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Great Spots to Travel to for Under RMB 200

Claire L. Squire ShanghaiWOWeng 2018-11-30


If you find yourself stuck in Shanghai at a loose end on weekends and wish you were traveling more, then life can be a bit of a bore - especially if your pockets are feeling a little thin. But don’t fret, because there are a plethora of places out of Shanghai that you can visit for the same price as a decent free flow brunch. Here are 10 places you can easily visit in a weekend on the cheap.


All train prices, unless otherwise stated, are from CTRIP.com (we recommend the APP, it’s great) and all prices shown are one way.


Yiwu



Cost: RMB 123


What to expect


Heralded as the ‘start of the new silk road’ Yiwu is a really bizarre travel destination, but one that is well worth checking out. Yiwu is one of the world's biggest centers for the trade of small wares - The International Trade City. There is a huge huge huge market with several floors, which is built up of multiple conjoined warehouses selling literally everything you can imagine from Christmas baubles and necklaces to inflatable toys and kitchen wares. Everything sold is for wholesale, so whilst you might get excited at the extraordinarily low prices, you won’t be coming home with anything unless you buy 1,000 of the same thing.


Photo source: Richard John Seymour


Due to Yiwu being a massive center for trade, there is a huge community of expats. While some come and go, others have settled. There is a large North African community who run restaurants and coffee shops up and down the main street. The food is amazing and it feel like you've just stepped out of China.


How to get there


Trains leave regularly from Hongqiao Railway Station and head to Yiwu, and the journey takes around an hour and 40 minutes. The Yiwu train station is a 10-15 minute journey from the center of the town. Grab a bit of lunch, maybe some Swarma and then head to the market north of the city.


Nanjing




Cost: RMB 96- 145 for a one-way train


What to expect


As the capital of Jiangsu province and the former capital of China during numerous dynasties, kingdoms, and republican governments from the 3rd century to 1949, Nanjing is the second largest city in the East China region. Because of this Nanjing is loaded with historical sites, temples, food streets, and interesting museums. 



There are also many universities that are located there, so the expat population in Nanjing is surprisingly large. If you’re craving some Western food or a craft beer, Nanjing’s got you covered.


How to Get There


Traversing the 300+ kilometers to Nanjing from Shanghai can take anywhere from 1-2 hours, depending on which high-speed train you choose. Trains run daily, usually every 20-30 minutes, from Shanghai Railway Station and Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station to Nanjing Railway Station and Nanjing South Railway Station.


Nanxiang



Cost: RMB 4


What to expect


Nanxiang’s origin story started back in roughly AD 420-589, when the town was known as Chaxi during the reign of Emperor Liangwu. During that time, a farmer was clearing land to build his farm, and upon removing a large rock, a pair of red-crowned cranes flew above it. Since cranes are considered holy in Buddhism, a monk living nearby proclaimed that Chaxi was a holy land for Buddha. Thus, the Baihe Nanxiang Temple was erected in AD 505, and a town grew around it, receiving the same name as the temple.



Today, Nanxiang is famous for being the birthplace of the exquisite xiaolongbao and being an idyllic water town. You can expect to spend your time stuffing your face and wandering around winding lanes and alleys whilst traversing waterways.


How to Get There


As a result of Shanghai’s far-reaching subway system, Nanxiang is extremely accessible which makes it the perfect day trip. Hop onto Line 11 towards Jiading and get off at the Nanxiang Station. From Jing’An Temple, it’s a 30-minute subway ride. Take Exit 2 and walk south-west along Minzhu Street for 10-15 minutes to reach the Nanxiang Old Street.  


Xinchang



Cost: RMB 6 for metro RMB 15-20 for taxi ride


What to expect


We have all heard of the ancient water towns that exist on the outskirts of Shanghai, but Xinchang is one of the most amazing. It’s smaller and lesser known than most because the nearby train station was built less than two years ago. Xinchang is also known as Xin Yan Chang, meaning “New Salt Place” because the town was previously owned by a salt manufacturer. Salt from the sea was sent to a production center in Xinchang, thus attracting many salt traders interested in conducting business. As a result, tea houses, restaurants, and bars sprung up and still exist today.



Xinchang is more authentic than most other water towns in that it’s a living water town. People actually live there, in a similar manner to how they did decades ago, or even a century ago. Wandering the alleys and canals of Xinchang is like discovering an ancient neighborhood rather than getting caught in a tourist trap.


How to Get There


Take Line 16 to the Xinchang train stop (about 50 minutes from downtown). Follow the signs for Exit 2. Right outside Exit 2 is public bus 1108 (RMB 1) that runs every 20-30 minutes to Xinchang. When you board the bus, let the driver know that you would like to get off at Xinchang (新场古镇), and he can notify you when you arrive. If you don’t want to take the bus, you can easily grab a 5-minute cab or Didi. Otherwise, it’s about a 40-minute walk (3 kilometers) from Exit 2 to Xinchang ancient town. 


