Weekend Relaxation Guide | These 4 Small Cities Are the Best Plan When You Don’t Want to Try
Don’t feel like moving once the weekend arrives? Then don’t force yourself to check off tourist spots. These 4 small cities—Huzhou, Nantong, Dezhou, Zigong—are just 2-3 hours away by high-speed train, with no must-see attractions or must-complete tasks, only a slow pace and comfortable living. Sunbathe in the park, snack on old street treats, spend an afternoon in a teahouse—this is what weekends should be like. When you don’t want to put in effort, go lie flat in these places.
🍵 Huzhou | Gentle Moments by Taihu Lake
🚄 Transportation: High-speed train from Shanghai/Hangzhou/Nanjing in 1-1.5 hours
🎫 Tickets: Most attractions free, Nanxun Ancient Town 95 RMB
💰 Budget: 500-700 RMB per person (2 days 1 night)
🌡️ Best seasons: Suitable all year, best in spring and autumn
✨ Two days of slow living
Day 1 Leisurely city arrival at noon, try Huzhou specialties—Huzhou big wontons, Ding Lianfang qianzhang bao, Zhoushengji wontons, about 25 RMB per person. Afternoon stroll along Yishang Street (free) to explore the old street and buy Huzhou brushes, visit Feiying Pagoda (free) to see the Song Dynasty ancient tower. Evening hike at Renhuangshan Park (free) to watch the Taihu sunset—city, lake, distant mountains, so gentle you don’t want to leave. Dinner with Huzhou dry noodles, about 40 RMB per person. Stay in a city hotel (200-350 RMB/night).
Day 2 Ancient town or hot spring options: A: Nanxun Ancient Town (40-minute drive), the most low-key of the six major Jiangnan ancient towns, with a blend of Chinese and Western architecture and water alleys, not overly commercialized. Spend 3 hours, lunch with Shuangjiao noodles and smoked bean tea, then return in the afternoon. B: Taihu Hot Spring Resort (ticket 150-200 RMB), lake view + hot springs, lie down all day without moving, return in the afternoon.
💡 Why lie flat here: The pace is slow enough to clear your mind; cycling by Taihu Lake is super healing; hot springs + lake view soak lasts half a day; snacks are cheap and tasty; perfect for weekends when you want to do nothing.
🌊 Nantong | The Underrated River-Sea City
🚄 Transportation: High-speed train from Shanghai/Suzhou in 1-2 hours, Nanjing 2.5 hours
🎫 Tickets: Most parks free, Langshan Scenic Area 50 RMB
💰 Budget: 450-650 RMB per person (2 days 1 night)
🌡️ Best seasons: Spring, autumn, winter; summer for the sea
✨ Two days of river-sea slow travel
Day 1 Arrive at noon in the old city, try Nantong specialties—tiao mian noodles, crab roe buns, Haimen lamb, about 30 RMB per person. Afternoon stroll in Haohe Scenic Area (free), circle the moat around the city with willows, ancient bridges, old buildings; riding shared bikes around the river is very comfortable. Visit Nantong Museum (free) to see Zhang Jian’s former residence and learn about the modern industrialist. Evening visit to Temple Street and South Street night market for barbecue, pastries, snacks, about 40 RMB per person. Stay in old city hotel (150-280 RMB/night).
Day 2 River-sea relaxation Morning climb Langshan (ticket 50 RMB) to see the Yangtze River estuary, where river, sea, and sky merge—majestic and healing, 2 hours is enough. Lunch near Wenfeng World with crab roe tofu and steamed bass, about 60 RMB per person. Afternoon visit Qidong Lusi Fishing Port (1.5 hours by high-speed train + bus) to see the sea and eat seafood, or just lie flat in a city park, return at 4 pm.
💡 Why lie flat here: Cycling around Haohe is just right and not tiring; staring at the river-sea junction can keep you mesmerized for a long time; locals live at a slow pace that’s contagious; seafood is cheap and delicious; perfect for weekends when you don’t want to hike but want to see water.
🥩 Dezhou | Canal Ancient City’s Braised Chicken Journey
🚄 Transportation: High-speed train from Beijing/Jinan in 1-1.5 hours, Tianjin 2 hours
🎫 Tickets: Most attractions free, Tomb of King Sulu 20 RMB
💰 Budget: 400-550 RMB per person (2 days 1 night)
🌡️ Best seasons: Best in spring and autumn, winter for warming braised chicken
✨ Two days of canal flavor seeking
Day 1 Stroll the ancient city Arrive at noon and head straight for food—Dezhou braised chicken (a must-buy and try!), Daliu noodles, lamb intestine soup, about 35 RMB per person. Afternoon walk along Dongzi Cultural Street (free) to explore the canal old street with ancient buildings and cultural centers, quiet and not commercialized. Walk around Xinhu Scenic Area (free) by the lake with willows and pavilions, a local favorite for strolling. Dinner with Dezhou lamb, about 50 RMB per person. Stay in city hotel (120-250 RMB/night).
