You can still have a great time during the National Day holiday even on a tight budget – here are some testimonials from experienced travelers who won't regret it.
What's the worst thing about traveling during the National Day holiday? Two hours of queuing for five minutes to take photos, or a bowl of noodles costing you 68 yuan. I looked through a map and picked out these 8 places that have in common: decent scenery, reasonable prices, and not so crowded you can barely move. Just pick one and go!
1️⃣ Yushu | Qinghai
Let me make this clear: Hoh Xil isn't a place you can just walk into. You can only view it from a distance along the Qinghai-Tibet Highway. Don't believe any advertisements for "taking you deep into the protected area"—⚠️ that's illegal, and you'll be held responsible if caught.
The truly comfortable way to experience it is to relax and enjoy Yushu Prefecture.
📍 The hillside behind Jiegu Monastery—after 4 pm, the sunlight slants down, and the entire town of Jiegu unfolds beneath your feet. There are open areas around the Sanjiangyuan National Park, but to see the source of the Yangtze River, you need to join a legitimate tour group; don't wander off on your own.
During the National Day holiday, the grasslands were already turning yellow, but the sky was an incredibly clear blue.
🚄 The flight from Xining to Yushu takes about an hour, landing at an altitude of 3700 meters. Don't shower or walk fast on the first day. Accommodation is in Jiegu Town; standard rooms can be found for around 100 RMB. Suitable for those who can tolerate altitude sickness and want to see the wilderness; be cautious if traveling with elderly people or children.
2️⃣ Zhengzhou|Henan
Zhengzhou has been used as a transit point for too long; it could easily be explored for two or three days on its own. But let me give you a heads-up: Shaolin Temple on Mount Song will be very crowded during the National Day holiday. Arrive at the mountain gate before 8 AM, ⏰ otherwise, the queues just to get into the scenic area will be exhausting.
In the city, I prefer Xiliu Lake; it's free, a place for locals to stroll, and doesn't feel touristy. The Henan Museum requires advance booking, ⚠️ closed on Mondays, so don't make a wasted trip. The museum's bronze artifacts are worth spending two hours on.
Zhenwei Water City is a newly built antique-style street; it looks beautiful when lit up at night, but don't eat a proper meal there—it's expensive and mediocre.
📍 Walk two blocks into the surrounding residential area, and you can find a bowl of braised noodles for 15 yuan, all you can eat.
🚄 Take the high-speed train to Zhengzhou East Station, and the subway goes directly to the city center. Suitable for those on a budget who want to experience some culture.
3️⃣ Shennongjia|Hubei
The Shennongjia Ecological Tourism Area is vast; don't try to see it all in one day—that's self-torture. My suggestion is to stay in Muyu Town; the town is small, you're right in the mountains, and it's so quiet at night you can hear the water.
Dajiu Lake is the signature attraction; in the morning fog, it looks like an ink painting. ⏰ Enter the scenic area at 6:30 am to catch the first shuttle bus; otherwise, it'll be packed. Shennong Peak is at a high altitude; bring a thick coat if you go during the National Day holiday, as the wind at the summit can blow your hat off.
⚠️ The scenic areas are far apart; driving is the most convenient option. If you don't have a car, join a local day tour; don't wait for public transportation.
Tickets are not cheap, but there are discounts during the off-season and for specific groups; check the official announcement on the day for details.
🍜 The stir-fried cured pork with bamboo shoots in town is worth trying, around 40 RMB per person. Suitable for those who enjoy hiking and seeing primeval forests; those with mobility issues should proceed with caution.
4️⃣ Nyingchi | Tibet
Nyingchi during the National Day holiday presents a different picture, with Namcha Barwa more likely to appear than in summer. However, to be honest: the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon entrance fee plus sightseeing bus is not cheap. If budget is tight, you can view it from Pai Town, which is equally breathtaking.
The water of Basum Tso Lake is unrealistically green. 📍 A quick visit to the temple on the island in the middle of the lake takes about half an hour. Take the Yunnan-Tibet route towards Bomi; the forests turn golden in autumn. 🚄 The high-speed train from Lhasa to Nyingchi takes a little over three hours, much less hassle than driving.
⚠️ Book accommodation in advance during the National Day holiday; prices in Nyingchi city are half that of the scenic area entrance.
The altitude is lower than Lhasa, reducing altitude sickness, making it suitable for first-time visitors to Tibet. If traveling with elderly people, it's recommended to only visit Basum Tso Lake and the city center, avoiding deeper into the canyons.
