Places suitable for budget travel in December.

1️⃣ Dali, Yunnan｜Romantic scenery under Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake 2️⃣ Quanzhou, Fujian｜A World Heritage ancient city with half the city bustling and half serene 3️⃣ Xi’an, Shaanxi｜A carbohydrate paradise through a thousand years 4️⃣ Liuzhou, Guangxi｜The happy hometown for lovers of Luosifen (snail noodles) 5️⃣ Chaozhou, Guangdong｜Beef hotpot + light show for a slow Lingnan lifestyle Dali｜The ultimate winter warm escape, around Erhai Lake for about 200+ RMB per person Budget: 200-300 RMB/day (off-season accommodation can be bargained down to 80 RMB/night!) Must-visit spots - 🚴‍♀️ Erhai Ecological Corridor: Free cycling! Take Japanese-style photos at Panxi Village S-bend - 🍂 Xizhou Ancient Town: Bai ethnic tie-dye experience + Xizhou baba pancake (5 RMB each) - 🌃 Dali Ancient City: Visit small bars on Renmin Road at night, filling chicken rice noodles for 10 RMB! Recommended itinerary Day 1: Cycle around Erhai Lake → Xizhou Ancient Town → Reed marshes at Haitang Park Day 2: Cangshan Gantong Cableway (off-season ticket 60 RMB) → Night tour of the ancient city Food list - Cold chicken rice noodles (at the old shop "Zai Huishou" in the ancient city) - Grilled milk fan (5 RMB/skewer, rose sauce is very fragrant) - Bai ethnic three-course tea (15 RMB to experience tea culture) Accommodation tips Recommended to stay at a hostel near the south gate of the ancient city, about 50 RMB per night per person, only 10 minutes walk to Erhai Lake! Quanzhou｜1 RMB bus ride to tour the World Heritage site, Zanhuawei only 20 RMB! Budget: 150-200 RMB/day (1 RMB bus ride for the whole route) Highlights - 🏯 Kaiyuan Temple + West Street: Free visit to the thousand-year-old temple, take photos of East and West Pagodas together on the rooftop - 🌊 Xunpu Village: 20 RMB for Zanhuawei + fisherwoman costume, shoot photos like Zhao Liying - 🏔️ Qingyuan Mountain: Free early morning climb to see the sea of clouds around the city Foodie route West Street → Bell Tower → Zhongshan Road: Mianxianhu (noodle soup) 4 RMB/bowl, taro cake 3 RMB each, four-fruit soup 8 RMB with unlimited toppings! Accommodation recommendation Ancient city district homestay 120 RMB/night, 10 minutes walk to Kaiyuan Temple, very convenient for night market at Goldfish Alley~ Xi’an｜Budget travelers rejoice! Half-price tickets and eat all over Muslim Street Budget: 200-250 RMB/day (student ID gets 50% off attractions!) Must-check-in - 🏮 Terracotta Warriors: December off-season ticket + guide package 120 RMB - 🚴 City Wall cycling: 45 RMB/3 hours, super romantic sunset views in the evening - 🌮 Muslim Street: Roujiamo (meat sandwich) 8 RMB, persimmon cake 3 RMB, steamed rice cake 5 RMB 2-day itinerary Day 1: Terracotta Warriors → Huaqing Palace (watch the "Song of Everlasting Regret" performance from outside) Day 2: City Wall → Bell and Drum Towers → Tang Paradise Night Market (free shows) Accommodation saving tips Choose a hostel near Longshouyuan Station on Metro Line 2, about 60 RMB per person, direct to attractions without transfers! Liuzhou｜Enjoy Luosifen freedom for about 100 RMB per person! Budget: 100-150 RMB/day (best value!) Off-the-beaten-path activities - 🏞️ Ma’anshan: Free climb to see city panorama + Liujang River surrounding - ⛲ Longtan Park: Free visit to karst landscape, take ethnic style photos at Wind and Rain Bridge - 🚤 Liujang River water bus: 3 RMB boat ride with unique views! Food map - Deep Alley Luosifen (9 RMB/bowl, stir-fried Luosifen even more fragrant) - Qingyun Vegetable Market: Dew drop glutinous rice balls 2 RMB each, sticky rice 5 RMB per serving Accommodation advice Downtown homestay 80 RMB/night, near five-star pedestrian street, 5 minutes walk for late-night noodles! Chaozhou｜Beef hotpot 30 RMB per person, Guangji Bridge light show free Budget: 150-200 RMB/day Classic itinerary - 🏮 Paifang Street: Check in at 22 paifangs + free beef meatball tasting - 🌉 Guangji Bridge: Evening light show (starts at 8:00 PM, free to watch) - 🍲 Guantang Town: Beef hotpot 30 RMB per person, freshly sliced and super fresh! Accommodation recommendation Hostel inside Paifang Street 70 RMB/night, open the window to see the ancient street morning view~ 💡Universal budget travel tips - Transportation: Book high-speed rail early bird tickets 15 days in advance, use shared bikes + buses in the city - Tickets: Student ID half price! Pay attention to free opening days (like free reservation at Shaanxi History Museum in Xi’an) - Off-peak: Early December travel has fewer people and lower prices, avoid Christmas and New Year holidays