Golog travel guide and discussion

If you haven’t heard of Nianbaoyuze yet, your travel list is missing a must-visit destination! Known as the god’s backyard and the sunset of the East, it features snow-capped mountains, lakes, flower seas, yaks… every scene looks like a living painting 🎨. But! ⚠️ The core area of the park is temporarily closed for ecological protection. If you want to visit, be sure to read this guide on how to “take a detour” and still amaze your friends with stunning photos 👇 🌟 Nianbaoyuze · essential info 📍 Location: Jiuzhi County, Guoluo Prefecture, Qinghai Province, about 560 km from Xining (8-hour drive) 💰 Tickets: The core area is currently closed, but outer areas (such as Fairy Lake entrance and Nianbaoyuze National Geopark) are free or low cost. Check local announcements for details. ⏰ Best time: Late June to early August (wildflowers bloom + snowmelt, most colorful), but check the weather in advance! 🌡️ What to wear: Altitude 4,000 m+, big temperature swings! Bring a windbreaker, fleece, and raincoat. UV rays are intense, so sunglasses and sunscreen are essential (or you might come back unrecognizable even to your own mom 👩🏿‍🦱) 🚗 How to explore? Two options Option 1 (official recommendation): Visit Nianbaoyuze National Geopark (west side of Jiuzhi County). Though not the core area, you can still see continuous snow mountains and blue lakes. Tickets cost about 30 yuan. Fewer people, beautiful scenery. Option 2 (hardcore): Hike across Xiawen Cuo – Upper and Lower Rigancuo (guide required!). Along the way, you’ll pass flower seas, wetlands, and snow mountain reflections. About 3 days total, suitable for experienced outdoor enthusiasts 🏔️. Friendly reminder: If the core area is still closed, don’t climb over fences! You’ll be fined and blacklisted. Be good~ 📸 Photo spots · great shots with your phone 1️⃣ Fairy Lake entrance boardwalk: Snow mountains reflect in emerald green water, white flowers float on the lake. Stand on the wooden boardwalk and shoot wide-angle for a natural filter effect ✨. 2️⃣ Xiawen Cuo wetland: In June, the ground is covered with Gesang flowers, with snow mountains in the background. Wear a red dress and lie in the flower sea for amazing photos! 3️⃣ Rigancuo pass: A secret spot only reachable by hiking. Shoot prayer flags and distant mountains in the early morning backlight for magical light and shadow 🪄. Tip: Bring a drone! The aerial view of Nianbaoyuze’s wrinkles is breathtaking (stay away from prayer flags and wildlife) 🍜 Food, lodging & tips Food: Try yak hotpot, butter tea, and tsampa in Jiuzhi County! Recommended “Snowland Tibetan Cuisine,” about 40 yuan per person to eat your fill. Lodging: Hostel beds in the county cost 80 yuan/night. For stargazing, choose “Nianbaoyuze Tibetan homestay,” with large dorms but a warm stove 🔥. Watch out: ⚠️ Don’t trust roadside “cordyceps diggers,” most are just performing! ⚠️ Always agree on horse rental time beforehand. Some have been scammed from 50 yuan/15 minutes to just 5 minutes. The beauty of Nianbaoyuze is the kind that leaves you speechless. When I first saw Fairy Lake, I froze—the lake was as still as a mirror, the snow mountain reflection so clear I couldn’t tell real from reflection. At that moment, I understood why Tibetans call it the “sacred mountain.” If it’s temporarily closed, don’t complain. Nature is resting, and we must learn to wait. Meanwhile, visit nearby Lianbaoyuze (in Sichuan, similar scenery and open) to satisfy your craving. One day, Nianbaoyuze will return with even purer beauty 💙. 💡 Follow me to unlock hidden gems and take the road less traveled! (Be sure to check the “Nianbaoyuze park announcement” before you go to avoid wasted trips!)

When trapped in a monotonous routine for too long, it is easy to develop a narrow perspective and an oversensitive mindset, falling into the habit of magnifying negative emotions, obsessing over trivial gains and losses, and caring too much about what others think. Day after day, this constant emotional burnout drains our passion and energy, causing us to slowly lose our anticipation and love for life. The simplest and most effective way to break free from this rut is to embark on a faraway journey. Let your footsteps break your boundaries, let the scenery broaden your horizons, and let freedom heal your inner turmoil. Travel never requires elaborate planning or grand goals; all it takes is a heart willing to let go of fixations and embrace freedom. When you step out of your familiar comfort zone and head for distant places, you break free from ingrained cognitive biases to discover a vaster world and a more vibrant life. Gradually, we come to realize that life has no standard formula. Everyone has their own pace, so there is no need to blindly compare ourselves to others, force unattainable perfection, or constantly worry about the future. All this internal exhaustion simply stems from not looking far enough ahead, overthinking, and taking too little action. Once your horizons are broadened, the clutter in your mind naturally clears itself, and the unnecessary inner tug-of-war automatically comes to a halt. We learn to focus on the present, live intentionally, and truly love ourselves. Let a journey heal all your confusion and emotional burnout, elevate your perspective on life, and ensure that the days to come are filled with clarity, grace, and a gentle, radiant glow.

If you’re planning to visit Tibet, there’s one experience that deserves a place on every bucket list: Taking the train from Xining to Lhasa! We just completed this journey ourselves, and before boarding I spent weeks trying to understand permits, tickets, trains, altitude, luggage and what to expect. Here’s the guide I wish I had. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🏔️ WHY START IN XINING? ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Most travelers don’t realize this: The train technically starts in other Chinese cities, but Xining is where the famous Tibet Railway really begins. After Xining the train starts climbing onto the Tibetan Plateau. This is where: ✅ Oxygen systems become important ✅ The landscapes become spectacular ✅ The altitude starts increasing significantly ✅ Most travelers begin their Tibet adventure That’s exactly why we chose Xining. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🎫 DO YOU NEED A TIBET PERMIT? ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Yes. Foreign travelers cannot simply buy a ticket and enter Tibet. You need: 📄 Chinese visa (or eligible visa-free entry) 📄 Tibet Travel Permit 📄 A registered Tibet tour 📄 Passport information submitted in advance We arranged everything through a Tibet travel agency that handled our permits. Without the permit, you will not be allowed to board the train ‼️ ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🎟️ HOW TO BUY TRAIN TICKETS ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ There are generally three ways: 1️⃣ Trip.com The easiest option. Easy customer support. 2️⃣ Railway ticket offices Possible if you’re already in China. 3️⃣ Official Chinese railway platforms Usually less convenient for foreign visitors. Important: ⚠️ Tibet train tickets sell out quickly! ⚠️ Do not wait until the last minute. ⚠️ Soft sleeper tickets are often the first to disappear. We booked our tickets in advance to avoid any surprises. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 💰 HOW MUCH DID OUR TICKETS COST? ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Our train: 🚂 Z8991 📍 Xining → Lhasa 🕙 Departure: 22:00 💵 Price: 495 RMB per person ≈ 69 USD per person We chose: 🛏️ Hard Sleeper And honestly? It was completely fine. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🛏️ HARD SLEEPER VS SOFT SLEEPER ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Hard Sleeper: ✅ Cheapest option ✅ Most available ✅ Good social atmosphere ❌ Open compartment ❌ Less privacy Soft Sleeper: ✅ More comfortable ✅ Quieter ✅ Better privacy ❌ More expensive ❌ Harder to find For budget-conscious travelers, Hard Sleeper is absolutely manageable. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🎒 WHAT TO PACK FOR THE TRAIN ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ This is the section I wish someone had sent me. Must bring: 💧 Reusable water bottle 🍜 Instant noodles or snacks 🔋 Power bank 🎧 Headphones 🧻 Toilet paper 🪥 Toothbrush 😴 Eye mask 🧦 Warm socks 🧥 Layers Even in warmer months, temperatures can feel surprisingly cool at altitude. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🫁 ALTITUDE: DON’T UNDERESTIMATE IT ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ The railway reaches over 5,000 meters (16,400+ ft) above sea level. Higher than many famous mountains. Some passengers experience: ⚠️ Headaches ⚠️ Fatigue ⚠️ Dizziness ⚠️ Shortness of breath The train has: ✅ Supplemental oxygen systems ✅ Pressurized cars ✅ Medical support if needed Still, arrive rested and stay hydrated. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🚉 BOARDING DAY TIPS ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Arrive early. Much earlier than you think. You’ll need time for: ✔ Security screening ✔ Ticket verification ✔ Passport checks ✔ Finding the correct waiting area ✔ Locating your carriage Chinese railway stations are essentially airports on the ground. I recommend to arrive AT LEAST 1 hour in prior. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🌄 WHAT MAKES THIS JOURNEY SPECIAL? ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ This isn’t just transportation. It’s part of the destination. Over the next 21+ hours you’ll cross: 🏔️ The Tibetan Plateau ❄️ Snow-covered mountains 🦌 Remote wilderness 🌤️ Vast open landscapes 🚂 One of the highest railways on Earth For many travelers, the train becomes one of the highlights of visiting Tibet. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ ⭐ FINAL VERDICT ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Would I recommend flying or taking the train? The train. Without hesitation. Not because it’s faster. Not because it’s easier. But because watching the landscape transform from Qinghai into Tibet is one of the most unforgettable travel experiences in Asia. We loved it! 🥰 📌 Save this guide if Tibet is on your bucket list. #travel2026 #travel #couplestrip #china #chinatravel #chinatrip #chinatravelcircle #travelchina #tibet #lhasa #tibettrain #qinghaitibetrailway #xining

The crystal springs of the Yellow River are the legendary source of this mighty waterway, nestled at the northern foot of the Bayan Har Mountains on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau—specifically around the Kariqu and Yueguzonglie Basins. Did you think the Yellow River was nothing but rolling muddy waters? No, no, no~ It turns out its very beginnings are made up of countless ultra-clear, see-to-the-bottom highland mountain springs, surrounded by lush vegetation and a myriad of lakes. It’s an incredibly soothing sight to behold~✨ Another unmissable spot is the "Yangtze and Yellow River Divide," located on the border between Hongyuan, Sichuan, and Qinghai. Nestled at the foot of the mountains are two renowned clear springs—a true must-visit for any pilgrimage to the river's roots! Core Attraction Recommendations: 🌱 Kariqu Springs (The True Source of the Yellow River) Here, five crystal-clear spring vents slowly converge to form the Mother River. Surrounded by an untouched wilderness of gravel and wild grasses, a walk through here feels completely purifying. Take a deep breath of the fresh plateau air—it’s so chill and full of mystery~ 💙 Ngoring Lake and Gyaring Lake The iconic sister lakes at the true source of the Yellow River. With the blue sky and white clouds perfectly mirrored on their ultra-clear surfaces, any photos you snap here are guaranteed to be absolute stunners! 🌊 Crystal Springs at the Yangtze and Yellow River Divide Located in Hongyuan County, Aba Prefecture, Sichuan Province, this area features flat grasslands with two clear springs facing each other. From here, you can gaze out and take in the majestic winding paths of both great mother rivers—the Yangtze and the Yellow—all at once, experiencing the breathtaking spectacle of their divergence! 📍 Location/Travel Tips: We highly recommend a road trip from your starting point: Depart from Xining City and drive along National Highway G214 (Gongyu Expressway) toward Madoi County in the Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Qinghai Province, proudly known as the "First City at the Source of the Yellow River." The total distance is about 497 kilometers, taking around 6-7 hours. Sitting at an altitude of approximately 4,200 meters (be sure to watch out for altitude sickness!). If you want to experience the untouched, pristine beauty of the Yellow River, make sure to bookmark this incredible journey of discovery! 📸

I'm speechless 😶 about this place... it's impossible to describe with words Are You Ready???? Let's go!!!!! Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, located in the southeastern corner of Qinghai Province, China, covers an area of approximately 76,312 square kilometers (29,464 square miles). The prefecture is known for its stunning landscapes, including the Amne Machin mountain range and the sources of the Yellow River. The capital city is Maqên County. 📍Address: Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, China 🇨🇳 Getting there: The prefecture can be accessed via road from Xining, the provincial capital. Travel times typically range from 8 to 10 hours by bus or car. 💰Average Price per Person: Entry fees for the prefecture are generally not required; however, specific attractions may charge fees that vary based on location. 💞Reasons to Recommend: 1. Cultural Richness: Experience the vibrant Tibetan culture through local festivals, traditional customs, and ancient monasteries. 2. Stunning Landscapes: Enjoy breathtaking views of mountains, lakes, and vast grasslands that define the region's natural beauty. 3. Biodiversity: Explore diverse ecosystems that are home to rare and endangered species. 4. Adventure Opportunities: Engage in outdoor activities such as trekking and exploring the scenic areas of the prefecture. 5. Photo Spots: Notable locations for photography include: · Amne Machin Mountain: The highest peak in Qinghai, offering dramatic views. · Gyaring Lake: A beautiful lake known for its serene environment. · Ngoring Lake: Another picturesque lake that is part of the Yellow River's source. · Rabgya Monastery: An ancient monastery showcasing Tibetan architecture. · Nianbaoyuze Mountain: A stunning area popular for hiking and photography. · Ice-Covered Areas: The region features many areas with ice formations and snow-capped peaks that provide excellent photo opportunities. Tips and Advices: Plan your visit during summer (June to August) for milder weather and vibrant landscapes. Be prepared for high altitudes; acclimatization is essential to avoid altitude sickness. Respect local customs and traditions when interacting with communities. Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture offers a unique blend of cultural heritage and natural beauty, making it a captivating destination for travelers seeking adventure and authentic experiences in one of China's most picturesque regions. It is crucial to preserve and care for these natural wonders to ensure their beauty and biodiversity are maintained for future generations. #Golop #china #tibet #qinghai #100waysoftravel #challenge #challenges #trip #tripblazers #tripmoments #travel #travelinspiration #nationalpark #mountainview #localguides

The monotony of daily life easily breeds mental inertia. Confined to our own little worlds and repeatedly facing the same troubles and dilemmas, we eventually become overly sensitive, suspicious, stubborn, and anxious. We easily fall into emotional burnout and self-doubt, gradually losing our passion for life and inner peace. Travel, however, is the ultimate way to break these mental shackles, elevate our perspective, and end emotional exhaustion. Every getaway is a cognitive upgrade, allowing us to momentarily step off the familiar tracks of life, shake off rigid mindsets and biases, and venture into the unknown to encounter breathtaking landscapes and a brand-new self. Along the journey, we witness the vastness of the world, embrace the gentle passage of time, and experience the rich diversity of life. Slowly, we come to realize that there is no absolute right or wrong in life, nor a single universal standard. Everyone has their own way of living; there is no need to please others, force ourselves, or obsess over fixed outcomes. The emotional burnout, anxiety, and confusion that have plagued us for so long simply stem from a narrow perspective and a small mindset, allowing our lives to be bogged down by trivial matters right in front of us. When breathtaking scenery elevates our vision and majestic mountains and rivers expand our hearts, all the chaos will vanish into thin air, and all internal struggles will completely cease. May every journey help us ground ourselves and cultivate our minds, stepping away from meaningless emotional drain, remaining clear-headed and authentic, and embracing all kinds of lives with boundless horizons.

In June and July, the annual jade is full of flowers, misty, like a fairyland in the world. Camping in glaciers, lakes and plateau flower meadows is very precious and worthy of being close to nature. Although it is in the rainy season of the annual insurance, the weather is unpredictable, but because of this, it is more able to appreciate the charm of nature and feel the sacred secrets of Tibetans. If you have physical strength, hiking is a better option. Local Tibetans generally do not speak Chinese, and most of them can only communicate in body language. The guides in the scenic area will speak Chinese very little, and some can understand but will not say. year-old jade has an average elevation of more than 4000m. To prevent high-reaction, eat Rhodiola in two weeks in advance. If you have not been to the plateau, if there is a high-reaction situation, such as headache, dizziness, difficulty in gasping, fatigue, etc., do not barely walk, return to low altitude as soon as possible. The first time I rode, I rode back and forth for 3 hours, and it was not plain. It was a mountain road. It was bumpy all the way. When I dismounted, I felt that the whole leg was not mine. Oh, God, its all the way. The scenery is very good, and this road has experienced four seasons, and there is still a little snow drifting in a section~

Want to avoid the National Day crowds? 8 niche destinations tested for a stress-free trip 01 Jingdezhen | Jiangxi Jingdezhen during the National Day holiday is busier than its own kiln fires. To find some peace and quiet, visit Taoxichuan after 4:00 PM. ⏰ By then, the tour groups have left, and the stall owners have just lit their lamps. The porcelain looks three times better under the warm light than it does during the day. 📍 There is a market in the Taoxichuan Cultural and Creative District housed in a renovated old factory. Handmade cups average 60–70 yuan, which is more reasonable than the shops in the scenic area. Don't rush to buy; walk around and compare prices first. I recommend getting to the Ancient Kiln Folk Customs Museum early. Enter as soon as it opens at 8:30 AM to watch the master craftsmen throw pottery; after 10:00 AM, it is full of study tour groups. ⚠️ Don't buy "joint tickets" from scalpers. The official ticket window is the safest bet. Specific ticket prices are subject to the daily announcement. Stay at a guesthouse near Taoxichuan at night so you can walk back. 🍜 For a late-night snack, go to Fuzhou Nongkou for cold noodles with fried dough sticks wrapped in sticky rice—a local favorite for 20 years. 02 Fuyang | Anhui Balihe might sound plain, but it is a hidden gem. It is a massive water conservancy scenic area with a lake so large you can sail a boat on it, and it won't be packed during the National Day holiday. 🚄 It takes about 40 minutes by taxi from Fuyang West Station. I recommend arriving in the morning and taking a boat tour around the lake first. 📍 The Twelve Flower Islands area is great for kids; the peacocks roam freely, and children can spend an hour chasing them around. ⚠️ Don't buy the "animal feeding package" at the entrance. They are strict inside, and feeding is not allowed in many areas. Bringing your own bread and water is more practical. 🍜 Return to the city at noon for Gelatiao (wheat noodles). Tossed with sesame paste, they are so chewy your jaw will get a workout. Pair it with a bowl of Sa soup; you can get full for 10 yuan. This is perfect for lazy travelers who don't want to climb mountains and just want to hang out by the lake. 03 Zhaoqing | Guangdong Seven Star Crags is located within Star Lake. Zhaoqing is two or three degrees cooler than Guangzhou during the National Day holiday. ⏰ Enter the scenic area at 7:00 AM. The lake is misty, and the reflection of the crags looks like an ink wash painting. No one will be fighting for photo spots at this hour. 📍 Enter from the East Gate and walk along the lake for half an hour to Longyan Cave, then take a boat into the cave to see the stalactites. The boat ticket is extra; if you think it is too expensive, you can skip it, as the scenery on the shore is enough. ⚠️ Don't rent those tandem bicycles. The lakeside road is narrow, and you won't be able to ride them during the holidays; pushing them is even more tiring. 🍜 Go to Wenming Road at noon for Zongzi (sticky rice dumplings). The mung bean and pork belly filling is a meal in itself. This is suitable for couples or those traveling with parents; the roads are flat, and there are benches whenever you get tired. 04 Sanya | Hainan Hotel prices in Sanya double during the National Day holiday, but some places are actually less crowded. You only need to choose between Daxiaodongtian and Tianya Haijiao; I choose Daxiaodongtian. ⏰ Go after 3:00 PM when the light hits the reefs at an angle, and the sea turns a layered blue. 📍 The coastline toward Nanshan Temple is more interesting than the rock at Tianya Haijiao. You can wait for two hours to get on the island at Wuzhizhou Island during the National Day holiday. ⚠️ If you want to do water sports, go to the Yalong Bay public beach. The prices are transparent, and you don't have to squeeze onto a boat. 🚄 Take the No. 28 bus from the city center directly to Daxiaodongtian; it saves over 100 yuan compared to a taxi. This is suitable for people who want to lie flat and look at the sea without being obsessed with checking in at tourist spots. Staying in the Dadonghai area is cheaper for dining than Sanya Bay. 05 Golog | Qinghai The First Bend of the Yellow River is at the border of Maqu and Golog. The grass has already turned yellow by the National Day holiday, which gives it a desolate, vast feeling. The altitude is 3,500 meters, so ⚠️ take altitude sickness medicine in advance; don't wait until you arrive to buy it. ⏰ Arrive at the viewing platform two hours before sunset. The bend of the Yellow River is dyed golden red by the setting sun, and the wind is strong enough to blow your hat off. 📍 The hillside behind Suokezang Temple is a secret spot for locals; it is less crowded and has a great view. 🚄 I recommend driving from Xining and stopping wherever you like along the grasslands. This is suitable for photography enthusiasts and road trippers who can handle some hardship. Think twice before bringing children or the elderly, as there are few supply points on the road. 🍜 Stock up on dry food for the road, as restaurants in towns may close in the afternoon. Stay in Maqu County; the conditions are average, but it is close to the viewing platform. 06 Enshi | Hubei The Enshi Grand Canyon limits visitor numbers during the National Day holiday, so you must book tickets in advance. ⚠️ Book via the official WeChat account; don't believe the nonsense about being able to buy them on-site. The Shennongxi Drifting Culture Tourism Area is quieter than the Grand Canyon. ⏰ Take a boat into the stream in the morning. The boat trackers are a performance, but the water in the canyon is truly green. 📍 Board the boat at the Luoping Tourist Center; the whole trip takes about two hours. Enshi Tusi City is best visited in the afternoon. It is a complex of imitation ancient buildings; you can rent a set of Tujia costumes for photos for 30 yuan an hour. Choose the morning for the Qingjiang Gallery; when the mist hasn't cleared, it feels like sailing in a painting. 🍜 Return to the city in the evening for Hezha (a soybean dish), served with stir-fried cured meat. This is suitable for families with good stamina who are willing to get up early. The Grand Canyon has many steps, so bring trekking poles if your knees are not great. 07 Zhenjiang | Jiangsu Jinshan, Jiaoshan, and Beigushan are three mountains close to each other; you can finish them all in one day. ⏰ Go to Jinshan first in the morning, the one from the Legend of the White Snake. The temple is popular, but the bamboo forest behind the mountain is quiet, and local seniors practice Tai Chi there. 📍 You need to take a ferry to Jiaoshan Island. The boats run frequently during the National Day holiday, and you only wait ten minutes. The Forest of Steles is worth seeing; it is less crowded and cool. Go to Beigushan in the afternoon to climb the Beigou Tower and look at the Yangtze River. When the wind blows, you will understand why Xin Qiji wrote his poems here. Jurong Maoshan is in the suburbs, 🚄 one hour by car from the city. It has a strong Taoist atmosphere, many people drawing lots, and many people climbing the mountain. ⚠️ Maoshan tickets and sightseeing bus tickets are sold separately. If you have good legs, you don't need to buy the sightseeing bus ticket. 🍜 For Zhenjiang pot-lid noodles, just find any old shop. The Ya meat (cured pork) dipped in vinegar is great, and the noodle soup has a savory soy sauce flavor. Suitable for cultural tours and traveling slowly with elders. 08 Nanyang | Henan Xixia Funiu Mountain Laojieling: The red leaves are just starting to turn during the National Day holiday, and it is much less crowded than Xiangshan. ⏰ Take the cable car up the mountain at 8:00 AM. There is a high chance of seeing a sea of clouds. After 10:00 AM, the fog clears, and the view is actually worse. 📍 The Dinosaur Relics Park is at the foot of the mountain and is a must-visit if you have kids. Real dinosaur egg fossils are embedded in the rock walls. ⚠️ Don't touch them; there is surveillance, and you will be fined if you touch them. On the Laojieling watershed line, you can stand with one foot in the north and one in the south. The wind blows from both sides, cooling you down quickly. 🚄 It takes about two hours to drive from Nanyang. I recommend staying in Xixia County and heading into the mountains early the next morning. 🍜 Eat Qiangguo noodles in the county; they have a mutton soup base, and the noodle slices are thick and hearty. Suitable for family trips and light hiking. The cable car ride saves your legs, but it is windy at the top, so bring a jacket. Of these eight places, the ones I want to visit again most are Golog and Jingdezhen. One is vast, and the other is delicate. Pick one and set off for the National Day holiday.

