AS the May Day holiday draws near, you may have planned an escape from the bustling city. With a short three-day break, maybe you’d like to take a quick trip to the not-so-busy spots in the neighboring areas. Thanks to the well-developed high-speed railway network, Shenzheners can now explore neighboring cities within hours. Let’s look at what is in store along the route.
Shenzhen-Fujian Volcanic Island Located in Zhangpu County, Fujian Province, the volcanic island was rated by National Geographic magazine as one of the most beautiful islands in China. Formed more than 20 million years ago, the island is the only coastal volcano national geopark in China. When you are on the island of magic and fantasy, you may have an illusion of being on the fairy land of the movie “Avatar” where precipices, caves and strange stones can be seen everywhere. Although there is no beach on Zhangpu, where there is sea there are fishermen, and where there are fishermen there is seafood. After the hike on the island, you can treat yourself to some rich seafood. Add: The coastal area in Qianting Town, Zhangpu County, Zhangzhou City, Fujian Province Transportation: Take the high-speed train from Shenzhen North Station to Zhangpu (three hours) and then take a one-hour drive from Zhangpu Station to the island. Yunshuiyao The town became known by tourists because of a romantic movie starring Chen Kun and Vivian Hsu which depicts a Shangri-la with stone alleys, centuries-old banyan trees, green mountains, blue waters and small bridges. The town, which was originally called Changjiao Town, was renamed Yunshuiyao due to the popularity of the movie. Yunshuiyao is surrounded by hills and thousands-meter-long streams. Sitting in a corner of the town on a summer evening, you can watch the sunset and feel the breeze touch your cheeks, thus have a fresh feeling which is completely different from that in Gulangyu Island. Add: Chaojiao Village, Shuyang Town, Nanjing County, Zhangzhou City, Fujian Province Transportation: Take the high-speed train from Shenzhen North Station to Nanjing (four hours) and then take a bus or taxi to the Yunshuiyao bus station Huaiyuan Tulou Both the well-known Huaiyuan Tulou and Hegui Tulou in Fujian Province are located in Yunshuiyao. Huaiyuan Tulou, which was built from 1905 to 1909, consists of two concentric rings and is currently the most well-protected and exquisitely designed tulou. Huaiyuan Tulou was listed as a key cultural relics site under the state protection in 2006. Inside the building, it is full of life. You will not experience the original lifestyle of Hakka people until you go upstairs and take a tour. Add: The eastern Kanxia Village, Meilin Town, Nanjing County, Fujian Province Transportation: Take the high-speed train from Shenzhen North Station to Nanjing (four hours), then take a bus or taxi to the county bus station and take a shuttle to the tolou. Jiaomei Town Jiaomei is a town of culture. If you do not search for it online, you will never know that Jiaomei boasts so many cultural heritages, relics amid the ubiquitous arcades, ancestral temples, family temples and academies. Tianyi Post Office in Jiaomei is a key cultural relics site under the State protection and it once provided banking and letter services to overseas Chinese and their families from Zhangzhou, Quanzhou and Xiamen who later resided in Southeast Asia. Rumor has it that Baijiao Village in Jiaomei was formed by the white granite rocks emerging from the sea. In ancient times, Baijiao Village was called a town of rocks. Other historic sites include Ciji Palace and its neighboring Arch of Chastity and Filial Piety as well as the Wang Family Temple. Add: Baijiao Village, Jiaomei Town, Longhai City, Fujian Province Transportation: Take the high-speed train from Shenzhen North Station to Jiaomei and then take a bus or rent a car to Baijiao Village (Yang Mei) | 