Travel is one of the joys of life. It allows tired body and mind to rest, broadens narrow horizons, and accumulates superficial knowledge.
However, travel is neither a pile of money nor a pursuit of luxury.
In this world, there is a way of traveling called “poor travel”.
It is not a simple journey, but a way of life. It allows us to explore the purest scenery in the world in the most primitive way.
Traveling on a budget is a kind of experience of state of mind, a kind of affectionate gaze on the world.
It allows us to feel the beauty of life in simplicity and understand the mystery of nature in the ordinary. There is no need for a luxurious residence or complicated itinerary, just a heart yearning for nature and pursuing truth.
01
Fuzhou, Fujian
When talking about Fujian, Xiamen is the first stop for many people’s hearts.
However, in this land, there is an old city with a long history hidden, and it is the undisputed leader – Fuzhou.
This place is adjacent to the river and the sea, with mountains and rivers interdependent, just like a natural picture.
Hundreds of years of vicissitudes of history are condensed in the ancient “three lanes and seven lanes”, and every brick and tile tells the glory of the past.
The water of the Minjiang River is like the Milky Way in the sky, rippling with the rhythm of thousands of years. Here there are many talents and outstanding people.
The three mountains of Yushan, Wushan and Pingshan stand in harmony, and the Minjiang River passes through the city like an emerald green ribbon, adding a bit of agility and vitality to the city.
The scenery here is beautiful and it is known as the “Buddhist Country”, where many foreign religions have begun to shine.
Fuzhou is affectionately called “Rong City” by people.
The banyan trees all over the city are lush and green, shielding people from the scorching sun in summer and bringing a little bit of coolness.
The huge banyan branches are lush and leafy, blocking out the sky and the sun, adding a touch of simplicity and tranquility to the city.
Walking in the city, the sun shines on the ground through the gaps in the leaves. In the mottled light and shadow, everything looks so leisurely and contented, like a flowing picture.
Fuzhou and Taiwan face each other across the sea, separated by a strip of water, carrying the deep affection of the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
The most beautiful maritime high-speed train passes here, the sea water is clear and blue, dreamlike blue tears illuminate the night sky, and China’s most beautiful islands also shine here.
Fuzhou is truly an ideal place in the world.
When you come to Fuzhou, how can you miss the historic Three Lanes and Seven Alleys!
The streets and alleys here are connected, with white walls and black tiles, and exquisite craftsmanship. Everywhere exudes a strong historical atmosphere.
It is known as the “Museum of Ancient Architecture of Ming and Qing Dynasties” and is the epitome of Fuzhou’s history and culture.
Wandering among them, the white-walled tiled houses and curved gables come into view, which is breathtaking.
It not only contains the profound historical and cultural heritage of Fuzhou, but also gave birth to generations of outstanding “Fujian celebrities”.
Historical celebrities such as Lin Zexu and Yan Fu have left a profound mark here. Their deeds and achievements have made the value of Three Lanes and Seven Alleys surpass Fuzhou itself and become a treasure of China.
Although Fuzhou is an expensive provincial capital, prices are very affordable.
A tourist once tasted the delicacies here and found that three bowls of fish ball soup, three bowls of meat swallow soup and three portions of noodles and flat pork only cost 60 yuan!
This place is both clean and rich in cultural heritage, making it a truly pleasant place to live and travel.
Pingtan Island, which has attracted much attention in recent years, is also located in Fuzhou.
Among the many islands in China, there are only two that can be defined as international tourist islands:
One is the beautiful Hainan Island, and the other is the beautiful Pingtan Island.
It is separated from Taiwan by the Taiwan Strait and is the closest island to Taiwan.
Therefore, the sea breeze here is also unique, blowing a literary and romantic atmosphere.
“Where Are We Going, Dad” was also filmed here, leaving many beautiful memories.
There are endless coastlines, soft and delicate beaches, warm sea breeze and pleasant climate.
You can ride a bicycle freely on the sea-ring highway and feel the sea breeze blowing on your face; you can also take a leisurely walk in the quaint villages and enjoy the quiet time.
The beautiful scenery of “facing the sea and blooming flowers in spring” is perfectly interpreted here.
02
Jinzhong, Shanxi
Once upon a time, Shanxi merchants, the giants of commerce that spanned nine thousand miles across Europe and Asia, dominated the market for five hundred years and wrote page after page of legendary chapters in the vast scroll of Chinese national commerce.
If you want to explore their footprints, Jinzhong, a land carrying history and glory, is a destination you cannot miss.
Stepping into Jinzhong, you will appreciate the ancient castles with a history of more than 1,600 years. They are known as “ancient temples with gods and Buddhas, bright castles with hidden secrets”, as if time has solidified here, telling the glory of the past.
