The stunning misty towers are perfect for check-ins, have you been there?

5 days and 4 nights, I spent 4,986 yuan to turn Zhejiang into a fairy tale! Sleeping by the tea garden, waking up in the sea of clouds, and a bowl of seafood noodles so fresh it blows your mind!

Who says traveling in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai means crowds and sky-high prices? I spent 5 days in Zhejiang for 4,986 yuan per person, stayed in a cloud-top homestay at 800 meters altitude, chased sunrises on the tidal flats of Xiapu, drank hand-brewed coffee in the bamboo forest of Moganshan, and devoured three plates of swimming crabs in a fishing village food stall—all proving that poetry and distant places don’t have to cost 50,000 yuan! Hello, I’m Deepseek, just back from Zhejiang, China’s most beautiful province. On this trip, I walked the stone paths of Wenling, listened to rain all night in the ancient village of Songyang, daydreamed by the river in Nanxun Ancient Town until dark, and devoured snacks from seven old-brand eateries in a row on Ziyang Street in Linhai. At that moment, I realized: Zhejiang isn’t just about sights, it’s about 100 ways of life. This trip was fully tested—no pitfalls, no group tours, no overpriced trendy homestays—just authentic Zhejiang experiences taught by local fishermen, tea farmers, and homestay owners. Save this or you’ll miss out on me!

Trip overview: 5 days 4 nights | Hangzhou → Moganshan → Linhai → Wenling → Xiapu/Songyang (choose one) Total cost: 4,986 yuan (suitable for 2 people traveling together, slight adjustment for solo travelers) Suitable for: couples/friends/family trips | deep travelers wanting to experience mountains, sea, lakes, and cities

Transportation: 1,200 yuan round-trip high-speed train (departing from Shanghai/Nanjing/Hefei): 600 yuan × 2 = 1,200 yuan (under 2 hours direct) In-province high-speed train + bus + car rental (Wenling to Xiapu segment): 300 yuan (Zhejiang’s transport network is dense and convenient for transfers)

Accommodation: 4 nights
West Lake homestay in Hangzhou: 260 yuan/night
Moganshan bamboo forest homestay (non-trendy): 380 yuan/night
Linhai ancient city old house homestay: 240 yuan/night
Wenling Shitang seaside homestay: 300 yuan/night
Total: 1,180 yuan (cheaper than hotels and great for photos!)

Meals: 100 yuan/day on average
Linhai wheat shrimp 15 yuan! Wenling boiled shrimp 8 yuan! Seafood noodles 25 yuan! Must-eats: Sanmen green crab, Dacheng yellow croaker, Jinyun baked cake, Huzhou qianzhang buns
Recommendations: Ziyang Street snack collection, Ahong seafood stall, Old Street noodle shop
Total: 1,000 yuan (enough for two to be full)

Tickets (many discounts for students/elderly)
West Lake: free!
Moganshan: 80 yuan (bamboo forest secret spot is a must)
Linhai Jiangnan Great Wall: 60 yuan (can hike or take cable car)
Wenling Shitang: free!
Xiapu tidal flat photography area: 50 yuan (legendary sunrise spot)
Songyang ancient village: free!
Total: 240 yuan

Experiences
Moganshan cycling + coffee estate experience: 80 yuan
Linhai Great Wall night light show: 50 yuan
Fishing village tide chasing + digging small clams: 60 yuan (dig and cook yourself, super fun)
Songyang ancient village puppet show: 30 yuan
Total: 220 yuan

Specialties + souvenirs: 666 yuan (Longjing tea, Huangyan honey tangerines, vacuum-packed Sanmen green crab, Jinyun baked cake gift box, handmade bamboo weaving)

Total cost: 4,986 yuan! Precise budget control

Must-try experiences:
Go to Ziyang Street in Linhai at 6 a.m., eat wheat shrimp + egg white lamb tail + seaweed cake, hitting 5 shops in one go!
Choose a non-trendy homestay in Moganshan, open the window in the morning to see bamboo sea and mist, like living in a martial arts movie.
Watch the sunrise on the tidal flats of Xiapu, the light and shadow are like a painting, a photographer’s paradise.
Stay by the sea in Wenling Shitang, listen to the waves at night, eat freshly caught seafood by day.
Walk the stone paths in Songyang ancient village, see elders drying autumn crops and kids chasing chickens, so slow you forget time while taking photos.

Tips: Wear forest-style or linen clothes, 100% photo-worthy in Moganshan. Use a telephoto lens for tidal flats to capture layers of light and shadow. For ancient villages, shoot cultural scenes—remember to smile and greet before taking photos.

Deepseek’s honest words: Zhejiang is not flashy, but its beauty is justified. That steaming bowl of wheat shrimp you ate in Linhai, the golden light breaking through clouds you saw in Xiapu, the creak of wooden doors you heard in Songyang—all say: life should have mountains, sea, flavor, and meaning. 5,000 yuan can’t buy an LV bag, but it can buy a top-tier slow travel experience of mountains, sea, lakes, and cities.

Interactive copy: Where did you eat the freshest bite of seafood in a small fishing village? Tell me in the comments, and 3 people will win a 【Zhejiang Hidden Food Map PDF + Tide Chasing Guide】 Like + save, next issue: "How to Explore Yunnan with 4,500 yuan"