5 Budget-Friendly Cities to Visit in July

📅 Travel Time: Mid to late July (Cheaper to travel off-peak!)

💰 Budget: ¥800-1500 per person / 3 days 2 nights

🏷️ Keywords: High-speed rail access | Student discounts | Incredible night views | Foodie paradise

1️⃣ Zhangzhou | Fujian · Gentle sea breeze + Old-school flavors
📍 High-speed rail to Zhangzhou Station

🌊 Highlights: Dongshan Island | Volcano Island | Yunshuiyao Ancient Town

🗓️ 3-Day Itinerary
- Day 1: Explore the old city → Sigua Tang + Braised noodles → Sunset at Rainbow Mountain on Volcano Island
- Day 2: Nanmen Bay on Dongshan Island → Cycle around Sufeng Mountain → BBQ on Jinluan Bay Beach
- Day 3: Yunshuiyao Ancient Town → Century-old Tulou clusters → Head home

💡 Money-Saving Tips
- Stay in a sea-view room at a guesthouse for ¥150+!
- Half-price admission to Tulou with a student ID

2️⃣ Chongqing | 8D Magic · Hot pot paradise
🚄 Accessible by high-speed rail/plane

🌉 Highlights: Hongya Cave night view | Light rail passing through a building | Yangtze River Cableway

🗓️ 3-Day Itinerary
- Day 1: Shop at Jiefangbei → Xiaomian noodles + Hot and sour noodles on Bayi Food Street → Spirited Away-like night view at Hongya Cave
- Day 2: Liziba light rail passing through a building → Fried dough twists in Ciqikou Ancient Town → Round trip on the Yangtze River Cableway → Night view from Yikeshu on Nanshan
- Day 3: Day trip to Wulong Karst or Dazu Rock Carvings (Join a group tour to save money)

💡 Money-Saving Tips
- Metro/light rail day pass for ¥20
- Skip the internet-famous hot pot spots. Old shops in residential buildings cost around ¥40 per person.

3️⃣ Kunming | The Spring City · Flowers sold by the kilogram
✈️ Special flight deals to Kunming from across the country are often available for ¥300+

🌷 Highlights: Dianchi Lake | Stone Forest | Dounan Flower Market

🗓️ 3-Day Itinerary
- Day 1: Cycle along Haigeng Dam at Dianchi Lake → Overlook from the Western Hills → Yunnan Ethnic Village
- Day 2: Marvel at the Stone Forest karst landscape → Take photos with the Ashima of the Yi people → Buy flowers at Dounan Flower Market in the evening
- Day 3: Relax at Green Lake Park → Yunnan Military Academy → End with a bowl of crossing-the-bridge noodles

💡 Money-Saving Tips
- Metro + bus pass for ¥15/day
- Get a bunch of roses for ¥20 at Dounan Flower Market

4️⃣ Yangzhou | Misty Jiangnan · Morning tea paradise
🚄 High-speed rail to Yangzhou East Station

🌿 Highlights: Slender West Lake | Geyuan Garden/Heyuan Garden | Dongguan Street

🗓️ 3-Day Itinerary
- Day 1: Half-price morning boat ticket at Slender West Lake → Pray for blessings at Daming Temple → Night view of Wenchang Pavilion
- Day 2: Morning tea at Quyuan Garden (Sandanbao buns + Scalded dried tofu strips) → Rockeries at Geyuan Garden → Artsy shops on Pishi Street → Night cruise on the ancient Grand Canal
- Day 3: Photos at Yucheng Post in Gaoyou or Heyuan Garden → Head home

💡 Money-Saving Tips
- Arrive before 7:30 AM for morning tea to avoid queues
- Ride a shared bike for ¥2 to explore the old town

5️⃣ Luoyang | Travel back to the Tang Dynasty · Night tour of Longmen
🚄 High-speed rail to Luoyang Longmen Station

🏮 Highlights: Longmen Grottoes | White Horse Temple | Hanfu in Luoyi Ancient City

🗓️ 3-Day Itinerary
- Day 1: Night tour of Longmen Grottoes for ¥60 (daytime ¥90) → Light show at the Sui-Tang Dynasties Relics Park
- Day 2: Photo ops in Chinese, Thai, Burmese, and Indian style at White Horse Temple → Rent Hanfu in Luoyi Ancient City for ¥50/set → Water Banquet + Bufan Tang soup at Lijingmen Night Market
- Day 3: Day tour to Laojun Mountain for ¥199 (includes round-trip transport + admission) and feel like a deity amidst the sea of clouds and golden summit

💡 Money-Saving Tips
- Half-price admission to Longmen Grottoes with a student ID
- At the night market, ¥10 gets you a filling meal of beef soup + shredded pancakes

📦 Packing List
- Documents: Student ID/Teacher ID/Military ID
- Outfits: Sandals + Sun-protective clothing + Hanfu (for Luoyang/Yangzhou)
- Sun protection: SPF50+ and a small fan

🎒 Save this post and get ready for a spontaneous trip in July