Top 5 Most ‘laid-back’ Chinese Cities
Who would say no to Lijiang? This is one of last lands forgotten by industrialization.
Here on the plateau, running is not just needless, but also dangerous.
It's not about the scenery or about the distance to the destination. Most of the time, travel is all about the feelings you get when you are there. When it feels right, we pack up and hop onto a plane to flee out of the city where we live a busy, rushing life.
Here are five of the most "laid-back" cities in China that can offer you a shelter when you are looking for a place where the pace of life is much slower.
1. Lijiang, Yunnan
Who would say no to Lijiang? This is one of last lands forgotten by industrialization.
Here in the southeast paradise of Lijiang, no one spends their evening in front of a television; there is no fast food available; and more impressively, no one rushes on the streets.
Time has frozen in this melting pot of various ethnic groups. Half the population is out enjoying life while the others casually stand behind the bar, the corner shop, or the restaurant.
Plus, you can drink whenever you feel like while listening to ancient music from the Naxi ethnic group.
2. Lhasa, Tibet
There are many who might complain about ranking Lhasa second on the list. Well, the only reason is that this is a place you can't just go to whenever you feel like.
You must be prepared before even booking your ticket, for there are plenty of tourists that have almost killed themselves after landing in Tibet. Here on the plateau, running is not just needless, but also dangerous. Walk as slow as you can until your body gets used to the altitude, then you can head to Barkhor Street to go shopping. Or you can visit the various temples with prayer wheels to just take a breath, just silently breathe—that's one of the local practices.
There isn't any fast food in Lhasa either, but it is suggested that you try the butter-tea that is sold on the street. Nothing seems urgent in the Buddhist capital of the Tibetan people, which might help to explain the tolerance towards poor cell phone signals.
Drinking alcohol in such a cold climate is inevitable and making friends with strange tourists is another enjoyment. People from all over the world start to talk and hang out after one or two cups of the local strong liquor.
Chengdu
Harbin
3. Chengdu, Sichuan
Chengdu is dubbed "the city no one wants to leave."
It's widely known for its spicy food and comfortable climate that is extremely friendly to the human body. But, did you know that Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan, is also a sexy city?
Besides looking pretty, women there exhibit a special Sichuan flavor. They are open-minded and brave, but not too aggressive. The whole city is always ready for entertainment and flirting, but at the end of the day, everybody goes home.
In Chengdu, residents seem to always be in the middle of playing mahjong alongside the Hot Pot booths of restaurants. The tea house is another place locals entertain themselves, which makes the city even more comfortable.
4. Harbin, Heilongjiang
Located in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Harbin looks really different from the above three cities. You might even wonder if you accidentally intruded into another world.
Due to the cold climate, most residents—especially the men—are particularly fond of liquor, which is usually too strong for the tourists from southern regions. And, people love food here for almost the same reason that half a year is winter in the province.
That by no means indicates that life here is boring. It's quite the opposite as residents are so good at enjoying life as it is. They party over beers in the summer and ski over wine in the winter. Both women and men are extreme fashion addicts in Harbin, thus the city has a sense of modernity.
As winter is approaching, now is the right time now to plan a trip to Harbin to enjoy the famous ice sculptures.
5. Xiamen, Fujian
The rhythm of life is like a melody and people hum tunes that drift over the sea waves in Xiamen in eastern China's Fujian Province.
In Xiamen, the economy has been booming for decades while everything appears relaxed, yet organized. Working in such a city is more than just a struggle for bread; it's more like an enjoyment. Because of this reason, an increasing number of foreigners choose to settle in Xiamen and youngsters rarely leave their hometown.
Drinking alcohol in the city has been seen as a part of food therapy and people only prefer tea between dinner and bed time.
Tourists often comment that when traveling in Xiamen, it's common to hear the sound of pianos faintly drift over the sea waves. It's a local legend and if interested, you can check it out yourself.
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