Day 2 Deep relaxation Morning visit Tomb of King Sulu (ticket 20 RMB) to see Ming Dynasty relics, a garden-style tomb that’s very peaceful, 1 hour is enough. Or visit Jinxiuchuan Scenic Area (free) to hike and see the reservoir, a little-known local spot. Lunch with Dezhou lamb offal soup and fried noodles, about 25 RMB per person. Afternoon find a teahouse in a city park to sit for the afternoon for 10 RMB, or return directly by high-speed train.
💡 Why lie flat here: The pace is so slow it makes you question life; the chicken is so good you want to take 10 home; few attractions means low pressure; low cost means no guilt; perfect for weekends focused on eating, drinking, and relaxing.
🌶️ Zigong | Slow Life in the Salt Capital
🚄 Transportation: High-speed train from Chengdu/Chongqing in 1-2 hours
🎫 Tickets: Salt Industry History Museum 30 RMB, Dinosaur Museum 42 RMB
💰 Budget: 500-700 RMB per person (2 days 1 night)
🌡️ Best seasons: Suitable all year, winter and spring for the lantern festival
✨ Two days of salt-basin cuisine tour
Day 1 Old city food Arrive at noon and start a food attack—salt-basin cuisine (spicy boiled beef, fire-edge beef), find a local hole-in-the-wall restaurant, about 40 RMB per person to eat until you can barely move. Afternoon visit Salt Industry History Museum (30 RMB) to learn about the salt capital’s history, the Xiqin Guild Hall is beautifully built, 1.5 hours is enough. Walk along Fuxi River, old street, stilted buildings, bluestone slabs, full of local life atmosphere. Dinner continues with Qiaojiao beef, beef Buddha roasted elbow, Fushun tofu pudding, about 50 RMB per person. Stay in old city hotel (150-300 RMB/night).
Day 2 Dinosaur or lie flat options A: Morning Dinosaur Museum (ticket 42 RMB, 20-minute drive), Asia’s largest dinosaur fossil site, 2 hours is enough. Lunch with Zigong cold dishes, then return in the afternoon. B: Sleep in naturally, morning stroll in Lantern Park (free, outside festival period), lunch at a good restaurant (Shujiangchun or famous Zigong eateries), afternoon sit in a teahouse or return directly.
💡 Why lie flat here: So much delicious food you want to eat every meal; strong local life vibe in the old city; slow pace perfect for daydreaming; budget-friendly and guilt-free; perfect for foodies and those who don’t want to plan.
🛋️ Practical Lie-Flat Guide
🕐 Time arrangement: Depart Friday night for half a day, or Saturday at 10 am, return Sunday at 4 pm, just 48 hours without rushing.
💰 Money-saving tips
∙ Stay in old city chain hotels 150-250 RMB
∙ Breakfast with local snacks 10-20 RMB
∙ Lunch and dinner at local restaurants 30-50 RMB
∙ Many attractions free or low cost
∙ Use public transport/shared bikes
∙ 400-700 RMB per person for 2 days
🎒 Packing advice: Backpack with change of clothes + power bank + ID card is enough, don’t bring too much, lying flat means light packing.
📱 Must-have apps: Amap (navigation) + Dianping (restaurants) + 12306 (ticket booking)
🍜 Food tips: Eat where locals eat, old city hole-in-the-wall restaurants are most authentic, avoid train station and scenic area restaurants, avoid wild game and wild animals.
💡 Lie-flat mindset
∙ Don’t set alarms, wake up naturally
∙ Don’t pack the schedule, leave blank time to daydream
∙ Don’t check in at trendy spots, go where locals go
∙ Don’t rush, walk and eat slowly
∙ Don’t stress about photos, just quietly enjoy the scenery
🌟 City selection guide
∙ Want to see water: Huzhou (Taihu Lake), Nantong (river and sea)
∙ Want to eat meat: Dezhou (braised chicken and lamb), Zigong (salt-basin cuisine)
∙ Want hot springs: Huzhou (many hot springs)
∙ Most budget-friendly: Dezhou, Zigong (lowest costs)
∙ Most peaceful: Nantong, Dezhou (fewer tourists)
💭 This is how weekends should be
Not every weekend needs to be energetic and packed with sightseeing. Sometimes lying flat is the best way to recharge. These 4 small cities have no pressure from trendy check-ins, no anxiety from crowds, only slow living and authentic local life. Sit in the park all afternoon, snack and stroll on old streets, daydream in teahouses—after two days you’ll feel completely relaxed. When you don’t want to try, go lie flat in these places—it’s the kindest way to treat yourself. 🛋️☕