September is such a comfortable window. The summer crowds have faded, and the National Day rush hasn't arrived yet, so flights and accommodations are much more relaxed. I've picked 8 places that are budget-friendly, offer great experiences, and won't have you questioning your life choices due to crowds. Let's go through them one by one. 1️⃣ Wuzhong | Ningxia The Qingtongxia Yellow River Grand Canyon was the biggest surprise of my trip. In September, the Yellow River's current is stable, and the water is a mix of muddy yellow and clear. The wind is cool when you take a boat through the canyon, and the cliffs on both sides look like they were carved by a knife. ⏰ It's most comfortable to enter the scenic area after 4:00 PM, when the light hits the cliffs at an angle, so you don't need filters for your photos. 📍 The Dayu Culture Park pier is the boarding point. Don't accidentally go to the rafting area downstream; the lines are long and it's expensive. 🚄 It takes about 40 minutes to get from Yinchuan Station to Wuzhong by intercity train, and the ticket costs a dozen yuan. Stay in the old town of Litong District; budget hotels are just over 100 yuan a night, and there's a morning market right downstairs. 🍜 The hand-grabbed lamb at the morning market is sold by weight. Pair it with a bowl of lamb offal soup, and two people can eat until they're stuffed for 50 yuan. ⚠️ The canyon is windy, so bring a light jacket even in September. Buy boat tickets and admission tickets separately, and book in advance through official channels. 2️⃣ Shenyang | Liaoning Beiling Park is most worth visiting in September. The ginkgo trees haven't turned yellow yet, but the pine forest and the lake are so quiet that it doesn't feel like you're in the city. The admission ticket is so cheap it's negligible. Go early in the morning; it's full of local seniors taking a walk, which feels more authentic than any tourist attraction. Shenyang Expo Garden is great for bringing kids or taking photos. The park is huge, so rent a tandem bike and cruise around slowly. The Wugou Jingguang Relic Pagoda and the North Pagoda Falun Temple are close to each other and can be visited on foot. It's uncrowded and perfect for zoning out. 🚄 Take Metro Line 2 directly to Beiling Park Station and walk for 5 minutes after exiting. Stay near Zhongjie; hostel beds are 50 yuan, and budget hotels are around 150 yuan. ⚠️ Some venues in the Expo Garden stop admitting visitors at 4:00 PM, so don't cut it too close. There's not much food around the Relic Pagoda, so bring your own water. 🍜 You can try the Laobian dumplings on Zhongjie, but don't order too much—save room to eat grilled chicken racks at the night market. 3️⃣ Qiannan | Guizhou The water in the Zhangjiang River in Libo is still green in September. There are half as many people at Xiaoqikong compared to the summer holidays, and you finally don't have to fight for that photo spot at Wolongtan. The water rushes by, and when you step into the shallows, you can feel the coolness rising from your feet. ⏰ Enter Xiaoqikong at 7:30 AM to finish the highlights before the tour groups arrive. 📍 Enter from the East Gate, take the sightseeing bus to Wolongtan at the very back, and then work your way out to save energy. 🚄 It takes about an hour to get from Guiyang to Libo by high-speed train, and there are buses directly to the scenic area from the station. Stay in Libo County; guesthouses are around 100 yuan, half the price of those at the scenic area entrance. ⚠️ Sightseeing bus tickets in the scenic area are charged separately; don't trust the "package tickets" sold by touts at the entrance. It rains a lot in September, so bring non-slip shoes—the stone paths get very slippery when wet. 🍜 Sour soup fish in the county is sold by the pot. A small pot is enough for two people, so don't let them talk you into a large one. 4️⃣ Zhoushan | Zhejiang There are fewer people on Putuoshan in September, but the incense is still burning strong. I'm not religious, but standing under the Nanhai Guanyin statue listening to the waves hitting the reefs really calms the mind. Choose either Gouqi Island or Shengsi Islands; don't try to do both. ⏰ Catch the morning boat to Gouqi Island; afternoon sailings are easily canceled due to wind. 📍 Go to Jihu Beach on Shengsi Main Island in the evening; it's too sunny during the day. 🚄 Take a bus from Shanghai or Ningbo to the ferry terminal, then transfer to a boat. Grab boat tickets online three days in advance; there are basically no tickets available on-site. Stay at a fisherman's guesthouse on Shengsi Main Island for about 120 yuan a night, where they can cook seafood for you. ⚠️ Putuoshan admission tickets and boat tickets are separate. Prices on the island are high, so bring your own water and dry food. The tail end of typhoon season is still here in September, so check the ferry schedule before you leave. 🍜 The seafood noodles at the fisherman's guesthouse are 30 yuan a bowl, with more toppings than noodles—much more practical than the restaurants in the scenic area. 5️⃣ Linyi | Shandong At the Firefly Water Cave & Underground Grand Canyon, the temperature in the cave is a constant 18°C in September, so you need to wear long sleeves inside. During the underground river rafting section, the ceiling is covered with the glow of fireflies, like someone moved the starry sky underground. ⏰ Arrive before 10:00 AM to avoid tour groups. 📍 There's a walking path at the exit of the rafting area; don't rush through it, as the view of the canyon looking back is even better. Yimeng Mountain is suitable for the second day. It takes about two hours to hike up Yunmeng Peak, or seniors can take the cable car. 🚄 It takes about an hour to get from Linyi North Station to the scenic area by taxi, or 30 yuan per person if you carpool. ⚠️ Don't use flash when taking photos in the Underground Grand Canyon; it's bad for the fireflies. Buying tickets online is a dozen yuan cheaper than on-site. 🍜 Pick a busy stir-fried chicken restaurant at the entrance of the scenic area; a small portion is enough for three people. 6️⃣ Pingdingshan | Henan The combination of Yaoshan and the Central Plains Buddha is perfect in September. The red leaves on Yaoshan haven't turned yet, but the air in the mountains is cool and clear, and the view of the layered forests from the cable car is just as good as those "internet-famous" mountains. ⏰ Take the first cable car at 8:00 AM before the mist clears; the mountaintop looks like it's floating on clouds. 📍 There's a flight of stairs at the foot of the Buddha; if your knees aren't great, take the gentle slope on the side. 🚄 It takes about an hour and a half to get from Pingdingshan West Station to Yaoshan by taxi; carpooling or driving yourself is recommended. Stay at a farmhouse at the foot of the mountain for 80 yuan a night, which includes breakfast. ⚠️ Yaoshan and the Central Plains Buddha are two separate scenic areas. Buy tickets separately and don't get fooled by "joint tickets." Food on the mountain is expensive, so bring some bread. 🍜 The "Lan Guo Cai" (stewed vegetable dish) at the farmhouse is charged per person at 20 yuan, and it's all-you-can-eat. 7️⃣ Huizhou | Guangdong Huizhou West Lake is still hot in September, but walking around the lake in the evening with the breeze coming off the water is more comfortable than being in an air-conditioned room. Luofu Mountain is great for an early morning hike; sit under that ancient tree by the Chongxu Ancient Temple for a while, and you'll cool right down. The water at Xunliao Bay is cleaner than you'd imagine, and it's not too cold to swim in September. 🚄 It takes about half an hour to get from Shenzhen or Guangzhou to Huizhou by high-speed train, and city buses to West Lake are very convenient. Stay at a guesthouse by West Lake for 150 yuan a night, which is cheaper than Xunliao Bay. ⚠️ Hotel prices at Xunliao Bay double on weekends, so try to go during the week. Buy Luofu Mountain tickets online in advance; the lines on-site are long. 🍜 The Hengli rice noodle soup by West Lake is 10 yuan a bowl, perfect for breakfast. Ask for prices before ordering at the seafood food stalls in Xunliao Bay. 8️⃣ Golog | Qinghai At the First Bend of the Yellow River, the grass is still green in September, but the crowds have already thinned out. Standing on the viewing platform watching the Yellow River make that big turn, the water is clear, the sky is low, and the wind is strong enough to blow your hat off. ⏰ The light is best from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM; sunrise is too cold, and sunset is too rushed. 📍 There are two viewing platforms in Madoi County; the lower one is closer to the water. 🚄 It takes about six hours to get from Xining to Madoi by bus; chartering a car or carpooling is recommended, as public transport is infrequent. Stay in Madoi County; conditions are average, about 100 yuan a night. Bringing a sleeping bag liner will make you feel more at ease. ⚠️ The altitude is 4,300 meters, so don't run or jump, and take Rhodiola rosea in advance. It's 0°C in the mornings and evenings in September, so a down jacket is a must. 🍜 At the Tibetan restaurants in the county, butter tea and tsampa are standard. If you're not used to them, just order a bowl of noodles. These eight places don't cost much to visit in September. I highly recommend Wuzhong and Golog—one for the Yellow River, one for the plateau—where it's so uncrowded you'll feel like you have the place to yourself. Pick one and just go.

The first month of the school year is when flights and hotels become less crowded and more affordable. I've selected these 8 places, all of which share a few common traits: affordable admission tickets, easy walking paths, and plenty for kids to see. Scroll down and see which one fits your route. 1️⃣ Ordos | Inner Mongolia In September, Ordos is sunny during the day and cool in the morning and evening, so packing a light jacket for your child is more important than sunscreen. The sand at Xiangshawan is fine and doesn't prick your bare feet. Renting a sandboard is enough for two kids to take turns playing all afternoon. ⏰ Enter the desert after 4:00 PM when the light is angled, the sand isn't scorching, and photos look great. The Genghis Khan Mausoleum Tourist Area is better suited for older children. Whether they understand the guided tour or not, running around the grasslands is genuine fun. 📍 There is an electric cart from the mausoleum entrance to the main hall. If you have a stroller, it's recommended to take it to avoid carrying the stroller halfway. 🍜 Have a meal of hand-grabbed meat with yogurt pancakes in the city; you can get full for about 50–60 yuan per person. ⚠️ It's windy in the desert, so bring a hat with a strap, otherwise chasing your hat is more tiring than sandboarding. 2️⃣ Zhenjiang | Jiangsu The three mountains in Zhenjiang are close to each other. You could technically visit Jinshan, Jiaoshan, and Beigushan in one day, but I advise against being too ambitious. When traveling with kids, just pick Jinshan and Beigushan, and leave a gap for a nap in between. Jinshan Temple has many stairs, so a stroller is basically useless; a baby carrier is more practical. You need to take a ferry to Jiaoshan Island, and kids are often more interested in the boat ride than looking at the stone inscriptions. 📍 The ferry terminal is at the entrance of Jiaoshan Park. The schedule is frequent, so no need to rush. Maoshan in Jurong is in the suburbs and takes most of the day to visit, making it better for families with older children who have more stamina. 🍜 Start your morning with a bowl of pot-lid noodles and a piece of pork aspic—that's how the locals eat. ⚠️ The joint ticket for the three mountains is more cost-effective than buying single tickets, but the validity period is short, so don't space out your itinerary too much. 3️⃣ Dandong | Liaoning Dandong is no longer stuffy in September, making it perfect for an evening stroll along the Yalu River. A walk across the Broken Bridge takes about half an hour. It's windy on the bridge, so add a jacket for your child. 📍 The Broken Bridge is connected to the riverside walkway, which is stroller-friendly and great for walking with kids. Phoenix Mountain is suitable for older children who love hiking. For families with young children or seniors, it's recommended to just walk around the mountain gate area and not push it. Kuandian Hekou and Lvjiang Village are on the suburban line and are easier to visit by car. In September, the riverside starts to get foggy, which makes for great photos in the morning. 🍜 Riverside barbecue with yellow clams is delicious. ⚠️ Don't fly drones randomly in the border area, and don't keep filming the opposite bank. Follow the rules. 4️⃣ Golog | Qinghai The First Bay of the Yellow River is in the Maqu area. In September, the grass has already turned yellow, and the sky is an impossibly deep blue. The altitude here is high, so if you're bringing kids, leave a day for acclimatization and don't rush to high altitudes as soon as you land. ⏰ The light is flat in the morning, making the curves of the water clearly visible. Driving is the only comfortable way to travel. There are few supply points along the way, so stock up on water and snacks in advance. 📍 There are boardwalks at the viewing platform, which aren't steep, but the wind is strong, so bring hats and scarves. If your child is prone to altitude sickness, you might want to save this stop for later. ⚠️ Plateau weather changes in an instant, so pack rain gear and thick clothes in your bag—don't gamble with the weather. 5️⃣ Tonghua | Jilin Autumn comes early in Tonghua, and the Ji'an area is already chilly in September. The Goguryeo cultural relics are scattered across several spots. The King Gwanggaeto Stele and the General's Tomb are not far apart, and you can easily visit them in half a day by car. Telling your child the stories behind the stones is more interesting than just looking at them. The rapeseed flower fields in Ji'an are mostly finished by September, so don't go for the flowers—go for the riverside scenery instead. 📍 It takes about two hours to drive from the city to Ji'an. There are few service areas on the road, so fill up your gas tank before you leave. 🍜 The fire pot and rice cakes in Ji'an are worth trying; kids love the sweet rice cakes. ⚠️ The relic areas are mostly outdoors with little shade, so don't forget your hat and water. 6️⃣ Linyi | Shandong The Firefly Water Cave and the Underground Grand Canyon are the trump cards for traveling with kids in Linyi. The cave has a constant temperature, so it's cool in September, but the ground is slippery, so put non-slip shoes on your child. 📍 The two scenic spots are close to each other. Buying a joint ticket is more cost-effective. It's a smoother rhythm to visit the canyon first and then the water cave. Yimeng Mountain is suitable for hiking with older children. The cable car can save half the legwork; if seniors are traveling with you, it's recommended to take the cable car up and down. ⏰ Entering the mountain in the morning means less fog and better visibility; clouds tend to form in the afternoon. 🍜 The stir-fried chicken and pancakes with green onions at the farmhouses at the foot of the mountain will keep you full. ⚠️ Don't use the flash when taking photos in the cave; it's not friendly to the fireflies and won't result in good photos anyway. 7️⃣ Huangshan | Anhui The temperature difference between day and night in Huangshan is large in September, but you can still wear a single layer of clothing during the day in the Xidi and Hongcun areas. In the ancient villages of southern Anhui, feeding fish by the water canals in Hongcun is a favorite for kids. Xidi is less crowded and more relaxing to stroll through. 📍 The drive between the two villages is about 20 minutes, and you can drive yourself or hire a car. Chengkan Ancient Village has fewer tourists, and its Bagua layout is like a maze, which is great for kids who love to explore. The Ancient Huizhou Culture Tourism Zone has scattered content, so just pick one or two spots to see—don't try to do too much. The Huangshan Scenic Area has many stairs, so if you have small children, it's recommended to take the cable car up and down rather than trying to climb it. 🍜 Hairy tofu and stinky mandarin fish—if you're brave enough to try them. ⚠️ There are many stone slab roads in the village, and small stroller wheels can get stuck, so a baby carrier is more worry-free. 8️⃣ Ankang | Shaanxi Ankang is in southern Shaanxi. The rain has eased up a bit in September, and the water in Qianceng River is still clear. The river valley trail is flat, and you can push a stroller for most of the way, making it easy to travel with kids. ⏰ Go two or three days after the rain for plenty of water and beautiful waterfalls. The Fengyan Ancient Terraces start to turn golden in September, layered on the hillsides, and look best in the morning when there is fog. 📍 The terrace viewing platforms are scattered. If driving, take your time along the loop road and stop whenever you see a good angle. 🍜 Ankang steamed noodles and hot and sour konjac are the standard local breakfast. ⚠️ There are many curves in the mountainous area, and kids are prone to carsickness, so don't let them eat too much before you leave. These 8 places are not crowded and reasonably priced in September. If I had to pick just three, I'd choose Ordos, Dandong, and Ankang—one for sand, one for the river, and one for the mountains—that kids will remember. Which one have you been to? Let me know in the comments.

Who wants to brave the crowds and count the backs of heads during the seven-day National Day holiday? I've picked eight truly breathable places for you, with mountains, water, ancient towns, vibrant autumn colors, and airfares and accommodations before they skyrocket. Don't tell anyone after reading this, just go quietly! 1️⃣ Jilin Songhua Lake and Wusong Island are places many people only think of in winter. But National Day in Jilin is the season locals secretly cherish for its comfort. 🚄 Take the high-speed train to Jilin Station, then a taxi to Songhua Lake takes about 40 minutes. Along the way, you'll see birch leaves, a mix of yellow and green, rustling down in the wind. 📍 After entering the Songhua Lake scenic area, don't rush to board the large boat. First, walk along the eastern boardwalk for twenty minutes. It's less crowded, the water is wide, and you can see the entire colorful mountain range reflected in the lake. Boat tickets are divided into two tiers: speedboats are more expensive but allow you to explore small fjords, while a regular cruise boat takes about an hour to circle the lake. Wusong Island doesn't have rime ice this season, but the vast reed beds and morning mist on the river are even more photogenic. ⚠️ You need to take a ferry to get to the island; the last ferry departs at 4:30 PM, so don't miss it. 🍜 Back in the city, grab a bowl of hot Jilin fried noodles—spicy and sour—at a roadside stall for just over ten yuan, much more affordable than restaurants in the tourist area. 2️⃣ Shiyan City | Hubei Wudang Mountain is so famous that the National Day holiday deters many people, but if you're willing to get up early, the Golden Summit can still be peaceful. ⏰ Take the first scenic bus up the mountain before 6 AM. The queue at the cable car station is less than twenty minutes. By the time the main crowd arrives at 8:30 AM, you'll already be watching Taoist priests sweeping fallen leaves at Zixiao Palace. 📍 The cliffside walkway at Nanyan Palace is worth walking; below is a deep abyss, and outside the railings, a sea of ​​clouds surges—it's worth it even if your legs are sore. ⚠️ The hiking trail from Wuyaling to the Golden Summit has over 6,000 steps. If you're not used to exercise, don't push yourself; your knees will suffer. Taking the cable car up and walking down is the most reasonable option. 🍜 Try the Taoist vegetarian food in Wudangshan Town at the foot of the mountain. The tofu tastes like meat, and it costs around 30-40 yuan per person. 🚄 There are direct buses from Shiyan East Station to the scenic area. Don't trust private cars offering rides; they're twice as expensive and take a longer route. 3️⃣ Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture|Hunan Fenghuang Ancient Town is crowded during the day, but if you stay overnight and get up at 6 am, you'll see the stilted houses along the Tuojiang River, the jumping rocks, and the locals washing clothes—that's the scene described by Shen Congwen. 📸 The best photo spot is on the stone steps opposite the Wanming Pagoda. The morning light shines on the river, with a row of old houses in the background; every shot looks like a movie still. Dehang Grand Canyon is about an hour's drive from Fenghuang. The streams in the canyon are crystal clear and almost blue, and a refreshing coolness greets you as you walk in. Aizhai Bridge is nearby; the bridge deck is over 300 meters above the valley floor. Those with a fear of heights should avoid looking down, but the viewing platform at the bridgehead offers a breathtaking view of the layered mountains. ⚠️ The mountain roads around Shibadong are winding, so drive slowly. New drivers are not advised to drive at night. 🍜 Don't eat the "blood duck" at the riverside food stalls in Fenghuang; it's expensive and poorly made. Head to the small restaurants deep in the alleys where locals eat; you can get an authentic meal for around 40 yuan. 4️⃣ Jining City | Shandong Qufu's Confucius Temple, Confucius Mansion, and Confucius Cemetery are a pilgrimage site for cultural enthusiasts. There are many tourists during the National Day holiday, but if you hire a professional guide, the stories behind the stone tablets, ancient trees, and palaces will automatically filter out the noise. ⏰ After 3 PM, visitors enter the Confucius Temple. As tour groups begin to leave, the sunlight slants across the glazed tiles of the Dacheng Hall, creating a solemn atmosphere. Weishan Lake Scenic Area, however, presents a completely different scene. 📍 Take a boat from the pier to the island in the middle of the lake. Vast reed beds rustle in the autumn wind, occasionally startling egrets. Fishermen on the island sell freshly cooked lake crabs, plump and full of roe, costing around twenty yuan each—half the price of restaurants in the city. 🚄 Getting from Qufu East Station to Weishan Lake requires a transfer; driving is recommended, as the journey takes about two hours one way. ⚠️ The combined ticket for the Three Confucius Sites includes the Confucius Mansion, Confucius Temple, and Confucius Cemetery. The Confucius Cemetery is some distance from the other two; you can take the scenic area's electric shuttle bus to save energy visiting the main hall. 5️⃣ Zunyi City | Guizhou Chishui Danxia is a hidden gem during the National Day holiday, with so few people that you can enjoy the entire red cliff face all to yourself. 📍 The trail at Foguangyan is the highlight. In the afternoon, the sunlight shines on the Danxia landforms, making the entire mountain look ablaze with red. Waterfalls cascade down the cliff tops, spraying mist that is both refreshing and breathtaking. ⏰ It's recommended to visit the Grand Waterfall Scenic Area first in the morning, then go to Foguangyan in the afternoon. The lighting will be perfect then, no need for color correction in photos. ⚠️ The steps in the scenic area are slippery; wear non-slip shoes, don't try to walk in flip-flops. 🍜 The tofu and grilled fish stalls on the streets of Chishui city are a specialty. The fish is freshly caught from the Chishui River, so tender you can barely pick it up with chopsticks. You'll eat until you're stuffed for about 50 yuan per person. 🚄 There are direct buses from Zunyi High-Speed ​​Railway Station to Chishui, about a two-hour journey, but the roads are mostly mountainous, so those prone to motion sickness should bring medication. 6️⃣ Hezhou City | Guangxi Huangyao Ancient Town is much quieter than Yangshuo. The stone-paved streets are polished smooth by time, and the carvings on the lintels of the old houses still retain their Qing Dynasty appearance. 📸 Dailong Bridge is the most classic photo spot in the ancient town. After 5 pm, when the tourists have dispersed, the stream under the bridge reflects the lantern lights, and you can sit on the stone railing and daydream for half an hour. Gupo Mountain is about a 40-minute drive from the ancient town. The meadows on the mountaintop turn golden brown in autumn. The wind is strong enough to blow you sideways, but the view is extremely expansive, showing the entire continuous mountain ridge. ⏰ Go up the mountain early, as fog easily rises in the afternoon, obscuring everything. Dongtanling is more suitable for hiking enthusiasts. The entire hike takes about three hours, the trail is in poor condition, and long sleeves are recommended to avoid being scratched by branches. 🍜 The stuffed tofu and stuffed melon blossoms in the ancient town are local favorites. Look for the little shops where old ladies sit chatting at the entrance; you can't go wrong. The ten-yuan bowl of oil tea is also worth trying. ⚠️ The Huangyao ticket includes several small attractions within the ancient town. Remember to grab a map at the entrance, or you might miss the Guo Family Courtyard. 7️⃣ Benxi City|Liaoning Autumn in Benxi is the most vibrant season in Northeast China. During the National Day holiday, the maple leaves at Guanmenshan National Forest Park are half red and half yellow. 📍 After entering the scenic area, head straight to Longmen Gorge. The maple trees along the stream have the richest color variations, much better than the bare maple trees near the entrance where there are too many people. Benxi Water Cave offers another unique experience. Take a boat trip through the underground river, where stalactites and stalagmites are displayed in various shapes under colorful lights. ⚠️ The temperature inside the cave is consistently in the teens (Celsius). Those who are sensitive to the cold should bring a light jacket. The tour lasts about forty minutes. Don't wear high heels, as getting on and off the boat can be a bit bumpy. Huanren Wunü Mountain is a bit far, taking two hours from the city center, but the ancient Goguryeo city ruins at the summit and the panoramic view overlooking the Hunjiang River's great bend are definitely worth the gas money. 🍜 Benxi Xiaoshi's mutton soup is a specialty; the milky white broth paired with freshly baked flatbread is a perfect way to feel refreshed after a hike. 🚄 There's no direct bus from Benxi Station to Guanmenshan; driving or hiring a car is the most convenient option. Parking is limited at the foot of the mountain during the National Day holiday, so try to arrive before 9 am. 8️⃣ Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture|Qinghai The First Bend of the Yellow River is located in Maqu County, Golog, at an altitude of 3,700 meters. In autumn, the grasslands turn golden, and the river winds a huge S-curve through the valley like a green ribbon. ⚠️ Don't rush into strenuous activities upon arrival at high altitude. Stay overnight in the county town to allow your body to acclimatize before going to the viewing platform. 📍 The viewing platform is on a hillside beside the road, a 20-minute hike to the top. The wind is so strong you can barely stand, but the view of the Yellow River flowing so gently across the grassland is breathtaking, a vastness that no photograph can capture. ⏰ Around 6 PM, the light is softest, the river reflects golden light, and herds of yaks slowly graze below – it's almost unreal. 🍜 Find a Tibetan restaurant in the county town, have a pot of butter tea and a bowl of tsampa. The owner will remind you to put on a warm layer. 🚄 There's no high-speed rail to Golok. It's about a 6-hour drive from Xining. The road conditions are good, but there are many speed cameras, so don't speed. I won't rank these 8 places, but if you only have five days off, I'd recommend Benxi or Hezhou. They're easier to get to and the scenery is just as good. Migrating fish know where the water temperature is perfect, and those escaping the National Day holiday should know where the crowds are least. Do you have a better idea now? Let's chat in the comments, or save this list for next National Day holiday. Who wants to be stuck in a sea of ​​people during the seven-day National Day holiday? I've picked eight truly breathable places for you, with mountains, water, ancient towns, vibrant autumn colors, and airfares and accommodations before they skyrocket. Don't tell anyone after reading, just go quietly! 1️⃣ Jilin Many people only think of Songhua Lake and Wusong Island in winter. But National Day in Jilin is the season locals cherish for its comfort. 🚄 Take the high-speed train to Jilin Station, then a taxi to Songhua Lake takes about 40 minutes. Along the way, you'll see birch leaves, a mix of yellow and green, rustling down in the wind. 📍 After entering the Songhua Lake scenic area, don't rush to take the big boat. First, walk along the east boardwalk for twenty minutes. It's less crowded, the water is wide, and you can see the entire colorful mountain range reflected in the lake on the opposite shore. Boat tickets are divided into two tiers: speedboats are more expensive but allow you to navigate small fjords, while regular cruise boats offer a one-hour loop around the lake. There's no rime ice on Wusong Island this season, but the vast reed beds and morning mist on the river are even more photogenic. ⚠️ You need to take a ferry to the island; the last ferry departs at 4:30 PM, so don't miss it. 🍜 Back in the city, grab a bowl of hot Jilin fried noodles—sour and spicy—at a roadside stall for just over ten yuan, much more affordable than restaurants in the scenic area. 2️⃣ Shiyan City | Hubei Wudang Mountain is so famous that the National Day holiday deters many visitors, but if you're willing to get up early, the Golden Summit can still be peaceful. ⏰ Take the first scenic area bus up the mountain before 6 AM. The queue at the cable car station is less than twenty minutes. By the time the main crowd arrives at 8:30 AM, you'll already be watching Taoist priests sweeping fallen leaves at Zixiao Palace. 📍 The cliffside walkway at Nanyan Palace is worth hiking; the sheer drop below and the rolling sea of ​​clouds beyond the railings make it worthwhile even if your legs are weak. ⚠️ The hiking trail from Wuyaling to the Golden Summit has over 6,000 steps. Those who don't exercise regularly shouldn't push themselves; your knees will suffer. Taking the cable car up and walking down is the most reasonable option. 🍜 Try the Taoist vegetarian food in Wudangshan Town at the foot of the mountain. The tofu tastes like meat, and it costs around 30-40 yuan per person. 🚄 There are direct buses from Shiyan East Station to the scenic area. Don't trust private cars offering rides; they're twice as expensive and take longer routes. 3️⃣ Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture|Hunan Fenghuang Ancient Town is crowded during the day, but if you stay overnight and get up at 6 am, you'll see the stilted houses along the Tuojiang River, the jumping rocks, and the locals washing clothes—that's the scene Shen Congwen described. 📸 The best photo spot is on the stone steps opposite the Wanming Pagoda. Morning light spills onto the river, with a row of old houses in the background; every snapshot looks like a scene from a movie. Dehang Grand Canyon is about an hour's drive from Fenghuang. The streams in the canyon are crystal clear, almost blue, and a refreshing coolness greets you as you walk in. The Aizhai Bridge is nearby; the bridge deck is over 300 meters above the valley floor. Those with a fear of heights shouldn't look down, but the viewing platform at the bridgehead offers a breathtaking view of the layered mountains. ⚠️ The roads around Shibadong are winding and require careful driving. New drivers are advised against driving at night. 🍜 Don't eat the "blood duck" at the riverside food stalls in Fenghuang; it's expensive and poorly made. Head to the small restaurants deep in the alleys where locals eat; you can get an authentic version for around 40 yuan. 4️⃣ Jining City | Shandong Qufu's Three Confucius Sites (Confucius Temple, Confucius Mansion, and Confucius Cemetery) are a pilgrimage site for cultural enthusiasts. During the National Day holiday, there are many tourists, but hiring a professional guide allows you to easily filter out the noise by exploring the stories behind the stone tablets, ancient trees, and halls. ⏰ Enter after 3 PM. As tour groups begin to leave, the sunlight in the Confucius Temple casts a somber glow on the glazed tiles of the Dacheng Hall. Weishan Lake Scenic Area, however, presents a completely different picture. 📍 Take a boat from the pier to the island in the middle of the lake. The vast reed beds rustle in the autumn wind, occasionally startling egrets. Fishermen on the island sell freshly cooked lake crabs, plump and roe-filled, for around twenty yuan each, half the price of restaurants in the city. 🚄 Getting from Qufu East Station to Weishan Lake requires a transfer; driving is recommended, as the journey takes about two hours one way. ⚠️ The combined ticket for the Three Confucius Sites includes the Confucius Temple, Confucius Mansion, and Confucius Cemetery. The Cemetery is a bit far from the other two; you can take the park's electric shuttle bus to save energy visiting the main hall. 5️⃣ Zunyi City | Guizhou Chishui Danxia is a hidden gem during the National Day holiday, with so few people that you can enjoy the entire red cliff face all to yourself. 📍 The trail near Foguangyan is the highlight. In the afternoon, the sunlight shines on the Danxia cliffs, making the entire mountain look like it's on fire. The waterfall cascades down from the cliff top, spraying mist that is both refreshing and breathtaking. ⏰ It's recommended to visit the Great Waterfall Scenic Area first in the morning, then go to Foguangyan in the afternoon. The lighting will be perfect, and you won't need to edit your photos. ⚠️ The steps in the scenic area are slippery; wear non-slip shoes, not flip-flops. 🍜 The tofu and grilled fish stalls on the streets of Chishui city are a specialty. The fish is freshly caught from the Chishui River; it's so tender that you can't even pick it up with chopsticks. You can eat until you're stuffed for about 50 yuan per person. 🚄 There are direct buses from Zunyi High-Speed ​​Railway Station to Chishui, taking about two hours. However, the roads are mostly mountainous, so those prone to motion sickness should prepare medication beforehand. 6️⃣ Hezhou City | Guangxi Huangyao Ancient Town is much quieter than Yangshuo. The stone-paved streets are polished smooth by time, and the carvings on the lintels of the old houses still retain their Qing Dynasty appearance. 📸 Dailong Bridge is the most classic photo spot in the ancient town. After 5 pm, when the tourists have dispersed, the stream under the bridge reflects the lantern lights, and you can sit on the stone railing and daydream for half an hour. Gupo Mountain is about a 40-minute drive from the ancient town. The meadows on the mountaintop turn golden brown in autumn. The wind is strong enough to blow you sideways, but the view is extremely expansive, offering a panoramic view of the entire mountain ridge. ⏰ Go up the mountain early, as fog easily forms on the mountain in the afternoon, obscuring everything. Dongtanling is more suitable for hiking enthusiasts, taking about three hours in total. The trail is in poor condition, so wear long sleeves to avoid being scratched by branches. 🍜 The stuffed tofu and stuffed melon flowers in the ancient town are local favorites. Look for the small shops where old ladies sit chatting at the entrance; you can't go wrong. The ten-yuan bowl of oil tea is also worth trying. ⚠️ The Huangyao ticket includes several small attractions within the ancient town. Remember to grab a map at the entrance, otherwise you might miss the Guo Family Courtyard. 7️⃣ Benxi City|Liaoning Benxi's autumn is the most vibrant in Northeast China. Guanmenshan National Forest Park is in full bloom during the National Day holiday, with maple leaves half red and half yellow. 📍 After entering the scenic area, head straight to Longmen Gorge. The maple trees along the stream have the richest color variations, much better than the crowded, bare maple trees near the entrance. Benxi Water Cave offers another unique experience. Take a boat trip through the underground river, where stalactites and stalagmites appear in various shapes under colorful lights. ⚠️ The temperature inside the cave is consistently in the teens (Celsius), so bring a light jacket if you're sensitive to the cold. The tour lasts about 40 minutes. Don't wear high heels, as the boat ride can be a bit bumpy. Huanren Wunü Mountain is a bit further, taking about two hours from the city center, but the ancient Goguryeo city ruins at the summit and the panoramic view overlooking the Hunjiang River's great bend are definitely worth the gas money. 🍜 Benxi Xiaoshi's mutton soup is a specialty. The milky white broth paired with freshly baked flatbread is a perfect way to refresh yourself after a hike. 🚄 There's no direct bus from Benxi Station to Guanmenshan. Driving or hiring a car is the most convenient option. Parking is limited at the foot of the mountain during the National Day holiday, so try to arrive before 9 AM. 8️⃣ Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture|Qinghai The First Bend of the Yellow River is located in Maqu County, Golog, at an altitude of 3,700 meters. In autumn, the grasslands turn golden, and the river winds its way through the valley like a turquoise ribbon, creating a giant S-shaped bend. ⚠️ Don't rush into strenuous activities upon arrival at high altitude. Stay overnight in the county town to allow your body to acclimatize before heading to the viewing platform. 📍 The viewing platform is on a hillside beside the road. It's a 20-minute hike to the top. The wind is strong enough to make it hard to stand, but the view of the Yellow River flowing so gently across the grassland is breathtaking, a sense of vastness that no photograph can capture. ⏰ Around 6 PM, the light is softest, the river reflects golden light, and herds of yaks slowly walk down the slope—it's almost unreal. 🍜 Find a Tibetan restaurant in the county town, have a pot of butter tea and a bowl of tsampa. The owner will remind you to wear warm clothes. 🚄 There is no high-speed rail to Golok. It's about a 6-hour drive from Xining. The road conditions are good, but there are many speed cameras, so don't speed. I won't rank these 8 places, but if you only have five days off, I would recommend Benxi or Hezhou. The transportation is convenient, and the scenery is just as stunning. Migrating fish know where the water temperature is just right; those escaping the crowds during the National Day holiday should know where the least crowded areas are. Do you have a good idea? Share your thoughts in the comments, or save this list for next year's National Day holiday.

