May Day Budget Travel Guide! 4 Must-Visit Affordable Cities for College Students

Who says budget travel can't be amazing? These four cities are perfect for college students! With high-speed rail access and budget-friendly prices, you can explore all day for just CNY 200 per person. Avoid the crowds while unlocking incredible experiences. Grab your roommates and plan your May Day trip! Henan · Luoyang 🌟Highlights: Capital of 13 dynasties, travel back to the Tang Dynasty with free access to hanfu costumes, food, and cultural experiences! ✅Must-visit spots: Free entry to Luoyi Ancient City, rent hanfu costume (CNY 50 deposit), transforms into Chang'an at night; Yingtianmen Gate at Sui-Tang Luoyang City Ruins Park for stunning "time-travel" photos; Student discount at Longmen Grottoes (half-price), see the magnificent Vairocana Buddha for just CNY 20. 🍜Budget eats: Shizi Street Night Market offers CNY 10 for 3 skewers of gluten, CNY 5 beef soup with shredded pancakes; Lao Luoyang Noodle Shop's Peony Bird's Nest Noodles, get stuffed for CNY 30 per person. 🚗Transportation: Take high-speed rail to Luoyang Longmen Station, explore the ancient city by shared bike for CNY 3; stay at youth hostels, CNY 30-50 per bed per night, plus opportunities to share meals with other travelers! Zhejiang · Shaoxing 🌟Highlights: The water town from Lu Xun's writings, practically free admission to attractions! ✅Must-visit spots: Free entry to Lu Xun's Former Residence, visit Hundred Herbs Garden and Three-Flavor Study Room, take photos with Kong Yiji statue; free stroll along Cangqiao Street, CNY 40 per boat for traditional black awning boats (can be shared); visit Wang Xizhi's former residence at Calligraphy Saint's hometown. 🍜Food highlights: CNY 5 yellow rice wine popsicles with a sweet buzz; Xunbaoji's Shaoxing stinky tofu, crispy outside and tender inside, CNY 15 for a large portion; feast on Shaoxing cuisine at Xunbaoji for CNY 50 per person. 🚗Transportation: Take high-speed rail to Shaoxing North Station, CNY 1 bus rides around the city; stay at guesthouses near Lu Xun's Former Residence, CNY 60 per person for a Jiangnan-style courtyard experience. Guangxi · Liuzhou 🌟Highlights: Capital of Luosifen (River Snail Rice Noodles), enjoy noodles for CNY 10, free Instagram-worthy spots! ✅Must-visit spots: Free night views at Yaobu Ancient Town, dreamy ethnic architecture with riverside lights; hike up Maan Mountain Park (or take elevator for CNY 10) for city views; free admission to Industrial Museum to learn about Liuzhou's locomotive history. 🍜Food highlights: Feiluzhuang Luosifen for CNY 12 per bowl, add duck feet and fried egg for extra satisfaction; CNY 5 dew drop tangyuan and CNY 2 cassava soup at Qingyun Civilian Market. 🚗Transportation: Take high-speed rail to Liuzhou Station, CNY 8 starting fare for taxis; stay at downtown hostels, CNY 40 per bed per night, with food streets right downstairs! Liaoning · Jinzhou 🌟Highlights: Northeast China's BBQ paradise, enjoy unlimited BBQ for CNY 50 per person! ✅Must-visit spots: Free entry to Ancient Pagoda Park to see thousand-year-old pagoda; free admission to Linghe Night Market for lively northeastern night market experience; CNY 25 student tickets to World Expo Garden, healing flower fields in April. 🍖BBQ paradise: Xiao Guo Feng Zhua Wang's grilled chicken feet, CNY 10 for 3 skewers; face-sized meat skewers at Tiehejin for CNY 5 each; CNY 2 Lao Xue beer to complete the experience. 🚗Transportation: Take high-speed rail to Jinzhou South Station, CNY 1 bus to downtown; stay at Linghe District lofts, CNY 50 per person, 10-minute walk to night market. 💡Budget Travel Pro Tips 🚄Tickets: Book 15 days in advance, prioritize student tickets; overnight slow trains save accommodation costs! 📸Photos: Make use of free attractions + phone editing apps, hanfu and vintage outfits for perfect shots. 💰Money-saving hacks: Share rides, rooms, and meals to cut costs in half!