Summer Escape Guide to 4 Budget-Friendly Cities During Dog Days

1. Liupanshui, Guizhou • Transportation: • Flight: Fly to Liupanshui Yuezhai Airport, then take a taxi to downtown for about 30 yuan. • High-speed rail: Take a train from Guiyang to Liupanshui (fastest 1.5 hours, over 20 daily departures). • Local transport: Charter a car or take tourist shuttle buses between attractions. • Attractions: • Wumeng Grassland: Southwest China's highest-altitude prairie (April-October features vast azalea fields and wind turbines). Experience stargazing in tents. Ticket: 100 yuan, round-trip shuttle: 50 yuan. • Yushe National Forest Park: Summer transforms it into an alpine azalea wonderland with 20km forest trails and Yezhong River waterfalls. Ticket: 50 yuan. • Yeyuhai Scenic Area (4A-rated): Known as "cloud seas above, forest seas below." Activities include cable car rides and lakeside hikes. Ticket: 100 yuan, shuttle: 50 yuan. • Accommodation: Stay in Zhongshan District for convenience. Yeyuhai offers resorts like "Shifang·Cloud Lodge" with pasture views at moderate prices. • Food: Must-try Shuicheng mutton noodles (Xiangjia Noodle Shop on Hecheng Road), Buyi ethnic "Eight Bowls," and tofu balls. Street food costs 30-50 yuan/person. • Money-saving tips: Book tickets/accommodation early for discounts; eat at local food streets; use public transport/carpooling. 2. Pu'er, Yunnan • Transportation: • Flight: Arrive at Pu'er Simao Airport (close to downtown). • High-speed rail: 3-hour direct train from Kunming. • Local transport: Charter cars/taxis for flexible travel. • Attractions: • Qianjiazhai: In Ailao Mountains with ancient trees and waterfalls (avg. temp. 10°C-12°C). Ticket: 50 yuan. • Ximeng Mengsuo Longtan: Combines natural beauty with Wa ethnic culture. Ticket: 30 yuan. • Ancient Tea Horse Road Park: Free entry; exhibits + shuttle + cable car combo: 118 yuan. • Accommodation: Downtown hotels or teahouse inns near Tea Horse Ancient Town. • Food: Tea banquets, avocado smoothies, and herb-wrapped fish. Street food at Wuyi Pedestrian Street costs 20-40 yuan/person. • Money-saving tips: Early bookings; local eateries; public transport. 3. Yantai, Shandong • Transportation: • Flight: Arrive at Yantai Penglai International Airport (40km from downtown). • High-speed rail: Multiple stations available. • Local transport: Buses/taxis suffice for compact attractions. • Attractions: • Yangma Island: "Jelly seawater" with free access. • Penglai Pavilion: "Fairyland" with ocean views. Ticket: 120 yuan. • Golden Beach: Pristine free-access shoreline. • Accommodation: Downtown hotels or seaside resorts near Golden Beach. • Food: Fresh seafood (market stalls process your picks), fried starch cakes, and mackerel dumplings (50-100 yuan/person). • Money-saving tips: Early bookings; seafood markets; public transport. 4. Chengde, Hebei • Transportation: • Flight: Chengde Puning Airport (30km from downtown; airport shuttle available). • High-speed rail: 1-hour from Beijing. • Local transport: Buses/taxis or chartered cars between sites. • Attractions: • Mountain Resort: China's largest imperial garden (summer avg. 20°C). Ticket: 145 yuan (peak), 110 yuan (off-peak). • Eight Outer Temples: Unique architectural complex. Combo ticket: 120 yuan. • Hammer Peak National Forest Park: Hiking hotspot. Ticket: 50 yuan. • Accommodation: Downtown options or stays near Mountain Resort. • Food: Manchu "Eight Bowls," lamb soup, and Rehe tofu pudding (20-50 yuan/person at Puning Road food street). • Money-saving tips: Early bookings; combo tickets; local eateries; public transport.