Changting, a charming town with compact attractions and concentrated culinary delights, offers a leisurely two-day exploration – or even a satisfying one-day adventure. Here’s a snapshot of my journey, from transportation to accommodations, and the highlights of the itinerary.
Transportation: My journey began in Xiamen, a three-hour drive to Changting. Alternatively, one can take the high-speed train to Changting South Station and then a taxi to the downtown area, which takes approximately 15 minutes.
Accommodations: Frankly, the accommodation prices in Changting were exorbitant during my visit, and the quality was disappointing. Therefore, we opted to drive an hour to Longyan for the night. During peak seasons, this may be a viable option. Otherwise, accommodations near the ancient city walls would be conveniently located.
Itinerary: Upon arrival in Changting, we parked and opted to explore on foot due to the crowds, avoiding potential traffic congestion. Here are some highlights of our journey:
- Shengquan Snack Shop: Enjoyed delicious noodles and pork kidney noodles, with the pork kidney being thin, crispy, and unfishy. Highly recommended!
- Chengqiang Summer Pancake: A local specialty, we tried both the fried summer pancake and the fried potato bun. Both were priced at 10R each, offering a unique taste experience.
- Changting Ancient City: Just next door, we stumbled upon an elderly lady selling delicious fried pastries for 0.5 each. The scenic route through the city was a pleasure to walk.
- Xuancheng Boji Ban: This restaurant served delicious thin and tasty skin, a local specialty that we found particularly enjoyable.
- Wolong Academy: While entry requires a ticket, it’s essentially a scenic garden. Whether it’s worth the cost is a personal decision.
- Louis Checkpoint: A photogenic spot, offering views of two charming towns, one in Hunan and the other in Changting.
- Huiji Gate: Also known as the Impression Tingzhou checkpoint, the city walls are adorned with surnames. Scanning the QR codes reveals interesting stories behind each surname.
- Jizhou Gate: At 6:30 pm, the lights come on, offering breathtaking views of the Tingjiang River at night. Photos from both the front and side are stunning, especially with the added bonus of a dancer on a boat during our visit.
- Xiyangyang Restaurant: Recommended by locals, we tried the beef and pickled pork intestines. While the pork intestines were tasty, the beef was a bit salty, and the overall value for money was not impressive.
After a fulfilling day, we took a leisurely walk to our accommodations in Longyan. This itinerary offers a taste of Changting’s charm, and locals are welcome to add their own recommendations. For a one-day trip, this route offers a perfect balance of exploration and relaxation.
Tags: #ShopExploration #FoodieAdventures #RoadTripTips #DailyDelicacies #HiddenGemCafes #DomesticTravelDiaries #Changting #ChangtingExploration #ChangtingAncientCity