Once summer vacation ends, flight and hotel prices drop significantly, and attractions aren't overcrowded. I've picked 8 places that are perfect for autumn and won't break the bank. 1️⃣ Zhengzhou | Henan Zhengzhou is more than just a transit hub; you can spend a couple of days here without spending much. ⏰ Start your morning at the Henan Museum. It's free, but you need to book in advance. It's closed on Mondays, so don't make a wasted trip. In the afternoon, head to Xiliu Lake Park, a local favorite for strolling. The ginkgo trees haven't turned yellow yet, but the air is already cool. Shaolin Temple on Mount Song is in Dengfeng, about a 2-hour bus ride from Zhengzhou. ⚠️ Don't trust the "low-price one-day tours" offered by solicitors at the mountain entrance; it's safer to take a regular bus yourself. If you want to save energy, take the cable car up the mountain—walking down will make your legs shake. Qinwei Water City in Xinmi looks great when lit up at night, and it's free to explore. 🍜 A bowl of braised noodles nearby costs around CNY 15 and is enough for two people. Stay near Erqi Square; it's convenient to get anywhere by subway. 2️⃣ Enshi | Hubei Autumn in Enshi is cool and refreshing, making late September the perfect time to visit. Tickets for the Enshi Grand Canyon aren't cheap, but walking the plank road section at Yizhu Xiang is worth it. ⚠️ There are many stairs throughout the route, so be careful if you have bad knees. Buy cable car and elevator tickets as needed. Take a boat on the Qingjiang River Gallery to see the scenery on both banks, and watch the tracker performance at Shennong Stream. 🚄 Get off at Enshi Station. The bus to the Grand Canyon is next to the train station and takes about 1.5 hours. Stay in the Wuyangba area for convenient dining. Enshi Tusi City is best visited in the afternoon when it's less crowded and the light is soft. 🍜 Don't miss the hezha and roasted potatoes; you can eat your fill for CNY 30–40 per person. To save money, avoid holidays, as hotel prices can be half the cost. 3️⃣ Golog | Qinghai Golog is the kind of place you'll remember for a long time after visiting. The First Bend of the Yellow River is in Madoi. In September, the grass turns yellow, and the river water is unbelievably blue. ⚠️ The altitude is over 4,000 meters, so don't jump around as soon as you get off the car; take it easy for half a day first. The drive from Xining is long, so carpooling or chartering a car is recommended. The scenery along the way is an attraction in itself. ⏰ Arrive at the viewing platform in the evening. The sunset dyes the river bend gold. It's windy, so remember to bring extra layers. Accommodation conditions are average—don't expect star ratings, just something clean to sleep in. Bring enough cash, as signals are weak in some places. Prepare altitude sickness medicine and oxygen canisters in advance; don't try to tough it out. 4️⃣ Guyuan | Ningxia Guyuan is low-key, but the Xumishan Grottoes are worth a special trip. The statues from the Northern Wei to Tang dynasties have weathered a thousand years and are still there. ⚠️ The grottoes are scattered on the hillside, so wear comfortable shoes—no flip-flops. It's about a 1-hour drive from Guyuan city, and driving yourself is the most convenient option. ⏰ In the morning, the light shines obliquely into the caves, making the details clear. There are discounts on tickets during the off-season; check the official daily announcement for details. 🍜 Guyuan's lamb rubbing noodles and shengcuan noodles are hearty and cost just over CNY 10 a bowl. Stay in the city and stroll around the ancient city wall at night; it's very quiet. It's perfect for people who don't like crowds. 5️⃣ Garzê | Sichuan Garzê is too big to see in one trip. Xinduqiao is a photographer's paradise; in October, the poplar trees turn golden, and every shot is picture-perfect. ⚠️ Be careful when parking on the side of the road to take photos; don't stand in the middle of the road. In autumn, Mugecuo features lake water paired with snow-capped mountains, while Daocheng Yading requires stamina—the round trip to Milk Lake takes a whole day. For Hailuogou, you can see glaciers by taking a cable car and hiking. 🚄 Depart from Chengdu via the Yakang Expressway; driving or carpooling are both fine. Stay in Xinduqiao Town; a standard room costs just over CNY 100. 🍜 Try the butter tea in Tibetan cuisine in small sips first; don't force yourself if you're not used to it. The altitude is high, so don't take showers or drink alcohol for the first two days. 6️⃣ Pingxiang | Jiangxi Wugong Mountain is a favorite for budget travelers. From September to October, the meadows turn from green to gold, and there's a high chance of seeing a sea of clouds. ⏰ Head up the mountain in the afternoon, watch the sunset in the evening, and stay in a tent or inn at night. ⚠️ Accommodation at the summit is expensive and has poor conditions, so bringing your own sleeping bag is safer. The cable car charges by section; if you have the stamina, hike the whole way—it takes about 5–6 hours. 🚄 Take a bus from Pingxiang Station to the foot of the mountain, which takes about 1 hour. 🍜 The Pingxiang stir-fried pork and "flower butterfly" spicy chips at the foot of the mountain are cheap and go well with rice. It's suitable for students and hiking enthusiasts. It's also romantic for couples, just don't wear new shoes. 7️⃣ Daxing'anling | Heilongjiang Autumn comes early in Daxing'anling, and the birch forests turn completely yellow by mid-to-late September. Arctic Village is at the northernmost tip; check in to "find the north," and if you're lucky, you might see the aurora at night. ⚠️ The temperature difference between day and night is large, so don't worry about your down jacket being too heavy. It's about a 2-hour drive from Mohe. The forest scenery is on the road, so drive slowly and stop whenever you like. ⏰ It's most beautiful in the early morning before the fog clears, like walking into a painting. For accommodation, choose a homestay in Arctic Village; experiencing a heated brick bed (kang) once is enough. 🍜 Iron pot stew and cold-water fish cost about CNY 50–60 per person. The signal is intermittent, so download offline maps in advance. 8️⃣ Panjin | Liaoning The Red Beach in Panjin is reddest from September to October, with seepweed covering the area. ⚠️ Don't step into the mudflats; it's hard to pull yourself out if you get stuck. There are sightseeing cars in the corridor; check if the ticket includes the car before buying. ⏰ The color is more vibrant after low tide in the afternoon, and the light is softer. 🚄 It takes about 40 minutes by taxi from Panjin Station. River crabs are in season; 🍜 steamed crabs sold by the piece on the roadside—ask about the price before buying. Staying in the city is more cost-effective; homestays near Red Beach are expensive and scarce. It's suitable for taking parents for a leisurely stroll, and children also like watching the crabs. After the October holiday, the crowds thin out, making it more comfortable. These 8 places are worth visiting in autumn. I highly recommend Zhengzhou, Enshi, and Panjin—they are affordable and easy to explore. Which one do you plan to visit first? Let's chat in the comments.

01 Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture | Yunnan Take the high-speed train from Kunming — just over 3 hours. In the carriage, half the people carry easels and the other half carry fishing rods. Puzhehei isn’t the kind of place that stuns you at first sight; it slowly sticks to you — mist rises off the lake at dawn, isolated karst peaks reflect in the water, willow-leaf boats glide by, and the sound of oars is clearer than conversation. 📍 Qinglongshan sunrise viewing platform: arrive before 6:30 AM. Climb about 15 minutes of steps to watch the lake cluster change from gray-blue to gold. ⏰ Schedule a boat ride before 10 AM. The water is calm and the people staging water fights haven’t shown up yet, so it’s best for enjoying the scenery. 🍜 Roadside stalls sell fried lotus and lotus leaf-fried eggs for CNY 5–10 a serving, fried to order and so fragrant you won’t want to take photos first. ⚠️ Afternoon summer storms arrive fast; a lightweight rain jacket is more practical than an umbrella. Stay in Puzhehei village so you wake up to fields and lake outside your window. Two days is just right — any longer and you’ll be reluctant to leave. 02 Quanzhou | Fujian Quanzhou’s old town is best measured on foot. Start at Kaiyuan Temple on West Street, walk to the clock tower, then turn into Zhongshan Road. The East and West pagodas at Kaiyuan Temple are truly beautiful, with stone carvings so detailed you won’t mind looking up for 10 minutes. 📍 Qingyuan Mountain’s Laojunyan is best early. Before 7 AM admission is free, and morning light softens the statue’s lines far more than at noon. ⏰ Cliff inscriptions cluster around mid-mountain. If your stamina is average, turn back there — no need to force yourself to the summit. Chongwu Ancient City needs a half-day on its own. The sea breeze is strong; stroll the city walls and the stone houses feel more textured in person than in photos. ⚠️ Ignore touts in the ancient city offering to "show you a sea view"; walk to the east gate yourself for a better, free vantage. 🍜 A bowl of misua noodle paste with vinegar-braised pork and a fried egg plus a youtiao will fill you for CNY 15 — any small shop on West Street will do. Quanzhou reveals itself layer by layer. Stay three days and it will give you three days of surprises. 03 Yancheng | Jiangsu Dafeng China Milu National Nature Reserve is the least touristy-feeling attraction I’ve seen: thousands of acres of tidal flats and wetlands where the milu deer seem more at ease than people. Take the electric cart into the core area; when the cart stops, the deer come right up — the bold ones will stretch their heads for the carrot in your hand. 📍 Climb the deer-watching tower in the park. From above you can see the herd moving through the reed beds like a flowing brown river. ⏰ Deer are most active after 3 PM. In the morning they hide in the shade when it’s hot, so you’ll see little then. 🍜 There are deer-meat skewers sold at the park entrance — I don’t recommend them. Theme park food is often perfunctory; bring snacks instead. ⚠️ If you drive, don’t park outside designated spots; patrols are frequent. This is a great place to let kids run wild all day. An adult ticket plus the electric cart is just over CNY 100, well worth it. 04 Shanghai Don’t rush straight to the Bund. Start at Guangfulin cultural site. The underwater museum’s building looks like it’s being supported by water; on sunny days the reflection is so sharp it looks photoshopped. Exhibits span from the Neolithic to the Ming and Qing dynasties, and two hours will fly by. 📍 Get to Yuyuan Garden right at opening — before 9 AM it’s quiet. Walk the Nine-Bend Bridge and you can shoot empty-frame photos from gaps in the rockeries. ⏰ The Mercedes-Benz Culture Center area at the Expo Park is nicest in the afternoon; a river breeze makes it perfect for strolling and daydreaming. 🎡 Don’t expect to finish all of Shanghai Disney Resort in one day. Download the official app in advance and reserve standby passes for popular attractions on entry. Choose between TRON Lightcycle Power Run and Soaring Over the Horizon, and take the rest as they come. ⚠️ Steamed soup dumplings sold outside Yuyuan Garden are expensive and mediocre. For better eats, walk five more minutes to the old shops on Henan South Road — the taste is worth it. Either you skip Shanghai, or once you visit you can’t escape it. Three days, two nights is just right. 05 Guiyang | Guizhou Guiyang’s summer feels like a natural air-conditioned room; mornings and evenings can even be cool. Tianhetan is not far from the city and condenses karst landforms into one spot; dry caves and water caves connect, and the caverns are refreshingly cool — a summer lifesaver. 📍 The old town walls of Qingyan Ancient Town are worth climbing. After 6 PM most tourists are gone and the sunset hits the stone streets; the smell of braised pig trotters drifts from deep in the alleys. 🍜 Wang’s braised pig trotter in the ancient town is tender and falling-off-the-bone, CNY 15 a portion. Pair it with a bowl of rose jelly dessert and you’ll want to take some home. ⏰ Gaopo Yunding Grassland is best after 4 PM for sunset and evening glow — bring a jacket, it gets windy. Huaxi Park is better for a slow wander. It’s a local spot for strolling; rent a bike and circle it — much more pleasant than squeezing into a trendy check-in place. ⚠️ Rain in Guiyang is unpredictable. Carry an umbrella — you’ll use it on sunny days and rainy ones. Two days is enough to fall in love with this cool city. 06 Wuhan | Hubei Yellow Crane Tower is swamped during the day; I suggest going after 5 PM. When the Yangtze River Bridge lights up, all of Wuchang lies at your feet. The ticket is a bit pricey, but the view is worth it. 📍 After seeing Yellow Crane Tower, don’t leave right away. Walk along She Mountain to Shouyi Park, then head down to Hubu Alley for a bowl of hot dry noodles. Cai Linji’s black sesame paste is thick enough to cling to the mouth — CNY 5 a bowl, very filling. ⏰ Plan a morning ride on the East Lake greenway. It’s over 20 km in total; if you can’t do it all, rent a bike at Liyuan Square and ride to Moshang then return — two hours is perfect. Songyang Temple is in Jiangxia, farther out; skip it if you’re short on time. It’s for those who want to avoid crowds — the ginkgo in front turns stunningly yellow in autumn. Huangpi Mulan cultural and ecological tourism area is even farther and better reached by car. It’s divided into several sections; pick one and don’t try to do everything. ⚠️ Wuhan’s summer is blisteringly hot. Avoid midday, do activities in the morning and evening, and bring water and a sun hat. You have to come smell Wuhan’s gritty riverside character yourself. 07 Yinchuan | Ningxia Yinchuan’s dry coolness made this southerner almost cry; 30°C feels comfortable in the shade. The Helan Mountain rock carvings must be visited with a guide — otherwise you’re just looking at scratches on stone. With a guide you’ll hear they’re the diary of shepherds from 3,000 years ago. 📍 The Han Meilin Art Museum at the rock carving park exit is free and often missed. Its paintings and sculptures match the Helan Mountains’ spirit perfectly. ⏰ Allow half a day for the Western Xia mausoleums. Start with the museum, then take the shuttle to the tomb area. The wind will nearly steal your hat, but that desolate feeling is hard to replicate elsewhere. Mingcui Lake Wetland Park is great for families — a reed maze, boating, lots of birds, and in May–June you can see the first lotus blooms. Shuidonggou is farther out but worth it. The soldier storage caves and the Ming Great Wall feel like stepping into a borderland history. ⚠️ Yinchuan has a large temperature swing between day and night. Short sleeves by day, a jacket at night — don’t skip it. 🍜 Hand-pulled lamb with Eight-Treasure tea is everywhere at Huaiyuan Night Market — pick any stall, the lamb is so tender it melts in your mouth. Three days, two nights — Yinchuan won’t disappoint. 08 Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture | Qinghai The road to Golog is rough, but the Yellow River’s first big bend is worth hours of bumping along. From the high viewpoint the river takes a huge turn and the water is a vivid green, overturning everything you thought you knew about the Yellow River. 📍 The viewpoint near Dari County offers the best angle at about 4,200 m. Walk slowly and don’t get excited. ⏰ July and August are best — the grasslands turn green, wildflowers and yak herds carpet the slopes, and the light is so clear any snap looks like wallpaper. ⚠️ Altitude sickness is no joke. Bring oxygen and glucose, and on arrival day avoid showers and alcohol. 🍜 Local Tibetan restaurants sell yak meat buns and butter tea. The buns have thin dough and generous filling — CNY 10 for 3, and the tea helps cut the richness. There’s no commercialization here, no influencer check-in spots — just wind, grassland, river, and an afternoon so quiet it makes your ears ring. It’s for those who want to sit with themselves for a while. Prepare mentally before you come, and you’ll take away more than you expect. These eight places include famous spots and quiet ones that are easy to miss on a map. Their common trait is that nobody who’s been regretted it. Which city in your heart has zero bad reviews? Share in the comments and I’ll scout it for you next time. complaints stroll travel vacation experience trip travel

For a 3-day Mid-Autumn Festival trip, these 8 destinations are uncrowded, beautiful, and reliable 1️⃣ Linzhi | Tibet Flying to Linzhi for the Mid-Autumn Festival is much more affordable than during peak season. Don't rush after landing; stay one night in Bayi Town to acclimate to the altitude before moving on the next day. 📍 Basong Lake is best visited in the morning when the lake is calm and the reflections are clearest. Allow 3 hours for admission tickets and the sightseeing bus; walking the lakeside boardwalk is more worthwhile than taking a boat. I recommend setting aside a full day for the Bomi direction. ⏰ In mid-to-late October, the colorful forests are just starting to change color, and there are half as many people as during the National Day holiday. Parking at scenic overlooks along the Yunnan-Tibet Highway is free, but don't linger on curves. Seeing Namcha Barwa at the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon depends on luck. ⚠️ Clouds are thick in the afternoon, so wake up early if you want to photograph the snow-capped mountains. Prices for guesthouses in Suosong Village drop after the Mid-Autumn Festival. Opening your window to a view of snow-capped mountains is perfect for those who want a relaxing trip. 2️⃣ Yulin | Guangxi Yulin isn't a popular tourist destination, which makes it peaceful. Taxis in the city are cheap, and you can reach most attractions within 20 minutes. Darong Mountain National Forest Park is the main highlight. ⏰ Enter the park before 8:00 AM while the mist is still lingering; the windmills and meadows make for great photos. The mountain roads are winding, so drive slowly if you're renting a car. Yuntian Cultural City is great for an afternoon visit; it's mostly indoors, which is perfect for avoiding the sun. The architectural details are worth a slow look, but don't expect detailed guided tours. 🍜 Go near Wanhua Building in the evening for food; the beef jerky rice noodles and meatball stalls offer authentic local flavors. ⚠️ The night lights at Wanhua Building turn off at 10:00 PM, so don't go too late if you want to take photos. Overall, it's suitable for a slow-paced trip with parents that won't wear you out. 3️⃣ Lijiang | Yunnan Lijiang Old Town is very crowded during the Mid-Autumn Festival, but it's a different world before 7:00 AM and after 10:00 PM. Staying in Shuhe is quieter than staying in Dayan, and a taxi into the old town only costs about 10–20 yuan. You need to book tickets for the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain cable car in advance; ⚠️ buying them on the day is basically impossible. ⏰ There are fewer clouds in the morning, and the weather changes quickly in the afternoon. Buy oxygen canisters at the foot of the mountain; don't get ripped off at the cable car entrance. Black Dragon Pool Park is best for photographing reflections of the snow-capped mountains in the morning light. Enter Mufu Palace after 4:00 PM when the tourists have dispersed, and you can quietly admire the architectural layout. 🍜 Avoid the bar street for meals; head to the area around Zhongyi Market for authentic cured pork ribs and chickpea jelly. This is suitable for people who want to take photos but dislike noise. Stay one night in the old town for the experience, and spend the rest of your time exploring outside. 4️⃣ Yichun | Heilongjiang Yichun during the Mid-Autumn Festival is at its peak with colorful mountain foliage; there are fewer people than in summer, and the air is perfectly cool. There are shuttle buses from the city to Tangwanghe, but renting a car gives you more freedom. 📍 Tangwanghe Forest Sea and Strange Rocks is the core attraction; the granite stone forest is hidden in the pine forest, and it takes 2–3 hours to walk around. ⏰ The light is best for filtering through the trees in the morning; in the afternoon, it's backlit and lacks depth. The boardwalks in the scenic area are well-maintained, making it easy for seniors and children. ⚠️ Temperatures approach zero degrees in the morning and evening after the Mid-Autumn Festival, so bring enough warm jackets. 🍜 Return to the city for a meal of iron pot stew; river fish and pork ribs cooked together are very warming. Yichun is suitable for people who don't want to rush; visit one place a day and take it slow. If you want to save money, stay in Tangwanghe Town, which is cheaper than staying at the entrance of the scenic area. 5️⃣ Xi'an | Shaanxi Xi'an is unbelievably crowded during the Mid-Autumn Festival, but choosing the right time can save your trip. Enter the Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum ⏰ as soon as it opens at 8:00 AM; after 10:00 AM, tour groups flood in, and you won't be able to move in Pit 1. ⚠️ You must book the History Museum in advance; free tickets sell out in seconds. If you can't get a reservation, go to the Stele Forest instead. The Qinling Zhongnan Mountain is great for a day trip; Cuihua Mountain or Nanwutai are both good options and are 10 degrees cooler than the city. Go up the Xi'an City Wall in the evening and rent a bicycle for a ride, which takes about 2 hours. 📍 Yongning Gate is the most convenient entrance and exit. At sunset, the city bricks glow gold, which looks better than during the day. 🍜 For food, head to Sajinqiao; the paomo and roujiamo are more authentic than those on the Muslim Quarter street. This is suitable for people with good stamina who can wake up early. Three days is just enough to split your time between the city and Lintong. 6️⃣ Golog | Qinghai It's already cold in Golog during the Mid-Autumn Festival, but the autumn colors at the First Bend of the Yellow River are worth the trip. Stay in Maqin County and hire a car to the viewing platform; road conditions are average, so don't drive at night. ⏰ Arrive 2 hours before sunset; the light hits the river bend at an angle, making the curve look like a golden thread. The altitude is over 3,600 meters, so ⚠️ walk slowly and don't run or jump. There is a boardwalk at the viewing platform, which is fine for seniors to walk slowly. It's windy at the top of the mountain, so bring a hat and scarf. 🍜 Return to the county seat for butter tea and tsampa, which will warm you up quickly. There are very few tourists after the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the entire grassland is so quiet that only the sound of the wind remains. This is suitable for people who want to avoid crowds and can handle high altitudes. Accommodation conditions are average, so don't have high expectations. 7️⃣ Suqian | Jiangsu Suqian is an underrated transit stop. The reeds at Hongze Lake Wetland are just starting to sprout during the Mid-Autumn Festival, and migratory birds are beginning to pass through; bring binoculars and you can watch them for half a day. 📍 Take a boat into the core area of the wetland park; it's less tiring than walking. ⏰ Birds are active in the morning, and the soft afternoon light is perfect for photographing the reeds. ⚠️ The park is large, and the electric shuttle bus charges an extra fee, so budget for it in advance. You can visit the Former Residence of Xiang Yu and Zaohe Ancient Town in the city on the way; half a day is enough. 🍜 Fish head soup and scrambled eggs with silverfish by Luoma Lake are local specialties. This is suitable for traveling with children or accompanying seniors; the pace is slow and the roads are flat. Stay in a lakeside guesthouse during the Mid-Autumn Festival; it's quiet at night and the prices are much cheaper than in southern Jiangsu. 8️⃣ Changji | Xinjiang Changji during the Mid-Autumn Festival is the most comfortable time in Xinjiang; melons and fruits are still in season, and the sky is high and clear. Land in Urumqi and drive east for an hour to get there. The wheat fields in Jiangbulake have been harvested by the Mid-Autumn Festival, but the meadows and pine forests are still there. ⏰ The light is best after 4:00 PM; the rolling hills look like a velvet blanket. Wucaiwan is best visited in the evening; the Yadan landforms turn red in the sunset. Heavenly Lake of Tianshan is nearby; ⚠️ the cable car queue is long, so if you want to save time, take the shuttle bus to the lakeside for a walk. 🍜 Return to Changji city for lagman (hand-pulled noodles) and barbecue; the portions are large, so one serving for two people is enough. This is suitable for people who want to drive and see vast landscapes. Three days is just enough to visit two directions; don't try to do too much, as travel time on the road is longer than you might think. Of these eight places, choose Golog and Yichun if you want peace and quiet during the Mid-Autumn Festival, or choose Xi'an and Changji if you want good food and sightseeing. Where are you planning to go? Let us know in the comments.

