8 Underrated, Budget-Friendly Cities for a "Reverse Travel" National Day! Avoid the crowds and save big on food and lodging
Don't crowd into popular big cities for the National Day holiday!
It's exhausting to deal with massive crowds, doubled hotel prices, and waiting in line for two hours just to see a view for five minutes.
We've curated 8 underrated cities perfect for a "reverse travel" National Day trip. They have few tourists, stable prices, no holiday price hikes, direct high-speed rail access, and are perfect for a relaxed, budget-friendly getaway.
Low cost, high healing, no rushing, and no tourist traps—the top choice for a National Day vacation for everyone ✅
📍Xingyi, Guizhou | A karst wonderland, the quietest mountain city for National Day ⛰️
The ultimate destination for "reverse travel" this National Day! While others are packed, this place offers vast, healing landscapes.
Wanfenglin and Maling River Canyon are crisp and cool in autumn, with clear air and incredible mountain views. No need for strenuous hiking—perfect for a laid-back, slow-paced trip.
💰Budget tips
▫️No holiday price hikes for lodging; homestays average 100+ per person.
▫️Most scenic spots are affordable, and niche photo spots are almost empty.
▫️Local cost of living is very low; a full meal costs about 40 per person.
✅Relaxing must-dos
Cycling in Wanfenglin, walking on rural trails, watching waterfalls at Maling River Canyon, and relaxing at sunset in the villages.
🍜Must-eats: Chicken tangyuan, shuabatou, Xingyi sour bamboo shoots, and sticky rice.
💡The truth: The least crowded city in Guizhou for National Day, with scenery that beats popular attractions and incredible value.
📍Changting, Fujian | A forgotten thousand-year-old Hakka ancient city 🏮
The most low-key ancient city in Fujian!
Without the noise of Gulangyu, it has very little commercialization. Locals live their normal lives here. The entire ancient city is free to explore, snacks are cheap, and it's perfect for budget travel.
💰Budget tips
▫️Homestays are just over 100, with almost no price hikes for National Day.
▫️Ancient street snacks are super cheap; boji ban and dengzhan gao are just a few yuan.
▫️City gates, old streets, and the Tingjiang riverfront are all free.
✅Relaxing must-dos
Wandering through Diantou Street, night views at Jichuan Gate, strolling along the Tingjiang River, and a slow visit to Wolong Academy.
🍜Must-eats: Hetian chicken, boji ban, pork kidney soup, and Hakka rice cakes.
💡The truth: If you want a quiet National Day, cheap and authentic snacks, and an immersive experience of ancient city life, Changting is the top choice.
📍Chongzuo, Guangxi | The "Little Guilin" of the south, cool and healing landscapes 🌿
Skip Guilin and Yangshuo this National Day! Chongzuo is the king of value for Guangxi landscapes.
In autumn, the sky is blue, the water is green, and the temperature is comfortable. The karst scenery is fresh and clear, with few tourists—perfect for clean, crowd-free photos.
💰Budget tips
▫️County lodging prices are stable, with no National Day price gouging.
▫️Many niche scenic spots and free riverside trails.
▫️Rice noodles and home-style dishes are very cheap; no stress on food and lodging.
✅Relaxing must-dos
Slow strolls in Mingshi Scenic Area, night views of Taiping Ancient City, catching the breeze along the Zuojiang River, and walking through the karst countryside.
🍜Must-eats: Vietnamese chicken pho, Chongzuo sour porridge, grilled pork belly, and five-colored sticky rice.
💡The truth: Stunning scenery, a relaxing trip, and perfect for a laid-back National Day vacation.
📍Quzhou, Zhejiang | A budget-friendly, vibrant, and niche ancient city in Zhejiang 🔥
The best city in Zhejiang for budget travel!
When Hangzhou and Shaoxing are packed, Quzhou is quiet and affordable. With tons of food, uncrowded attractions, and short lines, it's a great choice for National Day.
💰Budget tips
▫️The lowest-cost ancient city in Zhejiang; food and lodging are both affordable.
▫️Free night tours at Shuiting Gate and Xin'an Lake.
▫️Short lines at Jianglang Mountain during National Day—no need for a long battle.
✅Relaxing must-dos
Night views at Shuiting Gate, Confucius Southern Temple, Nianbadu Ancient Town, and relaxing at Xin'an Lake.
🍜Must-eats: Quzhou baked cakes, "three heads and one palm," scallion steamed buns, and tofu soup.
💡The truth: If you love spicy food, snacks, and want a low-cost tour of Jiangnan, head straight to Quzhou.
