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China's Cultural and Natural Tour: Five Cities' Ancient Charm and Mountain-Sea Guide
From the fireworks of southern Fujian to the poetic scenery of Jiangnan, from the ancient capitals of northern China to the coastal charm, Quanzhou's diversity, Chaozhou's fresh flavors, Shaoxing's literary elegance, Datong's profound history, and Dalian's clarity—each city hides a unique romance and heritage of China. This concise guide unlocks the core attractions of five cities:
Quanzhou · Fujian
📍Locations: Kaiyuan Temple (East and West Pagoda landmarks), West Street (old bustling street), Xunpu Village (flower hairpin experience), Luoyang Bridge.
🍜Food: Mianxian porridge (with vinegar pork and large intestine), Tusu jelly (dipped in garlic vinegar), ginger duck, four-fruit soup (great for digestion).
👗Clothing: Casual and comfortable wear, light colors suit red brick ancient houses for photos, bring a light jacket for spring and autumn, and a sun hat for summer.
💡Tips: For flower hairpins in Xunpu Village, choose the old shop at the village entrance for better value; Kaiyuan Temple is less crowded in the morning and good for photos; for snacks, trust the old brands on West Street to avoid overpriced trendy shops.
Chaozhou · Guangdong
📍Locations: Guangji Bridge (must-see night view), Kaiyuan Temple, Chaozhou Ancient City, Nan'ao Island (island scenery).
🍜Food: Beef hotpot (tendon and brisket), beef balls (chewy and juicy), oyster omelet (dipped in fish sauce), Chaoshan rice rolls (with peanut sauce).
👗Clothing: Cool and breathable outfits, bring sun protection clothing and beach shoes for island trips, flat shoes are more comfortable on the ancient city's stone roads.
💡Tips: For beef hotpot, choose shops that slice and cook fresh; Guangji Bridge light show is on every night at fixed times, reserve your spot early; self-driving on Nan'ao Island is more flexible, avoid peak season traffic jams.
Shaoxing · Zhejiang
📍Locations: Lu Xun's Former Residence (Sanwei Study), Shen Garden (night opera), Cangqiao Straight Street, East Lake (black-awning boat experience).
🍜Food: Shaoxing stinky tofu (crispy outside, tender inside), fennel beans, yellow wine popsicles, braised pork with preserved vegetables, drunken crab.
👗Clothing: Jiangnan style outfits, qipao or cotton-linen long dresses for photos, bring a light jacket in spring and autumn, prepare a sun umbrella for summer, suitable for rainy weather.
💡Tips: Choose East Lake for a quieter black-awning boat ride; Lu Xun's Former Residence is free but requires reservation; Shen Garden night show "Chaitou Feng" offers a great atmosphere, buy tickets in advance.
Datong · Shanxi
📍Locations: Yungang Grottoes (Northern Wei stone carvings), Hanging Temple (daring architecture), Huayan Temple, Datong Ancient City (night view).
🍜Food: Knife-cut noodles (with lamb sauce), lamb offal noodles, Hunyuan cold noodles, yellow cake (dipped in vegetable soup).
👗Clothing: Large temperature differences in the north, wear a windbreaker in spring and autumn, thick down jacket and warm shoes in winter, comfortable sports shoes for walking in the ancient city.
💡Tips: Rent an electronic guide at Yungang Grottoes to better understand the history; Hanging Temple requires queuing in peak season, arrive early; for knife-cut noodles in Datong, choose old street shops for great value.
Dalian · Liaoning
📍Locations: Xinghai Square (watch the sunset), Bangchuidao Island (seaside stroll), Sea Rhythm Square, Dalian Haichang Oriental Ocean World.
🍜Food: Seafood barbecue (grilled abalone, sea cucumber), sea urchin dumplings, mackerel dumplings, salted fish cakes.
👗Clothing: Casual vacation style, short sleeves and sun protection clothing in summer, windbreaker in spring and autumn, bring a hat for the windy seaside.
💡Tips: Download the "Dalian Traffic e-Travel" app for the subway; buy seafood from official markets, drain water before weighing; wear non-slip shoes for hiking in Sea Rhythm Park, avoid dangerous spots for photography.
Tiger Beach Ocean Park, Dalian Forest Zoo, Lu Xun's Former Residence, Chaozhou Ancient City, East Lake Scenic Area, Datong Ancient City, Xunpu Village, Bangchuidao Island, Shen Garden, Luoyang Bridge, Guangji Bridge