Shanghai makes a great base, but it is also one of the busiest cities in China. If you want a break from the crowds, four quiet destinations sit within about three hours by high-speed rail. September – November is the ideal season to go: the weather is mild, color is starting to show, and most domestic visitors are heading to household names like West Lake and Huangshan instead.
This guide covers four hidden gems near Shanghai: Songyang and Lin’an in Zhejiang, Jixi in Anhui, and Gaoyou in Jiangsu. For each one you will find the train time from Shanghai, typical costs, a slow-paced itinerary, local food to try and a practical tip or two.
Four Quiet Escapes from Shanghai at a Glance
| Destination | Province | From Shanghai by high-speed rail | Paid entry (approx.) | Hotel per night (approx.) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Songyang 松阳 | Zhejiang 浙江 | About 2.5 hours, one transfer | Main villages free | ¥200-400 (US$30-60) | Ancient villages, earthen walls, a cliffside bookstore |
| Jixi 绩溪 | Anhui 安徽 | About 2.5 hours, direct | ¥68-75 for main sights | ¥150-300 (US$22-45) | Beginner hiking, Huizhou heritage villages |
| Gaoyou 高邮 | Jiangsu 江苏 | About 2 hours, direct | ¥20-30 | ¥150-300 (US$22-45) | Canal-era history, lake sunsets, low prices |
| Lin’an 临安 | Zhejiang 浙江 | About 1.5 hours via Hangzhou and metro | ¥80 for lake and source | ¥200-350 (US$30-52) | Boating, terraced village, waterfalls |
US dollar amounts are rough conversions at about ¥100 to US$15. Exchange rates, ticket prices and opening hours change, so confirm with official sources before you go.
1. Songyang, Zhejiang: Jiangnan’s Last Hidden Village Country
Songyang (松阳) is our top pick. Chinese National Geography magazine has called it the last secret of Jiangnan, the classic southern landscape of tea hills, stone paths and old villages. Visitor numbers are a fraction of those at famous water towns like Wuzhen.
The highlights are the villages. At Yangjiatang (杨家堂村), earthen yellow walls glow gold at sunset. At Chenjiapu (陈家铺村), a bookstore sits on the edge of a cliff. Entry to both villages is free, and so is the Ming and Qing dynasty Old Street in town.
Getting there
Take a high-speed train from Shanghai to Songyang in about 2.5 hours, with one transfer. From Hangzhou the trip takes about 1.5 hours.
Where to stay & costs
Village guesthouses run about ¥200-400 per night (roughly US$30-60).
Entry to Yangjiatang, Chenjiapu and the Old Street is free.
Slow 3-day itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive in the afternoon and check in to a guesthouse in an old village. Wander the Old Street, sip tea and watch local craftspeople at work.
- Day 2: Visit Yangjiatang Village in the morning. Rest at your guesthouse over lunch, then explore Xitian Village (酉田村) in the afternoon.
- Day 3: See the cliffside bookstore at Chenjiapu Village, have lunch, then head back.
What to eat
Try Songyang water-pulled noodles (松阳水牵面), stewed salted chicken (炖盐鸡) and huizhi cake (灰汁糕), a local snack.
Insider tip
The roads between the villages are narrow, so allow extra time and take it slowly when cars pass each other. The earthen walls glow most at sunset, so linger into the late afternoon if you can.
2. Jixi, Anhui: Huizhou Culture and an Easy Ancient Trail
Jixi (绩溪) is one of the cradles of Huizhou culture, the merchant heritage behind the whitewashed villages of southern Anhui. Longchuan (龙川古村) is the ancestral home of former Chinese president Hu Jintao. The Huihang Ancient Road (徽杭古道) is one of the best trails in the region for first-time hikers.
The crowds stay away because most holiday visitors head straight to Huangshan (Yellow Mountain). Around the National Day holiday in early October, Jixi stays calm.
Getting there
Take a direct high-speed train from Shanghai to Jixi in about 2.5 hours.
Where to stay & costs
Guesthouses run about ¥150-300 per night (roughly US$22-45).
Longchuan Village costs ¥75 and the Huihang Ancient Road ¥68. Renli Village (仁里古村) is free.
Slow 3-day itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive in the afternoon and check in to a guesthouse in Longchuan. Visit the village and the ancestral home of Hu Jintao, then stroll along the Longchuan water street.
- Day 2: Walk the Huihang Ancient Road, which suits beginners. Rest at your guesthouse over lunch, then visit the free Jixi Museum in the afternoon.
- Day 3: Explore Renli Village, have lunch, then head back.