Strolling through Jinzhong, you will be in the hometown of Shanxi merchants, feel the pulse of the two-century-long “No. 1 merchant gang in the world”, and feel as if you can hear the echoes and whispers of history in your ears.
And in this land, there is a feast of ice and snow waiting for you to come, pursue the white dream of galloping and passionate, and let your soul fly freely in this pure world.
Here, the mottled blue bricks and the towering gatehouse complement each other, the ancient charm and the modern atmosphere are perfectly integrated, and the vicissitudes of the years and the wings of the times are intertwined, jointly interpreting the style and charm of cultural tourism.
The well-known Pingyao Ancient City, Qiao Family Courtyard, Wang Family Courtyard… are all located in this magical land. They are like bright pearls embedded in the long history of Jinzhong.
Among them, Pingyao Ancient City is the place of longing for countless tourists. It quietly tells the glory of the past and attracts countless tourists to explore its mystery and charm.
Climb up the ancient city wall of Pingyao and look out in all directions. You will see the well-proportioned courtyards in the ancient city, the exquisite brick carvings, and the simple and elegant streets. It is like going back in time and putting you in that distant ancient times.
In Pingyao Ancient City, ancient streets and spacious squares complement each other. The historical collection and cultural heritage here are unmatched by other cities.
Walking there, you feel like you can hear the breath of history, feel the pulse of culture, and be intoxicated in this charming land.
03
Taizhou, Zhejiang
Taizhou is a place name that may seem unfamiliar to many people.
The word “Tai” here is pronounced softly, like the breeze blowing over the top of Tiantai Mountain, and it is located in the rich land of Zhejiang.
Since ancient times, Taizhou has been the shining pearl of China. The mountains and rivers contain endless places of interest and legends, and the charm of culture flows in every corner.
Looking east to the sea, the waves are turbulent and the endless vastness shows its magnificence; to the west are hills, shrouded in clouds and smoke, and a bit mysterious in the vastness; to the north is Shengyong, spanned by a bridge, and close to Suzhou and Shanghai. Convenient transportation makes it close to Prosperity is closely connected.
It is this geographical location that gives Taizhou its unique charm, which is both fairy-like and ethereal, and full of rich vitality.
Perhaps, because Taizhou is sandwiched between the elegant Ningbo and the wealthy Wenzhou, its shine is often overshadowed.
However, this is a place of real treasures. The mountains are verdant, the water is gurgling, the beauties are like clouds, and the food is even more intoxicating.
When talking about Zhejiang, people often call it the “food basin”.
However, Taizhou is an exception.
Taizhou restaurants such as Xinrongji are popular in China with their unique flavor. If you love seafood, then Taizhou is a paradise you can’t miss.
It is surrounded by mountains and the sea, with vast plains and tidal flats, intertwined rivers and rich products. It has been a land of fish and rice since ancient times.
There are many kinds of seafood, reaching an astonishing 108 kinds!
What’s even more amazing is that Taizhou also houses China’s most conscientious 5A scenic spot—Guoqing Temple.
Although it is a 5A-level scenic spot, it opens its doors to tourists and does not charge tickets. Anyone can visit freely.
What’s more worth mentioning is that the vegetarian meal here only costs 2 yuan, which makes people feel the true sincerity and simplicity.
Some people say that Guoqing Temple is a temple in the true sense. There is no hustle and bustle of business, only the precipitation and tranquility of history.
The temple is surrounded by green mountains, picturesque green fields, and the air is fresh and pleasant. The rich pastoral scenery has become a major feature of the temple.
The rice fields belong to the temple and are cultivated and managed by the monks themselves.
At six o’clock every morning, the monks will work in the fields. Their figures interweave with the morning light, forming a beautiful picture.
This kind of life may be the true meaning of “seeing Nanshan leisurely”, which makes people yearn for it.
04
Lancang, Yunnan
Lancang, this mysterious autonomous county located in Pu’er City, Yunnan Province, is like a bright pearl embedded in the embrace of Mother Earth.
It is the birthplace of the Lahu people in the world, the hometown of thousand-year-old tea, and the birthplace of the movie “Lusheng Love Song”.
Lancang, this magical and gorgeous place, is a place where diverse cultures blend. It is like a thick historical scroll, telling ancient legends and stories.
In this magical land, the splendid culture of the Lahu people shines brightly, the mellow fragrance of the thousand-year-old ancient tea overflows, the turbulent waves of the Lancang River, the majestic and steep mountains and canyons, the rich history of cultural relics, the mysterious and magnificent caves and peaks… …Every scenery is unforgettable.
Lancang is one of the origins of Pu’er tea.
