June Budget Travel: Four Affordable Cities for Reverse Tourism

Qiandongnan

- Must-Visit Attractions: Xijiang Thousand Households Miao Village offers long-table banquets and stilt-house night views; Zhaoxing Dong Village features grand Dong songs; Gaoguo River rafting provides thrilling adventures through pristine forest canyons.
- Family-Friendly Spots: Besides Xijiang and Zhaoxing, Zhenyuan Ancient Town is perfect for families to stroll ancient streets and admire unique Taiji landforms.
- Accommodation Recommendations: Xijiang Longtang Mountain Resort is a designer cliffside hotel with stunning views; Danzhai Wanda Jin Hot Spring Hotel lets you enjoy natural hot springs.
- Food Recommendations: Try long-table banquets and "high mountain flowing water" drinking customs at Xijiang; Zhenyuan's sour fish soup features tender meat and appetizing broth.

Wuhan East Lake

- Must-Visit Attractions: Tingtao Scenic Area has lakeside cafes and Hanfu photo ops at Quyuan Fenghe; Moshan Scenic Area offers colorful cable cars and Lisao Monument; Luoyan's Nine-Turn Bridge is ideal for photos and sunsets.
- Suggested Route: Cycle the Huzhongdao section of East Lake Greenway from Liyuan Square, passing attractions like Huguang Prelude and Jiunüdun before reaching Moshan Lancui.
- Transportation: Take Metro Line 8 to Liyuan Station (Exit BC), then enter via underground passage.
- Ticket Info: Free entry to all East Lake areas; some facilities charge separately (Moshan cable car: ¥30 one-way, ¥50 round-trip).

Xuancheng

- Must-Visit Attractions: Zhaji Village featured in "Deserted Inn" has unique ancient charm; Taohua Pond is famous for Li Bai's poetry; Jingting Mountain traces the poet's footsteps amid tea fields and bamboo.
- Free Attractions: Shuidong Old Street preserves Ming-Qing architecture with numerous temples; Xuancheng Museum showcases local history.
- Accommodation Recommendations: Xuancheng Jingting Lake Hotel is a resort at Jingting Mountain's base; Flower House·Yuanshe Yitian offers rural charm.
- Food Recommendations: Signature stinky mandarin fish at Youjian Chuiyan Private Kitchen; sour-spicy lotus root with fungus at Stinky Mandarin Fish Restaurant.

Yixian County

- Must-Visit Attractions: Hongcun, the "Chinese Painting Village," boasts picturesque Moon Pond; Xidi is a historic Huizhou-style village; Mukeng Bamboo Sea featured in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon."
- Free Attractions: Scenic Qishu Lake and Bishan's thirty-six ancestral halls are worth visiting.
- Accommodation Recommendations: Huangshan Banyan Tree showcases Huizhou bamboo-weaving heritage; Huangshan Guanlu Tent Hotel has kid-friendly facilities.
- Food Recommendations: Juba Fang·Local Cuisine by Moon Pond serves classic Huizhou dishes; Tiandeng Canteen was featured on "A Bite of China."