10 Hidden Gems for Your Qingming Festival Getaway, All Accessible by High-Speed Rail

As a seasoned high-speed rail traveler who explores new destinations every Qingming Festival, I can vouch for these scenic, affordable, and photogenic spots. A two-night, three-day trip can be done for just over ¥1,000! Beat the crowds, travel directly by high-speed rail, and embrace this "anti-involution guide"👇 🌺Luoyang, Henan A spring hotspot, just 4 hours from Beijing by high-speed rail! The peonies in Wangcheng Park bloom like an oil painting—don your Hanfu and capture some "Drunken Beauty" photos amidst the blossoms📸. Nighttime bonus: The Longmen Grottoes, illuminated at night, resemble a galaxy cascading down a cliff, and the Luoyang Buddha's smile is even more captivating than during the day✨. Foodie alert: Pair a bowl of Nanguan beef soup with shredded flatbread—the first batch served at 6 am is the freshest! 🌿Changzhi, Shanxi Witness geological wonders, a mere 3.5-hour high-speed rail trip from Beijing! Cruise through the "一线天" (One Line Sky) at Baquan Gorge and marvel at the emerald-green water nestled between towering cliffs💎. Embrace the wild: Hike along the cliffside trails and collect Taihang Mountain rocks to use as stylish paperweights back home. 🌊Pingtan, Fujian A dream island, reachable from Shanghai in 5 hours by high-speed rail (with a transfer)! April is the peak season for "blue tears," where bioluminescent algae shimmer with the waves at Longfengtou Beach, creating an illusion of walking on shattered stars🌌. Daytime bonus: Cycle along the northern ecological corridor and capture the wind turbine fields and stone houses together—a scene straight out of a Miyazaki film! 🌼Wuyuan, Jiangxi Step into a springtime painting, just a 3-hour high-speed rail journey from Shanghai! The sun-drying houses of Huangling transform into a "spring-drying" spectacle, with vibrant yellow rapeseed flowers replacing the usual red peppers💛. Off-peak tip: Head to the Jiangling No. 2 viewing platform around 4 pm to witness the sunset paint the flower fields a honey-gold hue. 🍵Wuxi, Jiangsu A cherry blossom paradise, a quick 1-hour high-speed rail ride from Shanghai! As night falls and the lights illuminate, Changchun Bridge transforms into a blue-violet nebula. Dress in JK uniforms, carry lanterns, and capture photos that bring anime scenes to life🌸. Insider tip: Snap a photo of the scenic cherry blossom ice cream and then toss it—the time-honored sauce-braised pork ribs at the exit are far more satisfying. ⛰Huangshan, Anhui A hiker's haven, 2.5 hours from Hangzhou by high-speed rail! Hike after a Qingming rain shower and witness the clouds and mist of the West Sea Grand Canyon flow like a milky river below your feet☁️. Hidden photo spot: On the path from Bai'e Ridge to Shixin Peak, capture a "lone ranger" silhouette with the ancient pine trees as your backdrop. 🌾Baoding, Hebei Northern karst landscapes, a short 41-minute high-speed rail trip from Beijing! Drift down the Juma River on a raft, passing through wild peach blossom forests, and feel the petals fall on your helmet like a scene from a martial arts film🌸. Overnight bonus: Enjoy rainbow trout at a farmhouse in Gougezhuang Village—the charcoal-grilled fish skin is crispier than potato chips! 🌆Qingdao, Shandong A city of romance, 3.5 hours from Beijing by high-speed rail! Savor bagged beer under a shower of crabapple blossoms in Badaguan, and watch the sunset paint your white dress a honeyed hue at Xiaodao Island Park🌅. Foodie tip: Buy fresh seafood at the Tuandao Farmers Market and have "Fat Sister" prepare it for you—the spicy crab paired with draft beer is pure bliss. 🚣Wuhan, Hubei A city of lakes and rivers, a 5-hour high-speed rail journey from Guangzhou! The East Lake Cherry Blossom Park is less crowded at night, offering a dense display of blossoms. Dress in Hanfu, hold an oil-paper umbrella, and capture the "cherry blossom waterfall"🌸. Morning exercise bonus: Rush to Liangdao Street at 6 am for Master Zhao's fried bread with shaomai—a carb bomb to fuel your day! 🌌Kunming, Yunnan The Spring City, a comfortable 10-hour overnight high-speed rail trip from Shanghai! The jacaranda trees on Jiaochang Middle Road reach full bloom in late April. Wear a light purple shirt and capture a bird's-eye view from the overpass, creating the illusion of floating amidst a waterfall of flowers💜. Embrace the wild: Paddle a transparent boat through the Laoyu River Wetland and encounter red-billed gulls in the redwood forest—a more pristine experience than Dianchi Lake.