June is the peak travel season, with crowded popular attractions and soaring accommodation prices.

June is the peak travel season, with packed tourist spots and skyrocketing hotel rates. Why not try *reverse travel* by choosing lesser-known destinations with stunning scenery, fewer crowds, and lower costs? Enjoy a budget-friendly and peaceful vacation! 1. **Zhaoxing Dong Village, Guizhou** (Budget: ¥800-1200/4 days) **Why Go:** Low commercialization, affordable prices, rich ethnic culture **Transport:** High-speed train to **Congjiang Station**, then a 10-minute taxi to the village **Must-Do:** ✅ **Stroll through Dong Village** (stilt houses, drum towers, wind-and-rain bridges—perfect for ethnic-style photos) ✅ **Hike Tang’an Rice Terraces** (1.5-hour easy hike with breathtaking views) ✅ **Dong Long Table Banquet** (¥50/person, savor local delicacies) ✅ **DIY Batik Craft** (¥30-50, create your own souvenir) **Stay:** Homestays in the village (¥100-200/night), recommended **Tianzhiyi Courtyard** (great views) **Tips:** June is when the terraces are filled with water—magical reflections and fewer tourists! 2. **Jianshui, Yunnan** (Budget: ¥1000-1500/4 days) **Why Go:** Fewer crowds than Dali, cheaper than Lijiang, full of ancient charm **Transport:** 2-hour high-speed train from Kunming **Must-Do:** ✅ **Jianshui Ancient Town** (Free! Don’t miss Zhu Family Garden and Confucian Temple) ✅ **Meter-Gauge Train Ride** (¥100/person, ultra-retro photo ops) ✅ **Zitao Street Night Market** (¥30/person for a feast, try grilled tofu) ✅ **Shuanglong Bridge Sunset** (Free, stunning ancient bridge reflections) **Stay:** In-town guesthouses (¥150-300/night), recommended **Ting Ziyun** (renovated Qing-era mansion) **Tips:** June weather is mild—perfect for slow travel. Don’t forget sunscreen! 3. **Zhangye, Gansu** (Budget: ¥1200-1800/5 days) **Why Go:** Off-the-beaten-path Northwest route, jaw-dropping landscapes, low costs **Transport:** 3.5-hour high-speed train from Lanzhou or 1-hour flight **Must-Do:** ✅ **Rainbow Mountains (Danxia)** (¥75, most vibrant at sunset) ✅ **Pingshanhu Grand Canyon** (¥130, wilder than the Grand Canyon) ✅ **Shandan Horse Ranch** (¥50, Asia’s largest—horseback riding is a steal) ✅ **Zhangye Night Market** (Try cuo yu noodles and stir-fried bolar, ¥20/person) **Stay:** City hotels (¥150-250/night) or unique B&Bs near Danxia **Tips:** Days are ~25°C in June, but bring a jacket for chilly mornings/evenings! 4. **Nanxun Ancient Town, Zhejiang** (Budget: ¥800-1200/3 days) **Why Go:** Free entry! A quieter alternative to classic water towns **Transport:** 40-minute taxi from Huzhou High-Speed Rail Station **Must-Do:** ✅ **Morning Mist at Baijian Lou** (Free, dreamy photo ops at dawn) ✅ **Gondola Ride** (¥160/boat, split costs with others) ✅ **Try Shuangjiao Noodles** (¥20, crispy pork + fried fish = delicious) ✅ **Night Walk** (Fewer crowds, magical lantern-lit streets) **Stay:** Waterside guesthouses (¥200-400/night), recommended **Liuyin Lu** (charming historic house) **Tips:** June is rainy—umbrellas recommended for misty river scenes! 5. **Jingxi, Guangxi** (Budget: ¥1000-1500/4 days) **Why Go:** Guilin-like karst scenery without the crowds **Transport:** 1.5-hour train from Nanning to **Jingxi Station** **Must-Do:** ✅ **E’Quan Spring** (¥48, rice fields + springs = fairyland) ✅ **Quyang Lake** (Free, mirror-like karst reflections) ✅ **Aibu Waterfall** (Free, hidden wild waterfall) ✅ **Vietnamese Rice Rolls** (¥5/serving, border delicacy) **Stay:** Town hotels (¥120-200/night) or lakeside homestays **Tips:** June’s abundant water makes springs and waterfalls even prettier! 6. **Hanzhong, Shaanxi** (Budget: ¥800-1200/3 days) **Why Go:** Qinling Mountains hideaway, Xi’an locals’ summer retreat **Transport:** 1.5-hour high-speed train from Xi’an **Must-Do:** ✅ **Longtou Mountain** (¥138 incl. cable car, epic sea of clouds) ✅ **Qingmuchuan Ancient Town** (Free, at the 3-province border) ✅ **Hot Skin Noodles + Tofu Pudding** (¥10 for breakfast) ✅ **Han River Night Cruise** (Free, breezy and relaxing) **Stay:** City hotels (¥150-250/night) or cheaper ancient-town lodgings **Tips:** Longtou Mountain is ~20°C in June—ideal summer escape! **Money-Saving Tips** ✈️ **Transport:** Book discounted train/plane tickets early; overnight buses save more 🏠 **Accommodation:** Hostel dorms/shared homestays (¥50-80/night), safe and budget-friendly 🍜 **Food:** Hit local markets and snack streets (¥20-30/person) 🎫 **Tickets:** Student/guide IDs or online discounts cut costs **Reverse travel this June—skip the crowds and high prices for an equally amazing trip! 🌿**