Travel on a Small Budget in June-July! These 5 Cities Are Absolutely Amazing!

Worried about your wallet while planning a trip in June-July? Don’t panic! These 5 hidden gem cities offer great value, fun activities, and fantastic shopping. Follow this comprehensive guide to start your super cost-effective journey🎉! 1. Zhangzhou 🎐 The Gentle Sea Breeze and Traditional Flavors of Fujian ✨City Impression: Here lies the purest Minnan culture, with blue seas and skies, fresh small towns, traditional snacks, and most importantly, affordable prices—perfect for students to enjoy easily! ✈️Transportation Guide: - Direct: High-speed trains go straight to Zhangzhou Station, convenient and fast. - Transfer: Fly to Xiamen, then take a bullet train or bus (about 1 hour), and you can also visit Xiamen on the way! 🏝️Must-Visit Attractions: - Dongshan Island🌊: Filming location of the movie "The Left Ear," featuring the blue and white fishing village of Nanmen Bay and the stunning coastal views along Su Feng Mountain’s island road—every snapshot looks like a masterpiece! - Yunshuiyao Ancient Town🏯: Stroll along the century-old banyan tree path, explore the mysterious Tulou clusters (Hegui Lou, Huaiyuan Lou), and feel the stories shaped by time. - Volcano Island🌋: A popular geological park with Rainbow Mountain and Monument Valley perfect for photos. Stay overnight in a seaside guesthouse and fall asleep to the sound of waves~ 🍜Zhangzhou’s Culinary Delights: - Four Fruit Soup🥥: A summer lifesaver, sweet icy dessert with taro balls and grass jelly, refreshingly cool! - Oyster Omelette🦪: Crispy outside, tender inside oyster pancake dipped in sweet and spicy sauce, irresistibly fresh! - Braised Noodles🍜: Thick sauce coats the noodles, topped with braised meat and intestines, deliciously fragrant! 📅Three-Day Itinerary: - Day 1: Explore Zhangzhou’s ancient city and street snacks; head to Volcano Island in the afternoon and watch the stunning sunset🌅. - Day 2: Rent a car to tour Dongshan Island, visit Nanmen Bay and Su Feng Mountain, and enjoy the waves at Jinluan Bay Beach in the evening. - Day 3: Visit Yunshuiyao Ancient Town, listen to the flowing creek, and experience the slow pace of Minnan countryside. 2. Chongqing 🌉 The Fiery Charm of the 8D Magical Mountain City ✨City Impression: Avoid the high heat in May-June, stroll through the staggered streets, experience the “3D magical” terrain, and enjoy a spicy hotpot feast—pure bliss! ✈️Transportation Guide: Direct flights and high-speed trains available; the city’s light rail is extensive, with the “passing through buildings” Line 2 and the “sky-to-earth” Line 6 as must-see spots! 🏙️Must-Visit Attractions: - Hongya Cave🌃: A real-life “Spirited Away,” the night lights create a magical world! - Liziba Light Rail Station🚄: Watch the light rail pass right through a building, a unique Chongqing transportation marvel. - Yangtze River Cableway🚠: Cross the Yangtze River and enjoy panoramic mountain city views, super romantic~ 🍲Chongqing’s Food Highlights: - Hotpot🔥: Skip the tourist spots! Go into residential buildings, order tripe and pork aorta, and savor authentic spicy beef tallow hotpot! - Xiao Mian (Noodles)🍜: Two servings of spicy noodles with a fried egg, the soul of Chongqing breakfast! - Jianghu Cuisine🐟: Spicy chicken and Mao Xue Wang, fiery and flavorful, perfect for licking the plate! 📅Three-Day Itinerary: - Day 1: Shopping at Jiefangbei → Snack street at Bayi Road → Night visit to Hongya Cave’s dazzling lights. - Day 2: Liziba Station → Ciqikou Ancient Town for Bayu culture → Yangtze River Cableway → Nanshan Yikeshu for city night views. - Day 3: Optional day trips! Wulong Tiankeng (Transformers filming site) or Dazu Rock Carvings to experience millennia of culture. 3. Kunming 🌷 The City of Eternal Spring and Flowers ✨City Impression: The name “Spring City” is well deserved! Comfortable climate in June-July, flowers everywhere, and a perfect transit hub for western and southern Yunnan trips~ ✈️Transportation Guide: Direct flights, metro and buses cover major attractions, very convenient! 🌳Must-Visit Attractions: - Dianchi Haigeng Dam🌊: No seagulls in May, but the rippling water and reflections of Western Hills create a picturesque scene! - Stone Forest🗿: A UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, a karst wonder formed over millions of years, showcasing nature’s craftsmanship! - Dounan Flower Market🌼: Asia’s largest fresh flower market, roses sold by weight—grab a bouquet to brighten your day~ 🍲Kunming’s Culinary Delights: - Crossing-the-Bridge Rice Noodles🍜: Full of ritual! Pour boiling broth over raw meat slices and vegetables, bursting with fresh aroma. - Steam Pot Chicken🐔: Authentic Yunnan dish, tender chicken with sweet clear broth. - Fried Erkuai🌯: Soft rice cake wrapped with fried dough sticks and peanut sauce, a perfect blend of salty and sweet! 