Here, the world’s oldest transitional tea tree—Bangwei Millennium Ancient Tea Tree—grows, which has witnessed the vicissitudes and glory of Pu’er tea for thousands of years.
In addition, it also has the largest contiguous, best-preserved, and oldest artificially cultivated ancient tea forest in the world – the Pu’er Jingmai Mountain Ancient Tea Forest.
This ancient tea garden covers an area of 28,000 acres and has more than 1.2 million ancient tea trees. They are tall and straight, with lush branches and leaves, as if they are the guardians of the earth.
Among them, the largest ancient tea tree is nearly 12 meters tall and is known as the God of Tea. It has witnessed nearly 2,000 years of tea planting history.
When the clouds and mists below the mountains are lingering, and the sea of clouds in the mountains is vast, Lancang is like a fairyland on earth, which makes people fascinated.
Here, it seems like a paradise far away from the hustle and bustle, allowing people to forget their worries and indulge in this beautiful natural scenery.
05
Jilin Yanji
If you ask about the memories of Northeast China in most people’s minds, the dreamlike ice and snow wonderland often comes to mind first.
However, Yanji, a quiet town hidden on the side of Changbai Mountain, always seems to be covered up by the dust of time and is rarely mentioned by the world.
However, this low-key “Northeast Food Capital” has heart-warming and healing scenery hidden everywhere, waiting to be discovered by those who are destined to do so.
Whenever I revisit the classic “Reply 1988”, I am always attracted by the tempting food in the play. The rich color makes people fascinated and can’t stop.
In Yanji, you can taste all the delicacies that have been coveted in Korean dramas and give your taste buds a feast.
Yanji’s CityWalk is unique. It begins quietly at five o’clock in the morning.
Compared with those Internet celebrity stores, I would rather recommend you to go deep into the major “markets” and explore those hidden treasures.
Here, fresh vegetables and fruits, a dazzling array of daily necessities, traditional Korean specialties and the mouth-watering breakfast all exude a strong Yanbian style.
Not only can you buy authentic Yanbian local products, but you can also taste the most unique Yanji snacks, letting your taste buds dance in this land.
The name Floating Market may not be unfamiliar to many people. And here, I have to mention the Mingyue Family Soup Rice that was featured on “Breakfast in China”.
The bowl of beef soup rice is salty and appetizing, but not greasy. One bowl of it seems to inject full energy into the whole day’s CityWalk.
Of course, Shunji cold noodles are also a delicacy not to be missed.
The clear beef soup base is paired with half-cut eggs, tender chicken meatballs, crispy cucumber shreds, two thick slices of beef, the sweetness of apples and watermelon, and the sourness of vinegar. It’s a sip. , as if it can instantly open up your taste buds that have been hungry all morning, making you intoxicated in this ocean of delicious food.
In short, although the small town of Yanji is low-key, its delicious food should not be underestimated.
It interprets the unique charm of Northeast China with delicious dishes, making people linger and have endless aftertaste.
06
Jingdezhen, Jiangxi
Jingdezhen has emerged as a bright tourist pearl in recent years, attracting the attention of countless tourists.
This city seems to be enveloped in the atmosphere of art. Strolling on the streets paved with gravel, the white walls and gray tiles reveal a simple and elegant charm.
The vermilion pavilions and the painted boats complement each other beautifully, and the background of blue and white porcelain is deeply rooted in the bones, making people intoxicated and unforgettable.
The Imperial Kiln Museum is undoubtedly a place not to be missed during your trip to Jingdezhen.
The building itself is a beautiful work of art, with red brick as the main body and hollow design, forming an arch that is upside down above the water, as if it integrates the atmosphere of literature and art into every corner of the city.
Here, you can appreciate the charming Chinese aesthetics and feel the unique charm of Jingdezhen.
Wandering through the streets of Jingdezhen, you will find porcelain elements everywhere.
The light poles on the roadside are carefully made of ceramics, and the green belt is dotted with porcelain shards. Even the ordinary cement piers on the sidewalk are inlaid with broken porcelain shards painted in blue and white, which looks particularly unique and interesting.
These details all demonstrate Jingdezhen’s profound ceramic cultural heritage.
What’s more worth mentioning is that Jingdezhen is also a holy place where young people’s dreams come true.
Here, you can participate in colorful ceramic cultural festivals, art exhibitions, concerts and other activities to experience the perfect integration of art and life.
You can also gain an in-depth understanding of the mysteries of ceramic production, communicate face-to-face with artists, and explore the infinite possibilities of art.
These cities attract countless tourists to explore with their unique artistic atmosphere and profound cultural heritage.
If you are yearning for one of these cities, you might as well embark on a journey. I believe you will definitely gain an unforgettable travel experience here.