High-speed rail direct access: 3 must-visit cities for budget travel in April and May
Hey there! April and May are the golden months for budget travel! The weather is mild, flowers are in full bloom, and most importantly, there are fewer tourists and lower prices. A quick search on the high-speed rail will unlock these treasure cities. Today, I'm sharing 3 of my personal favorite "budget travel paradises". Follow this guide, and you can have a blast for 3 days with an average of just CNY 500 per person. Students and working folks, let's go!
🎒 Must-read before departure! A guide to saving money
1. Don't forget your essential documents and gear: ID card, student ID (a must-have for half-price tickets at scenic spots!), power bank, lightweight camera (essential for taking beautiful photos), disposable towels, and bed sheets (pack them in your suitcase for hygiene and convenience).
2. Outfit formula: Light jacket + short sleeves + long skirt (big temperature difference between morning and evening), comfortable sneakers (for walking all day without tiring your feet), sun hat, and sunglasses (the April sun can be unforgiving!).
3. Plan your budget in advance: Book high-speed rail tickets 15 days in advance (often with discounts), choose hostels or homestays for accommodation (CNY 30-80 per person), prioritize free attractions, and look for local eateries recommended by locals to minimize the risk of disappointment.
🌿 Stop 1: Lishui, Zhejiang | A hidden scenic paradise in Jiangnan
They say "Zhejiang Green Valley" is a heavenly place, and it's no exaggeration! In April, Lishui is surrounded by clouds, mist, and flowers. The morning mist on the Ou River is like a traditional ink painting, and the rapeseed flower fields in Guyan Painting Village are in full bloom. The best part is that 90% of the attractions are free, making it a paradise for budget travelers!
✅ Must-visit attractions
1. Guyan Painting Village: Free admission before 6:00 am! Watch fishermen casting their nets and small boats sailing across the river. Every shot is like a scene from National Geographic.
2. Yunhe Terraces: Free viewing platform on the periphery! During the April irrigation period, the layered terraces reflect the blue sky, like mirrors of the earth.
3. She Township Window: Catch the "March 3rd" festival in April (around April 15th this year) for a free experience of bamboo pole dancing and long table banquets. Taking photos in She ethnic costumes is super photogenic!
🍜 Foodie list
✔️ Lishui Casserole: A large bowl for CNY 15, with plenty of tofu balls, dried bamboo shoots, and meat slices. The broth is so delicious you'll want to lick the bowl clean!
✔️ Qingtian Stone Carving Coffee: Stop by Qingtian Overseas Chinese Township and enjoy authentic Italian coffee for CNY 30, paired with a French crepe, and pretend you're in Europe!
🚗 Transportation and accommodation
Take the high-speed rail to Lishui Station, then take bus No. 1 for CNY 1 to the city center. Stay in a homestay in Guyan Painting Village (CNY 80/night in the off-season), and enjoy the river view right outside your window!
💡 Tips: Don't buy the scenic area sightseeing bus ticket! You can walk around the core area in 10 minutes, saving money and enjoying the pastoral scenery at your own pace.
🌊 Stop 2: Dali, Yunnan | A slow-paced life of wind, flowers, and snow at 20℃
Spring in Dali is so gentle! The snow on Cang Mountain hasn't melted yet, the Erhai Lake is breezy at 20℃, and the Xizhou rice fields are lush green. The best part is that prices are half of what they are during peak season, making it a great choice for students!
✅ Must-visit attractions
1. Erhai Ecological Corridor: Rent an electric bike (CNY 50/day) and ride from Caicun to Panxi, passing through reed marshes and S-bends along the way. When you're tired, sit by the sea and watch the waves crashing on the shore. It's super therapeutic!
2. Xizhou Ancient Town: Buy a freshly baked Poplar Leaf Cake (CNY 5/piece), and take photos in the wheat fields. The white walls and gray tiles paired with golden wheat ears create a perfect Japanese-style fresh vibe.