Some cities, despite their excellent natural beauty, are often used as transit points. I've picked a few places I'd love to visit repeatedly; they're better in the off-season, but you can still find a breather during peak season. The order isn't ranked, but each one deserves a few days' worth of time. 1️⃣ Weihai | Shandong Get to Chengshantou early. ⏰ Arrive before 6:30 AM, before the fog clears, and the outlines of the reefs look like ink drops in the water. Later, you'll hear tour group flags and horns. If driving, navigate to "Chengshantou Scenic Area." It's about a 10-minute walk from the parking lot to the viewing platform; wear non-slip shoes, as the rocks are very slippery when wet. Take a boat to Liugong Island. Buying the boat ticket and entrance ticket together is more convenient. There are electric carts on the island, but walking is more likely to reveal old houses and cats. A taxi from Weihai Station to the pier takes about 20 minutes. During peak season, it's recommended to book boat tickets a day in advance via their official WeChat account; queuing on-site will result in sunburn. ⚠️ Some exhibition halls close after 4 PM, so don't linger. Dining options on the island are limited and expensive; bring your own water and bread for a proper meal back in the city. Huaxia City is suitable for families with elders. The steps are gentle, and the greenery is lush; two hours is just right for a stroll. In the evening, go to Hanlefang for mackerel dumplings. 📍 Look for the stall that makes and cooks them fresh—thin skins and springy fillings. Weihai is a popular summer retreat, but hotel prices double in July and August. To save money, come in May or September; the seawater is cooler, less crowded, and the seafood is plumper. 2️⃣ Guoluo|Qinghai The First Bend of the Yellow River isn't on the main road; you have to make a special detour. 🚄 It's about a two-hour drive from Maqin County. The last stretch is a gravel road, so drive slowly if your car has low ground clearance. There's no direct public transportation; hiring a car or driving yourself is recommended. Fill up your tank before you leave, as gas stations are scarce along the way. ⏰ The light is best between 4 PM and 7 PM, turning the water in the bay a bronze hue. The wind is strong enough to blow your hat away; a hat with a drawstring is essential. The grasslands are greenest from June to August; snowfall may close roads after October, so check the weather forecast before you go. Above 3600 meters, avoid running and jumping. Stay in the county town; don't be tempted to stay in a tent nearby. Altitude sickness varies from person to person; prepare Rhodiola rosea and oxygen cylinders in advance. Don't force yourself to endure a headache. 🍜 Have a bowl of yak yogurt with sugar in the evening—it'll give you a jolt of sourness. Accommodation in the county town is basic, a standard room costs around 100-200 yuan, hot water is available for limited hours, so don't stay out too late showering. 3️⃣ Aba|Sichuan Be among the first to enter Jiuzhaigou. 🚄 The entrance opens at 7 AM. Take the sightseeing bus directly to Changhai Lake, then walk downhill. Going in reverse will avoid about 70% of the crowds. Tickets and sightseeing bus tickets are bundled and must be booked in advance on the official website with your real name. During peak season, tickets are almost impossible to get on the day of travel. Seeing Yaomei Peak at Siguniang Mountain depends on luck. ⏰ The best chance is before 8 AM when the clouds haven't yet risen. Take the bus in Shuangqiao Valley and ride horses in Changping Valley; choose according to your ability. Horse riding prices are calculated per section; negotiate beforehand and don't add extra charges midway. Huanglong's Five-Colored Pools are at the highest point; take the cable car up and walk down. ⚠️ Don't believe claims of "walking it in half an hour"; the boardwalk and altitude add to the experience, so allow at least three hours. Bring your own food; it's expensive and not very tasty on the mountain. The colorful forests are most beautiful in mid-to-late October, but there's a large temperature difference between day and night, so bring both down jackets and short-sleeved shirts. 4️⃣ Qiqihar|Heilongjiang At Zhalong Ecological Tourism Area, timing is crucial for watching the red-crowned crane release. ⏰ There are two shows, one at 10 AM and one at 2 PM. Arrive at the viewing platform 20 minutes early to secure a front-row seat. Tickets plus sightseeing bus cost about 70 yuan; buying online is a few yuan cheaper. Entry is by scanning your ID card. 🚄 Take bus 306 directly from the city center; the journey takes 40 minutes. Don't take a taxi; it's difficult to get one back. Bring binoculars; your phone won't be able to capture the moment the cranes take flight. The reeds are a vibrant green in summer and turn golden in autumn. The winter snowscape is also worth seeing, but the crane release events are reduced; call ahead to confirm. 🍜 Back in the city, have barbecue. The meat is mixed with onions and wrapped in perilla leaves. It's about 60 yuan per person and you'll be stuffed. Locals prefer established restaurants; the dipping sauce is sesame paste and fermented bean curd, quite different from Korean barbecue. 5️⃣ Changde|Hunan Taohuayuan is divided into two parts; explore the ancient town first, then head into the mountains. 📍 Take the shuttle bus from Wuliu Town to the entrance of Taohuashan. Reversing the order will add two kilometers to your walk. The ticket includes the shuttle bus; don't believe the touts offering "free tickets" at the entrance. ⏰ Peach blossoms are at their peak from mid-March to early April; the rest of the month is best spent exploring gardens. A boat trip on the Qinxi River is worthwhile; the narrow waterways and dense trees create a picturesque scene. Boat trips are an extra charge, about 50 yuan per person, and may be cancelled on rainy days. ⚠️ There are many Lei Cha (擂茶) shops in the ancient town; choose the one with the stone mortar at the entrance. Changde summers are hot and humid, so it's best to go hiking early and rest in a teahouse at midday. 🍜 Changde rice noodles are a good breakfast option; round noodles are more flavorful than flat noodles, and they're often served with pickled cowpeas and beef. Locals also like to have a bowl of mung bean soup with it, which is both refreshing and helps cool you down. 6️⃣ Shiyan|Hubei Don't expect to climb Wudang Mountain in one day. 🚄 Take bus 202 from Shiyan Station to the mountain gate, then transfer to a scenic area bus. The cable car is the easiest way to get up and down to the Golden Summit, but the queues can be incredibly long. Tickets plus bus fare are around 200 yuan; cable car tickets are sold separately, and online packages are slightly cheaper. ⏰ To see the sea of ​​clouds, stay on the mountain and set off at 5 AM. Just look at the incense burner at Nanyan Palace; don't climb over the railings. Mountain accommodations are expensive and limited; book a week in advance during peak season, and don't expect too much. ⚠️ Bottled water on the mountain costs 8 yuan a bottle; bring your own. Zixiao Palace is a good place to relax. Red walls and green tiles; the light softens after 4 PM. April and October have the most comfortable weather; summer hiking will make you sweat profusely, while some sections of the trail are icy in winter. 🍜 On the way down, eat Sanhe Tang (a local soup), a stew of beef, dumplings, and sweet potato noodles—spicy and comforting. Pair it with a guokui (a type of flatbread) broken into pieces and soaked in the soup. 7️⃣ Anshan|Liaoning Qianshan is divided into North Valley and South Valley. North Valley has more temples, while South Valley has more wild scenery. 📍 Enter from the main gate, first visit Wuliang Temple, then climb Wufoding (Five Buddha Peak); the whole trip takes four hours. Tickets are around 80 yuan, and the cable car is 40 yuan one way. If you're not physically fit, take the cable car up and walk down. ⏰ October is the best time to visit for autumn foliage, but it's also the most crowded. For a quieter experience, go in May when the pear blossoms are just beginning to bloom and the mountain is still cool. Spring is windy, so bring a windproof jacket. ⚠️ Don't wear sneakers; the stone steps are slippery. If you're with elderly people, take the cable car up to the top and then slowly walk down. There are few shops on the mountain, so bring your own water and snacks. 🍜 At the foot of the mountain, you can freely enter any lamb soup restaurant. The soup is white and the meat is tender, served with steamed buns. It costs 20 yuan a bowl. A bowl of this in winter will warm you from your stomach to your feet. 8️⃣ Beihai|Guangxi Book your Weizhou Island ferry tickets three days in advance. 🚄 Beiyou 25 is more stable than Beiyou 12; choose a larger ferry if you get seasick. Rent an electric cart on the island for 60 yuan a day; don't rent a sightseeing car. A boat ticket plus island access fee costs around 200 yuan. Tickets are extremely difficult to obtain during peak season, so set an alarm to grab one. ⏰ Watch the sunrise at Wucai Beach and the sunset at Dishui Danping. Go to Crocodile Mountain in the afternoon; the light shining on the volcanic rocks is most beautiful. The island has strong UV rays, so sunscreen and a hat are essential. ⚠️ Don't follow the touts at the seafood market entrance; buy your seafood and find a restaurant to cook it yourself. Cooking fees are calculated by weight, so ask before ordering. Go to Beihai Silver Beach in the evening. The sand is as fine as flour, but it's incredibly crowded. Walk 500 meters east, and the crowds will be halved. 🍜 The sweet soup at Qiaogang Style Street, with acacia flower powder and coconut milk, costs 4 yuan a bowl. Vietnamese rice noodle rolls and crab roe noodles are also worth trying; you can eat until you're stuffed for about 30 yuan per person. If you visit three of these eight places, you're impressive. If you visit five, you probably won't care what others say about the attractions. Pick the nearest weekend and go! Some cities, despite their excellent natural beauty, are often used as transit points. I've picked a few places I'd love to visit repeatedly; they're better in the off-season, but you can still find a breather during peak season. The order isn't ranked, but each one deserves a few days' worth of time. 1️⃣ Weihai | Shandong Get to Chengshantou early. ⏰ Arrive before 6:30 AM, before the fog clears, and the outlines of the reefs look like ink drops in the water. Later, you'll hear tour group flags and horns. If driving, navigate to "Chengshantou Scenic Area." It's about a 10-minute walk from the parking lot to the viewing platform; wear non-slip shoes, as the rocks are very slippery when wet. Take a boat to Liugong Island. Buying the boat ticket and entrance ticket together is more convenient. There are electric carts on the island, but walking is more likely to reveal old houses and cats. A taxi from Weihai Station to the pier takes about 20 minutes. During peak season, it's recommended to book boat tickets a day in advance via their official WeChat account; queuing on-site will result in sunburn. ⚠️ Some exhibition halls close after 4 PM, so don't linger. Dining options on the island are limited and expensive; bring your own water and bread for a proper meal back in the city. Huaxia City is suitable for families with elders. The steps are gentle, and the greenery is lush; two hours is just right for a stroll. In the evening, go to Hanlefang for mackerel dumplings. 📍 Look for the stall that makes and cooks them fresh—thin skins and springy fillings. Weihai is a popular summer retreat, but hotel prices double in July and August. To save money, come in May or September; the seawater is cooler, less crowded, and the seafood is plumper. 2️⃣ Guoluo|Qinghai The First Bend of the Yellow River isn't on the main road; you have to make a special detour. 🚄 It's about a two-hour drive from Maqin County. The last stretch is a gravel road, so drive slowly if your car has low ground clearance. There's no direct public transportation; hiring a car or driving yourself is recommended. Fill up your tank before you leave, as gas stations are scarce along the way. ⏰ The light is best between 4 PM and 7 PM, turning the water in the bay a bronze hue. The wind is strong enough to blow your hat away; a hat with a drawstring is essential. The grasslands are greenest from June to August; snowfall may close roads after October, so check the weather forecast before you go. Above 3600 meters, avoid running and jumping. Stay in the county town; don't be tempted to stay in a tent nearby. Altitude sickness varies from person to person; prepare Rhodiola rosea and oxygen cylinders in advance. Don't force yourself to endure a headache. 🍜 Have a bowl of yak yogurt with sugar in the evening—it'll give you a jolt of sourness. Accommodation in the county town is basic, a standard room costs around 100-200 yuan, hot water is available for limited hours, so don't stay out too late showering. 3️⃣ Aba|Sichuan Be among the first to enter Jiuzhaigou. 🚄 The entrance opens at 7 AM. Take the sightseeing bus directly to Changhai Lake, then walk downhill. Going in reverse will avoid about 70% of the crowds. Tickets and sightseeing bus tickets are bundled and must be booked in advance on the official website with your real name. During peak season, tickets are almost impossible to get on the day of travel. Seeing Yaomei Peak at Siguniang Mountain depends on luck. ⏰ The best chance is before 8 AM when the clouds haven't yet risen. Take the bus in Shuangqiao Valley and ride horses in Changping Valley; choose according to your ability. Horse riding prices are calculated per section; negotiate beforehand and don't add extra charges midway. Huanglong's Five-Colored Pools are at the highest point; take the cable car up and walk down. ⚠️ Don't believe claims of "walking it in half an hour"; the boardwalk and altitude add to the experience, so allow at least three hours. Bring your own food; it's expensive and not very tasty on the mountain. The colorful forests are most beautiful in mid-to-late October, but there's a large temperature difference between day and night, so bring both down jackets and short-sleeved shirts. 4️⃣ Qiqihar|Heilongjiang At Zhalong Ecological Tourism Area, timing is crucial for watching the red-crowned crane release. ⏰ There are two shows, one at 10 AM and one at 2 PM. Arrive at the viewing platform 20 minutes early to secure a front-row seat. Tickets plus sightseeing bus cost about 70 yuan; buying online is a few yuan cheaper. Entry is by scanning your ID card. 🚄 Take bus 306 directly from the city center; the journey takes 40 minutes. Don't take a taxi; it's difficult to get one back. Bring binoculars; your phone won't be able to capture the moment the cranes take flight. The reeds are a vibrant green in summer and turn golden in autumn. The winter snowscape is also worth seeing, but the crane release events are reduced; call ahead to confirm. 🍜 Back in the city, have barbecue. The meat is mixed with onions and wrapped in perilla leaves. It's about 60 yuan per person and you'll be stuffed. Locals prefer established restaurants; the dipping sauce is sesame paste and fermented bean curd, quite different from Korean barbecue. 5️⃣ Changde|Hunan Taohuayuan is divided into two parts; explore the ancient town first, then head into the mountains. 📍 Take the shuttle bus from Wuliu Town to the entrance of Taohuashan. Reversing the order will add two kilometers to your walk. The ticket includes the shuttle bus; don't believe the touts offering "free tickets" at the entrance. ⏰ Peach blossoms are at their peak from mid-March to early April; the rest of the month is best spent exploring gardens. A boat trip on the Qinxi River is worthwhile; the narrow waterways and dense trees create a picturesque scene. Boat trips are an extra charge, about 50 yuan per person, and may be cancelled on rainy days. ⚠️ There are many Lei Cha (擂茶) shops in the ancient town; choose the one with the stone mortar at the entrance. Changde summers are hot and humid, so it's best to go hiking early and rest in a teahouse at midday. 🍜 Changde rice noodles are a good breakfast option; round noodles are more flavorful than flat noodles, and they're often served with pickled cowpeas and beef. Locals also like to have a bowl of mung bean soup with it, which is both refreshing and helps cool you down. 6️⃣ Shiyan|Hubei Don't expect to climb Wudang Mountain in one day. 🚄 Take bus 202 from Shiyan Station to the mountain gate, then transfer to a scenic area bus. The cable car is the easiest way to get up and down to the Golden Summit, but the queues can be incredibly long. Tickets plus bus fare are around 200 yuan; cable car tickets are sold separately, and online packages are slightly cheaper. ⏰ To see the sea of ​​clouds, stay on the mountain and set off at 5 AM. Just look at the incense burner at Nanyan Palace; don't climb over the railings. Mountain accommodations are expensive and limited; book a week in advance during peak season, and don't expect too much. ⚠️ Bottled water on the mountain costs 8 yuan a bottle; bring your own. Zixiao Palace is a good place to relax. Red walls and green tiles; the light softens after 4 PM. April and October have the most comfortable weather; summer hiking will make you sweat profusely, while some sections of the trail are icy in winter. 🍜 On the way down, eat Sanhe Tang (a local soup), a stew of beef, dumplings, and sweet potato noodles—spicy and comforting. Pair it with a guokui (a type of flatbread) broken into pieces and soaked in the soup. 7️⃣ Anshan|Liaoning Qianshan is divided into North Valley and South Valley. North Valley has more temples, while South Valley has more wild scenery. 📍 Enter from the main gate, first visit Wuliang Temple, then climb Wufoding (Five Buddha Peak); the whole trip takes four hours. Tickets are around 80 yuan, and the cable car is 40 yuan one way. If you're not physically fit, take the cable car up and walk down. ⏰ October is the best time to visit for autumn foliage, but it's also the most crowded. For a quieter experience, go in May when the pear blossoms are just beginning to bloom and the mountain is still cool. Spring is windy, so bring a windproof jacket. ⚠️ Don't wear sneakers; the stone steps are slippery. If you're with elderly people, take the cable car up to the top and then slowly walk down. There are few shops on the mountain, so bring your own water and snacks. 🍜 At the foot of the mountain, you can freely enter any lamb soup restaurant. The soup is white and the meat is tender, served with steamed buns. It costs 20 yuan a bowl. A bowl of this in winter will warm you from your stomach to your feet. 8️⃣ Beihai|Guangxi Book your Weizhou Island ferry tickets three days in advance. 🚄 Beiyou 25 is more stable than Beiyou 12; choose a larger ferry if you get seasick. Rent an electric cart on the island for 60 yuan a day; don't rent a sightseeing car. A boat ticket plus island access fee costs around 200 yuan. Tickets are extremely difficult to obtain during peak season, so set an alarm to grab one. ⏰ Watch the sunrise at Wucai Beach and the sunset at Dishui Danping. Go to Crocodile Mountain in the afternoon; the light shining on the volcanic rocks is most beautiful. The island has strong UV rays, so sunscreen and a hat are essential. ⚠️ Don't follow the touts at the seafood market entrance; buy your seafood and find a restaurant to cook it yourself. Cooking fees are calculated by weight, so ask before ordering. Go to Beihai Silver Beach in the evening. The sand is as fine as flour, but it's incredibly crowded. Walk 500 meters east, and the crowds will be halved. 🍜 The sweet soup at Qiaogang Style Street, with acacia flower powder and coconut milk, costs 4 yuan a bowl. Vietnamese rice noodle rolls and crab roe noodles are also worth trying; you can eat until you're stuffed for about 30 yuan per person. If you visit three of these eight places, you're impressive. If you visit five, you probably won't care what others say about the attractions. Pick the nearest weekend and go!