Wuxi


Photo source: Flickr User: 晨 昕


Cost: RMB 40-60


What to expect


Wuxi is an old city in southern Jiangsu province. The city borders two other larger cities, Changzhou to the west and Suzhou to the east. Wuxi is predominantly known for being the birthplace of China’s modern industry and commerce, and it offers plenty for tourists to gawp at. 


Photo credit: Flickr user Mr Thinktank


Situated in the Lower Yongtze Delta it has natural and made mad sights that dazzle including Nanchan Temple and Pagoda, a maze of canals and parks and gardens.


How to get there


Trains leave from both Shanghai Hongqiao and Shanghai railway stations multiple times per hour. It’s only 45 minutes from Shanghai by train as it’s part of the Shanghai-to-Nanjing high-speed rail line. This makes it the perfect spot for a day trip.


Huangshan



Cost: RMB 93-174 (sleeper train)


What to expect


Huangshan, or 'Yellow Mountains,' is a range of mountains in southern Anhui province. This area is a must-visit for all travelers. The area is well known for its scenery, sunsets, hot springs and winter snow. It’s a UNESCO world heritage site and one of China’s most famous tourist destinations. Expect plenty of walking, and we recommend hiking either up or down the mountain, and then getting the cable car the other way. 



Up and down in one day is too much for most people, unless you are a serious hiker. In the winter getting the cable car in both directions is recommended, due to serious snowfall.


How to get there


A visit to Huangshan is not recommended as a day trip from Shanghai as you would arrive and basically have to turn around again without immediately leaving the station. A normal train takes around 4 hours and costs RMB 300. A sleeper train takes  11 hours and costs RMB 93 for a hard seat (this means a regular seat) and RMB 174 for a hard sleeper (this is a bed). Sleeper trains in China are a fun experience not to be missed.


Ningbo


Photo source: Flickr User: Lee Niners


Cost: RMB 110 – 144


What to Expect


Ningbo is one of the busiest port cities in the world. Ningbo is one of China’s oldest cities, with a history dating back to 4800BC. Due to its rich history, there is plenty to see including the Tianyi Pavillion, the Baohguo Temple and the Tianhou Temple. Make sure to try some of the local delicacies after a long day of soaking in the historical sights. 



Photo credit: Flickr user Ray Swi-hymn


Tangyuan are small stuffed buns that are boiled. The stuffing is usually made from ground sesame mixed with sugar, though they are sometimes also mixed with pork. Ningbo is also famous for its seafood, so go and fill a basket at one of the markets, or stuff your face at one of the seafood restaurants where you can pick your fish while it’s still swimming.


How To Get There


Trains leave three or four times an hour from Shanghai Hongqiao to Ningbo. They book up pretty fast so make sure that you book them in advance. The journey takes around two hours. Downtown Ningbo is a short taxi ride from the station and should cost you RMB 50 or less.


Hangzhou



Cost: RMB 56 – 77


What to expect


Hangzhou is the capital of Zhejiang Province. The city is located on the lower reaches of the Qiantang River and only 112 miles from Shanghai. The subtropical monsoon climate contributes to varied seasonal sceneries, making Hangzhou one of China's most popular travel destinations all the year round. 



The West Lake is undoubtedly the most renowned landmark, noted for the scenic beauty that blends naturally with many famous historical and cultural sites. Our advice is to hire a bicycle and cycle around the lake. It takes a few hours, but it’s beautiful and well worth the leg power.


How to get there


Multiple trains run every hour from Shanghai Hongqiao to Hangzhou Station and Hangzhou East. We recommend going to Hangzhou station as it’s closer to the west lake. It’s a 10-15 minute drive depending on traffic, and Hangzhou traffic is notoriously bad.

 

Suzhou


Photo source: Flicker user: Zhongxiao37


Cost: RMB 25-39


What to expect


Suzhou is located in southern Jiangsu Province. The city is divided by the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal from north to south. Since 42% of the city is covered by water, including a vast number of ponds and streams, it is often called the 'Venice of the Orient'. 



Built in 514 BC, this is an ancient city with over 2,500 years of history and numerous points of interest. Including gardens, waterways and bridges, many of the Suzhou gardens have been listed as world heritage sites.


How to get there


It’s only a 30-minute journey from Shanghai Hongqiao to Suzhou, making it the perfect day trip destination. Once you arrive, it’s a 10-20 minute taxi ride into the center of the city. While you’re there, pretty much everything you would want to see is within walking distance, but if you’re feeling lazy, you can jump in taxis for a low fee.



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