Weekend Short Trips by High-Speed Rail to Seven Stunning Cities

Below is a travel guide for weekend short trips by high-speed rail to seven stunning cities: Tianjin, Chengde, Baoding, Jinan, Datong, Shenyang, and Wuxi, including detailed introductions to their history and culture: --- ### **1. Tianjin** **History & Culture:** Tianjin is an important northern port city. In modern history, it formed a "World Architecture Expo" due to its concession culture, while also preserving the folk culture of the old city. **Must-Visit Attractions:** - **Five Great Avenues**: A collection of historic buildings from Britain, France, Italy, and other countries, such as Minyuan Square and Zhang Garden. - **Ancient Culture Street**: Experience intangible cultural heritage like Yangliuqing New Year paintings and Clay Figurine Zhang. - **Italian Style Town**: A concentration of modern consulates and celebrity residences. - **Tianjin Eye**: A Ferris wheel spanning the Haihe River with stunning night views. **High-Speed Rail:** Beijing South → Tianjin (30 minutes). **Local Food:** Jianbing Guozi (Chinese crepes), Goubuli Baozi (steamed buns), Guoba Cai (crispy rice with vegetables). --- ### **2. Chengde (Hebei)** **History & Culture:** A Qing Dynasty royal summer resort blending Manchu, Han, and Tibetan cultures, famous for the Mountain Resort and the Eight Outer Temples. **Must-Visit Attractions:** - **Mountain Resort**: The world’s largest royal garden with 72 scenic spots from the Kangxi and Qianlong eras. - **Puning Temple**: A Tibetan Buddhist temple housing a wooden statue of the Thousand-Armed Guanyin. - **Putuo Zongcheng Temple**: Built to imitate the Potala Palace in Lhasa. **High-Speed Rail:** Beijing Chaoyang → Chengde South (1 hour). **Local Food:** Lamb soup with baked flatbread, Manchu Eight Bowls. --- ### **3. Baoding (Hebei)** **History & Culture:** Former capital of Zhili Province, known as a key area near Beijing, preserving many Ming and Qing dynasty relics and revolutionary culture. **Must-Visit Attractions:** - **Zhili Governor’s Office**: A model of Qing provincial government offices. - **Ancient Lotus Pond**: A representative northern classical garden. - **Baiyangdian Lake** (summer): Enjoy lotus flowers by wooden boat and experience the history of the Yanling Anti-Japanese team. **High-Speed Rail:** Beijing West → Baoding East (40 minutes). **Local Food:** Donkey meat sandwich, Baiyunzhang steamed buns. --- ### **4. Jinan (Shandong)** **History & Culture:** Known as the "City of Springs," with a 2,600-year history, birthplace of Longshan culture, and hometown of poets Li Qingzhao and Xin Qiji. **Must-Visit Attractions:** - **Baotu Spring**: The top spring in China, with an imperial stele from Emperor Qianlong. - **Daming Lake**: Boat rides to enjoy "lotus flowers on all sides and willows on three sides." - **Qu Shui Ting Street**: A microcosm of old Jinan residences and spring water life. **High-Speed Rail:** Beijing South → Jinan West (1.5 hours). **Local Food:** Braised pork, sweet soup, nine-turn large intestine. --- ### **5. Datong (Shanxi)** **History & Culture:** Capital of the Northern Wei Dynasty and secondary capital of the Liao and Jin Dynasties, known as the "Pearl Beyond the Great Wall" and a treasure trove of Buddhist art. **Must-Visit Attractions:** - **Yungang Grottoes**: A UNESCO World Heritage site with over 50,000 Buddha statues. - **Huayan Temple**: Liao Dynasty wooden architecture with exquisite murals. - **Hanging Temple** (half-day round trip): A millennium-old temple on the cliffs of Hengshan Mountain. **High-Speed Rail:** Beijing North/Qinghe → Datong South (2 hours). **Local Food:** Knife-cut noodles, lamb offal noodles, Hunyuan cold noodles. --- ### **6. Shenyang (Liaoning)** **History & Culture:** Birthplace of the Qing Dynasty and center of Manchu culture, known as "the origin of one dynasty and the capital of two emperors." **Must-Visit Attractions:** - **Shenyang Imperial Palace**: The second-largest existing royal palace complex in China. - **Zhang Family Marshal Mansion**: Former residence of Zhang Xueliang, witness to Republican era history. - **Beiling Park** (Zhao Mausoleum): A UNESCO World Heritage site. **High-Speed Rail:** Beijing Chaoyang → Shenyang (2.5 hours). **Local Food:** Laobian dumplings, smoked meat pancakes, Xita cold noodles. --- ### **7. Wuxi (Jiangsu)** **History & Culture:** One of the birthplaces of Wu culture, cradle of modern national industry and commerce, known as the "Jiangnan Water Alley" by Taihu Lake. **Must-Visit Attractions:** - **Yuantouzhu (Turtle Head Isle)**: Taihu Lake’s top scenic spot, cherry blossoms like snow in spring. - **Huishan Ancient Town**: Home to the Tang Dynasty’s "Second Best Spring in the World" and Ming-Qing ancestral halls. - **Lingshan Grand Buddha**: An 88-meter tall bronze Buddha statue and Buddhist cultural site. **High-Speed Rail:** Beijing South → Wuxi East (4 hours, suitable for long weekends). **Local Food:** Wuxi soup dumplings, braised spare ribs, Sanfengqiao meat shop specialties. --- ### **Travel Tips**: 1. **Best Seasons:** Spring and autumn are suitable for most cities; summer for Chengde’s cool retreat; autumn for Datong’s pleasant weather. 2. **Itinerary Suggestion:** 2 days and 1 night; day one for historical and cultural sites, day two for natural scenery or special neighborhoods. 3. **Ticket Reservations:** Advance booking required for Yungang Grottoes, Mountain Resort, and others. These cities are conveniently accessible by high-speed rail, combining nature and culture, perfect for short but in-depth trips!