Gaomi

Introduction

Gaomi is a county-level city in eastern Shandong province, administered by Weifang. It is best known as the hometown of the writer Mo Yan, winner of the 2012 Nobel Prize in Literature, who has set some of his stories in the surrounding region.

Getting around

Gaomi has no civil airport and no major railway station of its own, so plan your trip as a connection through a larger hub rather than a direct long-distance arrival. High-speed trains serve the city from Weifang and Qingdao, with additional connections from Rizhao and other stations across Shandong. Intercity buses also link Gaomi with Weifang, Qingdao, Rizhao and other Shandong cities, arriving at central stations where you can transfer to local transport or pick up a taxi. If you are coming by road from a nearby city, taxis are reasonably priced and ride-hailing apps are common; driving distances from the surrounding hubs are manageable for a same-day transfer.

Within the city, official taxis and ride-hailing apps are the most practical ways to get around, particularly if you do not speak Chinese, since you can set your destination in the app rather than explaining it aloud. Local buses connect at the central bus stations, where you can transfer from intercity services. There is no metro or tram network; public transport centres on buses, taxis and ride-hailing. Central areas and the surroundings of bus stations are likely to be navigable on foot, but for longer trips across town, taxis and ride-hailing are the recommended options.

Three days in Gaomi

Day one: Arrive in Gaomi, a county-level city in Shandong under the administration of Weifang. Settle in and get your bearings in the central area, where you can find local Chinese restaurants serving the region's everyday cooking. If you have time in the afternoon, visit the Mo Yan Literature Museum to learn about the Nobel Prize-winning author's life and work. In the evening, take a walk through the central streets and get a feel for the city.

Day two: Spend the morning exploring Gaomi's local culture and markets. In the afternoon, travel to Qingdao or Rizhao by intercity train if you want to see the coast; both are within reach for a day trip. If you prefer to stay in Gaomi, use the day to visit more of the central neighbourhoods and try local dishes.

Day three: Use your final day to revisit any places you enjoyed, or take a short trip to Weifang to see more of the region. If your schedule allows, a high-speed rail connection makes it easy to continue onward to Qingdao or Rizhao before you leave Shandong.