Where is the best place to go for a National Day self-driving trip in 2020?

Self-driving travel is the most recommended place for National Day travel. First of all, there will be relatively fewer people traveling by car. Secondly, the journey will be more free. Apart from traffic jams, there won't be any big problems. Where are you going to drive this National Day?

Fujian Coastal Line

12 to 15 days, 1,200 kilometers

On the Fujian coast, the most shocking thing is people’s piety to nature and gods. Countless religions and gods exist harmoniously on this land. The traditional Central Plains culture has found its soil here, and the natural scenery is so beautiful, fresh and refined. If you prefer "old taste", you can go to Zhangzhou and Quanzhou to find the authentic southern Fujian flavor, while Xiamen is the best combination of ancient and fashionable.

If you like the boundless sea, then go to Dongshan Island, Liuao, Pingtan, Sanduao and Xiapu. These places may satisfy all your imagination about the sea. If you are addicted to food, those snacks and seafood along the coast will make you worry about insufficient stomach capacity. Finally, you can go to Meizhou Island, the birthplace of Mazu, and make a pious wish.

A G15 Shenhai Expressway is a bit monotonous in almost all cities along the coast of Fujian. The coastal line south of Fuzhou can take more non-high-speed sections; as Fuzhou goes north, the mountainous areas begin to increase, making high-speed a safe and convenient choice.

Highlights of the route

Dongshan Island

In 2014, the movie "Left Ear" was filmed here, making Dongshan Island completely popular. "No. 1 Middle School" and "Ding Street". Scenes from these movies can be easily found here. The island is basically based on Tongling Town in the northeast corner. The protagonist of Dongshan Fengdong Stone Scenic Area is a 200-ton boulder. They say that when the wind blows, human power can shake it. However, the previous Japanese ship was unable to move after breaking the chain, and the 7.5-magnitude earthquake remained unharmed.

The ancient city of Tongshan in the northernmost part of the scenic spot has only a section of the city wall left, so few people go there. The Guandi Temple in the scenic area has a history of more than 600 years. It was a small temple in the Ming Dynasty and has been expanded and rebuilt several times. From the ferry terminal of Ximen Square in the scenic area, you can take a boat to Dongmen Island. At the highest point of the island, there is a seven-story stone tower, the Wenfeng Tower built in the Ming Dynasty, which overlooks the bay on the other side.

Nanmen Bay in Tongling Town is the main filming location for the beach scene of "The Left Ear". Starlight Beach Maluan Bay is close to its south and has many recreational activities. It is overcrowded in summer and the price is much more expensive than Tongling. Jinluan Bay, 7 kilometers away, has relatively few passengers and clearer water quality. If you're looking for a secluded spot, a trip to the fishing village of Wujiao Bay will allow you to see the other side of the bay. From north to south, the area of ????the beaches increases, but the number of tourists decreases one by one.

Liu Ao

Liu Ao is located in the south of Zhangzhou. On this peninsula, which is only 5 kilometers wide and 14 kilometers long, the ancient city, beaches, waves, and windmills complement each other. The most famous Liu Ao Abstract Gallery (on the east side of the farm in Liu Ao Town; free) is located on the beach facing the sea in Xincuo Village, Liu Ao Peninsula. The huge sandy rocks show exquisite textures blown by the long-term sea breeze. There is a row of tall windmills along the coast.

No filter is required, but the snapshot is a blockbuster. Many couples come here to take wedding photos. It is also the best place to watch the sunrise on the Liuao Peninsula. Continue driving south to Emerald Bay (east side of the central Liuao Peninsula; free). The huge arc-shaped beach has fine white sand and the beach is extremely flat and solid. Even if you ride on it, you won't get stuck in the sand.

Zhangzhou

As the source of Taiwanese snacks, you must take the time to understand this "land of plenty, land of flowers and fruits." Zhangzhou's "ancient flavor" is still low-key and stubbornly hidden in the dilapidated shops deep in the alleys, adhering to the creed of "have food to eat, have energy to eat, and burn incense to protect you". When looking for delicious food in the city, Ming and Qing ancient streets are the best choice, and Zhongfa Road can keep you eating. There are also some equally experienced "time-honored brands" hidden in centuries-old houses in ancient neighborhoods. Zhangzhou Confucian Temple is the oldest building in the ancient streets of Ming and Qing Dynasties. It was built in the Song Dynasty and is also the largest existing ancient building

When people in Zhangzhou talk about Weizhen Pavilion and Bagua Pagoda, they are as well-known as Leifeng Pagoda in Hangzhou.

