Just got back from Yangzhou, and my spending habits have been turned upside down

Yangzhou is located in central Jiangsu Province. It's an ancient city with a history of more than 2,500 years, and it has a reputation as the "best city in Huai Zuo, a beautiful place with bamboo." It not only has rich historical and cultural sites, but also mouth-watering Huaiyang cuisine. It's a very suitable city for leisure and vacation. I. Must-see attractions 1. Slender West Lake The most representative attraction in Yangzhou. Tickets are CNY 100 in peak season and CNY 60 in the off-season. It is recommended to visit for 3–4 hrs. You can take a boat trip and feel the artistic conception of "the moonlit night of the Twenty-Four Bridges." 2. Ge Garden One of the four famous gardens in China. Tickets are CNY 45. The rockery, pavilions, and towers in the garden are exquisite and elegant, showing the essence of Jiangnan gardens. 3. Heyuan Garden The No. 1 garden in the late Qing Dynasty. Tickets are CNY 45. The combination of Chinese and Western architectural styles is unique. The corridors in the garden are winding, with a different view at each step. 4. Dongguan Street A free historical and cultural block that retains a large number of Ming and Qing buildings. It is a good place to experience the old city of Yangzhou. II. Food recommendations 1. Morning tea culture Recommended stores: Fuchun Teahouse, Yechun Teahouse Must-orders: San Ding Bao (steamed buns with three fillings), crab roe soup dumplings, thousand-layer oil cake, and hot dried bean curd threads Average cost per person: CNY 30–50 2. Huaiyang cuisine Recommended stores: Shizi Lou, Yangzhou Yan Must-orders: Lion's head meatballs, braised shredded dried bean curd, Wensi tofu, Yangzhou fried rice Average cost per person: CNY 80–150 3. Snacks Recommended: Huangqiao sesame cake, dumpling noodles, and lotus root flour balls Average cost per person: CNY 10–20 III. Accommodation recommendations 1. High-end hotels Yangzhou State Guest House: Located on the shore of Slender West Lake, with a beautiful environment. Prices are CNY 800–1,500/night Shangri-La Hotel: Well-equipped and first-class service. Prices are CNY 1,000–2,000/night 2. Mid-range hotels Ji Hotel: Clean and comfortable, with a high price/performance ratio. Prices are CNY 300–500/night Home Inn Plus: Convenient transportation. Prices are CNY 200–400/night 3. Featured homestays Changle Inn: Antique, experience the life of old Yangzhou. Prices are CNY 400–800/night Ge Garden Youth Hostel: A first choice for backpackers. Prices are CNY 100–200/bed IV. Budget 1. Economy (2 days and 1 night) Accommodation: CNY 200 Dining: CNY 150 Tickets: CNY 150 Transportation: CNY 100 Total: Approx. CNY 600 2. Comfort (3 days and 2 nights) Accommodation: CNY 800 Dining: CNY 500 Tickets: CNY 300 Transportation: CNY 200 Total: Approx. CNY 1,800 V. Transportation guide 1. External transportation High-speed rail: Yangzhou East Station, Yangzhou Station, connecting Shanghai, Nanjing and other cities Airplane: Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport, about 30 km from the city center 2. City transportation Bus: Lines cover the main attractions, fare is CNY 2 Taxi: Starting price is CNY 9, about CNY 15–30 between attractions in the city Shared bicycles: Suitable for short trips VI. Best time to travel March–May: Spring is warm and flowers are blooming, the most suitable time to visit September–November: The autumn is crisp and the climate is pleasant It is recommended to avoid the high temperatures in July–August and the peak tourist season during holidays VII. Tips 1. The attractions in Yangzhou are relatively concentrated, so it is recommended to walk or cycle around 2. Go for morning tea early, preferably before 7–8am 3. Buying a joint ticket can save some attraction ticket costs 4. Dongguan Street is more charming at night than during the day 5. Bring sunscreen and pay attention to preventing heatstroke in summer Yangzhou is a city suitable for slow travel. It is recommended to arrange 2–3 days to savor the unique charm of this historical and cultural city.