Niche cities for a family trip during the National Day holiday with a budget of around 2,000 yuan
Don't want to deal with the National Day crowds but still want to take your kids out to see the world? If you want to balance your child's interests with your budget, these 6 niche cities are perfect. They are less commercialized and offer everything from nature education and light outdoor activities to relaxing fun. Local food and accommodation prices are friendly, with an overall per-person budget that can be kept around 2,000 yuan. The pace is relaxed, making them perfect for family trips.
▪️Jiangsu, Yancheng
🌿Family highlights: Vast wetlands and forests, bird watching, and a forest train. It's like stepping into a nature classroom. The weather is pleasant during the National Day holiday, and there are few tourists.
👶Great for kids: Learning about wetland flora and fauna, walking in the forest, and riding the forest train.
📍Must-do: Huanghai Forest Park, a forest oxygen bar with a forest train and a non-motorized playground, making it easy to take kids out. Yancheng Museum is free, offering a chance to learn about sea salt history, and indoor activities are weather-proof.
🗓Itinerary idea: 3 days, 2 nights. Explore the forest, museum, and city leisure at a relaxed pace.
💰Budget reference: Approx. 1,700–1,900 yuan per person.
▪️Fujian, Pingtan
🌊Family highlights: Island windmills, clean beaches, and many free beach areas. You can go clamming, pick up seashells, and watch the sunrise over the sea. The island atmosphere is wonderful.
👶Great for kids: Digging in the sand, clamming, cycling around the island, and viewing the sea reefs.
📍Must-do: Longwangtou Beach, with fine sand, perfect for watching the sunrise and clamming. Beigang Stone Village, to explore unique stone houses. Xianrenjing, to see unique sea erosion landforms.
🗓Itinerary idea: 3 days, 2 nights. A slow tour around the island. No need to check in at every popular spot; leave plenty of time for playing on the beach.
💰Budget reference: Approx. 1,800–2,000 yuan per person.
▪️Zhejiang, Pujiang
💧Family highlights: Mountains, streams, and ancient villages. There's glass rafting and a non-motorized playground. It's great for playing in the water with kids, and it's uncrowded.
👶Great for kids: Playing in the water, using the slides, and walking in the mountains to burn off energy.
📍Must-do: Poet Town, with ancient bridges and streams. Entry to the village is free, while water activities are charged separately. You can experience glass rafting and scooters, and take short walks in the surrounding mountains.
🗓Itinerary idea: 3 days, 2 nights. Ancient village + mountain leisure. Half relaxing, half light outdoor activity.
💰Budget reference: Approx. 1,500–1,800 yuan per person.
▪️Sichuan, Qionglai
🌳Family highlights: Tiantai Mountain forest waterfalls, gentle stream-tracing routes, cool mountain forests, and flat mountain roads. No high-intensity hiking required.
👶Great for kids: Stepping in water, watching waterfalls, and chasing butterflies in the forest.
📍Must-do: Tiantai Mountain, with clusters of streams and waterfalls and gentle trails, perfect for kids to trace streams. Linqiong Ancient City in Qionglai, for strolling through old streets and eating snacks.
🗓Itinerary idea: 3 days, 2 nights. Forest stream-tracing + ancient city strolling and eating. Easy on the feet.
💰Budget reference: Approx. 1,600–1,900 yuan per person.
▪️Jiangxi, Dexing
🍂Family highlights: Mountains, water, and ancient villages. There's a copper mine museum and mountain streams. It's quiet and uncrowded, perfect for taking kids to experience the mountain forests and countryside.
👶Great for kids: Looking at mineral specimens, playing in the stream, and walking in the fields.
📍Must-do: Damao Mountain, with clear mountain streams and easy hiking. Dexing Copper Mine Museum, for an intuitive understanding of mining knowledge, which kids find very interesting.
🗓Itinerary idea: 3 days, 2 nights. Light mountain hiking + museum education.
💰Budget reference: Approx. 1,400–1,700 yuan per person.
▪️Guangdong, Qingyuan Liannan
🏞Family highlights: Yao ethnic villages, rice paddy scenery, beautiful mountains and water. A combination of culture and nature, experiencing ethnic minority customs.
👶Great for kids: Looking at rice paddies, experiencing Yao ethnic features, and watching streams in the mountains.
📍Must-do: Nangang Millennium Yao Village, to experience Yao village culture. Wanshan Chaowang, with continuous peaks and forests, great for photos and walking in the countryside.
🗓Itinerary idea: 3 days, 2 nights. Village tour + countryside leisure.
💰Budget reference: Approx. 1,600–1,900 yuan per person.
⚠️Tips to avoid pitfalls
1. Be sure to book train tickets and homestays in advance for the National Day holiday, as small cities have limited availability.
2. When traveling with kids, always carry mosquito repellent, Band-Aids, and a change of clothes, as it's easy to get dirty in the mountains or by the water.
3. When playing in water in the mountains, be sure to keep an eye on your children and do not let them enter the water alone.
4. Many attractions offer discounted tickets for children, so bring their household registration book or ID card.
Avoid the crowds at popular National Day attractions and take your kids to these quiet little cities. Have fun while broadening their horizons. With a controllable budget and a relaxed itinerary, the whole family can easily enjoy the holiday.