Continuing to visit the ancient streets, you can find some handicrafts on Hong Kong Road, which was once the central axis of Zhangzhou city, and visit the two most representative stone archways of the Ming Dynasty, at Er Square and Shangshu Huatan Square. On the other hand, Taiwan Road, which is a scene of Taiwan Province in the movie "The Ballad of Clouds and Waters", is also worth a visit. It is dotted with time-honored pharmacies and the National Quintessence Museum.

Gulangyu/Gulangyu

The status of "International Concession" makes Gulangyu a veritable "International Architecture Museum". Due to its early development, Gulangyu Island has many cafes, handicraft shops, street performers and a leisurely attitude towards life. It has long been synonymous with freshness in literature and art.

While it is popular, it is also accompanied by the influx of a large number of businesses. Tour guides scramble to attract customers, making it difficult to move during peak hours. Fortunately, Qindao still has attractions and quiet moments that few tourists visit.

Visitors can spend 100 yuan to purchase the core attractions of Gulangyu Island, which include the commanding heights of the island, Sunlight Rock, the classic ancient village garden with Chinese garden architecture, the Hao Yue Garden with the statue of Zheng Chenggong, and the Organ Museum of the Hongding Bagua Tower. and the International Museum of Engraving. Coupled tickets can only be used on the same day. In addition to the attractions included in the coupon, there is also a sea paradise. The main building in the middle is Villa No. 38, which has been developed into a "World Architecture Expo" and displays daily utensils and old photos of Gulangyu a hundred years ago.

Xiamen Island

There are few cities in China as exquisite as Xiamen, and Huandao Road fully demonstrates Xiamen’s advantages as an island leisure city. Comfortable walking and cycling paths have been built along the natural shape of the coastline, and a green belt filled with tropical flowers resembles a huge seaside garden. When driving on the ring road, you can stop, walk or ride for a while to feel the unique charm here.

Starting from Baicheng Beach of Xiamen University, you can fully experience the beauty of Xiamen’s coastline along the Huandao Road Waterfront Trail (free). This coastal trail winds for more than 6 kilometers, passing by Hulishan Fort, which is recorded in the Guinness World Records, as well as Calligraphy Square, Zengcuo'an Village Bathhouse, Music Square, Baishi Fort Ruins, Sun Bay Bathhouse, etc. After leaving the trail, you can go to Zengcuo Village, the "most literary village" on the north side of Huandao Road. There are many restaurants, inns and bars in the city, just like Gulangyu Island.

Continuing along Huandao Road, Huangcuo (free; open all day) in the southeast corner is probably the cleanest beach on the entire road. Not far ahead, you will find a large placard of "One Country, Two Systems, Unify China", which echoes the placard of "Three People's Principles, Unify China" on Little Kinmen Island across the strait. It is also one of the landmarks around the island.

Continue heading north, passing the Qianpu Convention and Exhibition Center to Guanyin Mountain, where there is a high-quality beach. In the summer, the White Dolphin Beach Music Festival and Sand Sculpture Art Exhibition are held, as well as water parks and playgrounds, as well as some restaurants and bars for travelers to play and rest. Going further, Wuyuan Bay and Wetland Park near the northern section of Huandao Road are marine sports centers. The sailing and kayaking experience courses provided by the outdoor club are very suitable for travelers.

Quanzhou

As the starting point of the ancient Maritime Silk Road, when Quanzhou became the "largest port in the East", Xiamen next to it was just a small fishing village. During the Northern Song Dynasty, Quanzhou had trade relations with 58 overseas countries, and gods from all walks of life came in droves, making various religions take root in Licheng and then develop and grow. The old town of Quanzhou is not a deliberately built ancient city, but a real and original city with ancient streets and temples.

We can learn about Quanzhou from the Quanzhou Museum. The Quanzhou Museum has basic displays such as "Quanzhou History and Culture", "Quanzhou Nanyin and Opera Art". The Fujian-Taiwan Yuan Museum next door is the most worth visiting museum in Quanzhou. Introduce Quanzhou from the perspectives of geography, ethnicity, politics, economy, religion, art, etc., including the historical relationship between mainland China (Fujian) and the island of Taiwan. This is not far from Qingyuan Mountain, the source of Quanzhou. You can eat Quans

and then walk along Shaolin Road to Quanzhou Shaolin Temple. Wukui Quanzhou Shaolin, at 10 a.m., it’s time for the monks to practice martial arts. You can come to the martial arts performance hall to watch live martial arts performances.