Stay for three days and these 8️⃣ places will make you fall in love with life again 01 Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture | Yunnan At 6:30 in the morning, before the mist had even dissipated in Menglun Town, I was already inside the Tropical Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. 🌴 The water in the palm area reflected the leaves of the giant water lilies, and the damp, grassy scent instantly refreshed me. If you're only visiting one garden, choose this one; you can spend half an hour just watching the strangling fig trees. Don't try to see everything at once. Don't rush off at noon. Find a family in the Dai Ethnic Cultural Park and have some hand-grabbed rice. 🍜 Lemongrass-grilled fish with purple rice is sour and spicy, and the owner will even teach you how to wrap rice noodles and crushed peanuts in lettuce and chew them together. ⚠️ Remember, the water splashing performance at 2 pm is so crowded you can't get to the front row. If you want to watch, stand on the east side of the pool to avoid getting too soaked. In the evening, head to the Primitive Forest Park and stroll slowly along the boardwalk. The peacocks are released at 3:30 PM. Don't be disappointed if you miss it; the sunlight filtering through the vines after 6 PM is more beautiful than any performance. There are plenty of mosquitoes, so long sleeves and pants are more effective than mosquito repellent. 02 Jiaxing City | Zhejiang Between Wuzhen and Xitang, I advise you to choose only one. The night view of Wuzhen Xizha is indeed exquisite, with lights illuminating both sides of the river, like stepping into a period drama set, but the entrance fee and boat ticket combined are not cheap. Xitang is more relaxed, with a stronger sense of daily life. Under the covered corridors, people are drying plum vegetables, and old ladies at the bridge sell freshly made pork rice dumplings. If I had to choose, I'd pick Xitang. At 7 AM, before the tourists flood in, if you walk north along Huanxiu Bridge, you can hear the sound of clothes being pounded with a mallet. 🍜 Grandma Guan's stinky tofu is right under the bridge, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, perfect with a spoonful of sweet and spicy sauce. ⚠️ The long corridor gets incredibly crowded on weekend afternoons, so either go early or enter the park after dusk. The cobblestone paths are slippery, so avoid wearing high heels on rainy days. The nighttime boat tour is suitable for couples, but it's also comfortable for solo travelers; the rhythmic rowing of the boatwoman can let you relax for ten minutes. 03 Harbin City | Heilongjiang If you come in winter, the Ice and Snow World is the highlight, but I have to pour cold water on that – it's below -20 degrees Celsius inside, and your phone will freeze and shut down after half an hour. ⏰ Entering the park at 3 PM is the most cost-effective. Play on the ice slides first, take panoramic photos while it's still light, and then take nighttime photos when all the lights are on. Experience the two-hour temperature difference all at once. Visit St. Sophia Cathedral during the day; pigeons fly around the dome, and the old man feeding them in the square will tell you which wall is best for portrait photography without backlighting. ⚠️ The interior of the cathedral is not very spacious, and it's closed on Mondays, so don't make a wasted trip. Volga Manor is located on the outskirts of the city, about a 40-minute taxi ride. It's more comfortable to visit in summer; the birch forest and Russian-style wooden houses are like an oil painting. In winter, the wind is so strong it can blow your hat away. Harbin's pace is perfect for leisurely strolls. Enjoy a Madier ice cream bar on Central Street while walking; even if it chills you to the bone, it's worth it—it's a ritual unique to this city. 🚄 Return to the city from the Ice and Snow World. The last subway train leaves at 10:30 PM, so don't overstay your welcome. 04 Weifang City | Shandong Qingzhou Ancient City is different from other ancient cities I've visited; it's unpretentious. Locals still live on the old street outside Fucai Gate. In the early morning, you can find vendors selling tofu pudding from tricycles—the broth is savory and fragrant, served with a freshly fried dough stick; four yuan is enough to fill you up. The attractions within the ancient city are scattered. I recommend using Ouyuan Garden as a center; heading east leads to Zhaode Ancient Street, and heading west leads to Beimen Street. ⏰ After 2 PM, the sunlight shines obliquely on the brick walls, making the textures particularly clear, perfect for capturing details. ⚠️ Zhenjiao Temple is not open to the public. Just take a photo at the entrance; don't force your way in and disturb them. In the evening, take a walk in Fangongting Park. The lake is calm, and the lights under the bridge are reflected in pairs. 🍜 Longsheng Pastry Shop at the entrance of the ancient city offers classic flavors like honey-glazed pastries and peach crisps. Buy half a pound to take away as a snack; it's more affordable than those trendy shops in the scenic area. Qingzhou is suitable for those who aren't in a rush. Two days are enough: one day to explore the streets and alleys, and one day for the museum, where the Buddha statues of Longxing Temple are located. The silence is so profound that you almost dare not breathe loudly. 05 Dandong City | Liaoning Walk across the Broken Bridge over the Yalu River. The smell of rust mixed with the river breeze fills your nose, and you can clearly see the houses on the opposite bank. ⚠️ Tickets are required to cross the bridge. Entry closes at 4:30 PM. If you want to photograph the bridge's lights, go up around 4 PM. Phoenix Mountain is for those with nimble legs. The section at Laoniubei (Old Ox Back) is almost vertical, requiring the use of both hands and feet to traverse; those with a fear of heights are advised to take the gentler slope boardwalk. ⏰ Arrive at the mountain gate before 9 AM, otherwise the cable car queue can be an hour long. After descending the mountain, head to Kuandian River Estuary. The river carp stewed at the riverside farmhouses has no muddy taste and is served with a plate of stir-fried river clams—it's incredibly delicious. Lvjiang Village is further away, a three-hour drive from the city center, and the road conditions are average. However, from June to July, the river island is covered in rapeseed flowers, creating a fairyland-like scene when the morning mist hasn't dissipated. 🚄 If you're not driving, it's recommended to hire a car for a day trip. The driver knows the roads well and can even help you reach the viewing platform just in time for sunset. Dandong has a very relaxed atmosphere; you'll see people fishing every few steps along the riverside path, and the slow pace makes you want to retire. 06 Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture | Qinghai The First Bend of the Yellow River is located in Dari County. It's not a typical tourist route, and the road conditions are average, but the moment you stand on the viewing platform, you'll feel it's worth it. The Yellow River here is a clear, turquoise green, and the bend resembles a ribbon winding through the valley, completely overturning any preconceived notions you might have about the Yellow River. At an altitude of nearly 4,000 meters, it's normal to be out of breath after just a few steps. ⚠️ Avoid strenuous running and jumping. Sunscreen and a hat are essential; the ultraviolet radiation at high altitudes is no joke. ⏰ The light is softest between 4 and 6 pm, shimmering the river with golden light—photographs ten times more beautiful than the stark white of midday. There are no entrance fees, no shops, and no hordes of tourists. All you need is a thermos of hot water and a peaceful mind to sit on a rock and watch the river slowly bend. 🍜 On the way back to town, find a Tibetan restaurant and order a bowl of yak meat noodles. The rich broth and fragrant meat will dispel the chill of the day. Suitable for those who enjoy a sense of desolation. If you're used to well-equipped tourist attractions, this place might leave you feeling overwhelmed, but the vastness of being surrounded by nature and the river is something you can't find anywhere else. 07 Qiannan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture | Guizhou The essence of Libo Zhangjiang lies in Xiaoqikong. ⏰ Rushing in as soon as it opens at 8 am, head straight to Wolongtan. At that time, the water is completely still, the blue-green pool like a piece of solidified jade; every snapshot is wallpaper-worthy. Walk along the path towards Cuigu Waterfall; the entire route is filled with cascading waterfalls and small pools, the sound of the water drowning out the cicadas' chirping. ⚠️ Wear non-slip shoes for the Water Forest section; the rocks are very slippery after being soaked in water, and I witnessed someone slip and fall. Young people can walk the entire route, but those with elderly people or children should turn back at the Stone Forest section, as the latter half involves more uphill climbing. The Daqikong Scenic Area is even more secluded. Take a boat into the Natural Bridge, where the boatman poles through the narrow canyon with bamboo poles, the sunlight dappled into tiny spots by the cliff walls. 🍜 The roasted corn sold at the scenic area entrance isn't very good. It's better to go to Libo County and have a bowl of fermented pork with chili dipping sauce. Not everyone can accept it, but you'll know what authentic taste is once you try it. The humidity is high, and the fog is thick, so clothes easily get damp. Staying in a guesthouse near the scenic area, you can hear frogs croaking and the sound of flowing water in the evening, which is more soothing than any white noise. 08 Shigatse City | Tibet For viewing Mount Everest, the Rongbuk Monastery area in Tingri County is the best viewpoint. ⏰ After 9:30 pm, the sky completely darkens, and the mountain outline is clearly visible in the moonlight. If you're lucky, you can see the Milky Way stretching across the summit. ⚠️ The base camp is at an altitude of 5,200 meters. Don't shower for the first two days. Prepare altitude sickness medication and oxygen cylinders; don't try to tough it out. During the day, visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, the former residence of the Panchen Lamas. It's even quieter than the Potala Palace. The pilgrimage route is filled with Tibetan pilgrims prostrating themselves in prayer; simply walk quietly and don't disturb them. Inside the monastery's Jampa Buddha Hall, the bronze Buddha statue is 26 meters tall; looking up at it will strain your neck and leave you speechless. 🍜 In Shigatse city, there's a Tibetan noodle shop serving sweet tea. The noodles are chewy, and the broth is made from yak bones—a bowl of it will warm you from head to toe. ⚠️ Photography is prohibited inside the monasteries. The butter lamps in front of the Buddha statues have a strong smell, and glasses may fog up if you wear them—don't panic. 🚄 The high-speed train from Lhasa to Shigatse takes about two hours, much less strenuous than driving. Spend a night at the foot of Mount Everest. The next morning, if the weather is good, open your window and you can see the golden sunrise illuminating the mountain. At that moment, you'll understand that some scenery isn't meant to be seen, but to be remembered. The significance of a short stay isn't about how many places you visit, but about that moment when you suddenly feel time slows down. How many of these eight places have you been to? Which one would make you want to stay longer? Let's chat in the comments. A three-day stay: These 8️⃣ places will make you fall in love with life again. 01 Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture | Yunnan At 6:30 in the morning, before the mist had even dissipated in Menglun Town, I was already inside the Tropical Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. 🌴 The water in the palm area reflected the leaves of the giant water lilies, and the damp, grassy scent instantly refreshed me. If you're only going to one garden, choose this one; you can spend half an hour just observing the strangling fig trees. Don't try to see everything. Don't rush off at noon. Find a family in the Dai Ethnic Cultural Park and have some hand-grabbed rice. 🍜 Lemongrass grilled fish with purple rice—a tangy and spicy appetizer. The owner will even teach you how to wrap rice noodles and crushed peanuts in lettuce and chew them together. ⚠️ Remember, the water splashing performance at 2 PM is so crowded you can't get to the front row. If you want to watch, stand on the east side of the pool to avoid getting too soaked. In the evening, go to the Primitive Forest Park and stroll along the boardwalk. The peacock release is at 3:30 PM; don't worry if you miss it, the sunlight filtering through the vines after 6 PM is more beautiful than any performance. There are many mosquitoes, so long sleeves and pants are more effective than mosquito repellent. 02 Jiaxing City | Zhejiang Between Wuzhen and Xitang, I advise you to choose only one. The night view of Wuzhen Xizha is indeed exquisite, with lights illuminating both sides of the river, like stepping into a period drama set, but the entrance fee and boat ticket combined are not cheap. Xitang is more relaxed, with a stronger sense of daily life; people are drying plums under the covered corridors, and old ladies are selling freshly made meat dumplings at the bridgehead. If I had to choose, I'd choose Xitang. At 7 a.m., before the crowds arrive, you can walk north along Huanxiu Bridge and hear the sound of clothes being pounded with mallets. 🍜 Grandma Guan's stinky tofu is right under the bridge; crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, it's perfect with a spoonful of sweet and spicy sauce. ⚠️ On weekend afternoons, the long corridor gets incredibly crowded, so either go early or enter the scenic area after dusk. The cobblestone paths are slippery, so don't wear high heels on rainy days. The nighttime boat ride is suitable for couples, but it's also comfortable for solo travelers; the rhythmic rowing of the boatwoman can let you relax for ten minutes. 03 Harbin City | Heilongjiang If you come in winter, the Ice and Snow World is the highlight, but I have to pour cold water on that – it's below -20 degrees Celsius inside, and your phone will freeze and shut down after half an hour. ⏰ Entering the park at 3 PM is the most cost-effective. Start by playing on the ice slides, take panoramic photos while it's still light, and then add nighttime shots when all the lights are on. Experience the two-hour temperature difference all at once. Visit St. Sophia Cathedral during the day; pigeons circle the dome, and the old man feeding them in the square will tell you which wall is best for portrait photography without backlighting. ⚠️ The cathedral's interior is not very spacious and it's closed on Mondays, so don't make a wasted trip. Volga Manor is in the suburbs, about a 40-minute taxi ride. It's more comfortable to visit in summer; the birch forest and Russian-style wooden houses are like an oil painting. In winter, the wind is so strong it can blow your hat away. Harbin's pace is perfect for leisurely strolls. Enjoy a Madier ice cream on Central Street while walking; even if it's freezing, it's worth it—it's a ritual unique to this city. 🚄 Return to the city from the Ice and Snow World; the last subway train leaves at 10:30 PM, so don't overstay your welcome. 04 Weifang City | Shandong Qingzhou Ancient City is different from other ancient cities I've visited; it's unpretentious. Locals still live on the old street outside Fucai Gate. In the early morning, vendors sell tofu pudding from tricycles; the broth is savory and fragrant, and paired with a freshly fried dough stick, it's a filling meal for four yuan. The attractions within the ancient city are scattered. I recommend using Ouyuan Garden as a center; heading east leads to Zhaode Ancient Street, and heading west leads to Beimen Street. ⏰ After 2 PM, the sunlight shines obliquely on the brick walls, making the textures particularly clear, perfect for capturing details. ⚠️ Zhenjiao Temple is not open to the public; just take a photo at the entrance and don't force your way in and disturb them. In the evening, take a walk in Fangongting Park. The lake is calm, and the reflections of the lights under the bridge create a double effect. 🍜 Longsheng Pastry Shop at the entrance of the ancient city offers classic flavors like honey-glazed pastries and peach crisps. Buy half a jin (250g) to take away as snacks—more affordable than those trendy shops in tourist areas. Qingzhou is suitable for those who aren't in a rush. Two days are enough. One day to explore the streets and alleys, and one day to visit the museum, which houses the Buddha statues of Longxing Temple. The silence is so profound you almost dare not breathe. 05 Dandong City | Liaoning Walk across the Broken Bridge over the Yalu River. The smell of rust mingles with the river breeze, filling your nostrils. The houses on the opposite bank are clearly visible. ⚠️ Tickets are required to cross the bridge. Entry closes at 4:30 PM. If you want to photograph the bridge's lights, head up around 4 PM. Phoenix Mountain is for those with nimble legs. The section at Laoniubei (Old Ox Back) is almost vertical; you need to use both hands and feet to get across. If you're afraid of heights, I recommend taking the gentler slope boardwalk. ⏰ Arrive at the mountain gate before 9 AM, otherwise, the cable car queue can be an hour long. After descending the mountain, head to Kuandian River Estuary. The river carp stewed at the riverside farmhouses has no muddy taste and comes with a plate of stir-fried river clams—it's incredibly delicious! Lujiang Village is further away, a three-hour drive from the city center. The road conditions are average. From June to July, the river island is covered in rapeseed flowers, creating a fairyland-like scene when the morning mist hasn't yet dissipated. 🚄 If you're not driving, it's recommended to hire a car for a day trip. The driver knows the way and can even help you reach the viewing platform just in time for sunset. Dandong has a very relaxed atmosphere. Along the riverside path, you'll see people fishing every few steps; the pace is so slow it makes you want to retire. 06 Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture | Qinghai The First Bend of the Yellow River is located in Dari County. It's not a typical tourist route, and the road conditions are average, but the moment you stand on the viewing platform, you'll feel it's worth it. The Yellow River here is a clear turquoise, and the bend resembles a ribbon winding through the valley, overturning all your preconceived notions about the Yellow River. At an altitude of nearly 4,000 meters, it's normal to be out of breath after just a few steps. ⚠️ Avoid strenuous running and jumping. Sunscreen and a hat are essential; the ultraviolet radiation at high altitudes is no joke. ⏰ The light is softest between 4 PM and 6 PM, shimmering the river with golden light, making for photos ten times more beautiful than the stark white of midday. There are no entrance fees, no shops, and no throngs of tourists. All you need is a thermos of hot water and a peaceful mind, to sit on a rock and watch the river slowly meander. 🍜 On the way back to town, find a Tibetan restaurant and order a bowl of yak meat noodles. The rich broth and fragrant meat will dispel the chill of the day. Suitable for those who appreciate a sense of desolation. If you're used to well-equipped tourist attractions, this place might leave you feeling a bit overwhelmed, but the vastness of being surrounded by the river and nature is something you can't find anywhere else. 07 Qiannan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture | Guizhou The essence of the Zhangjiang River in Libo is Xiaoqikong. ⏰ Rush in as soon as it opens at 8 AM, heading straight to Wolongtan. At that time, the water is completely still, the blue-green pool like solidified jade; every snapshot is wallpaper-worthy. Walking along the trail towards Cuigu Waterfall, the path is filled with cascading waterfalls and small pools, the sound of the water drowning out the cicadas' chirping. ⚠️ Wear non-slip shoes for the Water Forest section; the rocks are very slippery after being soaked in water, and I witnessed someone slip and fall. Young people can complete the entire route, but those with elderly people or children should turn back at the Stone Forest section, as the latter half involves more uphill climbing. Daqikong is even more secluded. Take a boat into the Natural Bridge; the boatman poles through the narrow canyon with a bamboo pole, and the sunlight overhead is dappled into tiny spots by the cliff walls. 🍜 The roasted corn sold at the scenic area entrance isn't very good. It's better to go to Libo County and have a bowl of fermented pork with chili dipping sauce. Not everyone can accept it, but you'll know what authentic local cuisine is once you try it. The humidity is high, and the fog is thick, so clothes easily get damp. Staying in a guesthouse near the scenic area, you can hear the croaking of frogs and the sound of flowing water in the evening, which is more soothing than any white noise. 08 Shigatse City | Tibet For viewing Mount Everest, the Rongbuk Monastery area in Tingri County is the best viewpoint. ⏰ After 9:30 PM, as darkness falls, the mountain's outline becomes clearly visible under the moonlight. With luck, you might even see the Milky Way stretching across the summit. ⚠️ The base camp is at an altitude of 5,200 meters. Don't shower for the first two days. Prepare altitude sickness medication and oxygen cylinders; don't try to tough it out. During the day, visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, the former residence of the Panchen Lamas. It's quieter than the Potala Palace. The pilgrimage route is filled with Tibetan pilgrims prostrating themselves. Just walk quietly and don't disturb them. The Jampa Buddha Hall inside the monastery houses a 26-meter-tall bronze Buddha statue; looking up at it will make your neck ache and leave you speechless. 🍜 There's a Tibetan noodle shop in Shigatse city. The noodles are served with sweet tea; the noodles are chewy, and the broth is made from yak bones. A bowl of this will warm you from head to toe. ⚠️ Photography is prohibited inside the temples. The smell of butter lamps in front of the Buddha statues is very strong, and glasses may fog up if you wear them. Don't panic. 🚄 The high-speed train from Lhasa to Shigatse takes about two hours, much less strenuous than driving. Spend a night at the foot of Mount Everest, and if the weather is good, you can see the golden sunrise on the mountain when you open your window the next morning. At that moment, you'll understand that some scenery isn't meant to be seen, but to be remembered. The meaning of a short stay isn't about how many places you visit, but about a moment when you suddenly feel—time slows down. How many of these eight places have you visited? Which one would you like to stay longer? Let's discuss in the comments.

Don't stay home this weekend! These 8 road trip routes have fewer crowds and beautiful scenery 1️⃣ Tai'an | Shandong ⏰ Depart from Hongmen at 4:00 PM. It's not too sunny at this time, and you'll reach Zhongtian Gate just in time for the sunset. I've tried starting at 8:00 AM; not only is it crowded, but the steps get scorching hot, making for a much worse experience. 📍 On Qingnian Road outside the North Gate of Dai Temple, there are several "sa" soup shops that have been open for over a decade. Having a bowl after hiking down, paired with a fried dough stick, is much better than a 30 yuan bowl of instant noodles at the summit. ⚠️ If you're hiking at night to see the sunrise, remember to bring a thick jacket; the temperature difference between the summit and the base can be 10 degrees. If you're not very fit, don't push yourself to do the whole thing. Take the scenic shuttle from Tianwai Village to Zhongtian Gate and hike from there to save half the effort. 🚄 If driving, navigate directly to the Hongmen parking lot. Parking is tight on holidays, so I recommend arriving before 7:00 AM. Taking a taxi from Taishan Station costs about 15 yuan, which is less stressful than looking for a parking spot. 2️⃣ Zhuzhou | Hunan To be honest, if you're coming to Yandi Mausoleum just for the "mausoleum" part, you might be disappointed. It's more like a quiet cultural park for sacrificial rites. But if you like ancient architecture and the atmosphere of dense pine and cypress trees, ⏰ arrive before 9:00 AM. The way the light filters through the trees is worth the price of admission. 📍 From downtown Zhuzhou, take the Jinggang'ao Expressway and transfer to the Quannan Expressway, then exit at Luyuan. The whole trip takes 1.5 hours. If you're not driving, there are direct buses from Zhuzhou Bus Station to Yanling, but they are infrequent, and you'll wait a long time if you miss one. 🍜 Yellow peaches and Nai plums are specialties of Yanling County. If you come in July or August, the roadside is full of fruit farmers selling them, which is half the price of what you'll find in the scenic area. For food, I recommend the old street in the county; the blood duck and stuffed tofu are prepared in the local style and are authentically spicy. ⚠️ The electric carts in the park cost extra, but you can walk the whole loop in just 40 minutes, so it's not really worth the money. Unless you're bringing elderly people, that is. 3️⃣ Qiqihar | Heilongjiang Zhalong is a completely different world in autumn compared to summer. ⏰ By mid-to-late September, the reeds turn completely yellow. When the wind blows, they look like golden waves. The sight of the red-crowned cranes flying overhead is a memory I still cherish. 📍 There are fixed release times every day: 10:30 AM and 2:30 PM. Get there 20 minutes early to grab a spot and stand downwind—cranes take off against the wind. Don't ask me how I know. ⚠️ There are an absurd number of mosquitoes in the scenic area, so use bug spray like perfume. Also, don't wear white shoes; the muddy paths near the reed marshes will ruin them in one walk. 🚄 It's a 40-minute drive from downtown Qiqihar, and the road conditions are good. There are also special bus lines, but the wait times are long, so driving is more flexible. It's great for kids; their eyes will light up when the flock of cranes takes off. 4️⃣ Golog | Qinghai For the First Bend of the Yellow River, I advise you not to treat it just as a "photo op" spot. 📍 Departing from Dawu Town in Maqen County, drive along the provincial highway for over two hours. Along the way, grasslands, yaks, and prayer flags appear one after another—the scenery is all on the road. ⏰ July and August are the only suitable windows to visit. In other months, either heavy snow blocks the roads or the grass is yellow. At 7:00 PM, the sun is still hanging over the mountains, and the light turns the river bend into a silver ribbon. Any photo you take with your phone will look like a wallpaper. ⚠️ The altitude is 4,200 meters, so don't run or jump; it's normal to get winded after a few steps. If you're driving, fill up your gas tank beforehand. Gas stations along the way are far apart, so don't take any chances. 🍜 You can try the Tibetan food in Dawu Town. You might not be used to butter tea and tsampa the first time, but drinking them while looking out at the grassland outside the window feels different. Accommodation conditions are average; if you have high standards for hygiene, I suggest bringing your own sleeping bag liner. 5️⃣ Laibin | Guangxi For these two spots in Jinxiu, Panwangjie in Dayao Mountain and Lotus Mountain, I suggest choosing one. Panwangjie is more cultural, with Yao ethnic song and dance and architecture; Lotus Mountain is purely for hiking and viewing stone peaks, which is physically demanding. 📍 The best part of Lotus Mountain is from ⏰ 6:30 AM to 8:00 AM, when clouds and mist surge up from the valley, making the stone peaks look like they're floating on the sea. After 9:00 AM, the mist clears, and it's just an ordinary mountain view. ⚠️ Panwangjie's performances have a schedule; if you miss one, you have to wait for the next round, so ask clearly when you enter. Also, things sold on the mountain are expensive, so bring enough water yourself. 🚄 It takes about two hours to drive from downtown Laibin to Jinxiu. The mountain roads are winding, so take motion sickness medicine in advance if you need it. It's suitable for people who like hiking and photography. If you're bringing kids, Panwangjie is easier; the steps on Lotus Mountain are too steep. 6️⃣ Weinan | Shaanxi For Mount Hua, I'll just say one thing: ⏰ Take the West Peak cable car up at 3:00 PM, watch the sunset, stay at the East Peak, and then hike down the next day after watching the sunrise. The "day trip" style of play lets you experience nothing but fatigue and waiting in line. 📍 The West Peak cable car is a few dozen yuan more expensive than the North Peak one, but it saves an hour and a half of hiking time, so it's money well spent. For night hiking, start from Yuquan Temple; leaving at 4:00 AM is just right to catch the sunrise, but the steps are steep and narrow, so know your limits. ⚠️ Mineral water on the mountain starts at 10 yuan, and instant noodles are 25. Carry two bottles of water up yourself. Gloves and a headlamp are essential for night hiking; buying them at the base is cheaper than on the mountain. 🍜 After hiking down, go to downtown Huayin to eat Dao-cut noodles; it's much more reliable than those "Mount Hua Sword Fight" themed restaurants at the entrance of the scenic area. It's suitable for young people with good stamina; if you're bringing elderly people or children, I suggest just doing the West Peak round trip. 7️⃣ Anyang | Henan Taihang Grand Canyon and the Yin Ruins—one is natural, the other historical. Trying to do both in one day is a bit rushed; two days is just right. 📍 For Peach Blossom Valley in Taihang Grand Canyon, ⏰ the water is emerald green when the morning light shines into the canyon, but it gets dark in the afternoon, so go to Peach Blossom Valley first and then Wangxiangyan. As for the Yin Ruins, to be honest, if you're not interested in oracle bone script, you might just think it's a bunch of dirt pits. But if you follow a guide for a tour, the carvings on those turtle shells suddenly come to life. ⚠️ The new Yin Ruins museum is closed on Mondays, so don't make a wasted trip. Admission tickets and audio guides are charged separately; I suggest renting an audio guide, otherwise, you really won't understand what you're seeing. 🚄 It's a 20-minute taxi ride from Anyang East Station to the Yin Ruins. For Taihang Grand Canyon, I recommend driving; it takes about 1.5 hours from the city via the expressway to Linzhou. It's suitable for bringing school-age children; the history lesson at the Yin Ruins is more vivid than textbooks. 8️⃣ Baoshan | Yunnan There's too much to do in the Tengchong area: Yunfeng Mountain, Heshun Ancient Town, Beihai Wetland, and the Volcanic Geothermal Area. I suggest splitting it into two days. Day one: Heshun and Beihai Wetland; day two: Yunfeng Mountain and the Geothermal Area. 📍 Enter Heshun Ancient Town before ⏰ 8:00 AM to avoid the entrance fee. Tour groups haven't arrived yet, and there are only locals washing vegetables by the laundry pavilion. After 9:00 AM, it's a different world. Rowing grass rafts at Beihai Wetland is quite fun, but ⚠️ don't wear light-colored pants; mud splashes won't wash out. Boiling eggs next to the "Big Rolling Pot" in the Geothermal Area costs 5 yuan a bunch, which is more practical than the scenic area restaurants. Yunfeng Mountain involves a cable car plus climbing steps, taking three hours round trip. If you're not very fit, just go to the end of the cable car and look around; the steps to the Taoist temple above are too steep. It's suitable for people who like a slow pace, not for rushing around. Driving from downtown Tengchong to the various attractions is most convenient; you can take a taxi, but it's hard to get one for the return trip. None of these eight places are "must-visits," but each one can make your two-day weekend different. Pick one close to you, fill up your tank, and just go. Which ones have you been to? Let's chat in the comments.

The crowded summer vacation scenes have just passed, and in September, air tickets and attraction tickets have quietly dropped in price. The first lesson of the new school year is in the classroom, but I suggest the second lesson be in nature. Choosing these 8 places isn't about rushing; it's about letting children see with their own eyes what those lines in their textbooks actually look like. 1️⃣ Shaoguan | Guangdong In September, Mount Danxia isn't scorching during the day, and you'll still need a thin blanket at night. When traveling with kids, take the Yangyuan Stone–Zhanglao Peak route: take the cable car up and walk down. ⏰ Enter the park before 7:30 AM to avoid crowds while the mist is still lingering. 📍 The Zhanglao Peak Sunrise Pavilion is the most effortless spot to view the Danxia peaks; kids will say "wow" the moment they stand there. Don't force a full hike. For kids under 5, I recommend a round-trip cable car ride to save energy for a boat ride on Xianglong Lake. ⚠️ Don't trust the "shortcut guides" soliciting at the park entrance. Buy official tickets via the official WeChat account. Tickets are valid for two days, so if you stay inside the scenic area, you can continue exploring the next day. 🍜 After coming down the mountain, head to Renhua County for a bowl of braised duck with sour bamboo shoots. It's mildly spicy and kid-friendly. For accommodation, choose a homestay near the Mount Danxia main gate so you can return for a nap, which cuts the chance of a parenting meltdown in half. 2️⃣ Shangrao | Jiangxi Shangrao's attractions are scattered, so don't try to do them all in one day. Choose between Mount Sanqing and Guifeng: go to Mount Sanqing for unique peaks and rocks, or Guifeng for an easier trip with kids. Guifeng's trails are flat and barely stroller-accessible. ⏰ For Mount Sanqing, I recommend taking the Jinsha cable car up in the morning and heading down before 2:00 PM to avoid the tour group crowds. Wuyuan's Jiangwan and Huangling offer different experiences. Jiangwan is about old houses and "shaiqiu" (sun-drying crops), with a strong cultural vibe. Huangling's shaiqiu is already picking up in September. 📍 The Shaiqiu Renjia viewing platform has the best light at 4:00 PM, with red peppers and yellow corn covering the bamboo baskets—kids are even more enthusiastic about taking photos than adults. 🚄 It's about a 1.5-hour drive from Shangrao Station to Mount Sanqing, and a 20-minute high-speed train ride to Wuyuan. ⚠️ The Huangling cable car queue can take 40 minutes during peak season, so I recommend buying a combo ticket that includes the cable car online in advance to skip one line. 🍜 In Wuyuan county, try the steamed cake and tofu soup—they're light and kid-friendly. Staying at a homestay at the foot of Huangling mountain is half the price of staying on the mountain, and you can still head up in the morning. 3️⃣ Yancheng | Jiangsu At Dafeng Milu Deer Park, September marks the end of the deer's molting season, and the herds gather by the water, making them easier to spot than in summer. 📍 The park's electric shuttle takes you directly to the core area. Once you get off, you can walk on the wooden boardwalk, which is stroller-friendly and easy for seniors to navigate. ⏰ The deer are most active between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM; they mostly lie still in the afternoon. This isn't a zoo; it's a wetland. Focus on three things with your kids: the Milu deer herds, red-crowned cranes, and wetland birds. ⚠️ Do not feed the animals or chase the deer. The park has surveillance and staff to remind visitors. Buy admission and shuttle tickets separately; I recommend buying the shuttle ticket, as the park is too large to walk. 🍜 In Yancheng city, have a bowl of Dongtai fish soup noodles. The soup is white and not fishy, and kids can easily drink half a bowl. 🚄 It's about a 1-hour taxi ride from Yancheng Station to the deer park. I recommend driving yourself or chartering a car, as public transport is infrequent. 4️⃣ Jiaozuo | Henan Yuntai Mountain, Qingtian River, and Shennong Mountain—you can't finish them all in three days. Prioritize Yuntai Mountain with kids: the Red Stone Gorge loop takes about 1.5 hours. It's a one-way route; strollers aren't recommended, but you can carry your child. ⏰ Enter Red Stone Gorge before 10:00 AM, or it will be shoulder-to-shoulder crowds. 📍 Tanpu Gorge is great for kids to play in the water; bring a pair of water shoes. Taking a boat on Qingtian River to see the mountains on both sides is effortless and suitable for seniors and young children. Shennong Mountain has many stairs; only consider it if your child is over 8. ⚠️ Yuntai Mountain admission includes the sightseeing bus, but you'll need to queue for transfers between attractions. Allow 30 minutes during peak season. 🍜 Eat a yam feast at the Anshang service area; kids love the stewed pork ribs with iron stick yam. Stay in Anshang Village, where the sightseeing bus station is right outside, making it convenient for naps. 🚄 It's about 1 hour from Jiaozuo Station to Yuntai Mountain, and ride-sharing costs about 30 yuan per person. 5️⃣ Hohhot | Inner Mongolia In September, Hohhot's grasslands aren't fully yellow yet, but the wind is already cool. At Laoniu Bay Yellow River Grand Canyon, 📍 take a boat to see the section where the Yellow River and the Great Wall "shake hands." Kids will ask, "Isn't the Yellow River supposed to be yellow?" but here, it's clear. ⏰ After 4:00 PM, the light hits the canyon walls, so you won't need filters for photos. At Chilechuan Grassland Cultural Tourism Area, the grass turns golden in September. Horseback riding is charged by the lap. ⚠️ Ask about the price before getting on the horse; don't get tricked by "ride as much as you want." When with kids, I recommend choosing a led-horse walk—safety first. 🍜 In downtown Hohhot, try the shaomai (steamed dumplings)—eight per liang, served with brick tea. Kids will be full after two. 🚄 It's about a 2.5-hour drive from the city to Laoniu Bay. I recommend chartering a car for a day trip, or splitting the grassland and canyon into two days for a more relaxed pace. 6️⃣ Weinan | Shaanxi Mount Hua—think carefully before taking kids. ⏰ I recommend arriving at the visitor center before 7:00 AM. Take the West Peak cable car up and the North Peak cable car down, hiking the Middle Peak–East Peak–South Peak loop. The whole trip takes about 5 hours. 📍 Don't attempt the Plank Walk in the Sky or the Chess Pavilion with kids under 12; the queues are also a deterrent. If your child is young, just take the cable car up and down at West Peak. See the Lotus Cave and the Axe-Split Rock, and tell the story of Chenxiang saving his mother—it's more interesting than just hiking. ⚠️ Water and snacks are expensive on the mountain, so bring your own thermos and bread. Buy gloves at the foot of the mountain for 2 yuan a pair. 🍜 After descending, go to Huayin city for Dadao noodles. They are sour and spicy, but you can ask for a non-spicy version for kids. 🚄 There's a free bus from Huashan North Station to the visitor center; don't take unlicensed taxis. 7️⃣ Jinzhong | Shanxi Choose between the Qiao Family Compound and the Wang Family Compound. The Qiao Family Compound features brick carvings and lanterns with a cinematic feel; the Wang Family Compound is larger and castle-like. I recommend the Qiao Family Compound for kids—it takes 1.5 hours to tour and isn't tiring. ⏰ Enter as soon as it opens at 8:30 AM before the tour groups arrive. 📍 Go to Pingyao Ancient City in the afternoon to watch the sunset from the city wall, where kids can run around. Mianshan in Jiexiu has autumn colors in September, but there are many stairs, so don't bring a stroller. ⚠️ Electric shuttle prices inside Pingyao Ancient City are inconsistent, so agree on the price before getting on. The ancient city ticket is valid for three days, so don't throw it away. 🍜 In Pingyao, try the wantuo and kaolaolao. Wantuo is served cold and spicy, so ask for it non-spicy for kids. Stay at an inn inside the ancient city so you can walk back after watching "Encore Pingyao" at night. 8️⃣ Golog | Qinghai The First Bend of the Yellow River—in September, the meadows are golden, and the river water is incredibly clear. 📍 The viewing platform is on the mountain and accessible by car. After getting off, it's about a 20-minute walk on the wooden boardwalk. The altitude is around 3,500 meters, so ⚠️ don't let kids run or jump; walk slowly. ⏰ After 3:00 PM, the cloud shadows fall on the river bend, looking ten times better than at noon. This isn't just a photo spot; it's a place for kids to learn where the Yellow River comes from. Bring sunscreen and a jacket; it's windy, and hats should have chin straps. 🚄 I recommend chartering a car from Xining for a two-day round trip. The route passes through grasslands and snow-capped mountains, which are attractions in themselves. 🍜 Try Tibetan yogurt and tsampa on the road—it's a fun new experience for kids, but have proper meals back in the county town. Stay in Maqen County, where conditions are better than near the scenic area. September is short, so don't wait for the National Day crowds. You can visit any of these 8 places with just a weekend plus two days of annual leave. Which one do you want to take your kids to first? Tell me in the comments, and I'll help you plan the route.

