Perfect for a National Day getaway: 4 affordable, uncrowded small cities
Hey everyone! The National Day holiday is almost here. Just thinking about the crowds at popular tourist spots makes my head spin—photos full of strangers' heads, waiting in line for at least 2 hours, and accommodation prices tripling. This year, let's try a different approach. Based on 2025 National Day data, we've dug up 4 hidden gem cities that are accessible by high-speed rail or car, uncrowded, beautiful, and have stable prices. You can enjoy a high-quality trip for CNY 600–900 per person for 3 days and 2 nights. Just copy this itinerary 📝
🌊 Guangxi, Jingxi | The "Little Guilin" on the China-Vietnam border
A small city on the China-Vietnam border known as "Little Guilin" and "Little Kunming." For the 2025 National Day holiday, Jingxi's travel booking volume increased by over 100% compared to the same period last year, but it remains much quieter than Yangshuo, Guilin. The clear waters and ancient bridges of Equan, the 188m waterfall at Tongling Grand Canyon, sunset boating on Quyang Lake, and the intangible cultural heritage of embroidered balls in Jiuzhou—natural wonders and Zhuang ethnic customs blend here.
🚗 Transportation: High-speed rail to Nanning, then transfer for about 2.5 hours to Jingxi; or drive along the Hena Expressway for karst scenery all the way
🏨 Accommodation: Budget hotels/homestays in the city are CNY 150–300/night, with relatively stable price fluctuations during the holiday
💰 Budget: CNY 600–800 per person for 3 days and 2 nights
😋 Food: Sour soup noodles 8 yuan, rolled rice noodles 5 yuan, sour porridge duck, Vietnamese spring rolls, five-colored sticky rice
📸 Must-visit: Equan (46 yuan, source of Detian Waterfall), Tongling Grand Canyon (125 yuan, 188m waterfall), Quyang Lake boat tour (66 yuan), Jiuzhou Scenic Area (46 yuan, embroidered ball intangible cultural heritage)
🗓️ Day 1: Arrival > Visit Jiuzhou Ancient Town for handmade embroidered balls and Zhuang customs > Evening sunset at Equan's ancient bridge
Day 2: See the waterfall and caves at Tongling Grand Canyon > Afternoon boating on Quyang Lake (flower boat activities during the holiday)
Day 3: Morning mist at Equan > Return trip
🏘️ Jiangxi, Longnan | The "Kingdom of Walled Houses" just 2 hours from Guangzhou by high-speed rail
Compared to Mount Lu, Jiujiang, and the "Porcelain Capital" Jingdezhen, Longnan is a typical "niche travel destination." During the 2025 National Day holiday, the average occupancy rate of 18 tourist hotels in Longnan reached 90.92%, yet the attractions remained uncrowded. Known as the "World Capital of Walled Houses," 376 Hakka walled houses are scattered among the mountains and waters.
🚗 Transportation: 2-hour high-speed rail from Guangzhou/Shenzhen to Longnan East Station. Renting a car is recommended upon arrival (attractions are scattered, 20–40 minutes drive between each)
🏨 Accommodation: City hotels CNY 150–300/night; unique experience staying in renovated walled house homestays
💰 Budget: CNY 650–850 per person for 3 days and 2 nights
😋 Food: Hakka stuffed tofu, braised pork with preserved mustard greens, pounded fish, tangpi (rice noodles), Hakka rice wine
📸 Must-visit: Guanxi Walled House (world's largest square walled house), Yanyi Walled House (tallest existing walled house), Wushi Walled House (round outside, square inside), Taiping Bridge (built under the direction of Wang Yangming), South Wudang Mountain (Danxia landform wonders)
🗓️ Day 1: High-speed rail to Longnan East Station > Visit Guanxi Walled House, the "King of Walled Houses" > Stay in a renovated walled house homestay
Day 2: Experience the peak of defense at Yanyi Walled House > Taiping Bridge > See Ming Dynasty brick carvings at Wushi Walled House
Day 3: Hike up South Wudang Mountain for the view > Return trip
🏞️ Gansu, Weiyuan | A secret realm in Longzhong at the source of the Yellow River
For the 2025 National Day holiday, Weiyuan became a top choice for "reverse travel" thanks to its ultimate autumn scenery, affordable homestays, and lack of crowds. The colorful forests of Shouyang Mountain, the babbling brooks of the Weihe River source, and the autumn foliage at Shuangshimen—autumn is in full swing at the beginning of October. No "crowds blocking your view," and no need to grab tickets 2 hours in advance.