Walking south along Citong North Road, you will arrive at the Overseas Transportation History Museum. It is not as boring as the name sounds, but more like an encyclopedia of Quanzhou anecdotes. Then we went all the way east to the seaside fishing village (Donghai Community; free) to watch Miss Pu Liang, one of the three major fisherwomen in Fujian. The headdress of "wearing a hairpin wreath and ivory chopsticks" is the focus of many long shots.

Meizhou Island

Meizhou Island is famous as the hometown of Mazu. Every year, countless believers from all over the world come to this legendary Mecca of the East. After getting off the boat, follow the route of the crowd to the Mazu Temple. There are precious historical relics and cultural relics in the temple such as Mazu's Sleeping Hall, Holy Father Temple, Mazu's Ascension to Heaven, and the Golden Body of Mazu from the Song Dynasty. The fragrance is very strong. The Mazu Cultural Park next to it charges an additional fee. It uses the Mazu stone statue on the top of the mountain as the starting point of the central axis and builds a group of Mazu temple buildings imitating the Song Dynasty.

Going through the ancestral halls is Mazu Forest of Steles, from where you can go down to Yuyinchao. A short walk south along Meizhou Avenue, you will arrive at the Hometown Heritage Park (Lin Village on Meizhou Island). Shanglin Village, where the park is located, is the birthplace of Mazu Lin Moniang. There are still relics related to Mazu such as the monument to the hometown of Tianfei from the Ming Dynasty.

Pingtan

When traveling along the coast of Fujian, I have seen various islands and beaches. When I arrive in Pingtan, I will still be moved by the vastness of the sea. The winding coastline of Haitan Island has more than 100 kilometers of white sandy beaches. Around more than 100 islands of various sizes, there are various peculiar sea erosion landforms.

We recommend Longfengtou Beach and Tannanwan Beach on the island. They are close to the county seat. They have clear water, abundant food stalls, and abundant water activities. Someone once photographed the beautiful "blue tears" on the beach of Tannan Bay, which is the dreamy blue light emitted by the mesomorphs in the deep sea. Travelers can try their luck.

Jiangjun Mountain, located in the southeast corner of the island, is the southernmost sea erosion landform on the island. Being on a cliff among rocks is exciting. The East China Sea Wonderland, located in the northeast corner, is a rare spot for tide watching. The natural sea cave inside sounds like a loud bell at high tide. Finally, I came to Shipaiyang, in the northwest corner. There are two huge sea stacks, standing on the sea like sails, which are recognized as the symbols of Pingtan Island.

The stone houses scattered in the bay and half of the mountains are another major feature of Pingtan Island. These stone houses made of volcanic rock and granite have become the target of photographers. We recommend Dongmei Village in Liushui Town, Dongbi Village in Beicuo Town, Yangmeikeng Valley Village in Chonglou Town and Baisheng Village in Baiqing Township. The roads on the island lead to various scenic spots. The roads are in good condition and the signs are clear.

Fuzhou

Fuzhou, also known as "Rongcheng", has a rich flavor of life. The exploration of Fuzhou can start from Three Lanes and Seven Alleys. A south back street can satisfy most travelers' one-stop shopping for food, drink and entertainment, while the alleys hidden deep on both sides are more winding and secluded. What truly hides the soul of old Fuzhou is its alley layout, Ming and Qing architecture and countless former residences of modern celebrities. For example, the former residence of Lin Zexu, the second son of Fuzhou native Lin Zexu, has been turned into the Fuzhou Lacquerware Museum, where you can appreciate the bodiless lacquerware and lacquer paintings, one of the "Three Treasures of Fuzhou". Not far from the south side of Nanhou Street is the Lin Zexu Memorial Hall, which is built in the style of a classical garden ancestral hall.

There are many temples in Fuzhou. You might as well forget their religious meanings and come here to relax. Xichan Temple, known as "one of the five major Zen forests in Fuzhou", is luxurious and majestic. Hidden in the downtown area, Kaiyuan Temple is the oldest existing temple in Fuzhou. It was also the place where Japanese and Indian monks studied in the Tang Dynasty. Strictly speaking, Hualin Temple is no longer a temple, but it is just a precious Song Dynasty and Tang-style wooden hall, which is definitely worth visiting.

If you want to know more about Fujian and Fuzhou, you should go to Fujian Museum and Fuzhou Museum.

