High-speed rail direct! Budget travel guide for 4 cities (Changsha, Liuzhou, Luoyang, Hangzhou)

1️⃣ Changsha, Hunan | Where Xiang flavor meets trends

🌆 Must-visit:

• Orange Isle: Free photo spot at Young Mao Zedong Statue, sunset views are super romantic

• Super Wenyuhe: Retro street-style photos (free), crayfish set meal for ¥60/person

• Chayan Yuese: Youlan Latte + Shengsheng Oolong (¥16/set), over 200 branches citywide

🍜 Must-eat:

• Black Classic Stinky Tofu (¥10/serving, crispy outside & tender inside)

• Jinji Sugar Oil Balls (¥8/5 pieces, irresistibly chewy)

• Dongguashan Night Market: Mengzhong BBQ (beef fat skewers ¥10/5 sticks)

🚇 Transport: Metro Line 2 from Changsha South Station (¥4), shared e-bikes ¥3/30min

🏠 Stay: Miyin Hotel at Wuyi Square (LOFT double room ¥180, 5min walk to Huangxing Road)

💡 Money-saving tip: Yuelu Mountain is free, Orange Isle train ¥20/one-way (better hike up)

2️⃣ Liuzhou, Guangxi | Hidden delights of the noodle paradise

🍜 Must-eat:

• Jubao Luosifen (¥15/bowl, add fried egg + duck foot)

• Qingyun Market: Dewdrop glutinous balls ¥3/each + taro cake ¥5/serving

• Victory Night Market: Fried ice + stir-fried snails (¥25/person fills you up)

🏞️ Must-visit:

• Longtan Park: Free karst landscape (Fengyu Bridge perfect for photos)

• Industrial Museum: Giant vintage machines + free guides (closed Mondays)

• Yaobu Ancient Town: Ethnic costume rental ¥50 (includes makeup, stunning night views)

🚄 Transport: 3hr high-speed rail from Guangzhou South Station (¥180), buses ¥1/ride

🏠 Stay: Home Inn at Wuxing Street (queen bed ¥120, near night market)

💡 Money-saving tip: Ma'anshan Park elevator ¥20/ride - better hike at sunset for free views

3️⃣ Luoyang, Henan | Hanfu feast through millennia

👘 Must-visit:

• Luoyi Ancient City: Free Hanfu experience (rental ¥69 with makeup)

• Longmen Grottoes: Night ticket ¥70 (fewer crowds after 7pm, magical lighting)

• White Horse Temple: International Buddhist zone (Myanmar/India style photos)

🍲 Must-eat:

• Nanguan Small Bowl Beef Soup (¥10 soup + pancake strips, pair with Haibi soda)

• Xiaoji Tianfu: Dandan noodles ¥8 + sweet & sour spicy potatoes ¥5

• Danzhen Glutinous Balls: Four-flavor tangyuan ¥10 (black sesame + peanut aromas)

🚗 Transport: 40min HSR from Zhengzhou East Station (¥64.5), shared e-bikes ¥3/ride

🏠 Stay: Jiujianfang Homestay at Yingtianmen (courtyard room ¥150, walk to light shows)

💡 Money-saving tip: Luoyang Museum free (booking required), student discounts 50%

4️⃣ Hangzhou, Zhejiang | Hidden corners by West Lake

🌸 Must-visit:

• West Lake cycling: Shared bikes ¥3/30min (Broken Bridge - Bai Causeway - Su Causeway)

• Faxi Temple: Love charm sachets ¥10, 18-seed bracelet ¥30

• Xiaohe Straight Street: Artsy old street photos (free, cafes ¥25/person)

🍵 Must-eat:

• Zhiweiguan: Shrimp & eel noodles ¥48 (most authentic at Hubin flagship)

• Congbao Hui (Hefang Street ¥5/serving, sweet sauce is key)

• Xinfeng Snacks: Shrimp wontons ¥10 (affordable chain since 1958)

🚇 Transport: Metro Line 1 from Hangzhou East Station (¥5), scenic buses ¥2

🏠 Stay: Mingtown Youth Hostel at Qingzhiwu (dorm bed ¥60, artsy hub)

💡 Money-saving tip: Lingyin Temple Feilai Peak ticket ¥45 (half-price before 7am), Xixi Wetland free shuttle

💰 Budget travel hacks

❶ Transport: Intercity HSR + metro (Hangzhou-Luoyang 2nd class ¥238, 6hr direct)

❷ Tickets: Student discounts 50%, night tickets 40% cheaper than daytime

❸ Food: Market snacks ¥15/person, night market side streets bargain 30% off

❹ Stay: Hostel dorms/multi-bed homestays, book 15 days early for discounts

🌺 Instagram spots:

• Changsha: Super Wenyuhe retro streets + Xiang River night cruise

• Liuzhou: Yaobu ethnic costumes + Longtan Park mirror mountain reflections

• Luoyang: Luoyi red lantern alleys + White Horse Temple exotic halls

• Hangzhou: Faxi Temple red walls + Xiaohe Street cobblestone paths

This summer, unlock 4 life experiences with one train ticket! Tag your budget travel buddy - ¥800/person for poetry and distant horizons~