🚗 Transportation: High-speed rail to Lanzhou/Dingxi, then transfer for about 2 hours to Weiyuan; or drive
🏨 Accommodation: Clean homestays for just over 100 yuan, with green mountains and clear waters right outside your door
💰 Budget: CNY 550–750 per person for 3 days and 2 nights
😋 Food: Liangpi (cold skin noodles), candied chestnuts, multigrain porridge, farm-raised chicken
📸 Must-visit: Shouyang Mountain (AAAA-rated, where Bo Yi and Shu Qi lived in seclusion), Weihe River Source (AAAA-rated, source of the Yellow River's largest tributary), Baling Bridge (the only pure wood cantilever arch bridge in the country), Shuangshimen, Tianjing Gorge (prehistoric canyon, only 15°C in the hottest month)
🗓️ Day 1: Arrival > Check in at Baling Bridge, the "Rainbow Over the Waves" > Family leisure at Luming Valley
Day 2: See the colorful forests of Shouyang Mountain > Afternoon search for the footprints of Yu the Great at the Weihe River source
Day 3: Colorful forests in Shuangshimen Canyon > Return trip
🏔️ Hubei, Yuan'an | A healing small city in western Hubei, deep in the Danxia landforms
For the 2025 National Day holiday, Yuan'an quietly gained popularity with its "nature + culture + leisure" positioning. A small city in western Hubei, dyed red by Danxia landforms and nourished by the Ju River. While others wait in line for 2 hours at tourist spots, you can gaze at the stars at an altitude of 1,300m on Taiping Peak. Many hotels and homestays were fully booked on the first day of the holiday, but the attractions are scattered and uncrowded.
🚗 Transportation: High-speed rail to Yichang East Station, then transfer for about 1.5 hours to Yuan'an; or drive
🏨 Accommodation: County hotels CNY 150–300/night; Huilongwan Hotel is located inside the scenic area
💰 Budget: CNY 600–800 per person for 3 days and 2 nights
😋 Food: Yuan'an big pot stew, chicken soup, farm-style cured meat, wild fish
📸 Must-visit: Climb Mingfeng Mountain for a view, Three Gorges Water Town drifting, boat tour in Danxia Immortal Valley, bamboo rafting at Huilongwan, Three Gorges Longyin Valley natural caves (fireworks show during the holiday), stone houses in Zhaijialing Ancient Village
🗓️ Day 1: Arrival > Climb to the top of Mingfeng Mountain to overlook the county > Evening river lantern release at Huilongwan
Day 2: Boat tour in Danxia Immortal Valley + national trend photo ops > Explore caves at Three Gorges Longyin Valley + watch fireworks
Day 3: Stroll through the stone houses of Zhaijialing Ancient Village > Return trip
💡 National Day travel tips
✅ Book accommodation in advance: Popular homestays for the holiday get booked quickly, so lock in your room 7–10 days ahead
✅ Travel off-peak: The first 3 days of the holiday are the most crowded; we recommend leaving after October 3 for a much better experience
✅ Pack a light jacket: There is a large temperature difference between day and night in late September and early October, especially in mountainous areas
✅ Non-slip shoes: Comfortable sneakers are a must for stone paths in ancient towns and hiking in the mountains
✅ Sun protection: The late summer heat is still here, so don't forget sunscreen and a hat
✅ Bring some cash: Some small stalls only accept cash
✅ Avoid roadside solicitors: Buy attraction tickets through official channels and don't trust scalpers
If you don't want to see crowds or waste money this National Day, just go for these 4 hidden gem cities! Accessible by high-speed rail/car, stable prices, and great for unedited photos. CNY 600+ per person for 3 days and 2 nights—a relaxed trip away from the crowds is the right way to spend the National Day holiday. 🍂✨