Photography is perhaps the most important theme in Kasumigaura, where fishermen cultivate the ocean as a field along more than 400 kilometers of coastline. The kelp and seaweed fields in the tidal flats, the bamboo poles and fishing nets, the dotted islands and fishing boats, and the small villages standing on the cliffs facing the sea can all become the subjects of photographers.

Beiqitan (Xiapu Beiqi Village; free), not far from the city, may be the best choice for travelers in a hurry. Exit the city from the east side of Xiapu and follow Funing Avenue to Beiqi Village, about 5 kilometers.

After parking in Qianping of the scenic area, you can find a good photography angle by going up the newly built mountain road. Under the cliff are tidal flats and seaweed stalls. Looking from a distance, the passing ships are intertwined with the light and shadow of this scene.

Beiqi is suitable for shooting sunrises. If you want to take pictures of the sunset, you should go to Gulingxia Village and Houqi Village on the other side. Dayushan Island, the destination of the self-driving east route, is listed as one of the "Top Ten Most Beautiful Islands in China". The half-meter-high grass on the island is a rare natural wonder. Coupled with the confusion of "the island is in the sea and the lake is in the island", countless backpackers traveled across mountains and seas to come. Most people who go to the island choose to camp in the tent area near Tianhu (the top of the mountain on the side of the visitor center) to watch the sunrise and sunset.

Practical Information

When to go: May to October, warmth and warmth are a prerequisite for having fun in coastal cities.

Best photography location: The seaweed fields on Xiapu beach, the floating boats, and the sea and sky in the distance form a beautiful large picture.

Best Island: Dongshan Island, the main filming location of the movie "The Left Ear", is full of literary and artistic atmosphere.

Western Sichuan Small Ring Line

1,012 days, 1,152 kilometers

Altitude sickness started just 200 kilometers away from Chengdu. Before entering Tibet, I felt the Tibetan customs coming to my face. This was just an unexpected surprise to show off my skills on the road. Danzang Village, Muya Grassland, and Gongga Snow Mountain condense the essence of Sichuan and Tibet into the Western Sichuan Small Ring Road, which will delight self-driving travelers of all levels.

To say that Western Sichuan is just a supplement to the Sichuan-Tibet Line is to greatly underestimate this self-driving loop with the mountain king Gonggar, Siguniang Mountain behind the Shu Mountain, countless Haizi, Tibetan villages, and temples. From snow-capped mountains, glaciers to canyon meadows, it covers almost all Tibetan areas, and the ethnic villages dotting it are even more charming. The newly upgraded 350 National Highway and the newly paved 212 Provincial Highway make the journey more comfortable. In rural areas where the "every village access" project has not yet been completed, you can still find the last off-road fun.

Highlights of the route

Siguniang Mountain

Although Mount Siguniang, known as the "Queen of Shu Mountain", is becoming more and more exquisite, it is still more beautiful than the Chengdu Plain with an altitude of 600 meters. The intense altitude of the snow peak at an altitude of 6,000 meters brings a feeling of Tibetan area: it is only 200 kilometers away from Chengdu, which makes many self-drivers turn against each other even with people and cars.

Siguniangshan National Geopark includes “three ditches and one mountain” from west to east. The well-named Haizi Valley hides the crystal clear Haizi. After entering the ditch, you walk along the field ridge, and when you look up, you see the face of the "girl".

The maturely developed Changping Valley is a more common choice. After entering the ditch, take a sightseeing bus to the Lama Temple, then walk along the plank road, passing by the dead tree beach, until the end of the plank road. After that, you can change horses and continue to Red Rock Beach and Wooden Mule (3800 meters). Shuangqiaogou is 7 kilometers away from the town, so it is relatively easy to get there. Tour buses run from start to finish. Although Siguniang Mountain cannot be seen, the various strange-shaped snow-capped mountains around it are quite interesting.

Danba

Danba is a city of thousands of fortresses centered on the Murdo Mountain with an altitude of only 1,780 meters. It is a gathering place for Jiarong Tibetans. The unique Tibetan folk customs and the fortresses and villages scattered throughout are the primary purpose of tourists coming here.

Starting from the town center, you can see the gate of Jiaju Tibetan Village on the left (ticket 50 yuan). It was ranked first among the "Six Most Beautiful Ancient Rural Towns in China" by "China National Geographic". There are three viewing platforms from low to high along the village, which can overlook the entire village from the side. The best shooting location is on the hillside behind Observation Deck No. 3. In the early morning, the Tibetan village was shrouded in hazy mist

Huiyuan Gongba in Xiede Township, known as the "Lotus Holy Land", was once built by the Qing government to avoid the rebellion of the seventh Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama was born in Xiedek. Therefore, Huiyuan Gongpa is particularly noble in Tibetan areas, and every Dharma gathering is very lively.

