Ganzhou: Just returned. I really don't recommend visiting in August-September, because it's truly...

I. Budget-Friendly Checklist (Tested and Recommended)

- Transportation: High-speed rail to Ganzhou West Station, rent an electric scooter in the city (2 yuan/30 minutes) or use Didi, taxi between attractions ≤ 20 yuan.
- Tickets: Combo tickets are more cost-effective! Jiangnan Song City requires free reservation, Tongtianyan 60 yuan, rafting 150 yuan per person (Dajinshan/Wuzhifeng).
- Accommodation: 200 yuan/night for a guesthouse near the ancient city (recommend "Songcheng Yasha" with a view of the pagoda from the window, or hotels in the Mixc City commercial area).
- Dining: 30 yuan/meal per person, snacks 5-15 yuan (meatballs, Aimi Guo are super cheap).

II. Must-Visit Attractions & Pitfall Avoidance Guide

1. 🌇 Jiangnan Song City (Free)
- How to Play: Night tour is the soul of the experience! Watch the free light show at Junmen Tower at 19:30, wear Hanfu and take photos at Yugutai like Xin Qiji's famous line "Green mountains cannot block" (Hanfu rental 50 yuan/hour).
- Easter Egg: Scan the QR code to unlock the AR poetry wall, and win intangible cultural heritage handicrafts by reciting poems with NPCs.
- Pitfall Avoidance: The 20 yuan ticket to climb Yugutai Tower is not worth it! Just take photos of the statue from the outside.
2. ⛰️ Tongtianyan (60 yuan)
- Highlights: Explore the "First Grottoes of Jiangnan," check out the Longhu Cave Cafe, their signature "Danxia Latte + Rice Wine" is amazing.
- Tips: Choose the East Route to see the Tang and Song Dynasty stone carvings (2 hours), the West Route is closed during the rainy season, so don't go there for nothing.
3. 💦 Rafting (Choose one: Thrilling vs. Family-Friendly)
- Dajinshan Rafting (150 yuan): 3.5 kilometers with a 128-meter drop, water roller coaster + tunnel dark river, suitable for adventurous young people.
- Wuzhifeng Rafting (168 yuan): Gentle rafting through a bamboo forest canyon, suitable for kids to play in the water (children over 1 meter tall can ride the boat).
4. 🌾 Shangbao Terraces (27.5 yuan)
- The green sea of rice waves in August is super healing! Enter before 8 AM to avoid the sun and take stunning "cloud farming" photos.
- Hidden Gem: Find a local grandma to experience making Ciba (10 yuan, all you can eat).

III. 2-Day 1-Night Itinerary

Day 1: Song City Time Travel + Night Tour Fireworks

- 09:00 Eat Banfen and Roubing Soup at Zaor Lane (Zhouji, 7 yuan, filling) → Check out the Qing Dynasty brick carvings.
- 11:00 Take photos of fishing boats drying fish at the Ancient Floating Bridge → Overlook the panoramic view from the east city wall (plain-colored dresses photograph better).
- 14:00 Visit the Fushougou Museum to see Song Dynasty high-tech drainage → Make rubbings of Song Dynasty poems.
- 19:30 Yugutai Light Show → Eat Vinegar Fruit Stir-fried Pork Intestines at the Song Dynasty Market (sour, spicy, crispy, refreshing, 28 yuan).

Day 2: Mountain Retreat / Rafting (Choose one)

- Option A (Thrill-Seekers): Dajinshan Rafting → Afternoon forest breathing at Sanbaisan (source of Dongjiang River, 26℃ natural air conditioning).
- Option B (Family-Friendly): Wuzhifeng Rafting → Boat ride on Yangming Lake to feed egrets → Enjoy a whole fish feast.

IV. Local's Secret Food Map

- 🍜 Noodle Lovers Must Try:
- Nanshi Street Aimi Guo (3 yuan/each): Sticky glutinous rice with chive filling, Hakka migration secrets hidden in its shape.
- Xiaonanmen Aunt Chen's Meatballs (10 yuan): Hand-pounded lean meat + bone broth, excellent with chili sauce.
- 🍲 Hardcore Hakka Cuisine:
- Hakka Grand Courtyard (50 yuan/person): Four Stars Gazing at the Moon (steamed fish with rice flour), Hebao Zuo (clay-roasted pork, incredibly fragrant).
- Miaodongjia (28 yuan): Vinegar Fruit Stir-fried Pork Intestines, crispy and refreshing pickled vegetables.
- 🍧 Dessert Lover's Paradise:
- Old Brand Double Skin Milk (8 yuan): With red bean paste, icy and delicate, hidden in an alley near Xiaonanmen.

V. Accommodation Recommendations (High Cost-Performance, Personally Tested)

- 150-250 yuan range:
- Ruisi Fort International Apartment (Bubugao Store): High-rise city views + family rooms, close to Song City.
- GreenTree Inn (Mixc City Store): Free parking + robot service, suitable for self-driving travelers.
- 300 yuan+ light luxury range:
- Walton City Hotel: Infinity pool with city views, walking distance to the museum.

💡 Travel Tips

1. Wear non-slip shoes! The ground is slippery at the rafting sites and Tongtianyan.
2. Choose "Ganzhou Station" for high-speed rail, it's closer to the ancient city. A taxi from West Station is 40 yuan.
3. Mosquito repellent + sunscreen are essential, it feels like 35℃ in August.