Where to go alone on New Year's Day? These 4 small towns are quiet and relaxing, just staying slowly is very healing
If you don't want noise, don't want socializing, just want to be alone quietly on New Year's Day? Don't go to those over-hyped spots! As someone who loves solo travel, today I recommend 4 small towns perfect for being alone. Few people, relaxed, slow pace—drinking coffee, daydreaming, walking are all very comfortable, not awkward or lonely, just purely spending time with yourself.
🏔️ Zhangye, Gansu | The lonely aesthetics of Danxia after snow
Why come: In winter, Zhangye has so few tourists you can have the place to yourself. The colorful Danxia after snow is even more dreamy, with colors purer against the white snow. Standing alone on the viewing platform, the vast sky and land instantly calm you down.
How to play:
No need to rush attractions. Wake up naturally in the morning, stroll slowly in Danxia Geopark, where winter light and shadow are especially soft. In the afternoon, return to the old town, find a small restaurant to eat a bowl of beef rice, wander around Ganzhou Market, watch locals buy groceries and chat. At dusk, go to the Great Buddha Temple, sit for a while in the ancient Buddhist hall, listen to the wind and eaves bells.
Solo experience:
Zhangye’s pace is super slow, no one rushes or disturbs you. Ride a shared bike around the streets, the cold wind on your face actually refreshes you. At night, return to the guesthouse, soak your feet in hot water, think of nothing, very stress-relieving.
Accommodation: Old town homestays 120-180 RMB/night, very comfortable with heating
Budget: About 600 RMB per person (3 days 2 nights)
Tips: 0-10°C during the day, bring a down jacket. Danxia sunset is beautiful but very cold, dress warmly.
🎭 Kaili, Guizhou | Finding the warmth of life in Miao villages
Why come: Kaili is not like the internet-famous Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village; it’s a city with real life atmosphere. There are many small Miao villages nearby, and going alone you won’t be surrounded by commercial vibes but can blend into local life.
How to play:
Stroll around the city’s Sour Soup Fish Street and Ethnic Culture Palace, look at silver jewelry and batik. Visit nearby Langde Shang Village and Jidao Miao Village, no entrance fee or just a few dozen RMB. Sit on the wind-rain bridge in the village, watch grandmas embroider and children play—you’re just a quiet observer.
Food healing:
Kaili’s sour soup fish, sour soup beef, and rice tofu are perfect in small portions for one. Find a humble local eatery, the owner will chat with you, making you feel not lonely but not overly enthusiastic either, just the right balance.
Accommodation: City budget hotels 100-150 RMB/night, clean and convenient
Budget: About 500 RMB per person (2 days 1 night)
Tips: Going alone to Miao villages is not awkward; many locals travel solo too. Bring a book, sunbathe and read in the village, very pleasant.
☕ Fuzhou, Jiangxi | Coffee time in a low-key small town
Why come: Fuzhou is very low-profile, but precisely because of this, it retains a rare sense of relaxation. The city is neither too big nor too small, perfect for solo walking, finding coffee shops, daydreaming in parks—an ideal place to spend New Year's quietly.
Wandering route:
In the morning, visit Wenchangli Historical and Cultural Street, with charming Ming and Qing architecture and few tourists. At noon, find a local Linchuan cuisine restaurant for authentic beef offal noodles or soaked noodles. In the afternoon, relax in a lakeside café by Dream Lake, sit by the window watching the lake view and reading, letting time pass slowly.
Cultural experience:
The Tang Xianzu Memorial Hall and Wang Anshi Memorial Hall are worth visiting, quiet and few people, slowly read the exhibition boards, the feeling of dialoguing with history is wonderful. Watching exhibitions alone means no rush, stay as long as you want.
Coffee map:
Fuzhou’s independent coffee shops are increasing, costing 25-40 RMB per person, with good environment and no rush. Bring a laptop or notebook, working or journaling here is very comfortable.
Accommodation: City center hotels 150-200 RMB/night
Budget: About 400 RMB per person (2 days 1 night)
Tips: Winter is neither cold nor hot, perfect for walking. The city is very safe, girls can travel alone with peace of mind.
❄️ Dandong, Liaoning | Emotional outlet in the fog of a border town
Why come: Winter in Dandong is cold and quiet, with fog by the river, North Korea across the water, and empty streets. This border town atmosphere is perfect for sorting out your thoughts alone. Calm down, and many things become clear.
Solo route:
Walk slowly along the Yalu River, see the broken bridge and the opposite side’s Sinuiju. The winter fog is thick, the river looks hazy. Standing by the river blowing cold wind, tears may flow involuntarily, but it’s not sadness, it’s emotional release.
Food therapy:
Eat Korean cold noodles or barbecue alone, or find a Northeast Chinese restaurant to order Guobaorou (sweet and sour pork) with rice. Dandong’s strawberries are super sweet, buy a box and eat while walking, the sweetness heals bad moods.
Accommodation: River view rooms 200-300 RMB/night, sleeping while watching the river is very comforting
Night time:
Dandong is very quiet at night, few people on the streets. Walking alone on empty streets, listening to your footsteps, this loneliness is not unpleasant but a way to accompany yourself.
Budget: About 700 RMB per person (3 days 2 nights)
Tips: Around -10°C, down jacket, hat, gloves are essential. The riverbank wind is strong, don’t stay too long or you might catch a cold.
🎒 The meaning of solo travel
💭 No need to accommodate others’ pace, stop when you want, go when you want
💭 Talk to yourself, rediscover the real you
💭 In a strange city, you can shed all pretenses
💭 Loneliness is not bad, it’s a way to recharge yourself
💭 After returning, you’ll find yourself stronger
✨ Solo travel tips
🌟 Book accommodation in advance, choose city center or convenient transport
🌟 Tell family and friends your itinerary, keep in touch
🌟 Bring a book or journal to record your feelings and insights
🌟 Don’t force socializing, just enjoy being alone
🌟 Rest when tired, travel is not a race
🌟 Trust your intuition, stay safe
🌟 Eating alone is not embarrassing, order what you want
Set off alone on New Year's Day! No need to wait for others, no need to accommodate others’ preferences, no need to pretend to be happy. In these 4 quiet small towns, walk slowly, look slowly, slowly reconcile with yourself. The meaning of travel is not in the distance, but in finding inner peace. The new year starts with loving yourself well.🌙✨