7-8 Small Budget Trips Perfect for This City Budget Travelers
Everyone! Worried about crowded places and empty wallets during summer vacation? These 5 cities have been tested for great value—cheap tickets, lots of delicious food, convenient transportation. Students can enjoy 5 days with 3000 yuan, and parents with kids won’t feel the pinch! The focus is on having a great time while saving money, no need to walk endlessly! 🚶♀️→🛋️
🌴 Zhangzhou · Fujian’s Hidden Food City (Eat to Full for 50 yuan per person)
✅ Money-saving tips: Attractions are almost free, snacks fill you up for 10 yuan
📍 Must-visit list:
- Dongshan Island (Free beach! Rent an electric scooter for 30 yuan/day to circle the island, watch the sunrise without crowds)
- Volcano Island Geological Park (Student tickets half price, colorful castle photo spots free for amazing shots)
- Daimi Ancient Village (Boat ride 5 yuan/person, see ancient waterside houses, feels like traveling back to Jiangnan)
🍜 Food guide:
- Four Fruit Soup 5 yuan/bowl (with 10 kinds of ingredients), Mazi (glutinous rice cake) 3 yuan each (freshly made and eaten)
- Buy seafood at the market and have it cooked, 30 yuan per person for a seafood feast
💡 Money-saving tip: Stay at a homestay in Tongling Town, 100 yuan/night with sea views, ride a small electric scooter to explore the whole island
🌶️ Chongqing · Magical Mountain City Free Fun (Cable car cheaper than taxi)
✅ Money-saving tips: 80% of attractions are free, subway 5 yuan to tour the whole city
📍 Must-visit list:
- Hongya Cave Night View (No need to enter the scenic area! Take photos of the full view for free at Qiansimen Bridge)
- Liziba Light Rail Station (Observation deck for photos through the building, then take one more light rail stop for full experience)
- Mountain City Trail (Tired of climbing? Old tea house by the road, 10 yuan for a cup of covered bowl tea to rest)
🍜 Food guide:
- Local hotpot in residential buildings (50 yuan per person, free refills of crispy meat)
- Street snacks: sour and spicy noodles 6 yuan, cold cake 3 yuan (relieves spiciness and fills you up)
💡 Money-saving tip: Don’t take taxis! Subway + walking is more convenient. Stay at a hostel near Jiefangbei, 50 yuan/night for shared rooms
🌻 Kunming · Summer Resort Flower City (Flowers cheaper than vegetables)
✅ Money-saving tips: Average 23°C, low ticket prices, buy flowers by weight
📍 Must-visit list:
- Dianchi Haigeng Dam (Free to feed seagulls! Even better in winter)
- Dounan Flower Market (20 yuan for a big bouquet of roses, perfect for photos)
- Cuihu Park (Boat rental 30 yuan/hour, feeding red-billed gulls is super healing)
🍜 Food guide:
- Jianxinyuan Crossing-the-bridge Rice Noodles (20 yuan/set, toppings piled high)
- Zhuanxin Farmers Market (Grilled milk cheese 5 yuan, Paoluda 10 yuan, eat while strolling)
💡 Money-saving tip: Flowers are cheaper after 8 pm at the flower market. Stay in Guandu District, 30 minutes by subway to downtown
🌸 Yangzhou · Jiangnan Slow Life (Morning tea lasts two hours)
✅ Money-saving tips: Garden tickets half price for students, morning tea 20 yuan per person to fill up
📍 Must-visit list:
- Slender West Lake (Lotus flowers are beautiful in July, fewer people and cooler in the evening)
- Ge Garden / He Garden (Student tickets 20 yuan, see seasonal rockeries and hidden views)
- Dongguan Street (Free to stroll! Buy Huangqiao sesame cakes as snacks)
🍜 Food guide:
- Old brand morning tea (Three Ding buns + Jade shumai + Yangchun noodles, 20 yuan to eat until you can’t move)
- Street stall Yang Eight Monsters ginger candy (10 yuan/box, loved by sweet and spicy fans)
💡 Money-saving tip: Rent shared bikes for 1 yuan/hour, cycling along the ancient canal is very pleasant. Stay in an old town homestay, walk to attractions
🏯 Luoyang · Ancient Capital Cultural Tour (History lovers rejoice)
✅ Money-saving tips: Many attractions free on Mondays, Hanfu rental 50 yuan/day
📍 Must-visit list:
- Longmen Grottoes (Student ticket 60 yuan, the colossal Vairocana Buddha leaves you speechless)
- Luoyi Ancient City (Free entry! Wear Hanfu for photos, feels like traveling back to the Tang Dynasty)
- White Horse Temple (Ticket 35 yuan, see Indian/Thai style Buddhist halls, pretend you’re abroad)
🍜 Food guide:
- Old town cross street night market (Grilled gluten 3 yuan, Noturn soup 8 yuan, 10 yuan for 3 dishes)
- Beef soup 10 yuan (free refill of pancake strips, warms your heart)
💡 Money-saving tip: Rent Hanfu with makeup and hairstyle for 50 yuan/day to take photos all over the city. Stay in the old town to walk to the night market
💸 Summary for Students/Budget Travelers:
- Choose second-class high-speed rail tickets, book 15 days in advance for cheaper prices
- Stay in hostels/homestays near subway stations in the city center to save on transportation
- Eat where locals go, street food is cheaper and tastier than trendy restaurants
- Bring student ID for half-price or free tickets at many attractions
Everyone, you can have a super fun summer vacation without spending a lot! These 5 cities each have their own charm, whether you love food, shopping, or photography, you’ll find your perfect way to enjoy~
👉 Follow me for the next post sharing a detailed guide on "Exploring a City with 300 yuan," budget travelers no longer need to plan!