High-speed rail direct access: 3 must-visit cities for budget travel in April and May
by collinsthevolans
Apr 8, 2025
Combining latest field experiences and local insider tips, balancing photogenic spots with cultural depth, to help you avoid crowds and travel in style:
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1. Yongding Tulou Cluster – Magical Filming Location of "Big Fish & Begonia"
Core Experiences:
• Zhencheng Building Light Show: Capture the "Four Dishes One Soup" Tianluokeng Tulou cluster under starry lights from the viewing platform at 19:30 (tripod recommended for long exposure)
• Hakka Immersion: Stay at "Tulou Prince Hotel", photograph morning cooking smoke (6:00-7:00 golden hour), try rice pounding and Hakka folk songs
Pro Tips:
✔️ Qiaofu Building top-floor window frame: Frame circular sky shots – red outfits pop
⚠️ Avoid: Over-commercialized Hongkeng Tulou Village; visit primitive Chuxi Tulou Cluster instead (¥65 ticket)
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2. Changting Ancient Town – Tang-Song Dynasty Night City, Light-and-Shadow Version of "Along the River During Qingming Festival"
Night Trilogy:
1. Lantern Walk on Song Dynasty Walls: Rent Hanfu & palace lanterns at Jichuan Gate (¥20), photograph Ting River light reflections
2. Dongshui Street Night Market: Post-21:00 duck feet snacks + grass jelly, chance upon street performers singing "Tingzhou Ballad"
3. Wolong Academy Immersive Drama: Weekly Fri/Sat 20:00 "Tingzhou Memories" live show (arrive 1hr early)
Dawn Photography:
▫️ 5:30 shoot empty flagstone streets at Diantou Street, capture morning light through arcade windows
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3. Guanzhai Mountain + Shimen Lake – Danxia Version of "Watery Kanas"
Viral Activities:
• Cliff Art Photos: "Floating" shots on glass platform, creative angles with "Root of Life"/"Gate of Life" rock formations
• Drone Spot: Longevity Pavilion aerial view of "Carp Back" peaks (permit required in restricted zones)
Efficient Route:
East Gate → Cable car up (¥60 one-way) → Carp Back → Longevity Pavilion → Shimen Lake cruise (must-do! See peak reflections)
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4. Peitian Ancient Village – "Folk Forbidden City" of Ming Dynasty Grandeur
Time-Travel Experiences:
✓ Ming-Qing Roleplay: Unlock "Imperial Exam" missions on 1km ancient street, win Hakka rice wine tasting
✓ Starlight Academy B&B: Stay at "Chutian Lodge", photograph galaxy over horse-head walls
Hands-On Bonus:
▶️ Block printing at Yanqing Hall (¥30), take home custom New Year paintings
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5. Longkong Cave – 300-Million-Year Underground Wonderland
Fantasy Photo Ops:
• Dragon Umbrella Rock: Cyberpunk silhouettes in blue-lit cave (wear fluorescent clothes)
• Underground River: Capture stalactite reflections from boat bow
Special Forces Itinerary:
Take K36 bus from Xinluo District → Early bird ticket ¥42 → Post-cave taxi (¥15) to Tiangong Mountain for sea of clouds
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6. Liangyeshan Waterfall – Immortal Drama Filming Location
Trendy Activities:
🌊 Waterfall Yoga: Arrive before 9:00 at Yunca Waterfall, poses on shallows (waterproof phone case needed)
🏕️ Glamping: Book glass cabin at "Mi Jing" campsite, photograph fireflies at night
Food Pairing:
Try bamboo tray rice rolls + pork liver with freshly ground pounded tea post-hike
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7. Yongfu Cherry Blossom Garden – China's Most Beautiful Tea Field Cherry Blossoms
Off-Season Magic:
❄️ Winter Sakura Rime: January exclusive! Frosted tea fields with crystal-covered pink blossoms (requires on-site stay)
🌌 Starlight Tea Garden: Overnight at Taipin Sakura Hotel, private access to lit cherry tunnel post-21:00
⚠️ Bloom Tips: February pink / March red blossoms, avoid weekends
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8. Longjin Lake Park – Cyberpunk Urban Lounge
Hipster Guide:
• Futuristic Nights: Saturday 20:00 music fountain + drone light shows, light trails at "Rainbow Bridge"
• Industrial Ruins: West zone abandoned mining machinery + purple verbena fields, metallic outfits for mech-style photos
Local Secret:
Morning run route: 6:00 lakeside boardwalk for CBD reflections and egret sightings
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📍 Golden 3D2N Itinerary:
D1: Tulou Fantasy Day
AM: Chuxi Tulou (morning mist) → PM: Zhencheng Building costume photoshoot → Overnight Tulou Prince Hotel
D2: Geological Wonders + Ancient Town
Guanzhai Mountain cable car → Shimen Lake cruise → Drive to Changting (2hrs) → Night lantern banquet by Ting River
D3: Cherry Tea Paradise
Yongfu Sakura sunrise → Return to Longyan city → Longjin Lake nightscape finale
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💡 Native-Level Tips:
1. Transport Hack: Tulou area car rental bargaining (5-seater ¥450/day, say "Jingbao Baba recommended" for deals)
2. Dark Cuisine: Changting's "Qilin Fetus" (pigeon stuffed in pig stomach, ¥38/bowl)
3. Crowd Warning: Guanzhai Mountain midday summer heat – enter before 7:00
Photographer Packing List:
• Wide lens (tulou interiors/caves)
• Graduated ND filter (backlit danxia shots)
• Portable fill light (ancient village night photography)
Unlock Longyan's magical landscapes and vibrant culture with this guide!
Post by GG. Uma 37 | Jul 6, 2025