The 7-day National Day holiday means popular attractions are so crowded you'll question your sanity, and traveling with kids really takes courage. I've scoured the map to dig up 8 relatively off-the-beaten-path places with great scenery that won't bore the kids. The focus is on avoiding crowds and making parenting on the go easier. No sponsored content here, so read on with confidence. 01 Lingshui County | Hainan When bringing kids to Lingshui, don't just dive straight into Sanya Bay. Fenjiezhou Island is better for families; the water is as clear as jelly, and the sand is soft and gentle on the feet. You can feed stingrays on the island. Kids can squat in the shallows and watch the big fish glide past their palms, which will have them squealing with excitement. It's recommended to head to the island in the morning for better light and to avoid backlighting in photos. After 3:00 PM, the wind and waves pick up, which can dampen the water play experience. Nanwan Monkey Island is another surprise. Take the cross-sea cable car to overlook the Tanka fishing rafts, where the dense clusters of boat houses are quite spectacular. The monkeys on the island roam free, so don't carry plastic bags—they really will snatch them. 🍜 Just grab a bowl of Hainan rice noodles for lunch on the island; don't set your expectations too high for attraction dining. ⚠️ Monkey Island stops admitting visitors at 4:00 PM, so keep an eye on the time. If your child is afraid of the monkeys jumping on people, just watch from a distance and don't tease them. 02 Jinzhong City | Shanxi The density of ancient architecture in Jinzhong is a bit "advanced" for family trips. If your child is in elementary school or older, you can do a comparative tour of the Shanxi merchant compounds. Qiao Family Compound is famous, but it's also very crowded. The brick and wood carvings are exquisite, and following a guide will help you understand the nuances. Wang Family Compound is more like a fortress, built into the mountain with many steps—forget about strollers, a baby carrier is recommended. Pingyao Ancient City is best visited in the evening; once the tour groups leave, the bluestone roads really show their charm. You can take the kids to experience gold-painted lacquerware; small items cost around 100 yuan and can keep them quietly occupied for half an hour. Visit Mianshan in Jiexiu during spring or autumn. The terrain is steep, so if you can't walk it, take the attraction bus—don't force the climb. 🚄 It takes about 20 minutes by taxi from Pingyao Ancient City Station to the ancient city; avoid the unlicensed taxis soliciting passengers at the entrance. ⚠️ The ancient city pass is valid for 3 days. Two days is enough to see it, so there's no need to rush through it in one day. 03 Jiangmen City | Guangdong Kaiping Diaolou in Jiangmen is, in my opinion, the most underrated family destination in Guangdong. It's not just one building, but an entire landscape of overseas Chinese rural scenery. You can take your kids into the diaolou (watchtowers) in Zili Village to see old-fashioned sewing machines and tin biscuit boxes; kids will feel like they've traveled into a TV show. Rice paddies surround the towers, and in October, the rice ears turn slightly yellow, giving photos a natural filter. It's recommended to rent an electric scooter to leisurely cruise between the villages—it's easier than walking and freer than joining a tour group. 🍜 Have eel rice in the village for lunch; the crispy rice crust is delicious, and kids can easily eat two bowls. ⚠️ The stairs inside the diaolou are steep and narrow, so be sure to hold your child's hand when going up and down—no running or jumping. The light is softest in the evening, perfect for instant photos, so there's no need to crowd under the midday sun. 04 Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture | Qinghai With high altitude, long roads, and basic accommodations, this place isn't suitable for babies, but for older children who can adapt to high altitudes, the magnificence of the First Bend of the Yellow River will be a lifelong memory. Looking down from the viewing platform, the Yellow River here isn't yellow—it's crystal clear, making a huge bend and looking incredibly peaceful. Counting the mudflats in the river bend with your child is more intuitive than reading any geography book. ⏰ The light is best around 6:00 PM, when the river surface is gilded with a golden edge, but the temperature drops quickly, so you must bring down jackets. 🚄 It's about a 1.5-hour drive from Maqin County; the road conditions are okay, but there are many winding mountain roads, so if your child gets carsick, apply motion sickness patches in advance. ⚠️ There are no commercial streets here, so bring your own dry food and hot water. Remember to take your trash with you—the plateau ecosystem is too fragile. 05 Xinyang City | Henan Jigong Mountain in Xinyang is the kind of getaway that lets you catch your breath. It's a summer retreat, but during National Day, the autumn weather is crisp and cool, making hiking easy. You can take the attraction bus halfway up the mountain with the kids, then hike a bit further to Baoxiao Peak—it's just the right amount of physical activity. The international architectural complex on the mountain is full of character, with old villas hiding stories from the Republic of China era. Kids can count how many different styles of roofs they encounter on the way. 🍜 The hot dry noodles in downtown Xinyang have an even thicker sesame paste texture than those in Wuhan; kids might not love them, but you must try the stone jelly—it's cool and minty, perfect for relieving the heat after hiking. ⚠️ Accommodation conditions on the mountain are average, so it's recommended to make it a day trip and bring enough jackets. If your child has low stamina, don't force the climb to the highest point; the viewing platform halfway up offers a great enough view. 06 Yichang City | Hubei Yichang is one of the few family-friendly cities that combines "dam viewing" with "water play." The Three Gorges of the Yangtze River are famous, but for families, I recommend Three Gorges Tribe and Qingjiang Gallery more. The water-based performances at Three Gorges Tribe have fixed showtimes, so check the schedule and head over then—don't just wait around on the shore. The boat tour at Qingjiang Gallery is the least tiring; sitting on the boat, feeling the breeze, and watching the green mountains on both sides means the kids won't get tired. The Three Gorges Waterfall is a hidden gem; you can wear a raincoat and walk behind the waterfall's curtain. Kids will be squealing with excitement, so remember to bring an extra set of clothes. ⚠️ The attractions are far apart, so don't try to see them all in one day. Pick two spots and slow down the pace. 🍜 Yichang's radish dumplings are a street snack; they're deep-fried, and kids will likely love them. ⏰ Three Gorges Tribe has more performance times in the morning, so it's recommended to visit there first. 07 Tai'an City | Shandong Don't push yourself when climbing Mount Tai with kids. I've seen too many parents dragging 5 or 6-year-old children up from Zhongtian Gate, only for it to end with crying kids and yelling adults. The right way to do it is to take the cable car up to Nantian Gate and then walk a short distance to the Jade Emperor Peak. This way, you can experience the "view of all mountains" without exhausting all your energy. It's windy at the summit, and by October, it's cold enough to freeze your hands, so a hat is a must. If your child wants to challenge themselves, just hike the last section of the Eighteen Bends—it's a great photo op for a sense of accomplishment without the breakdown. 🍜 Try the Mount Tai donkey meat burger and sweet porridge at the foot of the mountain to fill up before heading up; instant noodles on the mountain cost 15 yuan a bowl and taste average. ⚠️ During National Day, the cable car queue is at least an hour long, so don't cut it close with the last cable car down—leave yourself plenty of buffer time. If you want to see the sunrise, stay at the summit, but prices double and conditions are basic, so think twice if you're bringing kids. 08 Wuzhong City | Ningxia Wuzhong is my top personal recommendation this time. The Qingtongxia Yellow River Grand Canyon Tourist Area is so uncrowded you'll wonder if you're in the wrong place. Traveling by boat through the canyon, the Yellow River water here is emerald green, and the cliffs on both sides have unique textures eroded by the wind. Kids can touch the ancient bricks and stones next to the 108 Pagodas and count if there are really 108 of them. The attraction's walkways are flat, making it easy to push a stroller—much easier than hiking. 🍜 Wuzhong morning tea is a hidden ace—pulled noodles, eight-treasure tea, and beef sandwiches can keep you eating for an hour. Experiencing the slow life of the Northwest with your kids is more interesting than rushing between attractions. ⚠️ It's windy in the canyon, so tie your hat tight. After 4:00 PM, the light hits at an angle, making the pagoda complex look especially beautiful in the backlight, so don't leave too early.

Don't want to deal with National Day crowds? These 8 niche destinations are stress-free. 01 Dongying | Shandong If you're looking for a place to breathe easy during the National Day holiday, Dongying is a great choice. The most comfortable way to experience the Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve is to take the scenic bus to Yuanwang Tower, then transfer to a boat to see where the river meets the sea. ⏰ The light is softest between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM. The reed marshes turn into a golden wave in the wind, which looks much better than the harsh sun in the morning. 📍 You can grab a meal at the local fishing inns in Huanghekou Town. Try the local-style swimming crab and steamed egg with clams; you can get full for about 70–80 yuan per person. ⚠️ The scenic area is huge, so don't plan on walking the whole way. If you're traveling with seniors or children, be sure to buy a sightseeing bus ticket and save your energy for the bird-watching platform. October is the migration season for birds, so you might spot red-crowned cranes and Oriental storks. It's windy, so a hat is more practical than an umbrella. Check the official WeChat account before you leave for the latest ticket and boat information. 02 Liuzhou | Guangxi Liuzhou is more than just river snail rice noodles. Chengyang Eight Villages are deep in the Dong ethnic region. You can see the Wind and Rain Bridge and the Drum Tower without buying an admission ticket, but you'll need to catch the 10:00 AM performance to hear the Dong Grand Choir. ⏰ The village in the early morning, with its cooking smoke and mist, is 10 times better for photos than at noon. In the city, Longtan Park is free. The karst peaks are reflected in the lake, and it's where locals go for their morning exercise and walks. 🍜 Exit through the back gate of the park to reach Jianpan Road. The river snail rice noodle shop with the longest line is usually the best one. Remember to add duck feet and fried tofu puffs. At night, take the water bus along the Liujiang River. It costs 3 yuan per trip, which is cheaper than a cruise and still offers great night views. ⚠️ Avoid ordering river seafood without listed prices at the riverside food stalls to avoid being overcharged. This is perfect for lazy travelers who just want to eat and explore without hiking. 03 Anshun | Guizhou The Huangguoshu Waterfall still has plenty of water during the National Day holiday, but it's also very crowded. My advice is to enter the scenic area at 7:30 AM, head to the Great Waterfall first, then Doupotang, and finally Tianxingqiao. ⏰ It's less crowded before 10:00 AM, so you won't have to wait in long lines for the Water Curtain Cave. Longgong is a 40-minute drive from Huangguoshu. The boat ride through the karst cave is very cool, making it a great way to escape the heat during the holiday. 📍 In downtown Anshun, Xiaoshizi Street has "laoguo" (griddle-cooked food) and "siwawa" (vegetable wraps) at night. You can eat your fill for about 40 yuan per person. ⚠️ The one-way escalator at Huangguoshu costs 30 yuan. If you're fit, you don't need to buy it; it's only a 20-minute walk. If you're traveling with seniors, Longgong is less strenuous than Tianxingqiao. The second half of Tianxingqiao is all stone steps, which will leave your legs shaking. Book your admission tickets in advance on the official platform, or you'll regret waiting in line on-site. 04 Leshan | Sichuan Leshan is perfect for those who "don't want to rush, just want to eat." If you have to choose between Mount Emei and the Leshan Giant Buddha for the National Day holiday, I'd choose the Giant Buddha. You could wait 2 hours just to take the cable car to the Golden Summit of Mount Emei. ⏰ Taking a boat to see the panoramic view of the Giant Buddha is more comfortable than waiting in line on the boardwalk. The boat ticket is 70 yuan, and it takes half an hour. 📍 Zhanggongqiao Food Street is also frequented by locals. You can try bobo chicken, sweet skin duck, and qiaojiao beef one after another. 🍜 For sweet skin duck, buy from the Zhao Yazi shop and eat it while it's hot for crispy skin. ⚠️ Don't buy the vacuum-packed ones at the entrance of the scenic area; the taste is not as good. If you must go to Mount Emei, stay near Baoguo Temple at the foot of the mountain and take the first bus at 6:00 AM to Leidongping. It's suitable for families with children—the monkeys are more attractive than the scenery, but don't carry plastic bags in your hands. 05 Changzhou | Jiangsu Changzhou is an underrated family-friendly destination. Tianmu Lake is great for a slow-paced trip; take a boat to Longxing Island and walk along the bamboo forest boardwalk. ⏰ It looks best in the evening when mist rises over the lake, which is much better than the scorching sun during the day. The Spring and Autumn Yancheng Tourist Area is a ruins park. It's less crowded and great for a stroll. The Global Dinosaur Town is the Dinosaur Park. If you're taking kids there during the National Day holiday, be prepared—popular attractions have wait times starting at 1 hour. 📍 There's a Yin-si noodle shop on Xincheng Street at the entrance of the Dinosaur Park that locals have been eating at since they were kids. ⚠️ Night tickets for the Dinosaur Park are cheaper after 4:00 PM, but you'll still have to wait in line for attractions. My advice: if your kids are young, go to Tianmu Lake; if they're older, go to the Dinosaur Park. Don't try to do both in one day. 06 Tangshan | Hebei The Sacred Way of the Eastern Qing Tombs was an unexpected surprise. It's not crowded during the National Day holiday, and it's very quiet walking among the pine and cypress trees on both sides. ⏰ Arrive before 9:00 AM when the light hits the stone figures and animals at an angle—you won't need filters for your photos. 📍 You can go down into the underground palace of the Yuling Tomb. The details of the murals and stone doors are worth taking your time to see. Nanhu-Kailuan is an industrial-style park in the city. At the Kailuan National Mine Park, you can go underground to explore, which kids will love. 🍜 At Tangshan Banquet, you can try Qizi baked cakes and Gezha as snacks. ⚠️ The Eastern Qing Tombs and Nanhu are far apart, so choose only 1 for the day. Don't be too ambitious. It's suitable for people who are interested in history but don't like hiking. It's flat the whole way, so seniors can manage it too. 07 Golog | Qinghai The First Bend of the Yellow River is in Golog. You'll need to wear a down jacket if you go during the National Day holiday. ⏰ Arrive at the viewing platform 2 hours before sunset. The sun dyes the water surface gold, and the wind is strong enough to make it hard to stand. 📍 On the road from Maqu, there are grasslands and yaks, which are more photogenic than inside the scenic area. ⚠️ The altitude is over 3,500 meters, so don't run or jump, and take Rhodiola rosea in advance. Accommodation conditions are average; I recommend staying in Maqên County, where conditions are better than near the scenic area. 🚄 There is no high-speed rail, so driving or chartering a car is the only option. Cell signal on the road is intermittent. It's suitable for people who have been to Qinghai a few times and are looking for off-the-beaten-path photo spots. Be cautious if traveling with seniors or children; altitude sickness is no joke. 08 Panjin | Liaoning The Red Beach Scenic Corridor is at its reddest during the National Day holiday, with seepweed spreading to the horizon. ⏰ Arrive before high tide in the morning; the red on the mudflats is most complete then. After the tide recedes, the exposed mud isn't as pretty. 📍 The corridor is 18 kilometers long. Driving yourself is the most convenient way, and you can stop at every viewing platform. 🍜 Panjin river crabs are full of roe and fat this season. There's an old shop in Xinglongtai district in the city that can cook them for you. ⚠️ The small train for the rice paddy art in the scenic area isn't great value; you can see it just as well by walking the boardwalk. It's suitable for photography enthusiasts and those who want to eat crab. Coming in October is just right. Of these 8 places, the ones I most want to visit again are Golog and Panjin—one is vast, the other is vibrant. If you just want to relax, eat, and explore, you can't go wrong with Liuzhou or Leshan. Tell me in the comments where you're going for the National Day holiday to help me avoid the crowds.

01 Zhoushan | Zhejiang ⏰ Don't spend all 3 days on Putuoshan. I suggest island hopping to Gouqi Island on the first day. The boat ride takes 2 hours, and the sea is 3 shades bluer than at Zhujiajian. Dawang Beach on the island is unmonitored after 4 PM. Walk barefoot on it; the sand is as fine as flour. Stay on Shengshan Island at night. The homestay owner will take you to Houtouwan to watch the sunset. The ivy on that abandoned fishing village is so green it looks black, and the whole wall seems to move when the wind blows. On the second day, return to Putuoshan and only walk the section from Foding Mountain to Fayu Temple. There aren't many steps, and the scent of incense mixed with the sea breeze makes it much quieter than the front mountain. ⚠️ Buy boat tickets one day in advance via the official account; they are basically impossible to get on the day during peak season. Save the third day for Jihu Beach on the Shengsi Islands. Go at 6 AM when the tide has just receded, and you can find whole small conch shells. 🍜 For seafood noodles on the island, look for "Apo Noodle Shop." It's CNY 30 a bowl, and they are very generous with the clams and shrimp. 02 Golog | Qinghai 📍 The First Bend of the Yellow River is not at the main entrance of the scenic area, but on a dirt slope a 20-minute drive west past the ticket office. I arrived at 3 PM that day, and the wind was so strong my hat wouldn't stay on, but the water color was truly stunning—not yellow, but a grayish cyan, like unpolished jade. ⚠️ Don't take the scenic area sightseeing bus. Hiking the boardwalk only takes 40 mins, and you can see marmots squatting at their cave entrances along the way. It's suitable for bringing parents; the road is flat, the altitude isn't too high, and you can walk slowly without panting. If you are only staying for 1 day, I suggest staying in Maqin County. It's not fully dark even at 8 PM, and you can smell butter tea mixed with cow dung on the street—very authentic. Enter the scenic area again early the next morning; the light hitting the river bend at an angle looks much better than at noon. This place isn't for people in a rush; it's for those willing to sit by the river and watch the water for half an hour. 03 Guiyang | Guizhou For 3 days in Guiyang, I suggest 1 day for the city and 2 days for the surrounding areas. On the first morning, go to Tianhetan. The temperature inside the cave is 10 degrees lower than outside, so remember to bring a light jacket. After walking through the dry cave, take a boat out of the water cave; the water dripping from the stalactites hits your neck, which is very refreshing. In the afternoon, return to the city and head straight to Qingyan Ancient Town. Don't walk the main street; enter from the South Gate and turn right into the alley—the pork trotter noodles and rose ice jelly are hidden there. 🍜 For rice cake porridge, look for "Xiejia Century-Old Brand." It's CNY 8 a bowl, with the fragrance of sticky rice mixed with rose jam—sweet but not cloying. On the second day, go to Gaopo Yunding Grassland. The altitude is 1,600m, and the wind makes your hair fly, but the meadow is full of wild flowers, making it perfect for lying down. ⚠️ There is no shade on the grassland, and the sun is harsh at noon, so it's perfect to go after 3 PM. Save the third day for Huaxi Park. Enter at 7 AM for free and walk along the creek; you can see locals exercising, which is more interesting than the scenic spot itself. 04 Yichun | Heilongjiang Tangwanghe Forest Sea and Strange Stones. The name sounds like a geological park, but walking inside feels more like a huge natural maze. I entered the park at 8 AM, and there were so few people that I could hear the echo of my own breathing. The stones are indeed strange—some look like turtles, others like mushrooms—but the most shocking thing is looking down from the viewing platform: the entire forest sea stretches from your feet to the horizon, endlessly green. ⏰ The light hits at an angle after 2 PM, lengthening the tree shadows, which makes it better for photos than at noon. ⚠️ There are no supply points in the scenic area, so be sure to bring enough water and food. It's suitable for hiking enthusiasts; there are many steps, so those with bad knees should be cautious. If you only come to Yichun for 1 day, I suggest spending all your time here; you can skip the parks in the city. You can go to Wuying National Forest Park on the second day, but honestly, after seeing Tangwanghe, other forests seem ordinary. 05 Fuzhou | Jiangxi The most worthwhile activity at Dajue Mountain is rafting, but if you just want to relax, don't touch that. I saw the queue of people stretching from the entrance to the foot of the mountain that day, so I decisively gave up and took the cable car up the mountain. The temple at the top isn't busy with incense, but it's quiet, and you can hear the sound of the wind passing through the bamboo forest. ⏰ Arrive before 9 AM, and you won't have to queue for the cable car. After 10 AM, the tour groups arrive and it gets crowded. Don't return the same way when going down the mountain; take the west trail. There are 3 small waterfalls along the way, and the water spray on your face feels cool. 🍜 There is a "Lao Xu Beef Offal Noodles" shop in the ancient town at the foot of the mountain. It's CNY 15 a bowl, spicy and satisfying—your lips will be tingling after eating. It's suitable for coming alone or with 2 or 3 friends; the pace is slow, and there's no need to rush. If you have more time, you can go to Liukeng Ancient Village on the second day, which is a 40-minute drive from Dajue Mountain. The Ming and Qing dynasty houses are well preserved, but the commercialization is low, so you need to tell the homestay owner in advance for meals. 06 Mianyang | Sichuan Beichuan Qiang City Tourism Area is not the kind of place for a quick look. I suggest leaving a full day. In the morning, visit the old county earthquake ruins; the sense of brokenness cannot be conveyed by photos, and your heart will feel heavy after walking through it. Eat lunch at a Qiang restaurant outside the scenic area; the bacon stir-fried bracken and potato mochi are worth ordering, and you can get full for CNY 40 per person. In the afternoon, go to the new county town to see the rebuilt streets and schools; by comparison, you will understand what "rebirth" means. ⚠️ Photography is prohibited in the ruins area; be respectful and don't hold up your phone. It's suitable for bringing children, but very young children might not understand, so I suggest 10 years old and up. If you are short on time, you can just visit the ruins and the new county town; you can skip the folk museum as the content is quite empty. 07 Shigatse | Tibet Not everyone can stay at Everest Base Camp, but Shigatse city itself is worth staying in for 3 days. On the first day, go to Tashilhunpo Monastery. After 3 PM, there are fewer tourists, and the monks start debating scriptures. Sitting under the white walls and listening is fascinating, even if you don't understand it, because of the rhythm. ⏰ The monastery closes at 5 PM, so it's best to enter before 4 PM. On the second day, charter a car to Everest Base Camp. It takes 10 hours round trip, but the moment you see the snow mountain peak emerge from the clouds, it's worth it. ⚠️ The base camp is at an altitude of 5,200m, so take altitude sickness medicine in advance; don't wait until you have a headache to remedy it. On the third day, return to the city and stroll the old street below Zongshan Castle. The Tibetan rug and thangka shops are half the price of those on Barkhor Street, and the owner will treat you to butter tea. It's suitable for those with good stamina; the whole trip is above 4,000m, and you will pant if you walk too fast. 08 Xiangtan | Hunan For 3 days in Xiangtan, I suggest 1 day for Shaoshan, 1 day for Caojia'ao Waterfall, and the remaining day for eating and drinking in the city. Caojia'ao Waterfall is hidden in the mountains; you have to get off the car at the village entrance and walk. The road isn't hard to walk, but it will be slippery on rainy days. The waterfall drop isn't big, but there is plenty of water. Standing underneath, the mist hits your face, and it's so cool in summer that you won't want to leave. ⚠️ The rocks by the waterfall are slippery, so don't wear sandals. The Shaoshan scenic area has high traffic, so I suggest entering the scenic area at 7 AM to finish the main spots before the tour groups arrive. In the afternoon, go to the city. For rice noodles, look for "Yijiawan Noodle Shop"; they give generous toppings, and the chili oil is fragrant but not dry. In the evening, you can go to Yaowan Old Street to feel the breeze by the Xiang River and eat a sugar oil baba (sticky rice cake). It's sweet and sticky, and the fatigue from walking all day will disappear. It's suitable for bringing parents; the pace is slow, the distances between attractions are short, and there's no need to rush.