📅Three-Day Itinerary: - Day 1: Bike along Dianchi Lake → Climb Western Hills for a Kunming view → Experience colorful ethnic customs at Yunnan Nationalities Village. - Day 2: Join a day tour to Stone Forest, wander among strange peaks and rocks, and take ancient-style photos. - Day 3: Feed red-billed gulls at Cuihu Park → Visit the Army Lecture Hall → Evening stroll at Dounan Flower Market, return with flowers in hand. 4. Yangzhou 🌿 The Slow Life in Misty Jiangnan ✨City Impression: In May-June, Slender West Lake ripples with green waves, pavilions and towers reflect like paintings. In this thousand-year-old city, even breathing slows down~ ✈️Transportation Guide: High-speed train to Yangzhou East Station, ride shared e-bikes or take buses in the city to easily visit attractions! 🏯Must-Visit Attractions: - Slender West Lake🌳: “The finest garden in the world,” stroll along Changti Spring Willows, take a painted boat to enjoy lake and mountain views. - Ge Garden and He Garden🏘️: Two of Jiangnan’s four famous gardens, with interesting rockeries and scenic views at every step, showcasing Chinese aesthetics. - Dongguan Street🛍️: An ancient street full of charm, shop for intangible cultural heritage items, taste authentic snacks, and feel Yangzhou’s lively atmosphere. 🍜Yangzhou’s Culinary Highlights: - Morning Tea🍵: Must-try crab roe soup dumplings, hot shredded tofu, and three-diced buns, paired with a pot of Lvyangchun tea—pure comfort! - Huaiyang Cuisine🍲: Lion’s Head meatballs are rich but not greasy, finely shredded tofu delicate as hair, so exquisite you hesitate to eat! 📅Three-Day Itinerary: - Day 1: Boat ride on Slender West Lake → Climb Daming Temple for city views → Night view at Wenchang Pavilion, feel the blend of ancient and modern. - Day 2: Visit Ge Garden to admire seasonal rockeries → Eat on Dongguan Street → Stroll the artistic Pishi Street for handmade treasures. - Day 3: Optional off-the-beaten-path trip! Visit Gaoyou Yucheng Post Station to explore mysterious Ming and Qing ancient post stations, or relax and head home. 5. Luoyang 🏮 The Flourishing Tang Dynasty Legacy of the Ancient Capital ✨City Impression: After peony season, fewer tourists and lower prices! From May to July, the caves are cool and pleasant; wear Hanfu and stroll the ancient city for an instant Tang Dynasty time travel~ ✈️Transportation Guide: High-speed train to Luoyang Longmen Station, convenient buses and taxis, some attractions open at night for better deals! 🏯Must-Visit Attractions: - Longmen Grottoes🕍: A World Cultural Heritage site, night tours with lights make the Buddha statues even more solemn and majestic! - White Horse Temple🏛️: China’s first ancient temple, blending styles from China, India, Thailand, and Myanmar, showcasing diverse Buddhist culture. - Luoyi Ancient City🎑: Free entry! Rent a Hanfu, carry a palace lantern, and be a “runaway princess” for a day~ 🍜Luoyang’s Culinary Delights: - Beef Soup🥣: Have a bowl early morning with crispy bread strips, fresh and tasty soup to energize you! - Luoyang Water Banquet🍲: 24 dishes including peony jelly and meat slices in broth, sour and spicy to whet your appetite, experience a royal feast. - Bufan Soup Dumplings🥟: Green bean cake base with kelp and meatballs, a bowl that warms your heart! 📅Three-Day Itinerary: - Day 1: In-depth tour of Longmen Grottoes → Visit Luoyang Museum for millennia-old artifacts → Enjoy night views at Sui-Tang Relics Park. - Day 2: Experience Zen at White Horse Temple → Take Hanfu photos at Luoyi Ancient City → Eat Luoyang snacks at Lijingmen Night Market. - Day 3: Join a day tour to Mount Lao Jun, where sea of clouds and golden peaks are breathtaking, fulfilling a fairy tale dream! 💰Money-Saving Tips - Accommodation: Zhangzhou and Luoyang offer great-value guesthouses (150-300 RMB/night); in Chongqing and Yangzhou, choose hostels or riverside guesthouses for even lower per-person costs! - Transportation: Kunming and Chongqing’s metro systems cover the city; rent e-bikes in Zhangzhou and Yangzhou for freedom and savings! - Tickets: Remember to bring student or teacher IDs for half-price entry at some attractions; night tickets for Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang are cheaper too! 💡Final Recommendation: Choose Zhangzhou to embrace the sea, Chongqing for food lovers, Luoyang for history buffs, Yangzhou for Jiangnan water town fans, and Kunming for nature lovers! Save this guide, pack your bags, and set off now～🚀