3. Shaxi Ancient Town: A thousand-year-old town quieter than Dali Ancient City. The stone roads and caravan relics are well-preserved. A cup of ancient tree tea costs only CNY 10, and time seems to slow down.
🍜 Foodie list
✔️ Bai Stone Barbecue: CNY 40 per person. Beef, tofu, and mushrooms are grilled on a stone slab and dipped in a secret sauce. It's super delicious!
✔️ Xidoufen Fried Dough Sticks: A must-eat for breakfast! A bowl of Xidoufen costs CNY 5. Dip the fried dough sticks in the soup, and add chopped green onions and chili peppers. It's the perfect way to wake up in the morning!
🚗 Transportation and accommodation
Take the high-speed rail to Dali Station, then take bus No. 8 for CNY 2 to the ancient city. Stay in a hostel in Nanmen (CNY 30/bed/night). It's more cost-effective to team up and rent a car to circle Erhai Lake.
💡 Tips: Choose the "Jade Belt Road" for hiking in Cang Mountain! This free route is less crowded and offers beautiful scenery. You can overlook the entire Erhai Lake. Remember to wear non-slip shoes!
🏮 Stop 3: Changting, Fujian | A thousand-year-old Hakka ancient city forgotten by time
This is my personal favorite hidden gem! Changting Ancient City is less crowded than Fenghuang and has lower prices than Lijiang. The bluestone streets, ancient Ming and Qing streets, and Hakka Tulou buildings are like stepping back into Jiangnan 10 years ago.
✅ Must-visit attractions
1. Changting Ancient City Wall: Free to climb! Go in the evening to watch the sunset dyeing the Jichuan Gate red. The red lanterns hanging on the city wall make it feel like you're filming a historical drama.
2. Diantou Street: A gathering place for time-honored brands! A bowl of tofu pudding costs CNY 3, a serving of poached pig kidney soup (with unlimited rice refills) costs CNY 15, and there are also freshly made ginger candies and dried tofu. It's super satisfying to eat and stroll around!
3. Dingwuling: A "mosquito-free ancient village" hidden in the mountains! Tulou buildings, stone streets, and old camphor trees. The old grandma at the entrance of the village sells rice wine for CNY 3 a cup. It's sweet and delicious!
🍜 Foodie list
✔️ Changting Rice Noodles: A large bowl for CNY 10, with beef balls and pickled cowpeas. The broth is made with pork bones and is so delicious you'll want to drink it all!
✔️ Taro Buns: A Hakka specialty! The glutinous rice skin is filled with taro paste and meat filling. They can be steamed or fried and are fragrant and filling for CNY 5 each!
🚗 Transportation and accommodation
Take the bullet train to Changting South Station, then take bus No. 1 for CNY 1 to the ancient city. Stay in the Nanmen Hotel (CNY 50/night), and you can walk to the riverside in 5 minutes to see the night view.
💡 Tips: Renting a Hanfu costume costs only CNY 30! Go to Wolong Academy to take photos of the waterside pavilion and corridors. You can easily create a Jiangnan blockbuster. Remember to bargain!
📝 Budget travel summary: Saving money is the key!
1. Travel during off-peak season: April and May are not peak seasons, so accommodation and tickets are cheaper, and there are fewer people if you avoid weekends.
2. Free activities: Each city has hidden free attractions (such as Nanming Mountain in Lishui and Longkan Pier in Dali). Doing more research can save you hundreds of dollars.
3. Local guides: Follow the grandmas and grandpas in line to buy snacks, and choose old restaurants without internet celebrity check-ins for meals. The taste is authentic and cheap.
Hey there, the joy of spring is on the road! These three cities are directly accessible by high-speed rail, with beautiful scenery and low prices. Just posting a photo on WeChat Moments can get you 999+ likes. Save this guide and call your bestie/boyfriend to set off. Budget travel can also be super stylish! ✨