📍Jing County, Anhui | A niche, poetic ancient village in southern Anhui 🍂
Avoid the crowds at Hongcun and Xidi!
Jing County is a collection of the best-preserved, quiet ancient villages in southern Anhui. With gentle autumn vibes, clear streams, and pristine ancient villages, it's quiet and healing.
💰Budget tips
▫️Rural homestays are cheap and clean, with very low National Day price hikes.
▫️Tons of free ancient villages, streams, and mountain trails.
▫️Farmhouse dishes are affordable and generous.
✅Relaxing must-dos
Slow strolls in Chaji Ancient Village, relaxing by the water at Taohuatan, walking on the gentle sections of the Southern Anhui Sichuan-Tibet Line, and wandering through the old streets.
🍜Must-eats: Southern Anhui stinky dried tofu, rice dumplings, dried bamboo shoots with cured meat, and farmhouse chicken soup.
💡The truth: If you want a quiet National Day and to experience the autumn charm of southern Anhui, Jing County beats the popular ancient villages.
📍Chenzhou, Hunan | A fairyland in the deep autumn of the south, ethereal and healing 🍁
The temperature in Chenzhou during National Day is just right—not too hot or sunny.
The mist at Little Dongjiang is gentle, and the Danxia landforms at Gaoqiling are cool and serene. The scenery is ethereal and high-end, with far fewer tourists than in summer, doubling the experience.
💰Budget tips
▫️Lodging prices drop for National Day, half the price of summer.
▫️Many free spots for riverside walks and village sightseeing.
▫️Local rice noodles and home-style dishes offer great value.
✅Relaxing must-dos
Morning mist walks at Dongjiang Lake, light hiking at Gaoqiling Danxia, and relaxing on the gentle grasslands of Yangtian Lake.
🍜Must-eats: Chenzhou fish noodles, "slaughtered pig" noodles, Dongjiang fish, and rice cakes.
💡The truth: The most worthwhile mountain and water city in Hunan for a "reverse travel" National Day trip, with high-end scenery that isn't cliché.
📍Jianshui, Yunnan | An ancient city in southern Yunnan with an ultimate slow pace 🏺
Avoid the crowds in Dali and Lijiang!
Jianshui is the best small city in Yunnan for solitude and slow living. The ancient streets are pristine, the cost of living is super low, and the pace of life is very slow—quiet and comfortable for National Day.
💰Budget tips
▫️The entire ancient city has a very low cost of living, perfect for a long stay.
▫️Tons of free photo spots at the mini-train tracks, ancient bridges, and old streets.
▫️Snacks are everywhere and affordable; you can eat authentic Yunnan flavors for just a few yuan.
✅Relaxing must-dos
Wandering through Jianshui Ancient City, sunset at Shuanglong Bridge, Tuan-shan Ancient Village, and walking on the mini-train tracks.
🍜Must-eats: Jianshui grilled tofu, Caoya rice noodles, cold jelly noodles, and pickled pears.
💡The truth: Perfect for clearing your mind, relaxing, and completely healing your National Day anxiety.
📍Ganzhou, Jiangxi | A thousand-year-old Song Dynasty city, a crowd-free cultural gem 🏯
A severely underrated Song Dynasty city in Jiangnan!
With well-preserved Song Dynasty city walls, century-old pontoon bridges, and Hakka old streets, there are almost no tour groups. The whole city is flat and easy to walk, suitable for both the elderly and children.
💰Budget tips
▫️Downtown lodging is affordable and stable, with no random price hikes for National Day.
▫️The ancient city, pontoon bridges, and old streets are all free.
▫️Hakka snacks are generous and cheap—the top choice for budget travel.
✅Relaxing must-dos
Walking on the Song Dynasty city walls, crossing the river on the ancient pontoon bridge, night views at Yugu Terrace, and Zao'er Lane ancient street.
🍜Must-eats: Ganzhou rice noodles, fried lotus root pockets, rice cakes, and duck heads.
💡The truth: If you want to visit a cultural ancient city without the crowds, exhaustion, or high costs, Ganzhou beats all the popular ancient cities.
✨Ultimate 8-city "reverse travel" budget guide for National Day
▫️For vast landscapes and karst autumn scenery 👉 Xingyi, Chongzuo, Chenzhou
▫️For quiet ancient villages and southern Anhui poetry 👉 Jing County
▫️For affordable, vibrant snacks 👉 Quzhou, Changting, Ganzhou
▫️For solitude, relaxation, and healing 👉 Jianshui
The best National Day trip isn't squeezing into the hottest tourist spots, but finding a quiet little city, eating and drinking well, living slowly, and completely relaxing 🌿