🍜 Stone pot chicken is a local specialty, but it's on the pricier side; a small pot is enough for two people.
5️⃣ Ganzhou|Jiangxi
Ganzhou is underrated. The autumn colors in Shicheng aren't at their peak yet, but it's less crowded; you'll hardly encounter any tour groups on the village roads. The forest trails in Sanbaishan are well-maintained, perfect for a leisurely stroll. ⏰ It's cool in the morning, and the light filtering through the trees is particularly beautiful after 3 pm.
In the city, old-time spots like Zao'er Lane and the Ancient Floating Bridge are worth a visit; they're free.
📍 Visit the Ancient Floating Bridge in the evening to watch locals fishing and chatting on the bridge—more interesting than the tourist attractions.
⚠️ Shicheng and Sanbaishan are in different directions; don't plan to visit them on the same day, or you'll be exhausted.
🚄 Take the high-speed train to Ganzhou West Station, then transfer to a bus or hire a car to reach the various counties. Accommodation in the city center is a little over 100 yuan; it's cheaper in the county towns. Suitable for those who want to avoid crowds and are interested in historical sites and natural scenery.
6️⃣ Sanming|Fujian
I'll focus on Taining in Sanming. Taking a boat on Dajin Lake is a must, but ⚠️ tickets are scarce during the National Day holiday, so buy them a day in advance to avoid rushing at the dock. The lake winds around Danxia Mountain for over an hour, and the scenery is worth the ticket price.
Taining Ancient Town is better explored at night than during the day. The old houses around Shangshu Mansion are well-preserved, and it's cool inside.
📍 Try a bowl of Lei Cha (擂茶) in the ancient town; it's salty, and you might not like it the first time.
🍜 The local Youjiang Tofu (游浆豆腐) is tender; a serving costs ten yuan at a street stall.
Sanming city itself doesn't have much to do, so head straight to Taining for the night.
🚄 Take the high-speed train to Taining Station, then take a taxi into the city for about ten yuan. Suitable for a short two-day, one-night trip; the pace is slow, and it's not tiring even with children. Prices will rise during the National Day holiday, book early.
7️⃣ Baishan|Jilin
Going to Changbai Mountain during the National Day holiday isn't about seeing Tianchi (Heavenly Lake), it's about luck. Tianchi is shrouded in clouds for most of the year, ⚠️ don't go with the mindset of "I must see it," or you'll likely be disappointed. But Changbai Mountain in autumn is beautiful in itself, the birch forests turn yellow, and the air is refreshingly cold.
Choose either the North Slope or the West Slope. The North Slope has more attractions but is crowded, while the West Slope has more steps but offers a wider view.
⏰ Arrive at the mountain gate before 7 am to catch the first wave of people going up the mountain. After noon, the clouds will obscure everything.
📍 Try the hot spring eggs cooked at Julongquan (10 yuan for three).
🚄 There's a distance between Baishan City and Changbai Mountain, so it's recommended to fly directly to Changbaishan Airport or take the high-speed rail to Baihe Station. In early October, you'll already need a down jacket on the mountain, don't push yourself. Suitable for those who want to see autumn scenery and can accept unpredictable weather. 8️⃣ Huzhou | Zhejiang
Nanxun Ancient Town is the most "mature" of these eight, but it still gets busier than Wuzhen and Xitang during the National Day holiday.
⚠️ The main street starts to get crowded after 9 am. If you want to take some empty shots, stay inside and leave at 6 am; the whole ancient town is yours.
The combined ticket includes several old houses. Xiaolianzhuang and Jiayetang Library are worth seeing; the others are optional.
📍 Walking along the river near Baijianlou is ten times quieter than the main street; locals are still washing vegetables by the river.
🍜 Shuangjiao noodles are a Nanxun specialty, with crispy pork and fried fish, around 20 yuan a bowl.
🚄 Take the high-speed train to Huzhou Station and then transfer, or come directly from Shanghai or Suzhou. Suitable for short weekend trips, traveling with parents, or those who don't want the hassle of traveling. For accommodation, choose a guesthouse near Baijianlou; it's cheaper and quieter than the main street.
If you only have three days, I suggest choosing one of these eight places for a more in-depth visit: Yushu, Linzhi, or Baishan. Don't try to do too much. Zhengzhou, Ganzhou, and Sanming are suitable for spontaneous trips. It's fine to go anywhere during the National Day holiday; the key is to avoid crowds. Which one are you planning to choose?