On the left side of Provincial Highway 215 toward Tagong, you can see the dark stone forest stretching for thousands of miles. A brand new Grindstone Park has been built in the most beautiful section (ticket costs 60 yuan). You can drive into the entrance of the Stone Forest Valley and then walk along the wooden plank road to see the "Mylonite Stone Forest".

This is a unique stone forest, formed by ancient seafloor water rocks rising with the movement of the earth's crust, being squeezed by strong in-situ stress, and finally eroded by wind and rain over thousands of years. Light colors are like green, dark colors are like ink. In the rainy and foggy season, you can also see the gradient effect of layers of water, which is quite spectacular.

Tagong

Located at an altitude of 3,700 meters, Tagong is a small grassland town surrounded by eight sacred mountains including Yala Mountain, Xiagu Mountain, Donglu Mountain and Wenshu Mountain. On the vast grassland, the dazzling Muya Golden Pagoda in the distance echoes the Yala Snow Mountain in the distance. This golden pagoda was built to commemorate the tenth Panchen Lama's ordination and distribution of Dharma here. It is said that there are more than 100 kilograms of gold on the top.

If you want to take photos of the golden peaks of Yala Snow Mountain facing the sun, you must arrive before 4 pm, otherwise the sun will be blocked by the snow-capped mountains behind you.

The best shooting location is located in the nearby Tagong Grassland. If you want to explore the grassland further, you can rent a horse in front of the Jinta (100 yuan/time).

Xinduqiao

Probably because passing vehicles have raised too much dust, this traffic town looks a bit dusty. It is a transit station for entering and leaving Tibetan areas. The restaurants and inns in the town center don't have much character, and the facilities are generally old.

In contrast, the scenery in Waze Township (Yingguan Zangzhai), 2 kilometers east, is much better. The hotels are relatively new, and most of them are equipped with restaurants that can accommodate three meals a day. There is a Gongga Snow Mountain Observation Deck (ticket 10 yuan) on the mountain to the north of the town, which overlooks the snow-capped mountains. However, there are many places where you can see Gonggar, so you don’t have to stick to this.

Gongga

As the "King of Shu Mountains", Gongga Mountain is 7556 meters above sea level and is the best choice for snow mountain pilgrimage on the southern Sichuan-Tibet line. In addition to the main peak, there are many 6,000-meter snow-capped mountains, such as Xiaogongga, Jiazi Peak, Riwuqi Peak, etc., which are starry and unique. The best places to view the peaks are Yaha and Zimei Pass, which can be reached by car.

In addition, the Quanhuatan (ticket 25 yuan), Gonggar Temple (ticket 20 yuan), Bawang Sea, and Lotus Lake all have charming scenery along the way. If you need to stay overnight, there are some B&Bs with average conditions in Gongga Mountain, Shangmuju, and Zimei Village. There are only gas stations in Xinduqiao and the shade of trees in the surrounding mountains. You must fill them up before heading into the mountains.

Kowloon

The prosperity of Kowloon will definitely make you sigh, as if you are no longer in the Tibetan area. The small county town is clean and tidy, and the Tibetan and Yi Han sculptures in the central square indicate that this is the "Tibetan and Yi Corridor." Wu Xuhai, 24 kilometers away from Kowloon (60 yuan in peak season, 40 yuan in off-season), has endless lakes and mountains, and the scenery ranks first in Ganzi Prefecture. Whether you are climbing a mountain overlooking Haizi or admiring waterfalls and hot springs at the foot of the snow-capped mountains, you will not be disappointed.

On the fourth day of the sixth month of the lunar calendar, local people are very busy "making dams". On the other hand, Lieta Lake in the northeast has the legend of "water monster" (tickets are 50 yuan, 35 yuan, sightseeing car), which is slightly colder, and the 4,390-meter mountain scenery is very different from Xiaojiabiyu Wu Xuhai.

Practical Information

When to go: July to October.

The best photography location: Zimei Pass. At sunset, I drove to Zimei Pass. The snow-capped main peak of Gongga was dyed with golden sunshine, which was unforgettable.

The best climbing point: Siguniang Mountain. The climbing difficulty from Dafeng to Yao Feng is different, which can satisfy the climbing desires of various travelers.