Budget-Friendly Cities to Visit in March: Are You Planning a Trip?

1. Huangshan Transportation Getting to Huangshan City: Book train or high-speed rail tickets in advance and opt for second-class seats or hard sleepers for the best value. Local Transportation: Take the No. 801 bus (CNY 2) from Huangshan North Railway Station to Tangkou Town, or share a ride to the scenic area. Accommodation Mountaintop Accommodation: Prices are higher, but you can choose dormitories or tents (CNY 100–200/person). Accommodation at the Foot of the Mountain: Tangkou Town offers many affordable guesthouses with standard rooms priced around CNY 100–200 per night. Tickets Advance Booking: Book through the official Huangshan Tourism platform for discounts. Free Admission: Look out for free admission campaigns for women (reservations required). Food Bring Your Own Snacks: Food prices on the mountain are high, so pack bread, sausages, chocolate, etc. Local Cuisine: Enjoy Huizhou cuisine in Tangkou Town or Huangshan City for CNY 30–50 per person. Itinerary One-Day Trip: Yungu Cable Car lower station > Yungu Cable Car up the mountain > Harp Pine > Beginning-to-Believe Peak > Paiyun Pavilion > Flying-Over Rock > Bright Summit Peak > Yuping Cable Car down the mountain. Two-Day Trip: Day 1: Visit Yungu Temple, Beginning-to-Believe Peak, Beihai Hotel, etc., and stay overnight on the mountaintop. Day 2: Wake up early to watch the sunrise, then visit Bright Summit Peak and Greeting Guest Pine before descending. Tips Huangshan's weather is unpredictable, so dress warmly and bring rain gear. Book cable car tickets in advance to avoid queues. 2. Dali Transportation Getting to Dali: Book train or high-speed rail tickets in advance and choose second-class seats or hard sleepers. Local Transportation: Walk within Dali Old Town. Rent bicycles (CNY 10–20/day) or electric scooters (CNY 30–50/day) to explore the surrounding areas. Accommodation Old Town: Choose budget guesthouses with standard rooms for CNY 100–200 per night. Dormitories are even more affordable. Lakeside Accommodation: If on a tight budget, consider capsule hotels near Erhai Lake for CNY 50–100 per bed per night. Tickets Free Entry to Old Town: Dali Old Town is free to explore. Attractions: Visit the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple (CNY 80) for a half-day trip to save time. Food Local Specialties: Try Erhai fish, Rushan cheese, Xizhou baba, and other local dishes for CNY 20–50 per person. Snack Streets: Find affordable snacks at the Foreigner Street and Renmin Road in the Old Town. Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Dali, explore the Old Town and Foreigner Street, and enjoy the night view of the Old Town. Day 2: Cycle or take a boat trip on Erhai Lake, visiting Longkan Wharf, Caicun Wharf, and Shuanglang Ancient Town. Day 3: Visit Cangshan Mountain by cable car (CNY 160 round trip) or hike to explore the scenic area. Tips Dali has mild weather, but bring sunscreen and a light jacket. Respect Erhai Lake's environmental regulations and do not litter. 3. Meizhou Transportation Getting to Meizhou: Take a train or high-speed rail. Book economy seats in advance. Local Transportation: Meizhou's public bus system covers major attractions, with fares around CNY 1–2 per ride. Accommodation City Center: Choose budget hotels or guesthouses with standard rooms for CNY 100–150 per night. Near Scenic Areas: If you plan to stay at a specific scenic area for a longer period, choose nearby guesthouses for convenient access. Tickets Free Attractions: Many attractions in Meizhou, such as the Hakka World Tourist Resort and Meizhou Ancient City, are free. Paid Attractions: Tickets for sites like the Ye Jianying Memorial Hall are relatively inexpensive (CNY 10–20). Food Hakka Cuisine: Try salt-baked chicken, Mei Cai Kou Rou (pork belly with preserved vegetables), and Hakka stuffed tofu for CNY 30–50 per person. Snack Stalls: Enjoy local snacks like Meizhou pickled noodles and Hakka taro balls for CNY 5–10 per serving. Itinerary Day 1: Visit Meizhou Ancient City and Hakka World Tourist Resort to learn about Hakka culture. Day 2: Visit the Ye Jianying Memorial Hall and Wild Goose Returning South Tea Plantation to experience Hakka customs. Day 3: Visit Songkou Ancient Town in Meixian District to experience the charm of the old town. Tips Meizhou is an important birthplace of Hakka culture. Learn about the local history and culture. Meizhou cuisine is generally light and suitable for various palates. 4. Nyingchi Transportation Getting to Nyingchi: Fly to Nyingchi Mainling Airport or take a train to Lhasa and then a long-distance bus (approx. 300 km from Lhasa to Nyingchi, CNY 80). Local Transportation: Take taxis or share rides within Nyingchi City. Charter a car (ride-sharing is more cost-effective) to reach scenic areas. Accommodation City Center: Nyingchi City has many budget hotels with standard rooms for CNY 200–300 per night. Near Scenic Areas: Guesthouses near Lulang Town and Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon are available at slightly higher prices (CNY 300–500) but offer convenient access to attractions. Tickets Combined Tickets: Nyingchi has many scenic areas. Purchase combined tickets (e.g., for Lulang Forest Sea and Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon) to save money. Free Attractions: The Niyang River Scenic Belt is free. Food Local Specialties: Try matsutake stewed chicken and Tibetan fragrant pig for CNY 50–100 per person. Snacks: Lulang stone pot chicken is a signature dish in Nyingchi, costing around CNY 100 per person. Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Nyingchi and visit Basum Lake to enjoy the stunning scenery. Day 2: Visit Lulang Town, explore Lulang Forest Sea, and savor Lulang stone pot chicken. Day 3: Visit Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon and see the majestic Mount Namcha Barwa. Day 4: Visit Nanyi Valley in Mainling County and experience Tibetan culture. Tips Nyingchi's lower altitude makes it suitable for acclimatizing after arriving in Tibet. Spring is peach blossom season in Nyingchi. Book accommodations and tickets in advance.