4 Lesser-Known Cities Perfect for Budget Reverse Travel in June-July

Hey guys! Don’t want to be stuck in crowds during the busy summer travel season👣, but still want to keep your wallet “slim”? Here’s an amazing guide👇 to 4 niche, low-cost cities where you can have big fun on a small budget and start a super healing slow-paced journey🚀! 1. Xiantao, Hubei🍑 — A Gentle Water Town Hidden in the Jianghan Plain Why Visit🌟 Xiantao has no crowded crowds, only the leisurely charm of a water town🌾, with prices so low they’ll make you scream. Spend two days wandering here and you’ll feel completely relaxed~ Travel Tips🚩 ✅ Shahu National Wetland Park🦆: Vast reed marshes sway in the wind, flocks of migratory birds fly by, every snap is a photo full of atmosphere📷! Rent a bike🚲 and slowly ride along the lakeside, feel the breeze on your face, pure bliss! Plus, the tickets are super cheap, students can go without hesitation~ ✅ Mianyang Town🏘️: An ancient-style town with bluestone paths and small bridges over flowing water, as if traveling back in time. At night, there’s a spectacular light show, super dreamy✨! Wearing Hanfu here for photos will definitely wow your friends~ Food Recommendations🍜 ✅ Mianyang Three Steams🥘: Steamed fish, steamed meat, steamed vegetables, a balanced mix of meat and veggies, fragrant but not greasy, melts in your mouth! Huge portions, you can eat your fill for just over 20 RMB per person, carb lovers rejoice! ✅ Rice Dumplings🍙: Soft and sticky outer skin wrapped around savory fillings like radish and green beans, only 2 RMB each, perfect for breakfast or snacks! 2. Chongzuo, Guangxi🏝️ — A Secret Paradise on the China-Vietnam Border Why Visit🌟 Chongzuo boasts mountain and water scenery rivaling Guilin’s but is little known! Prices are friendly, and just sitting in a small shop lets you soak in the slow life of this border town~ Travel Tips🚩 ✅ Detian Transnational Waterfall🌊: Asia’s largest and the world’s fourth largest transnational waterfall, water plunges from high above, splashing spectacularly! You can even ride a bamboo raft for a close-up view and have a “close encounter” with Vietnam😎! Nearby Mingshi Pastoral is also stunning, like stepping into a landscape painting🖼️! ✅ Dragon Palace Wonderland🕳️: The cave’s stalactites have unique shapes, illuminated by colorful lights, as if entering a fantasy world! Adventure lovers must not miss this~ Food Recommendations🍲 ✅ Sour Porridge🐟: Tangy and spicy sour porridge paired with tender fish slices, absolutely delicious! Add some side dishes for rich layers of flavor, the more you eat, the more addictive it gets! ✅ Qutou Eggs🥚: The name sounds unusual, but the taste is amazing! Specially treated eggs served with unique sauce, one bite and it’s crispy, fragrant, and tasty~ 3. Jinchang, Gansu🌼 — A Romantic Flower City in the Northwest Gobi Desert Why Visit🌟 This small northwest city not only has vast Gobi landscapes but also vast flower seas🌷! Low cost but offers a unique northwest vibe~ Travel Tips🚩 ✅ Zijinyuan Scenic Area💐: In summer, lavender and vervain bloom in competition, a purple sea of flowers stretching endlessly, like being in Provence! Perfect for photo ops, tickets cost just a dozen RMB💰! ✅ Longshou Lake Park🏞️: Clear lake water, shaded by green trees, a favorite spot for locals to relax and stroll. Rent a small boat🚣 here and drift slowly on the lake, enjoying leisure time~ Food Recommendations🍜 ✅ Lamb with Pancakes🍖: Large chunks of lamb stewed until tender and flavorful, pancakes soaked in lamb broth, finger-licking good! A big plate costs only a few dozen RMB, great value! ✅ Gray Fragrant Beans🥣: Sweet gray fragrant beans with a delicate texture, paired with roasted bread, the favorite breakfast combo in Jinchang, cool and refreshing, perfect for summer! 4. Shangrao, Jiangxi🌄 — An Underrated Mountain and Water Treasure Why Visit🌟 Shangrao hides many stunning landscapes but is very budget-friendly! Here you can enjoy magnificent mountains and waters while feeling the vibrant local life~ Travel Tips🚩 ✅ Wangxian Valley🏞️: A fairy-tale town on a cliff, at night the valley lights up brightly, like a wonderland! Wearing ancient costumes and strolling here, you’ll instantly become the lead in a fantasy drama🧚‍♂️! ✅ Gexian Village Resort✨: Quiet Jiangnan water town by day, transforming into a dreamy light and shadow world at night! There are also exciting performances to watch, the atmosphere is top-notch! Food Recommendations🍲 ✅ Yanshan Hot Rice Noodles🍜: Smooth rice noodles with delicious broth and various toppings, plus a spoonful of chili oil🌶️, spicy and satisfying, a bowl for breakfast fills you with energy! ✅ Yiyang Rice Cake🍡: Soft and chewy rice cakes, delicious whether stir-fried or boiled! Can be paired with shredded meat and vegetables, simple and tasty~ Guys👫, these 4 lesser-known small cities are the “dream destinations” for budget reverse travel in June-July! Low cost, slow pace, beautiful scenery and delicious food all in one😍! Hurry up, pack your bags, and set off to experience the unique charm of these small cities🚀!