only coastal volcano national geopark in China.

Located in Zhangpu County, Fujian Province, the volcanic island was rated by National Geographic magazine as one of the most beautiful islands in China. Formed more than 20 million years ago, the island is the only coastal volcano national geopark in China. When you are on the island of magic and fantasy, you may have an illusion of being on the fairy land of the movie “Avatar” where precipices, caves and strange stones can be seen everywhere.

Although there is no beach on Zhangpu, where there is sea there are fishermen, and where there are fishermen there is seafood. After the hike on the island, you can treat yourself to some rich seafood.

Add: The coastal area in Qianting Town, Zhangpu County, Zhangzhou City, Fujian Province

Transportation: Take the high-speed train from Shenzhen North Station to Zhangpu (three hours) and then take a one-hour drive from Zhangpu Station to the island.

Yunshuiyao 云水谣古镇

The town became known by tourists because of a romantic movie starring Chen Kun and Vivian Hsu which depicts a Shangri-la with stone alleys, centuries-old banyan trees, green mountains, blue waters and small bridges.

The town, which was originally called Changjiao Town, was renamed Yunshuiyao due to the popularity of the movie.

Yunshuiyao is surrounded by hills and thousands-meter-long streams.

Visitors walk past a centuries-old banyan tree in Yushuiyao.

Sitting in a corner of the town on a summer evening, you can watch the sunset and feel the breeze touch your cheeks, thus have a fresh feeling which is completely different from that in Gulangyu Island.

Add: Chaojiao Village, Shuyang Town, Nanjing County, Zhangzhou City, Fujian Province

Transportation: Take the high-speed train from Shenzhen North Station to Nanjing (four hours) and then take a bus or taxi to the Yunshuiyao bus station

Huaiyuan Tulou 怀远土楼

Both the well-known Huaiyuan Tulou and Hegui Tulou in Fujian Province are located in Yunshuiyao. Huaiyuan Tulou, which was built from 1905 to 1909, consists of two concentric rings and is currently the most well-protected and exquisitely designed tulou.

Huaiyuan Tulou was listed as a key cultural relics site under the state protection in 2006. Inside the building, it is full of life. You will not experience the original lifestyle of Hakka people until you go upstairs and take a tour.

Add: The eastern Kanxia Village, Meilin Town, Nanjing County, Fujian Province

Transportation: Take the high-speed train from Shenzhen North Station to Nanjing (four hours), then take a bus or taxi to the county bus station and take a shuttle to the tolou.

Jiaomei Town 龙海角美镇

Tianyi Post Office is a key cultural relics site in Jiaomei.

Jiaomei is a town of culture. If you do not search for it online, you will never know that Jiaomei boasts so many cultural heritages, relics amid the ubiquitous arcades, ancestral temples, family temples and academies.

Tianyi Post Office in Jiaomei is a key cultural relics site under the State protection and it once provided banking and letter services to overseas Chinese and their families from Zhangzhou, Quanzhou and Xiamen who later resided in Southeast Asia.

Rumor has it that Baijiao Village in Jiaomei was formed by the white granite rocks emerging from the sea. In ancient times, Baijiao Village was called a town of rocks.

Other historic sites include Ciji Palace and its neighboring Arch of Chastity and Filial Piety as well as the Wang Family Temple.

Add: Baijiao Village, Jiaomei Town, Longhai City, Fujian Province

Transportation: Take the high-speed train from Shenzhen North Station to Jiaomei and then take a bus or rent a car to Baijiao Village

Shenzhen-Hunan

Yangshan Ancient Village 阳山古村

Yangshan Ancient Village is situated at the foot of Qitian Hill which was called Yanshan Hill in ancient times, hence the name. The village is like a Shangri-La surrounded by green mountains and blue waters.

The history of the village can be traced back to 600 years ago when Ming Shizu moved there in 1497. With its old residential houses covering an area of 15,000 square meters, the village has 80 well-preserved ancient buildings.

The exquisite and lifelike colored drawings on the walls and eaves have gone through many vicissitudes and yet remain intact, which is rarely seen in villages of such age. The village follows the traditional Chinese philosophy of maintaining harmony between man and nature in its layout and embodies the “moderation” concept of Confucianism in its structure.

Location: Zhenghe Village, Guiyang County, Chenzhou City, Hunan Province

How to get there: Take a high-speed train from Shenzhen to East Chenzhou Station and then take a coach to the village, which is only 30 kilometers away from downtown Chenzhou

Yuqiao Village 柳叶湖渔樵村

A trip to Yuqiao Village in Hunan can be a treat for both eyes and ears.

If you’re eager to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, Yuqiao Village is a great option. With green plants and pink lotuses fluttering in the wind and chirping birds in the courtyards, the village is a treat for both the eyes and ears.

The simplicity of rural life is perfectly reflected in Yuqiao Village, where tourists can fully appreciate the folk culture of Hubei and Hunan provinces. With Dongting Lake nearby, visitors can also take the opportunity to reflect on the beautiful setting of the tale of Liuhai and his fox-wife.

Location: Zhantianhu Town, Heshan Village, Changde City, Hunan Province

How to get there: Take a high-speed train from Shenzhen to South Changsha Station and then take a coach to Changde City

Chadong Ancient Town 茶峒古镇

Chadong was made popular among Chinese people because of a book by Shen Congwen.

Thanks to a book called “Border Town,” or “Biancheng” by Shen Cong-wen, a famous contempoary writer in China, Chadong has become popular among Chinese people. Situated on the border of Hunan, Sichuan and Guizhou Provinces, Chadong is a small town inhabited by local minorities.

The town is a peaceful place nestled beside the Youshui River and in the writer’s book he describes it as, “Chadong is a place located between a river and some hills, the city wall of the town is like a long snake crawling along the hills on the hill side. While on the riverside, there is a pier for black-awning boats to moor.”

Location: Chadong Town, Huayuan County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Region, Hunan Province

How to get there: Take a high-speed train from Shenzhen to South Huaihua Station and then take a coach to Chadong Town

Ziquejie Terraces 紫鹊界梯田

Ziquejie Terraces have a long history of more than 2,000 years.

Reclaimed by the ancestors of the Miao and Yao ethnic groups, the Ziquejie Terraces have a long history of more than 2,000 years and is a historic site mirroring South China’s rice-growing culture and the hunting and fishing culture of the Miao and Yao ethnic groups.

Reputed as “Kingdom of Terraced Fields,” Ziquejie is a unique scenic spot which is beautiful in its scenery, form and culture.

With a water-conserving system incorporating forests, fields and ridges, the Ziquejie Terraces are one of the world’s most spectacular terraced sites.

Location: Shuiche Town, Xinhua Couny, Loudi City, Hunan Province

How to get there: Take a high-speed train from Shenzhen to South Xinhua Station and then take a coach to Shuikou Town