September reverse travel, 4 off-the-beaten-path cities for budget-friendly trips!

Datong Guide

- Must-visit attractions: Yungang Grottoes, one of China's three major grottoes, features exquisite Buddha carvings; Hanging Temple, located at the foot of Mount Heng, is built hanging on a cliff, very thrilling; Mount Heng is an important birthplace of Taoism, combining natural scenery and cultural sites; Datong Ancient City Wall is free to visit, dazzlingly lit at night with charming views.
- Food recommendations: Fenglin Pavilion is a famous Shanxi cuisine restaurant and a filming location for "You Long Xi Feng"; Zini 369 Coarse Grain Season focuses on grains and offers authentic northwestern Shanxi flavors; Laoye Temple Flavor Food House is a paradise for meat lovers, with vinegar sauce paired with fried meat not to be missed.
- Accommodation suggestions: For luxury, choose Datong Yungang Hotel, Datong Wyndham Grand Hotel, etc.; for those who prefer homestays, Datong Yunzhong Yizhan and Beiwei Yunqi (Datong Ancient City branch) are good choices, featuring traditional Chinese style and antique charm.

Enshi Guide

- Must-visit attractions: Enshi Grand Canyon has cliff plank roads and the "One Incense Stick" viewpoint, very spectacular; Tujia Daughter City represents Tujia culture with food, performances, and folk activities; Sobuya Stone Forest has bizarre stones resembling scenes from "Journey to the West"; Tenglong Cave features huge karst caves and a dreamy laser show.
- Food recommendations: Hezha is a specialty of Enshi, though the taste may not be very striking, it’s worth trying; cured meat hotpot is also a local specialty with rich flavor; other snacks like baked potatoes and Youxiang’er can be tasted at Daughter City snack street.
- Accommodation suggestions: Recommended to stay near Wuyangba in Enshi city center, close to Daughter City, convenient transportation, and city accommodations are cheaper than those near scenic spots.

Chaozhou Guide

- Must-visit attractions: Kaiyuan Temple is the oldest temple in eastern Guangdong, free to visit, showcasing Tang dynasty architecture and Buddhist culture; Paifang Street has 23 ancient archways and offers various Chaozhou delicacies; Guangji Bridge is the world's earliest movable bridge, unique structure visible by day and light show at night; Han Wengong Ancestral Hall offers insight into Chaozhou’s cultural history.
- Food recommendations: Abin Beef Hotpot and Guantang Brothers Beef Hotpot serve tender beef hotpot, delicious with satay sauce; snacks like oyster omelet and spring pancakes at Ximalu Snack Street are also must-tries.
- Accommodation suggestions: Recommended to stay near Paifang Street, within walking distance to core attractions, such as Chaozhou Hanting Courtyard Resort Hotel and Chaozhou Yingzhou Design Hotel, with beautiful environments full of local flavor.

Haidong Guide

- Must-visit attractions: Mengda Tianchi is known as the "Sapphire on the Plateau," with clear lake water surrounded by primeval forests and unique peaks and stones; Tuzu Cultural Style Park offers experiences of Tuzu traditional architecture, clothing, embroidery, and more; Lajia Ruins let visitors touch the pulse of the 4,000-year-old Qijia culture.
- Food recommendations: Tuzu oil cake has a golden crispy crust and soft, tasty inside; Qinghai old yogurt is rich and flavorful; hand-grabbed lamb uses high-quality lamb, tender and juicy, fatty but not greasy.
- Accommodation suggestions: For those wanting to deeply explore Tuzu culture, staying in Ledu District with complete hotel facilities is recommended; for a close-to-nature, peaceful rural experience, farmhouse stays in Xunhua County are a good choice.