September brings lower airfares, the student crowds have thinned out, and the sea is still warm. I've picked 8 places I've visited myself where my wallet didn't cry. No fluff, just the good and the bad. 1️⃣ Putian | Fujian Ferry tickets and island entry fees for Meizhou Island are fixed costs. Don't trust the touts at the pier offering "private speedboats"—they're twice as expensive and bumpier. 🚄 Take bus K09 from Putian Station to Wenjia Pier. It takes about an hour and costs just a few dollars. ⏰ Arriving on the island at 4:00 PM is the most comfortable time. The crowds at the Mazu Cultural Zone have dispersed, and the sea breeze is just right. You can walk down to the reefs at Ewei Stone Park during low tide to take photos, but don't force it during high tide. 🍜 Ask for prices before ordering seafood on the island, and watch them weigh it. Staying in Meizhou Town is cheaper than staying near the pier; you can find a place for just over 100 yuan a night. September is still the tail end of typhoon season, so check the weather forecast for three days before you leave. 2️⃣ Ningbo | Zhejiang Tianyi Pavilion and Moon Lake are right next to each other. 📍 Enter from the Changchun Road gate, see the library first, then walk around the lake. Two hours is enough. ⚠️ Tianyi Pavilion is closed on Monday mornings, so don't plan your visit then. Xikou Tengtou is great for traveling with seniors—it's flat and easy to walk. I personally recommend Qiantong Ancient Town more; the admission fee isn't high, and you must try the Sanbao noodles. 🍜 The shop in the middle of the old street with a line of locals is the most reliable. 🚄 There's a direct bus from Ningbo Station to Xikou, which is half the price of a taxi. Stay along the subway line in Haishu District to make getting anywhere easy. The osmanthus flowers bloom in September, making a walk around Moon Lake quite fragrant. 3️⃣ Qianxinan | Guizhou The boardwalk in Maling River Canyon runs right along the waterfalls. The mist will hit your face, so wear non-slip shoes. ⏰ Go in the morning for the best light; it's backlit in the afternoon. ⚠️ The elevator line is long, so if you're fit, just walk down into the canyon. Rent an electric scooter in Wanfenglin to ride around the Bagua Fields. It costs a few dozen yuan for the day and is more flexible than taking the sightseeing bus. The rice paddies start turning yellow in September, which is the perfect time to visit. 🍜 Eat mutton rice noodles in Xingyi city center; breakfast shops open at 6:00 AM. Stay in the Jushan area for easy access to both scenic spots. If you're traveling with kids, Wanfenglin is more kid-friendly, as the canyon has many stairs. 4️⃣ Lingshui | Hainan Fenjiezhou Island has fewer people and lower prices in September, and snorkeling is much cheaper than in peak season. 🚄 It takes about 20 minutes by taxi from Lingshui Station to the pier. Buying a package ticket online in advance is more cost-effective. The cable car ride across the sea at Nanwan Monkey Island is worth the price of admission. ⏰ The first ride in the morning is the least crowded. ⚠️ The monkeys on the island will snatch plastic bags, so keep your food inside your bag. Staying at a homestay in the Qingshui Bay area is significantly cheaper than similar options in Sanya. It's still hot in September, so don't skimp on sunscreen. Buy seafood at the Xincun Port market and have a restaurant cook it for you; it's more practical than eating at the scenic area restaurants. 5️⃣ Altay | Xinjiang Kanas starts changing colors in mid-to-late September—golden leaves against turquoise water is worth it. ⚠️ Waiting in line for the shuttle bus is the norm; getting into the scenic area early can save you an hour. Check the official daily announcements for ticket and shuttle prices. For Koktokay's Shenzhong Mountain and the Irtysh River, just walk the boardwalk; you don't need to hire a guide. The grass on the Altay grasslands is already yellow in September, so you're looking at vastness, not greenery. Don't count on seeing snow in Northern Xinjiang in September; that comes later. 🚄 Fly to Altay or take the train to Beitun and transfer. Staying in Burqin County is much cheaper than staying inside the scenic area. There's a big temperature difference between day and night, so bring a windbreaker. 6️⃣ Dandong | Liaoning Take a walk on the Yalu River Broken Bridge. The river wind is strong, so hold onto your hat. 📍 The Broken Bridge and Andong Old Street are on the same route; grab a bowl of menzi (jelly noodles) after you're done exploring. To climb Laoniubei in Fenghuang Mountain, you'll need to use both your hands and feet. ⚠️ If you're afraid of heights, take the detour—don't force it. Kuandian Hekou and Lvjiang Village are great for road trips. The riverside villages are quiet in September, and staying at a farmhouse inn isn't expensive. 🚄 A taxi from Dandong Station to the Broken Bridge is just the base fare. It's not strawberry season, so don't get fooled by roadside stalls. Buy seafood at the market and have a restaurant cook it; it's more cost-effective than the riverside restaurants. 7️⃣ Golog | Qinghai The First Bend of the Yellow River is in the Madoi direction. In September, the grass is yellow, the water is clear, and there are surprisingly few people. ⚠️ The altitude is over 4,000 meters, so take altitude sickness medicine in advance and avoid strenuous running or jumping. A road trip is the only comfortable way to travel here. 🚄 Public transportation is infrequent, and you'll need to arrange carpooling in advance. Gas stations are sparse along the way, so fill up whenever you see one. Stay in Madoi County; conditions are average, so don't set your expectations too high. ⏰ The evening light hitting the river bend is worth the gas money. Bring enough cash, as cell signal is weak in some places. 8️⃣ Wuhan | Hubei Get to Yellow Crane Tower Park as soon as it opens in the morning to avoid crowds and get good photos. ⚠️ The elevator inside the tower costs extra; taking the stairs is faster. Rent a bike on the East Lake Greenway—it's not too hot in September, and rentals are charged by the hour. Songyang Temple in Huangpi is peaceful and great for avoiding crowds. The various spots in the Mulan Cultural Ecological Tourism Zone are spread out, so a road trip is easier. 🚄 You can get there by subway and bus, but it takes time. 🍜 For breakfast, have hot dry noodles with egg wine. Old street shops are more reliable than the trendy ones. Stay along Subway Line 2 for easy access to everything. It's still hot in Wuhan in September, so don't force yourself to walk around outdoors at noon. If you're heading out in September and on a tight budget, start by picking a place closer to home. Of these 8, the ones I want to visit again most are Golog and Qianxinan. Which ones have you been to? Let's chat in the comments.

Note: This article is about the Mayu Gesar Linka Viewing Platform (Dari Viewing Platform) in Dari County, Golog, Qinghai. It is the best spot for the Yellow River braided stream system. It is free, has no admission fee, is uncrowded and pristine, and is perfect for a slow-paced road trip. 3-day, 2-night Dari Viewing Platform Road Trip Guide | Yellow River Braided Streams + Gesar Hidden Gem (Blogger's Real Photos) 📍 Destination: Dari County, Golog Prefecture, Qinghai | Key attraction: Mayu Gesar Linka (Dari Viewing Platform) 🏔 Altitude: 4,200 m. The entire route is at high altitude; be sure to prevent altitude sickness. ⏰ Best season: July–September for lush green grasslands; September for golden autumn colors and legendary sunsets. 🎫 Admission: All attractions are free. No admission fees for the viewing platform or Charang Monastery. Parking is free. Excellent value. I. Complete Itinerary (Depart from Xining, stay in the county for 2 nights, no backtracking) Day 1: Xining → Dari County | Acclimatize to the altitude, visit the Dari Viewing Platform in the evening (Stay in Dari County) 07:00 Depart from Xining by car, take the Dema Expressway. The trip takes about 5.5 hours. Stop in Maqen to rest and refuel (gas stations are scarce on the plateau, so fill up whenever you see one). 13. 00 Arrive in Dari County, check in, avoid strenuous activity, and walk slowly to acclimatize. 14. 30 Stroll around Zhumu Square in the county to experience local life. 17:30 Drive to Mayu Gesar Linka (Dari Viewing Platform). ✅ Highlights: 21-meter bronze statue of King Gesar, 360° panoramic view of Dari County and the Yellow River braided stream system (the Yellow River splits into countless channels, spreading across the grassland like braids—perfect for drone photography). 19:30 Watch the sunset over the plateau at the viewing platform. The setting sun dyes the valley golden-red. Enjoy the entire landscape without other tourists. 21:00 Return to the county for Tibetan food, rest early to avoid insomnia from altitude sickness. Day 2: Full-day cultural and grassland tour | Charang Monastery + grassland valley (Stay in Dari County) 08:30 Depart after breakfast, drive 18 km to Charang Monastery in Golog. ✅ Highlights: A thousand-year-old Nyingma sect monastery, no commercialization, prayer flags covering the mountains, the monastery is backed by grasslands, red walls and golden roofs are perfect for photos. There is a sky burial site on the hillside outside the monastery; it is quiet and solemn. Walk clockwise for kora (circumambulation). Photography is prohibited inside the halls. 12:30 Return to the county for lunch. 14:00 Drive along the Yellow River valley, passing grasslands, herds, and mani piles. Stop to take photos whenever you like. Visit the Gesar Lion Dragon Palace (free) along the way. 17:00 Second visit to the Dari Viewing Platform to capture the "blue hour" at dusk. The light is soft, and the atmosphere of the Yellow River braided streams is incredible. 20:00 Dinner in the county, rest early. You can clearly see the Milky Way at night (very low light pollution). Day 3: Morning mist viewing → Return to Xining 06:30 Wake up early and head back to the Dari Viewing Platform! In the early morning, the valley is filled with mist, smoke rises from the county, and the Yellow River braided streams are shrouded in clouds—the most beautiful scene of the entire trip. A must-fly for drones. 09. 00 Breakfast in the county, buy some yak meat specialties. 10. 00 Depart for Xining, stop in Maqen to rest, arrive in the evening. Trip ends. II. Accommodation Recommendations (Dari County, prioritize oxygen-supplied rooms to alleviate altitude sickness) 1. Top Choice (Oxygen-supplied + smart, a lifesaver for altitude sickness) ✅ Dari Xinglin Building Diffuse oxygen-supplied rooms, smart guest rooms, dry/wet separation. Only 1.8 km from the viewing platform. Peak season: CNY 260/room; off-season: CNY 200. Best hygiene in the county. ✅ Bailing Hotel Oxygen-purified rooms, spacious, 4.2 rating. Peak season: CNY 320. Suitable for light sleepers or those worried about oxygen deficiency. 2. Budget-friendly (Limited budget) ✅ Yuelai Hotel Clean, basic standard rooms, no oxygen supply. Off-season: CNY 160/night. Excellent value, suitable for travelers in good physical condition. Food List (Restaurants in the county, no restaurants at the scenic spot) 1. Dari Amala Tibetan Restaurant: CNY 30 per person. Yak meat buns, highland barley pancakes, butter tea. A local, affordable canteen with generous portions. 2. Angqin Delicious Tibetan Restaurant: CNY 79 per person. Hand-grabbed yak meat, yak meat hot pot. Suitable for group meals and hearty dishes. III. 💰 Three-Tier Budget List (Road trip, shared room for 2 people; excludes round-trip transportation to/from Xining) Basic Notes 1. No admission fees for the entire trip; costs only include food, accommodation, fuel, and miscellaneous expenses. 2. Accommodation: 2 nights in a standard room, shared by two people; prices double for solo travelers. 3. Dining: 3 days of main meals + breakfast + drinking water. 4. Fuel: Round trip Xining ↔ Dari + county loop, total vehicle cost. Plan A | Solo Budget Trip (Economy accommodation, no oxygen supply) Item | Cost | Notes Accommodation (shared for 2 nights) | CNY 160 | Yuelai Hotel CNY 160/night, total CNY 320 for two nights, CNY 160 per person 3-day dining | CNY 240 | Average CNY 80/day, Tibetan food and simple meals Road trip fuel | CNY 260 | Total vehicle cost, fully covered by solo traveler Snacks + oxygen canister + misc. | CNY 80 | Oxygen canister essential for plateau, CNY 30/bottle ✅ Solo total | CNY 740 Plan B | Standard Couple/Duo Road Trip (Highly recommended, oxygen-supplied hotel) Two people sharing one oxygen-supplied standard room, costs shared for the vehicle Item | Total cost for two | Per person Accommodation 2 nights (Xinglin Building) | CNY 520 | CNY 260/night × 2 nights Full-trip dining (6 main meals + breakfast) | CNY 480 | CNY 240 per person Total vehicle fuel | CNY 260 | Not shared, total vehicle expenditure Oxygen + snacks + parking/misc. | CNY 120 | Total vehicle ✅ Total for two | CNY 1,380 | Only CNY 690 per person Plan C | Light Luxury Duo (Hearty yak meat dishes throughout + oxygen-supplied suite) Total budget for two: CNY 2,000, CNY 1,000 per person, including Tibetan main meals, bottled oxygen, and drone supplies. IV. Tips + High-Altitude Travel Essentials (Tested by the blogger) Avoid Pitfalls 1. Parking at the Dari Viewing Platform is free. Do not park on the roadside grassland; you will be fined by herdsmen for crushing the grass. 2. Altitude is 4,200 m. Do not climb to the viewing platform on the day of arrival; go the next day to prevent acute altitude sickness. Bring oxygen canisters and glucose. 3. Gas stations are very scarce along the way. Be sure to fill up your tank before leaving the county; there are no PetroChina stations in the townships. 4. Charang Monastery is a sacred place for practice. Do not speak loudly, do not step on prayer flags, and do not take photos of monks without permission. 5. It is very windy at the viewing platform during sunrise and sunset. Even in summer, bring a windproof jacket. Essential Gear ✅ Clothing: Short sleeves + fleece + windproof jacket. Temperatures near 0°C in the morning and evening, with a temperature difference of over 20°C+. ✅ Sun protection: High-SPF sunscreen, sun hat, sunglasses. UV rays on the plateau are extremely strong. ✅ Medicine: Oxygen canisters, glucose, ibuprofen (for altitude headaches), stomach medicine. ✅ Photography: Drone (aerial shots of the Yellow River braided streams are legendary), tripod for sunset and Milky Way shots. V. Xiaohongshu Copy (Copy and paste to post) Head to the hidden gem in Golog, Qinghai | Dari Viewing Platform, meet the most beautiful braided streams of the Yellow River 🌊 No crowded tourists, no high admission fees. Standing at the foot of the King Gesar statue, the entire Yellow River is divided by sandbars into countless water channels, spreading across the grassland valley like countless braids. In the early morning, mist drifts over the Tibetan village; in the evening, the sunset dyes the Yellow River red; at night, look up to see the Milky Way filling the sky. 3-day, 2-night road trip, all attractions are free, less than 700 per person. This is what the pristine Tibetan areas of the Northwest should look like ✨

Broaden your kids' horizons this National Day with these 8 destinations that are uncrowded, beautiful, and educational. 1️⃣ Turpan | Xinjiang The surface temperature of the Flaming Mountains can soften shoe soles, but don't be discouraged. Arrive before 9:00 AM, when the morning light makes the ocher-red mountains look like burning charcoal. Your child will chase you asking, "Where is Sun Wukong's golden cudgel?" 📍 The giant thermometer at the entrance is a must-shoot spot; hold your phone high to avoid the crowds. The Kumtag Desert is better in the afternoon; walking barefoot on the fine sand at the top of the dunes is just the right temperature. Rent a sandboard and slide down the gentle slopes—kids won't get tired of it even after 5 times. ⚠️ Don't buy shoe covers at the entrance; it's more cost-effective to rent the reusable ones inside for CNY 10. In the evening, back in the city, the mummy exhibition at the Turpan Museum is both scary and fascinating for kids—remember to book in advance via the official WeChat account. 🍜 For dinner, have a baked bun under the grape trellis; the crust is crispy and the meat is fragrant. At CNY 3 each, one is enough to fill you up. 2️⃣ Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture | Qinghai The sunrise at the First Bend of the Yellow River is the biggest surprise of this trip. At 6:30 AM, the grassland is still covered in gray mist, but the river is already dyed golden-red by the morning glow. Wrapped in a windbreaker, your child will stand on the viewing platform and understand for the first time that the "Mother River" can be this gentle. During the day, walk along the boardwalk toward the valley to see herds of yaks drinking in the shallows. ⏰ The water reflection is strongest when the sun is directly overhead at noon, so remember to wear polarized sunglasses for photos. The altitude here is nearly 4,000 meters, so ⚠️ kids may get out of breath easily when running or jumping. Bring portable oxygen canisters and walk slowly to see more details. The stargazing spot in the evening is a 10-minute walk from the accommodation, and the Milky Way is so clear you'll feel like you can reach out and grab it. Remember to bring a thick down jacket for your child; the temperature difference is enough to make you regret not bringing long johns in a second. 3️⃣ Lishui | Zhejiang Yunhe Rice Terraces are best enjoyed by staying inside the scenic area and waking up early the next day to see the sea of clouds. The viewing platform is already full of tripods by 5:30 AM, but if you walk 200 meters toward Qixingdun, there are fewer people and a wider view. The rice ears rustle in the morning breeze, and it's the first time your child will see mountain mist rolling over the ridges like a waterfall. Below Dinghu Peak in Jinyun Xiandu, the stream is so clear you can see stone moroko fish. 📍 Zhutanshan Stone Arch Bridge is the best photo spot. Wear red and stand on the bridge with the bamboo-shoot-shaped peaks in the background for an instant ancient-style blockbuster photo. If you aren't very fit, take the cable car up the mountain; the walking path has too many steps, and your legs will be dead for 3 days if you walk it with a kid. The waterfall at Qingtian Shimen Cave is hidden deep in the canyon; after 3:00 PM, the mist fills the air, and you can see rainbows hanging on the waterfall curtain when the sun shines through. 🍜 After coming down the mountain, eat a Jinyun baked bun at the village entrance; the preserved vegetable and meat filling is so crispy it crumbles. 4️⃣ Shantou | Guangdong You don't need to rush through attractions on Nan'ao Island; renting an electric scooter and riding slowly along the island loop road is the most comfortable way. The beach at Tropic of Cancer Square has few people and fine sand, perfect for kids to spend the whole morning digging. 📍 The windmills at Chuanzai Peng are best lit after 4:00 PM; the white windmills against the deep blue sea look like a scene from a Hayao Miyazaki animation. The seafood market in Houzhai Town opens at 3:00 PM, and the mantis shrimp and flower crabs are fresh off the boat. ⚠️ Don't choose the restaurant that aggressively solicits customers. Walk a bit deeper into the alley to find "Aming Xiaochao," where the locals line up—it's a real hidden gem. Watch the sunset at Qing'ao Bay in the evening, when the sea is dyed the color of orange soda. There are "blue tears" (bioluminescent algae) on the beach at night; you might still catch them at the end of summer, and your child will scream with excitement. Remember to bring a light jacket for your child, as the sea breeze gets chilly quickly after dark. 5️⃣ Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture | Guizhou The night view of Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village is truly stunning, but don't rush to crowd the viewing platform. 📍 There is a corner on the walking path in Yedong Village where you can see the entire Miao village's lights like stars fallen into the mountain hollow, and it's quiet enough to listen to a Miao song in peace. Zhaoxing Dong Village is better to explore slowly during the day; the Dong Grand Choir performance under the Drum Tower starts at 11:00 AM. Even if your child doesn't understand the lyrics, they will be shocked by the multi-part melody. Rent a Miao outfit for CNY 30 to take photos by the Wind and Rain Bridge and the rice fields; it's much more natural than those heavily retouched travel photos in the scenic area. Zhenyuan Ancient Town is best reached in the evening; when the lanterns on both sides of the Wuyang River light up, you'll feel like you've walked into an ink wash painting. ⚠️ The stone steps at Qinglong Cave are steep and slippery; it's recommended that those with elderly people or children only visit the outer perimeter. The hiking trail at Xianghuoyan is shaded by trees the whole way, and the stream water is refreshingly cool—an unexpectedly discovered treasure. 6️⃣ Hulunbuir | Inner Mongolia You must stay in a yurt for one night on the grassland, but don't choose the "internet-famous" stargazing yurts. 📍 The herder's camp near Heishantou allows kids to feed lambs and milk cows; CNY 50 gets you fun until sunset, which is much more authentic than the horse-riding projects in the scenic area. Wake up at 4:00 AM to watch the sunrise over the grassland; the shock of the vastness of heaven and earth is something you can't learn from reading a textbook a hundred times. Ride a horse through the hinterland of the grassland in the morning; the horseman will teach your child how to control the reins, which is 10 times more interesting than circling around in the scenic area. Watch the sunset by the Ergun River in the evening, where the river water mashes up the orange-red and purple-blue of the sky. 🍜 For dinner, have hand-grabbed mutton with wild chive flower sauce; your child will say this is the "taste of running mutton." ⚠️ There are many mosquitoes on the grassland, so bring enough long pants and mosquito repellent. 7️⃣ Fuzhou | Jiangxi The most famous rafting in Dajue Mountain is not suitable for children under 10 years old, but the ancient town at the foot of the mountain is worth a half-day visit. 📍 There is a small stream next to the Baibu Plank Road at the entrance of the ancient town, where the water is knee-deep and kids can catch small fish. Bring a pair of water shoes; they are steadier than sandals. After taking the cable car up the mountain, kids will be both scared and eager to walk on the glass plank road on the cliff. ⏰ After 2:00 PM, the number of tourists decreases, and the sunlight shines sideways into the canyon, making for photos without glare. The vegetarian restaurant in the scenic area is surprisingly good; kids won't even be able to tell the difference with the "braised pork" made from soy products. Don't rush to leave after coming down the mountain; there is an intangible cultural heritage performance at the ancient town stage at 3:00 PM. The puppet show's joints move more flexibly than a real person's, and your child will watch without blinking. 8️⃣ Hezhou | Guangxi Huangyao Ancient Town is worth staying for 1 night. At 6:00 AM, before the tourists arrive, the stone roads glisten with dew. Eat a bowl of tofu pudding by the Dailong Bridge with your child and watch the grandmother grind soybeans with a stone mill; the aroma can drift half the street. The waterfall group in Gupo Mountain is a summer gift; you can see the 3-tier waterfall after walking along the plank road for half an hour. When the mist hits your face, your child will shout, "This is much cooler than air conditioning!" ⚠️ The plank road is slippery; wearing non-slip sneakers is safer than sandals. The sunset at Dongtanling is best reached by self-driving; the viewing platform on the top of the mountain offers a view of the entire karst peak forest floating in the sea of clouds. 🍜 After coming down the mountain, go to Hezhou city to eat a bowl of beef intestine sour soup; it's sour, spicy, and appetizing. Your child will say, "I want another bowl," while gasping for air.

