Reverse Off-Season Travel Deals
Reverse travel in December: 4 hidden gem cities where you can have fun for just 500 RMB per person!
Avoid the crowds, reverse travel is just right! Traveling in the off-season in December means rock-bottom prices on flights and hotels, fewer people at scenic spots, and beautiful views—it's the golden season for reverse travel. Today, we recommend 4 hidden gem small cities where you can enjoy 3 days for just 500 RMB per person, maximizing cost performance!
Recommended Hidden Gem Cities
1. Chongzuo, Guangxi | Warm winter secret in the karst peak forest
Why visit: The ultimate cost-effective winter escape, with temperatures between 18-25°C in December, half the crowd of Sanya and 30% cheaper!
Must-see spots:
- Mingshi Scenic Area: Clear water surrounds the village, bamboo raft drifting through mountains and waters, every photo looks like an ink painting masterpiece
- Laozhai Mountain: Climb to the top for panoramic views, no commercial noise, enjoy natural tranquility alone
- Detian Waterfall: Asia’s largest transnational waterfall, still spectacular in December
Food recommendations: Sour porridge hotpot, five-color glutinous rice, 30 RMB per person to eat until full, authentic local flavors
Budget reference: Accommodation 50-80 RMB/night, dining 30 RMB/person/day, optional free scenic spots
2. Qujing, Yunnan | Warm winter city gathering migratory birds
Why visit: Less rain and more sunny days in winter, temperatures 10-20°C, avoid the crowds of Dali and Lijiang, comfortable homestays for just around 100 RMB per person
Must-see spots:
- Luoping Jiulong Waterfalls: Water flow is gentle in winter, waterfalls cascade in layers, soft and quiet water sounds
- Nian Lake: Wintering migratory birds gather, peaceful lake surface, perfect for bird watching and sightseeing
- Qilin Water Town: Free attraction, ideal for leisurely strolls
Food recommendations: Steamed rice noodles, Xuanwei ham fried rice, breakfast for just 10 RMB, affordable and filling
Budget reference: Hostel beds 30-50 RMB/night, dining 40 RMB/person/day, public transport 2-3 RMB/ride
3. Ganzhou, Jiangxi | Slow life in the thousand-year-old Song Dynasty city
Why visit: Rich heritage of a thousand-year-old Song city, December temperatures 8-18°C, no expensive tickets, free strolls in old streets, ridiculously low costs
Must-see spots:
- Song City Wall: Well-preserved ancient city wall, walking on bluestone roads full of old-world charm
- Zao’er Alley: Take atmospheric ancient-style photos when lanterns light up at dusk
- Hakka Tulou: Hidden in the countryside, experience unique folk culture
Food recommendations: Hakka stuffed tofu, Ganzhou fried noodles, street snacks 5-15 RMB/portion, fresh and flavorful
Budget reference: Accommodation 60-80 RMB/night, dining 35 RMB/person/day, most attractions free
4. Panzhihua, Sichuan | Fruit feast in the city of sunshine
Why visit: Representative warm city in winter, December temperatures 15-26°C, abundant and cheap fruit harvest, low spending for fruit freedom
Must-see spots:
- Yishala Ancient Village: Thousand-year-old Yi village, blue tiles and white walls built against the mountain, simple folk customs
- Maluzhai: Wide views, winter meadows turn yellow, no entrance fee or crowds
- Gesala Ecotourism Area: Red earth scenery, perfect for photos
Food recommendations: Yanbian lamb rice noodles 15 RMB, warm and comforting; various tropical fruits 10 RMB per jin for unlimited enjoyment
Budget reference: Accommodation 70-100 RMB/night, dining 40 RMB/person/day, eat all the fruit you want
Money-saving Tips Revealed
Transportation Money-saving Tips
- Book early: Train tickets booked 15 days in advance, hard seats are the cheapest
- Travel off-peak: Avoid weekends and holidays, prices cut in half
- Prioritize buses: City attractions are concentrated, bus fare 2-3 RMB/ride, very low travel cost
Accommodation Money-saving Tips
- Hostels first choice: Beds 30-50 RMB/night, best cost performance
- Shared homestays: Cheaper for groups, plus meet new friends
- Avoid scenic spots: Choose accommodation in city or outskirts of ancient towns, prices half as much
Dining Money-saving Guide
- Local small shops: Street snacks 5-15 RMB/portion, half the price of scenic area restaurants
- Hearty breakfast: Full breakfast and lunch, light dinner
- Supermarket shopping: Buy snacks as backup food, much cheaper than scenic spots
Attraction Money-saving Tricks
- Free first: 70% of attractions are free, 30% have affordable tickets
- Student discounts: Bring your student ID, many attractions offer half price
- Off-season discounts: December off-season, tickets 40% off
3-Day Trip Budget Breakdown
Item Budget Explanation
Accommodation 150 RMB Hostel bed 50 RMB/night × 3 nights
Dining 150 RMB 50 RMB/person/day × 3 days
Transportation 100 RMB Bus + taxi, intercity transport extra
Tickets 50 RMB Selective paid attractions
Others 50 RMB Snacks + souvenirs
Total 500 RMB Excluding major transportation costs
Reverse Travel Tips
1. Warm clothing: Big temperature difference between morning and night in December, bring lightweight warm clothes, thin jacket + sneakers most practical
2. Photo tips: Shoot morning mist at dawn, sunset in the evening, soft light improves photo quality
3. Off-peak visits: Before 10 AM and after 4 PM fewer people, no queues for photos
4. Local experience: Eat where locals eat, go where the longest lines are, guaranteed good
Just go, reverse travel is perfect now! December off-season means cheap flights and hotels, missing out would be a shame! These 4 hidden gem small cities offer warm southern charm, snowy northern scenes, rich history, and natural beauty. Pick one that moves you and go!