2h direct from Shanghai! Discover 4 “affordable hidden gems” without flying to Xinjiang or Switzerland

Many people dream of Switzerland’s lakes and mountains or Xinjiang’s grasslands, but the journey is too long and the holiday too short✈ Here’s a list of 4 nearby treasure small towns for Shanghai friends! Reachable within 2 hours by high-speed train or car, featuring grasslands, lakes, mountain roads, and Japanese-style ancient villages. The scenery and atmosphere are top-notch. A 2-day, 1-night trip is just right. Save this for later✅ 🏞️① Huzhou Anji | Little Ili of Jiangnan | Affordable alternative to Switzerland and Xinjiang Altay 🚗 Travel: 1.5h drive from Shanghai | fastest high-speed train 1h 17min Recommended for: camping lovers, photography enthusiasts, couples Rolling mountains with meadows and streams offer the vastness of northern Xinjiang grasslands and the fresh mountain vibe of Switzerland. ✔ Must visit ▫ Xiaohangkeng: free natural meadow, cows and sheep roam freely, clear reservoir lake, perfect for camping and picnics ▫ Cloud Grassland: alpine meadow at 1,000m, sky stairs, cloud swing, misty scenery perfect for photos ▫ China Bamboo Sea: filming location for Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, stroll through thousands of acres of bamboo forest for fresh air ▫ Deep Blue Project: Tiffany blue mine pit lake, a lesser-known popular photo spot 🍜 Local specialties: bamboo tube rice, farmhouse chicken, fresh bamboo shoot stew 💡 Tips: big temperature difference between day and night in the mountains, bring a light jacket; start early to avoid crowds at Cloud Grassland 🏞️② Liyang, Jiangsu | Lake and mountain Lucerne | Affordable alternative to Switzerland’s Lake Lucerne 🚗 Travel: 1h high-speed train from Shanghai | 1.5h drive Recommended for: families with children, leisure vacations, slow travel lovers who enjoy lake views The rippling Tianmu Lake is surrounded by green hills, and the lush Nanshan Bamboo Sea recreates the gentle scenery of Lake Lucerne. The pace is relaxed with no rush. ✔ Must visit ▫ Tianmu Lake Scenic Park: boat tours, stroll through tea gardens ▫ Nanshan Bamboo Sea: cable car and small train rides, visit the national treasure giant pandas ▫ Heart of Tianmu, night tour to enjoy light displays 🍜 Local specialties: Tianmu Lake clay pot fish head, Liyang liver sausage, black rice 💡 Tips: rent a car at the high-speed train station to drive around the lake for more freedom 🏞️③ Ningguo, Anhui | Southern Anhui Sichuan-Tibet route | Jiangnan Duku Road | Affordable alternative to Xinjiang Duku Road 🚗 Travel: about 2h drive from Shanghai, after arriving by high-speed train to Ningguo, car hire is recommended to enter the mountains Recommended for: driving enthusiasts, lovers of wild mountain secrets, seekers of off-the-beaten-path scenery Winding mountain roads weave through bamboo forests and reservoirs, with continuous mountain, water, and village views along the way. A fully immersive driving experience! ✔ Must visit ▫ Taoling Liudaowan: prime section of the Southern Anhui Sichuan-Tibet route ▫ Chujia Beach: waterside bald cypress, stunning sunset atmosphere ▫ Qinglongwan Reservoir: vast lake with mountain reflections 🍜 Local specialties: small river fish, bamboo shoot braised pork, hickory nuts 💡 Tips: many curves, drive slowly and carefully; plan 2 days and 1 night for an in-depth trip 🏞️④ Tonglu, Hangzhou | Western Zhejiang Japanese-style mountain wilderness 🚗 Travel: 1h 40min high-speed train from Shanghai Recommended for: lovers of quiet ancient villages, healing slow travel The scenic Fuchun River banks feature white walls and black tiles in ancient villages nestled by streams and rice fields, full of Japanese pastoral charm. Light on commercialization, perfect for relaxing and unwinding. ✔ Must visit ▫ Luci Village: play by the stream, stroll through the countryside ▫ Shen’ao Ancient Village: pristine ancient village with rich cultural atmosphere ▫ Maling Tianguan: high-altitude viewing spot to admire rolling mountains 🍜 Local specialties: Tonglu farmhouse chicken soup, spring river fresh fish, rice cakes 📌 Quick travel guide ✅ Want grassland camping and great photo spots → Anji ✅ Family-friendly, lake vacation → Liyang ✅ Driving tour, mountain wilderness exploration → Southern Anhui Sichuan-Tibet route (Ningguo) ✅ Quiet ancient village, slow and healing trip → Tonglu Plan 2 days and 1 night for a relaxed vacation without rushing! What other affordable hidden gems around Shanghai do you have in mind? Share your recommendations in the comments!