Traveling in September and October, the biggest fear is the massive crowds. If you go to popular cities, your photos will just be full of the backs of people's heads, and the experience is ruined. I've carefully selected these 8 places after comparing them over time, and they are less crowded, have reliable scenery, and won't break the bank. Pick a weekend to head out and beat the peak crowds. 1️⃣ Zhaoqing | Guangdong For Star Lake, I recommend buying the combined ticket for Seven Star Crags and Star Lake Wetland Park directly. Don't try to save those few bucks. Get into Seven Star Crags by 8:00 AM. The breeze at the entrance of Shishi Cave is like natural air conditioning—you won't want to leave. For lunch, head to that long-standing rice noodle roll shop at the East Gate bridgehead. It's CNY 6 per serving, and the skin is so thin you can see the filling. In the afternoon, rent a small boat to enter the wetland and watch the red-crowned cranes standing on one leg on the shallows. They are quite clever and will fly away the moment you raise your phone. ⚠️ The tour boats stop running after 5:30 PM, so don't cut it too close. The whole route has few slopes, making it accessible for strollers and wheelchairs, and easy for seniors to keep up. 2️⃣ Hangzhou | Zhejiang Who says Hangzhou only has West Lake? When West Lake is packed with people, I hide away on a sculling boat in Xixi National Wetland Park. The boatman rows into the reed marshes, startling water birds into flight, leaving only the sound of water in your ears. In the afternoon, visit the China National Umbrella Museum. It's air-conditioned, and you can watch master craftsmen making oil-paper umbrellas on the spot—a hundred times better than baking in the sun outside. Prince Bay Park is the real backyard for locals. Find a big tree, lay out a picnic mat, and lie there watching the clouds for the whole afternoon. 🍜 In the evening, go to Gaoyin Street for a bowl of Pian'er Chuan (noodle soup). The bamboo shoots and preserved mustard greens are fresh and sweet, and the broth is rich and clings to the noodles. 🚄 Take Metro Line 3 to Huanglong Cave Station, then ride a shared bike for 10 minutes to get to Xixi. Don't take a taxi; the traffic is endless. 3️⃣ Baicheng | Jilin The Da'an Nenjiang Bay Tourist Area might sound obscure, but once you're there, you'll realize what a "low-key treasure" really is. The river breeze carries the scent of water plants, and the view is so wide it feels like it could hold the entire sky. Walking along the boardwalk, you can see flocks of wild ducks on the river island. In the evening, the light warms up, and the river surface looks like it's covered in crushed gold. This place is perfect for a leisurely stroll with seniors and children; the slopes are gentle, and there are benches to rest on every few steps. ⚠️ There are few stalls selling water in the scenic area, so bring enough, especially in summer. After leaving the scenic area in the afternoon, drive for about 10 minutes to the county town for a full fish feast. The river carp stewed with tofu is so tender that the meat falls apart with a single touch of your chopsticks. 4️⃣ Kaifeng | Henan Millennium City Park is more worth the ticket price at night than during the day. Once the lights come on, the prosperity of Bianjing returns. But if you go in early, don't rush to rent a costume. Head straight to the soup dumpling shop at the East Gate. One basket has 8 dumplings with skins as thin as paper. Bite a small hole to slurp the soup—it's incredibly delicious. In the afternoon, go to Daxiangguo Temple. The ginkgo tree behind the Hall of Heavenly Kings is hundreds of years old. Sitting in its shade listening to the Buddhist chants can really calm your mind. Lord Bao Temple and Iron Pagoda Park are close by, so you can visit them together. The glazed pagoda in Iron Pagoda Park glows with an ochre-red hue in the sunlight, making it much better for photos than trying to find the perfect angle. ⚠️ I advise against entering the "Da Song Horror" haunted house in Millennium City Park. You'll wait in line for 30 minutes only to be inside for 2 minutes—not worth it. 5️⃣ Weihai | Shandong You must get to Chengshantou early. Arrive by 6:30 AM before the sea mist clears; the reefs appear and disappear in the fog like a fairyland. Once the sun is fully out and the mist dissipates, the sea turns a deep, dark blue. Cameras can't capture even a tenth of that profound feeling. Huaxia City was built later, but it's clean, and the Huaxia First Archway inside is impressive—perfect for a leisurely stroll with your parents. You need to take a boat to Liugong Island. It's a 20-minute trip, and seagulls chase the stern of the boat, looking like you could reach out and touch them. 🍜 There's a Spanish mackerel dumpling shop at the island pier. The filling is bouncy, and it's fresh and sweet when eaten with minced garlic. ⚠️ Don't miss the last boat back to the city at 4:00 PM. Otherwise, you'll have to stay in a guesthouse on the island, which is expensive and has average conditions. 6️⃣ Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture | Qinghai The First Bend of the Yellow River is in Maqu County, but looking at it from the Golog side, the water is so clear it will overturn your perception of the Yellow River. Navigate to the "First Bend of the Yellow River Viewing Platform," park your car on the side of the road, and walk up the wooden boardwalk. The altitude is 3,600m, so take it slow. Looking back from halfway up the mountain, the river winds through the grassland in a huge "S" shape, like the earth tied a knot. The light is softest in the evening, with the water reflecting a golden-red hue, and herds of yaks in the distance walking slowly toward home. ⚠️ The temperature difference here is huge. As soon as the sun sets, the wind feels like a knife, so you must bring a down jacket. If you're driving, it takes an hour from Jiuzhi County. The road conditions are good, but there are many curves, so novice drivers should be careful. 7️⃣ Liuzhou | Guangxi Liuzhou is more than just river snail rice noodles. The essence of Chengyang Eight Villages is in the early morning. At 7:00 AM, smoke rises from the Wind and Rain Bridge, and grandmothers are beating laundry by the stream; the thumping sound carries across the water. Stay one night in a wooden guesthouse in the village. Open the window to see the terraced fields; the rice is turning yellow in late September, and when the wind blows, golden waves roll from the mountaintop to the foot of the hill. During the day, go to Longtan Park. The Dong Drum Tower and Wind and Rain Bridge inside were relocated in their original form. Sitting under the Drum Tower, the breeze blowing through is cool. 🍜 In the evening, return to the city and find any river snail rice noodle shop in an alley. Remember to add a fried egg and duck feet. ⚠️ Don't lose your ticket for Chengyang Eight Villages; several villages inside require ticket checks. I don't recommend the Liujiang River night cruise. Walking along the riverbank and watching the lights of the Confucian Temple reflected in the water is more relaxing than being on a boat. 8️⃣ Wuhu | Anhui Fantawild Tourist Area—I originally went to accompany my child, but ended up having a blast myself. The Phase III Water Park is still open in late September, but the water gets cold in the afternoon, so go at noon if you want to play. "Nuwa Mending the Sky" in the Phase IV Oriental Heritage park has naked-eye 3D effects better than imagined; the kids were screaming, and the adults were just as excited. If you're bringing kids, don't try to finish all the parks in one day; you won't be able to walk that much. Choose one theme area and play slowly. 🍜 The food in the park is expensive and average. I suggest eating a bowl of shrimp roe noodles in the city in the morning and buying some soup dumplings to take inside. ⚠️ The lines are long on weekends. If you can take time off on a weekday, do it. There is a free shuttle bus between the two parks; don't walk, as it's a long detour and sunny.

01 Jinzhong | Shanxi Pingyao Ancient City is definitely worth a night, but my advice is not to spend all three days inside the old town. Arrive in Pingyao in the afternoon on day one, walk the city wall first — the evening light warms the gray bricks and makes for better photos than in daylight. In the evening, head to South Street for wan wan tu (steamed gluten slices) with Pingyao beef. Don't overorder; the portions are generous. Check out early the next morning and hire a car to Wang Family Compound. ⚠️ Wang Family Compound is several times larger than Qiao Family Compound. Allow at least 3 hours to explore it, so don't pack your schedule too tight. On the way back in the afternoon, you can just take a quick look at the outside of Qiao Family Compound — no need to buy a ticket to go in. If you're short on time, Wang Family Compound alone is enough; Qiao Family Compound is better suited for those who are set on seeing famous film locations. 🚄 From Taiyuan, the high-speed train to Pingyao Ancient City Station takes about 40 minutes. After exiting the station, a taxi to the old town costs about 20 yuan. 02 Shaoxing | Zhejiang Shaoxing is a city best measured on foot. In the morning, visit Lu Xun's Former Residence. Remember to reserve in advance on the official WeChat account — it's free but has limited daily entry. From the Hundred-Plant Garden to the Three-Flavor Study, the scenes from your textbooks suddenly feel real. A 10-minute walk south brings you to Shen Garden, where the poems Lu You and Tang Wan wrote on the wall still remain. But the garden is better in the evening; during the day it's crowded and loses some of its melancholy. In the afternoon, head to Orchid Pavilion. It's a bit far from downtown — about 40 minutes by taxi. The Winding Stream Gathering spot is indeed elegant, but if calligraphy isn't your thing, feel free to skip it. I'd recommend Anchang Ancient Town instead. There's no main entrance fee, and as you stroll along the river, the aroma of cured sausages and soy-sauce duck follows you the whole way. 🍜 For lunch, try ciwu hand-pulled noodles near Lu Xun's Former Residence. The noodles are made fresh to order, and the broth is savory. Arrive in Anchang after 3 PM, when the low-angle light hits the covered walkways — that's when it photographs best. 03 Yingtan | Jiangxi Longhu Mountain is huge — don't try to see it all in one day. Here's my approach: take a bamboo raft down the Luxi River in the morning. The water is so clear you can see the stones at the bottom, and the Danxia landforms on both banks show distinct layers in the morning light. After getting off the raft, visit the Celestial Master's Mansion. The incense is plentiful but it's not chaotic; the ancient trees provide shade, and it's a place to take your time. In the afternoon, head to Elephant Trunk Mountain. The boardwalk is gentle, so even older visitors can manage it. ⚠️ The hanging coffin show has fixed performance times each day. If you want to see it, ask about the schedule in advance so you don't miss it. If you only have one day, this itinerary works well. If you have two, sleep in on the second day and then wander around Shangqing Ancient Town — its old street feels much more authentic than the commercial strip at the mountain entrance. 🚄 A taxi from Yingtan North Station to Longhu Mountain takes about 40 minutes. Ridesharing is more cost-effective. 04 Guoluo | Qinghai The First Bend of the Yellow River isn't the kind of attraction that wows you instantly — it requires you to be still. Climb the viewing platform in the late afternoon. Here, the Yellow River hasn't turned yellow yet; the emerald water curves in a wide arc through the grassland, and the only sounds are the wind and the water. ⏰ The best time is one hour before sunset, when the light gilds the water's surface. After that, it gets dark quickly, so dress warmly. The altitude is high here, so walk slowly and don't run or jump. If you only have half a day, leave the county town at 2 PM. Along the way, you'll see yaks and Tibetan sheep on the grassland, and you can stop anytime to take photos. ⚠️ The navigation may show a short route, but the mountain roads are winding. Budget 2 hours for the drive to be safe. Head back to the county town for the night — the accommodations are basic but clean and warm. 05 Ordos | Inner Mongolia Xiangshawan (Resonant Sand Bay) and Kangbashi are complete opposites in character, but both are worth visiting. Xiangshawan is all about desert experiences — camel rides, sand sliding, and a desert train — great for families with kids. ⚠️ The sand gets scorching hot at noon, so try to avoid 12 PM to 2 PM. Sunscreen is a must — the back of your neck is the easiest to burn. Tickets, the cable car, and the rides are priced separately, so decide what you want to do before entering the scenic area, or you might blow your budget. Kangbashi, on the other hand, is a new district with wide, clean streets — perfect for an evening stroll. ⏰ The musical fountain after 8 PM is free, and the visual effect rivals that of big cities. If you're short on time, dedicate a full day to Xiangshawan and leave the evening for Kangbashi. 06 Linxia | Gansu The essence of Linxia lies along the water route between Bingling Temple and Liujiaxia. In the morning, take a sightseeing boat from the Liujiaxia Dam pier into the reservoir. The water is a deep green, and the Danxia landforms on both banks expose reddish-brown rock layers — like a miniature Three Gorges. The boat ride takes about an hour, and you'll disembark right at Bingling Temple. The grottoes here are far quieter than Dunhuang's. The giant Buddha is carved directly into the cliff face, and it's awe-inspiring up close. ⚠️ Photography is prohibited inside the grottoes — don't try to sneak any shots. Back at the pier in the afternoon, you can drive to the Liujiaxia Tourism Resort and enjoy a meal of Dongxiang hand-grabbed lamb — tender and free of gamey taste. 🍜 Pair it with a bowl of Hezhou baozi (steamed buns) — thin-skinned and generously filled. Even if you're not particularly into grottoes, the boat ride alone is worth the ticket price. 07 Dalian | Liaoning The Dalian way is seaside views plus leisurely strolls — no need to rush between attractions. Jinshitan (Golden Pebble Beach) is far from downtown, but the coastline is stunning, especially the geological park in the eastern section, where the sea has carved the rocks into all sorts of shapes. At low tide in the evening, you can find small crabs. Laohutan Ocean Park is good for families, but tickets aren't cheap. If there are no kids in your group, feel free to skip it. I'd recommend Tangli Lake Park instead — it's where locals go for a walk. The lake is calm, and the loop trail takes about an hour. There are cherry blossoms in spring and red leaves in autumn. Xinghai Square is best in the evening — the sea breeze is strong, so bring a jacket. ⏰ The ideal plan: spend the day at Jinshitan, return to the city in the late afternoon to catch the sunset at Tangli Lake, and end the night at Xinghai Square. ⚠️ The UV rays on Dalian's coast are intense — you can get sunburned even on cloudy days. Don't skimp on sunscreen. 08 Jixi | Heilongjiang Jixi is the kind of city you wouldn't go out of your way to visit, but you'd be pleasantly surprised if you passed through. Xingkai Lake is as wide as the sea — you can't see the other shore. The beach is soft and fine. In summer you can swim, but the water is on the cool side, so don't stay in too long. Hutou Town sits on the banks of the Wusuli River, where you'll find well-preserved riverfront scenery and a boundary marker. Standing by the river, you can see a Russian village on the opposite shore. 🍜 Jixi's naengmyeon (cold noodles) is the best in Northeast China. Unlike Korean-style cold noodles, the broth here leans savory, and it's satisfying with spicy side dishes. ⚠️ Xingkai Lake Scenic Area and Hutou Town are quite far apart — about an hour's drive — so don't try to do both in one day. I suggest arriving in Hutou in the afternoon of day one to see the river, spending the full second day at Xingkai Lake, and heading back to the city for cold noodles in the evening. This area is best explored by car; public transportation is inconvenient. Three days of slow living — no need to chase check-ins. Just pick one or two towns and take your time. Jinzhong suits those who love ancient architecture, Shaoxing is for anyone who wants to idle away time in a water town, and Dalian is for those who want the sea without the crowds. Is there a slow city you've been wanting to visit? Share in the comments — maybe the next feature will be about it.

Once summer vacation ends, flight and hotel prices drop, and attraction queues are cut in half. I've picked 8 places perfect for autumn—mountains, water, ancient cities—and the best part is, they won't break the bank. 1️⃣ Jiaozuo | Henan I advise against visiting Yuntai Mountain on weekends. ⏰ Visit between Tuesday and Thursday; you might feel like you have the Red Stone Gorge boardwalk all to yourself. Water levels are still good in late September, so the waterfalls aren't just trickles, and the red leaves start turning in mid-October—half a month earlier than in Xiangshan. Qingtian River is perfect for a boat ride and just zoning out. 📍 Board at the Dam Pier and sit on the left side to see the reflections of the cliffs on both banks. Boat tickets and admission tickets are separate; buy a package on the official account in advance to save enough for a bowl of braised noodles. Shennong Mountain is tough on the knees. If the cable car queue is over 40 minutes, don't wait; take the Baisongling trail up. You'll see more Taihang macaques than tourists along the way. ⚠️ Don't carry plastic bags; the monkeys recognize the bags, not the people. 🍜 After heading down, go to downtown Jiaozuo for a bowl of stewed pork ribs with iron stick yam. Local restaurants serve generous portions; a small size is enough for two. 2️⃣ Heyuan | Guangdong The right way to experience Wanlv Lake isn't by taking the big boat. ⏰ Arrive at the pier before 8:00 AM and rent a small speedboat to zip to the islands in the middle of the lake. The water is as still as glass, and the temperature in October is just right—not too hot, not too cold. 📍 You can wade in the shallows near Jinghuayuan; bring water shoes, as the pebbles are sharp. There's no shade on the islands, so a hat is more useful than sunscreen. ⚠️ The big boat ticket includes very short island stops, so you won't have time to take photos. For a slower pace, choose a shared speedboat. It costs a few dozen yuan more per person, but the experience is much better. 🍜 Back in the city, find a Hakka restaurant and order a bowl of Wanlv Lake fish head soup. It's milky white and so fresh you don't need MSG. 3️⃣ Zaozhuang | Shandong Taierzhuang Ancient Town looks better at night than during the day. ⏰ Enter after 4:00 PM when the light is soft and the lanterns light up—that's the best time for photos. During the day, the shops are repetitive, and you'll get bored after walking down two streets. 📍 Walk west from Fuxing Square. The area along the canal is less crowded, and the stone bridges paired with black-awning boats make for great photos. ⚠️ Accommodation inside the ancient town is expensive and noisy. Stay in the Taierzhuang District outside the town—it's a 10-minute taxi ride and half the price. Tickets are valid for two days, so don't try to do it all in one day. 🍜 Outside the ancient town, find a spicy chicken restaurant. Zaozhuang spicy chicken is dry-fried, completely different from Sichuan style, and is best eaten wrapped in pancakes. 4️⃣ Lianyungang | Jiangsu I suggest splitting Huaguoshan and Liandao into two days. It takes at least three hours to hike up Huaguoshan, and there are more people queuing for photos at the Water Curtain Cave than there are monkeys. ⏰ Enter the mountain at 7:30 AM and take the scenic shuttle to Yunu Peak; walking down is easier. Liandao is best visited in the evening. 📍 The wooden boardwalk from Dashawan Beach toward Sumawan isn't sticky with sea breeze in late September, and the sunset faces the ocean directly. ⚠️ Parking spots at Liandao are hard to find during peak season; it's easier to take the BRT rapid transit to Liandao Beach Station. Buy admission and shuttle tickets separately, and don't get scammed by touts at the entrance. 🍜 At Xugou Seafood Street, blue crabs are sold by the piece; ask for the price before ordering. 5️⃣ Lanzhou | Gansu Lanzhou isn't just a transit stop; it's worth staying for two days. ⏰ Go to Mogouyan at 7:00 AM for the first pot of beef noodles—the broth is clear, the radishes are white, and you can add your own chili oil. After 9:00 AM, the broth gets cloudy. 📍 Hike for half an hour to the top of Baita Mountain Park for an overlook of Zhongshan Bridge and the Yellow River; the light is best at 4:00 PM. Remember to book the Provincial Museum three days in advance; it's closed on Mondays, so ⚠️ don't make a wasted trip. Riding a sheepskin raft on the Yellow River is purely for the experience—it's a 10-minute float and not cheap, so decide for yourself if it's worth it. 🍜 For the milk and egg fermented rice at Zhengning Road Night Market, look for the stall with the white-bearded old man; don't buy from the wrong one. 6️⃣ Golog | Qinghai The First Bend of the Yellow River is on the border of Maqu and Golog. In late September, the grasslands turn yellow, and the river water turns a blue-green. ⏰ Arrive at the viewing platform at 3:00 PM; the cloud shadows on the river create a great sense of depth. 📍 Heading from Tangke Town toward Suokezang Temple, there are several free photo spots on the road with a wilder perspective than the scenic boardwalk. ⚠️ The altitude is over 3,500 meters, so don't run or jump, and don't shower on the first day. Roads may be closed due to snow after October, so check the weather and road conditions before you leave. Suitable for experienced drivers; there are few gas stations along the way, so fill up whenever you see one. 🍜 There are many Sichuan restaurants in town; order a yak beef hot pot to warm up. 7️⃣ Baicheng | Jilin Daan Nenjiang Bay Tourist Area has a mouthful of a name, but the scenery is real. ⏰ In late September, the reeds are in bloom, looking like golden waves in the wind. Take a boat tour on the Nenjiang River; the river is so wide you can't see the other side. 📍 There's a bird-watching pavilion in the middle of the wetland boardwalk; bring binoculars, as grey herons and egrets are common. After mid-October, migratory birds head south, and their numbers are at their peak. ⚠️ There are few dining options around the scenic area, so bring your own food and water. It's windy, so tie your hat tight, or it'll fly right into the river. It's suitable for walking slowly with elderly family members; the boardwalk is flat, and two hours is enough for the whole route. 🚄 It's about a 40-minute taxi ride from Baicheng Station. 8️⃣ Handan | Hebei Guangfu Ancient City and Wahuang Palace—one for the water city, one for climbing the hanging temple. The Guangfu city walls are intact; rent a bicycle to ride around, and ⏰ the reflections in the moat are best in the evening. Wahuang Palace is in She County, a 1.5-hour drive from downtown Handan. 📍 The main hall is built into the cliff; the steps up are steep, so take the cable car if you have bad knees. ⚠️ It's windy on the mountain; bring a jacket if you go in October. 🍜 Back in the city, have a bowl of Handan pulled noodles with a donkey meat burger—that's how locals do breakfast. These 8 places are perfect for a September–October trip. Fewer crowds, lower prices, and the scenery is just as good. Pick one near you and head out for the weekend. Let me know in the comments which one you want to visit most, and I'll help you plan your route.

The joy of a road trip lies in being able to pull into a rest area whenever you see beautiful clouds, or rolling down the windows when you smell the sea breeze. These 8 places offer friendly road conditions and plenty of scenery. They are easy to drive, and every stop tells a story. 1️⃣ Manzhouli | Inner Mongolia Step on the gas and head to the border of China, Russia, and Mongolia; this city has a distinct multicultural vibe. 📍 Manzhouli Matryoshka Scenic Area is a must-stop. The massive complex of nesting doll buildings looks like fairy-tale blocks under the blue prairie sky. It's great for photos, but it's quite commercialized, so a quick walk-through for pictures is enough—don't set your expectations too high for the amusement rides. ⏰ We recommend entering Matryoshka Square after 4:00 PM. The light hits the colorful domes at an angle, looking ten times better than the harsh midday sun. It has a different vibe after the lights come on at night, making it suitable for families with kids, and couples can get steady night shots too. If you're driving, the road conditions from Hailar are good, but gas stations are far apart on the prairie sections, so fill up whenever you see one. ⚠️ Accommodation prices double during peak season, so book in advance—don't wait until you arrive. 🍜 Have a Russian-style meal; borscht with rye bread is warming and filling. If you want to save money, the hand-grabbed mutton at small local eateries in the city is more authentic. 2️⃣ Yantai | Shandong Yantai is an underrated road trip destination. With a long coastline and scattered attractions, having your own car is the best way to explore. The Penglai Pavilion Scenic Area is best visited in the morning; when the mist hasn't cleared, it really feels like a "fairyland." However, tickets aren't cheap, so check the reservation rules on official channels beforehand to avoid a wasted trip. You need to take a ferry to Changdao Island, and you can bring your car, but lines are long during peak season, so we suggest traveling off-peak. The roads on the island are narrow and hilly, so novice drivers should be careful. 🚢 Ferry schedules are heavily affected by weather, so check the status before you leave and don't cut it too close. Longkou Nanshan is better for families with seniors; the scenic area is large, and you can drive to the core areas without having to walk too much. ⏰ Go around 3:00 PM or 4:00 PM when it's less crowded and cooler for a leisurely stroll. 🍜 Don't miss Yantai menzi (starch jelly) and mackerel dumplings; small street-side shops are often more authentic than those inside the scenic area. ⚠️ UV rays are strong by the sea, so wear sunscreen even on cloudy days. 3️⃣ Lhasa | Tibet Driving to Lhasa is a rite of passage in itself. But altitude sickness is no joke, so rest for half a day after arriving—don't rush to drive around. You must book the Potala Palace in advance; tickets are scarce during peak season, so enter during the time slot specified in the official announcement, as you might not get in if you're late. Jokhang Temple is best visited in the early morning. The flow of pilgrims and the scent of butter lamps create an atmosphere that doesn't need a filter. Namtso Lake is far from the city; road conditions are generally okay, but the altitude is high. A round trip in one day is too rushed, so we recommend staying overnight to see the starry sky and sunrise. ⚠️ It's windy and cold by Namtso Lake, so bring a thick jacket even in summer. 📸 Don't step on prayer flags or mani piles when taking photos; respect local customs. 🍜 Sit in a sweet tea house for an afternoon; a pot of sweet tea with Tibetan noodles is more healing than any trendy shop. This is suitable for drivers with high-altitude experience and plenty of time. 4️⃣ Golog | Qinghai The First Bend of the Yellow River in Golog is the kind of place that makes a long drive feel worth it. With grasslands, wetlands, and winding river channels, the view is so expansive it makes you want to sing. 📍 Search for "First Bend of the Yellow River Viewing Platform" in your navigation app. There are parking areas by the road; don't drive onto the grass, as you might get stuck. ⏰ July and August are the best windows; the grass is green, flowers are in bloom, and the temperature is comfortable. Other months may have snow and road closures, so be sure to check the weather and road conditions before you leave. Gas stations are scarce on this stretch, so fill up whenever you see one—don't take the risk. This is suitable for those who enjoy quiet and can handle long-distance driving. Be cautious if traveling with seniors or children, as the altitude and drive time are challenging. ⚠️ Prairie weather changes in an instant, so keep rain gear and warm clothing handy. 🍜 There aren't many restaurants on the road, so pack some snacks and water. Once you reach the town, have a hot yak beef hot pot to recharge. 5️⃣ Pingliang | Gansu Kongtong Mountain is Pingliang's signature attraction. Drive to the foot of the mountain and transfer to the scenic area transport to go up. The mountain road is winding; you can drive up yourself, but parking is limited, so we suggest arriving early during peak season. ⏰ Go up in the morning while the mist hasn't cleared; the Taoist temples appearing and disappearing in the clouds have more character than on a sunny day. 📍 Chaotian Gate and Leisheng Peak in the Kongtong Mountain Scenic Area are classic photo spots, but the steps are steep, so wear comfortable shoes. Seniors can take the cable car to save energy. Pingliang city center is small, so one night is enough. 🍜 Pingliang mutton paomo (pita bread soaked in lamb soup) and Jingning roast chicken are worth a try; the soup is rich and the meat is tender—very satisfying after a hike. ⚠️ Prices on the mountain are high, so bring enough water and snacks. This is suitable for a half-day to one-day short road trip; it's only about a 3-hour drive from Xi'an. 6️⃣ Taiyuan | Shanxi Taiyuan is a great stopover for a Shanxi road trip, but don't just treat it as a transit point—there's plenty to do in the city and suburbs. Visit Tianlong Mountain in the morning; the grottoes and forests are quiet and uncrowded. Explore the Jinci Museum in the afternoon; the ancient architecture and springs look beautiful in the sunset. Jinyang Lake Park is most comfortable in the evening. It's where locals go for a stroll, parking is convenient, and it's perfect for relaxing after a day of driving. ⏰ Admission to Jinci stops 2 hours before closing, so don't cut it too close. 🚗 The mountain road to Tianlong Mountain has many curves, so novice drivers should take it slow. If you have kids, telling them stories at Jinci is more interesting than just rushing through. 🍜 For Taiyuan's knife-cut noodles, "tounao" (a local soup), and guoyourou (stir-fried pork), look for small shops in the old town. ⚠️ Some attractions are closed on Mondays, so check before you leave. This is suitable for family trips, with mature road conditions and facilities. 7️⃣ Haikou | Hainan Haikou is the starting or ending point for a round-the-island road trip. The city has a slow pace, making it perfect for adjusting for a couple of days after arrival. Visit the Qilou Old Street in the morning when it's less crowded and the light is soft; the Nanyang-style architecture makes for great photos. The Wugong Temple is great for history buffs; it's not large and takes about an hour to explore. The Volcano Park is not far from the city, making it easy to drive to. Climbing up to see the panoramic view of Haikou is windy but refreshing. ⏰ Go to the volcano after 4:00 PM when it's less sunny. 📍 Parking is limited around Qilou Old Street, so we suggest parking further away and walking. 🍜 For Qingbuliang (chilled dessert), Hainan rice noodles, and spicy soup rice, just walk into any old street-side shop—they're better than the ones in malls. ⚠️ There are many electric scooters in Haikou, so be careful when driving. This is suitable for family trips and slow-paced travelers, with friendly road conditions. 8️⃣ Bazhong | Sichuan Guangwu Mountain is the star attraction of Bazhong. Drive there during the autumn red leaf season, and the mountain roads are lined with colorful forests—the view is right outside your window. ⏰ Mid-October–early November is the best time; too early and the leaves aren't red, too late and they've all fallen. It's crowded during peak season, so leave early to avoid getting stuck halfway up the mountain. 📍 The Guangwu Mountain Scenic Area is divided into several valleys; just pick one or two to explore in depth, as doing it all is too tiring. Choose flat routes for seniors, while younger people can take the plank roads. ⚠️ The temperature difference between day and night in the mountains is large, so a jacket is a must. Check the official daily announcements for ticket and sightseeing bus information. 🍜 Bazhong's "guanguan" rice (rice cooked in small pots) and "ten big bowls" are authentic at local town eateries. This is suitable for those who love autumn scenery and mountain driving, but there are many curves, so watch your speed and don't just focus on the scenery. With the steering wheel in your hands, you're free to go anywhere. These 8 places offer everything from the sea and mountains to the grasslands. Pick one, fill up your tank, and just go. Which one do you want to visit recently? Let's chat in the comments, and I'll help you check the route.