High-speed rail direct! Budget travel guide for 4 cities (Changsha, Liuzhou, Luoyang, Hangzhou)

1️⃣ Changsha, Hunan | Where Xiang flavor meets trends 🌆 Must-visit: • Orange Isle: Free photo spot at Young Mao Zedong Statue, sunset views are super romantic • Super Wenyuhe: Retro street-style photos (free), crayfish set meal for ¥60/person • Chayan Yuese: Youlan Latte + Shengsheng Oolong (¥16/set), over 200 branches citywide 🍜 Must-eat: • Black Classic Stinky Tofu (¥10/serving, crispy outside & tender inside) • Jinji Sugar Oil Balls (¥8/5 pieces, irresistibly chewy) • Dongguashan Night Market: Mengzhong BBQ (beef fat skewers ¥10/5 sticks) 🚇 Transport: Metro Line 2 from Changsha South Station (¥4), shared e-bikes ¥3/30min 🏠 Stay: Miyin Hotel at Wuyi Square (LOFT double room ¥180, 5min walk to Huangxing Road) 💡 Money-saving tip: Yuelu Mountain is free, Orange Isle train ¥20/one-way (better hike up) 2️⃣ Liuzhou, Guangxi | Hidden delights of the noodle paradise 🍜 Must-eat: • Jubao Luosifen (¥15/bowl, add fried egg + duck foot) • Qingyun Market: Dewdrop glutinous balls ¥3/each + taro cake ¥5/serving • Victory Night Market: Fried ice + stir-fried snails (¥25/person fills you up) 🏞️ Must-visit: • Longtan Park: Free karst landscape (Fengyu Bridge perfect for photos) • Industrial Museum: Giant vintage machines + free guides (closed Mondays) • Yaobu Ancient Town: Ethnic costume rental ¥50 (includes makeup, stunning night views) 🚄 Transport: 3hr high-speed rail from Guangzhou South Station (¥180), buses ¥1/ride 🏠 Stay: Home Inn at Wuxing Street (queen bed ¥120, near night market) 💡 Money-saving tip: Ma'anshan Park elevator ¥20/ride - better hike at sunset for free views 3️⃣ Luoyang, Henan | Hanfu feast through millennia 👘 Must-visit: • Luoyi Ancient City: Free Hanfu experience (rental ¥69 with makeup) • Longmen Grottoes: Night ticket ¥70 (fewer crowds after 7pm, magical lighting) • White Horse Temple: International Buddhist zone (Myanmar/India style photos) 🍲 Must-eat: • Nanguan Small Bowl Beef Soup (¥10 soup + pancake strips, pair with Haibi soda) • Xiaoji Tianfu: Dandan noodles ¥8 + sweet & sour spicy potatoes ¥5 • Danzhen Glutinous Balls: Four-flavor tangyuan ¥10 (black sesame + peanut aromas) 🚗 Transport: 40min HSR from Zhengzhou East Station (¥64.5), shared e-bikes ¥3/ride 🏠 Stay: Jiujianfang Homestay at Yingtianmen (courtyard room ¥150, walk to light shows) 💡 Money-saving tip: Luoyang Museum free (booking required), student discounts 50% 4️⃣ Hangzhou, Zhejiang | Hidden corners by West Lake 🌸 Must-visit: • West Lake cycling: Shared bikes ¥3/30min (Broken Bridge - Bai Causeway - Su Causeway) • Faxi Temple: Love charm sachets ¥10, 18-seed bracelet ¥30 • Xiaohe Straight Street: Artsy old street photos (free, cafes ¥25/person) 🍵 Must-eat: • Zhiweiguan: Shrimp & eel noodles ¥48 (most authentic at Hubin flagship) • Congbao Hui (Hefang Street ¥5/serving, sweet sauce is key) • Xinfeng Snacks: Shrimp wontons ¥10 (affordable chain since 1958) 🚇 Transport: Metro Line 1 from Hangzhou East Station (¥5), scenic buses ¥2 🏠 Stay: Mingtown Youth Hostel at Qingzhiwu (dorm bed ¥60, artsy hub) 💡 Money-saving tip: Lingyin Temple Feilai Peak ticket ¥45 (half-price before 7am), Xixi Wetland free shuttle 💰 Budget travel hacks ❶ Transport: Intercity HSR + metro (Hangzhou-Luoyang 2nd class ¥238, 6hr direct) ❷ Tickets: Student discounts 50%, night tickets 40% cheaper than daytime ❸ Food: Market snacks ¥15/person, night market side streets bargain 30% off ❹ Stay: Hostel dorms/multi-bed homestays, book 15 days early for discounts 🌺 Instagram spots: • Changsha: Super Wenyuhe retro streets + Xiang River night cruise • Liuzhou: Yaobu ethnic costumes + Longtan Park mirror mountain reflections • Luoyang: Luoyi red lantern alleys + White Horse Temple exotic halls • Hangzhou: Faxi Temple red walls + Xiaohe Street cobblestone paths This summer, unlock 4 life experiences with one train ticket! Tag your budget travel buddy - ¥800/person for poetry and distant horizons~