Off-peak winter travel, 6 less crowded and beautiful hidden gem destinations with a relaxed pace!

1. Dali - Eryuan County A lesser-known, niche but extremely comfortable hidden gem town between Lijiang and Dali. The area is rich in rivers and streams, which are important water sources flowing into Erhai Lake. The county also has many hot spring resources and is a major dairy production area in Yunnan. Cibi Lake and West Lake in Eryuan are small and exquisite, with Bai ethnic villages featuring the traditional "Three Lanes and One Wall" architecture along the shores. Some residents’ backyards allow boating on the lakes. Fengyu Town preserves Bai ethnic residences and ancient Tea Horse Road post stations from the Ming and Qing dynasties. For hot springs, Niujie Township offers more options. There are direct buses from Dali Old Town to Niujie, or minibuses from Eryuan Bus Station. 2. Anhui - Xiuning - Qiyun Mountain Qiyun Mountain, formerly known as "Baiyue," is famed as "Huangshan and Baiyue standing opposite, green waters and red cliffs are the best in Jiangnan." It is very close to Huangshan and sees fewer tourists. Danxia landforms, cliff inscriptions, Taoist culture, and scenic landscapes are all found on this mountain. Qiyun Mountain Town at the foot of the mountain offers convenient dining and lodging. Near the Spring Festival, folk customs like iron flower forging, fire pot shaking, and fish lanterns become more vibrant. Yuehua Tianjie on the mountain also has guesthouses, restaurants, and autumn drying scenes. Staying overnight allows you to see the sea of clouds and light effects early the next morning. 3. Guizhou - Xingyi Off-peak winter travel to the secret mountain and water landscapes of Southwest Guizhou. The layered karst hills of Wanfenglin resemble an ink painting. Hiking the Lingyun Ridge Trail or taking a sightseeing bus to the summit offers panoramic mountain views. The magnificent Maling River Canyon lets you deeply experience the power of waterfalls and gorges. The calm surface of Wanfeng Lake has several islands, including a red and white Gothic-style castle building. Yuhuangding offers a vast view, overlooking the mountains from the peak of Wanfeng, providing a pleasant outdoor experience. 4. Siguniang Mountain - Shuangqiao Valley Among the three valleys of Siguniang Mountain, this is the easiest to explore. You can take a sightseeing bus, the hiking distance is short, and altitude sickness is less likely. The redwood plank walkway at the foot of the snow mountain offers an unparalleled view of the snow-capped peaks lined up. After getting off at Budala Peak Station, you can walk back along the left road for a stretch, which is a great photo spot. Zhuganaco Lake is surrounded by snow mountains, with the peaks reflected in the lake. Sigunaco Lake is the legendary fairy lake, where you can see deadwood in the water and the reflection of snow mountains. The rafting at Nianyu Dam is gentle; sitting in the boat, you are surrounded by snow mountains and forests, making it especially pleasant. 5. Zhejiang - Lishui - Songyang Ancient Jiangnan villages with towering old trees and flowing streams, quiet and peaceful in winter, full of traditional Jiangnan charm. Yangjiatang Village’s adobe wall houses are neatly arranged on the hillside. The light and shadow at dusk are called the "Golden Potala Palace." Chenjiapu Village is surrounded by mountains on three sides and faces a cliff on one side. The Vanguard Bookstore on the cliff offers coffee and sea-of-cloud views. Songzhuang Village has a creek running through it, with old houses lining the creek and an ancient stone bridge crossing it. Yangjiatang and Chenjiapu have full facilities and many guesthouse options, perfect for a few days’ stay. 6. Pu’er - Ximeng County A Wa ethnic minority small town on the Yunnan border, with many trees and few people. Thatched roofs and bull head totems are architectural features here. The town’s "small" and "old" charm highlights the surrounding mountains and waters. The peaceful and simple rainforest conveys healing power to distant travelers. The tranquil Mengsuo Longtan, the profound Longmoye sacred site, and endless mountain ranges stretch before your eyes. The small town’s winter temperature ranges from 9°C to 25°C, making it a perfect hidden gem for a quiet stay and warm winter escape.