What to eat
Look for Jixi tangguo (绩溪挞馃), a local baked flatbread, plus the Shuiyang “three treasures” (水阳三宝) and Huizhou stinky mandarin fish (徽州臭鳜鱼), a cured fish dish that smells stronger than it tastes.
Insider tip
Walking the entire Huihang Ancient Road can be kinda challenging (if you are an avid walker ignore this tip!), so feel free to just walk part of it.
3. Gaoyou, Jiangsu: Canal-Era History, Lake Sunsets and Affordable Prices
Gaoyou (高邮) is the hometown of the writer Wang Zengqi, known for gentle essays about everyday life and food. It is home to Yucheng Post Station (盂城驿), the best-preserved ancient courier station in China. Yet it sees far fewer visitors than nearby Yangzhou, and prices stay low. Gaoyou Lake is a lovely place to watch the sunset.
Getting there
Take a direct high-speed train from Shanghai to Gaoyou in about 2 hours.
Where to stay & costs
Hotels in the city run about ¥150-300 per night (roughly US$22-45).
Yucheng Post Station costs ¥30 and Wenyou Terrace (文游台) ¥20. Gaoyou Lake is free.
Slow 3-day itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive in the afternoon and check in to a hotel in the city center. Visit Yucheng Post Station, then wander along Nanmen Street (南门大街).
- Day 2: Visit Wenyou Terrace, where the Song dynasty poet Qin Guan is said to have studied. Rest at your hotel over lunch, then head to Gaoyou Lake for sunset.
- Day 3: Visit the free Wang Zengqi Memorial Hall, have lunch, then head back.
What to eat
Gaoyou is famous for its salted duck eggs (高邮咸鸭蛋). Also try pubao rou (蒲包肉), pork traditionally wrapped in cattail leaves, and yangchun noodles (阳春面), a simple clear-broth noodle soup.
Insider tip
Go to Gaoyou Lake in the early evening to catch the sunset.
4. Lin’an, Zhejiang: Lakes, Terraces and Waterfalls Beyond West Lake
Lin’an (临安) lies on the outskirts of Hangzhou, where nearly every visitor crowds around West Lake. Lin’an stays far quieter. You can glide by boat through the water forest at Qingshan Lake (青山湖), wander the terraced ancient village of Zhinan (指南村) as the first autumn colors appear, and visit Taihu Source (太湖源), the headwaters of Lake Taihu.
Getting there
Take a high-speed train from Shanghai to Hangzhou, then the metro, for about 1.5 hours in total. Driving takes about 2.5 hours.
Where to stay & costs
Hotels by Qingshan Lake run about ¥200-350 per night (roughly US$30-52). Qingshan Lake costs ¥80 and Taihu Source ¥80. Zhinan Village is free.
Slow 2-day itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive in the afternoon and check in by Qingshan Lake. Row or ride a boat through the water forest, then take a walk along the lakeshore.
- Day 2: Visit Zhinan Village, a terraced ancient village with early autumn color. Rest at your guesthouse over lunch, then see the waterfalls at Taihu Source in the afternoon.
Practical Tips for Visiting as an International Traveler
- Trains: Book high-speed trains in advance through Trip.com or the 12306 app, and carry your passport, which you need to pick up tickets and board.
- Payments: Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with your international card before you arrive. Keep some cash for small village shops.
- Language: English is uncommon in smaller towns. Save the Chinese names of your hotels and sights (included above) so you can show them to taxi drivers.
- Getting around: Foreign driver’s licenses are generally not valid in mainland China, so most visitors rely on trains, taxis, ride-hailing apps such as Didi, or a hired driver for village hopping.
- Visas: Many nationalities can now enter China visa-free for short stays, but the rules change, so confirm the current policy on an official government source before booking.
- Pace: These trips work best slowly. Arrive in the afternoon, take a midday rest, and leave after lunch on the last day.
- Prices and hours: Ticket prices, hotel rates and opening hours are approximate and can change. Check official sources before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best hidden gem near Shanghai to visit in October?
Songyang is our top pick for ancient villages and slow travel. Choose Jixi for an easy first hike, Gaoyou for history, lake sunsets and low prices, and Lin’an for boating and early autumn color.
How far are these towns from Shanghai by train?
Gaoyou takes about 2 hours and Jixi about 2.5 hours, both direct. Songyang takes about 2.5 hours with one transfer. Lin’an takes about 1.5 hours via Hangzhou and the metro.
How much does a weekend trip cost?
Hotels run about ¥150-400 per night (US$22-60). Many village sights are free, and paid attractions in this guide cost ¥20-80 (US$3-12).
Final Thoughts
You do not need to travel far to leave the crowds behind. Pick one town, book your train, and give yourself a few unhurried days. Which one will you visit first? Tell us in the comments and share with your friends and family.
