4 Low-Cost Cities Suitable for Budget Travel in July-August

Tengchong

- Attractions: The Rehai Scenic Area is known as the 'Volcano Hot Spring Museum', where the Dagun Guo (Great Boiling Pot) steams and bubbles, and you can even bring an egg to boil in the hot spring; Heshun Ancient Town is 100 times quieter than Lijiang, with winding cobblestone paths and ancient houses covered in ivy;
- Cuisine: Da Jiu Jia (a local dish) for 10 yuan a large plate, Tu Guozi (earthen pot dish) for an average of 20 yuan per person to eat three bowls of rice, Pao Luda for 5 yuan a cup.
- Accommodation: Heshun Ancient Town B&Bs from 80-150 yuan/night, and city chain brand hotels starting from over 100 yuan for a comfortable stay.
- Transportation: Direct flights to Tengchong Tuofeng Airport, or take a high-speed train from Kunming to Baoshan and then transfer by car, city taxi starting at 6 yuan, and renting an electric scooter for 30 yuan/day to travel around the city.

Ili

- Attractions: Nalati Grassland is known as the 'Heavenly Grassland', where you can ride horses on the lush green meadows and see distant flocks of sheep resembling cotton candy spread across the land; Sayram Lake's water is so blue it seems Photoshopped, and you can collect stones and feed swans by the lake; the Xiata Ancient Road is a favorite among hikers, with wooden plank paths leading to the foot of the snow-capped mountains where glaciers are within sight.
- Cuisine: Hand-grabbed rice for 20 yuan to eat your fill, baked buns for 3 yuan each, handmade ice cream for 5 yuan a scoop.
- Accommodation: Hotels in Yining city starting from over 150 yuan for good value, Nalati Grassland felt houses for 200 yuan/night accommodating 4 people, including breakfast and yogurt.
- Transportation: Flights to Yining Airport, local car rentals or joining small groups are more convenient, it is recommended to choose a 7-seater vehicle.

Beihai

- Attractions: The sand of Beihai Silver Beach is so white it shines, and walking barefoot feels like walking on clouds, with sunsets and twilight skies painting the sea into an orange sea; Weizhou Island is China's youngest volcanic island, and the Crocodile Mountain Scenic Area offers views of volcanic relics.
- Cuisine: Purchase seafood at Qiaogang Market for processing, shrimp for 30 yuan/pound, clams for 10 yuan/basket, processing fee of 10 yuan/portion, a full family seafood meal can be done for 150 yuan; Vietnamese spring rolls for 5 yuan for 3 pieces, Mango Fried Ice with Taro Balls and Pearls from the Twenty-Four Buildings Sugar Water Shop, 10 yuan for a large bowl.
- Accommodation: Nearby Silver Beach B&Bs from 100-150 yuan/night, a 5-minute walk to the beach; on Weizhou Island, stay in a fisherman's home, 150 yuan/night for a sea view room, the owner will also take you to the sea.
- Transportation: High-speed trains can reach Beihai Station directly, city taxi starting at 7 yuan, to Weizhou Island you need to take a boat, ticket price around 150 yuan, it is recommended to stay for 1-2 days.

Anqing

- Attractions: Tianzhu Mountain is one of the 'Three Famous Mountains of Anhui', the 'Wan Gong Shenxiang' stone statue on the mountain top is extremely shocking, you can also take children to walk through the 'One Line Sky' and cave tunnels, and take a dry slide down the mountain; Linghu Scenic Area is a local's secret for taking children out, free to enter, you can rent pedal boats or have a picnic on the lawn; Daobaishi Ancient Street has a group of Ming and Qing dynasty buildings, old teahouses where you can listen to Huangmei Opera, and handmade shops where you can experience paper-cutting.
- Cuisine: Anqing fried noodles for 5 yuan a large bowl, chicken soup with fried rice for 15 yuan a bowl, Mozi酥 for 10 yuan a box.
- Accommodation: City chain hotels from 100-150 yuan/night, mountain foot B&Bs at Tianzhu Mountain for 120 yuan/night, with a vegetable garden where you can pick fresh vegetables.
- Transportation: High-speed trains can reach Anqing Station directly, city buses 1 yuan can go all over the city, to Tianzhu Mountain you can take the scenic area direct bus, 20 yuan per person is very convenient.