July Budget Travel Guide: 4 Hidden Gem Cities for Reverse Tourism

【July's Ultimate Budget Getaway! These 4 Cities Cost Just $70+ Per Person to Eat Like Locals - #2 is a Hot Hidden Treasure!】

Let the July winds blow in the "opposite direction"! Skip the overcrowded hotspots and discover these 4 underrated destinations where you can enjoy premium experiences for bubble tea money. Tested budget guide - girls must save this!

1️⃣ Leshan (Popular but affordable if done right)

Skip the crowded Buddha entrance! Arrive at 8am to "Baxian Cave Dock" for a cruise (¥30) with panoramic views and no queues. Foodie highlights: Zhanggongqiao Stewed Beef (small portion ¥28) with pancake (¥5), Fengsanniang Sweet Skin Duck (half ¥35) as souvenir. Stay in old town "Shangzhongshun" area B&Bs (¥80-120/night) with night markets downstairs - enjoy skewered chicken (¥15/stick) and egg cakes (¥3) until stuffed! 2-hour high-speed train from Chengdu (student ticket ¥75).

2️⃣ Dandong (Border town charm)

Summer by Yalu River is only 25°C! Morning market buys: clams (¥10/jin), Korean rice cakes (¥3). Lunch at "Fuchengyuan" for millet noodles (¥18) with rice wine. Afternoon at Tiger Mountain Great Wall (¥60, half-price students). Sunset at Broken Bridge. River-view B&Bs (¥100-150/night) face North Korea's Sinuiju. 1.5-hour train from Shenyang (¥70+) - perfect for budget travelers!

3️⃣ Chifeng (Grassland lovers' secret)

July grasslands at their greenest! Self-drive along Hexigten Banner's "Re-A Line" (car rental ¥200/day) through wildflowers and grazing livestock. Lunch with herders: hand-grabbed mutton (¥80/jin) and salty milk tea (¥5). Stay in yurts (¥150-200/night with private bath). Detour to "Jade Dragon Sand Lake" (¥50) for Instagram-worthy camel rides (¥80/hour).

4️⃣ Chongzuo (Southeast Asia vibes)

Skip group tours at Detian Falls! Arrive at 7am to "Shuolong Town" for bamboo rafts (¥80 including ticket) - just 5m from waterfalls. Afternoon in free "Mingshi Pastoral" area: rent e-bikes (¥30/day) for rice field photos. Try Vietnamese spring rolls (¥10/set) and pickled fruits (¥5/bag). Stay in nearby B&Bs (¥120-180/night) - owners help bargain! 1-hour train from Nanning (¥70+), perfect weekend getaway!

July's real deal? Spending on "food" and "views" instead of crowds. Which city tempts you first? Comment to find travel buddies! ✨

Post by brianna.likes.acetylcholine | Jun 29, 2025