National Day: autumn small towns — spend less and avoid crowds?
Traveling on a tight National Day budget? These 5 autumn destinations are uncrowded and easy on the wallet
01 Kunming | Yunnan
If you want to dodge the crowds during National Day, Kunming is my first pick. Flights are gentler on the wallet than to Dali or Lijiang, and the subway plus buses cover almost every place you want to go.
⏰ Daguan Park at 7:00 AM has more locals than tourists, and the long inscription area is perfect for photographing the morning mist. After visiting, exit through the east gate and walk 10 minutes to Zhuanxin farmers' market. 🍜 A bowl of douhua rice noodles is CNY 8, much more honest than the prices in scenic spots.
The wind at Dianchi is nicest in the afternoon. Rent a shared bike at Haigeng Dam, ride to Longmen Village and back — about 1 hour round trip.
⚠️ Don’t buy seagull food on the dam; in October the seagulls haven’t arrived in force, so you’d be feeding the wind.
Dongchuan’s Red Land deserves a full day. Take a shuttle from the northern bus station to Huashitou Village, about a 3-hour ride. In late September the potato flowers have just faded; the red soil against green seedlings is at peak color. Good for early risers who don’t mind long drives.
I’m lukewarm on the Expo Garden — tickets aren’t cheap and the park is large but spread out. Unless you’re specifically there for plants, save that time for Dianchi. For lodging, pick Tangzi Lane or the area around Huan Cheng South Road for lots of subway access and straightforward routes.
02 Zaozhuang | Shandong
Tai'erzhuang Ancient City is one of those places that’s better at night than during the day. National Day will be busy, but staying inside the ancient city versus outside makes a big difference.
🚄 Take the high-speed train to Zaozhuang station, then a taxi to the ancient city is about 40 minutes. Bus B10 also goes there — cheaper but slower. I recommend staying in a guesthouse inside the ancient city; it’s a bit pricier but saves the back-and-forth, and you can still wander the alleys at 11:00 PM.
⏰ Enter the ancient city after 4:00 PM for the best experience — day tour groups start to leave, lanterns come on, boats row under the bridges, and the water sounds clearer than the crowds. Boat tickets one-way are CNY 60; one ride is enough, don’t buy round trip.
🍜 Don’t only hunt for the viral pancake stalls. Walk inward and find the spicy soup and lamb soup where locals line up — just over CNY 10 and very warming.
⚠️ Show schedules change daily; take a photo of the bulletin board at the entrance so you don’t wait in vain.
Good for traveling with older relatives at a slow pace — the stone paths are flat, and you can rest on stone benches anywhere. For empty shots, get up early — before 7:00 AM the ancient city is almost deserted and the light is soft.
03 Zhoushan | Zhejiang
Putuo Mountain, Gouqi Island, and the Shengsi archipelago can’t realistically be hit all at once. National Day ferry tickets are tight, and trying to do too much only makes the trip miserable.
To get to Putuo Mountain, take the ferry from Zhujiajian Wugongzhi pier — about 10–15 minutes.
⏰ I suggest catching the earliest ferry. After you arrive, visit Puji Temple first, then head up Foding Mountain. In the afternoon lines for the cable car can make you question your life choices.
📍 The area beneath the Nanhai Guanyin statue is backlit in the afternoon and photos can look washed out, so go in the morning.
Gouqi Island and Shengsi depend on the weather — service stops when the wind picks up.
⚠️ Check the ferry schedule announcements before you leave and don’t leave your return for the last day. I’ve made that mistake and had to stay an extra night. Island accommodation doubles over National Day, so book a month in advance and pick somewhere near the pier to save taxi fares.
🍜 Shengsi seafood noodles are worth trying, but skip the restaurants right at the scenic entrance; walk into Caiyuan Town and prices drop by about one-third. Good for travelers who aren’t in a rush and can accept weather disruptions. If you get seasick, take meds beforehand — don’t tough it out.
04 Haikou | Hainan
Haikou is cooler and cheaper than Sanya during National Day. Qilou Old Street, Wugong Temple, and Volcano Crater Park can be done in a day and a half at an easy pace.
📍 Qilou Old Street looks best around 8:00 AM when shops open and the local uncles fill the old tea houses.
🍜 Order a pot of tea and two snacks — for a little over CNY 10 you can sit a whole morning, which beats any attraction in value.
Wugong Temple suits those interested in history; the site is small and an hour is enough.
⚠️ It’s closed on Mondays — don’t get the day wrong. Wear proper walking shoes for Volcano Crater Park; there are many steps and the top is windy, so hold onto your hat.
🚄 A taxi from downtown to the crater is about CNY 40; buses run but take a roundabout route. Stay near Guomao or Qilou for easy dining. Good for people who want to avoid the cold without spending much — in October Haikou evenings are breezy and much more comfortable than the daytime.
05 Qianxinan | Guizhou
Maling River Canyon and Wanfenglin are the kind of places photos can’t do justice. National Day is not crowded and costs are low, so the value is excellent.
⏰ Visit Maling River Canyon in the morning when light can reach the valley bottom and the mist from the waterfall often creates rainbows. The boardwalk can be slippery — ⚠️ don’t wear fresh white sneakers; I’ve watched people slip the whole way. Buy tickets and the sightseeing elevator as needed; if you have the stamina you can stick to the trails.
Go to Wanfenglin in the afternoon, rent an electric bike to circle the Bagua rice fields, feel the wind through waves of grain — late September is when the fields turn golden.
📍 In Nahui Village there’s a whole street of egg fried rice — 🍜 CNY 10 a serving, with a bowl of plain melon soup to cut the oiliness.
🚄 Xingyi has a high-speed rail station; it’s about 2 hours from Guiyang. Stay in a guesthouse inside the Wanfenglin scenic area so you can open your window to mountains in the morning — prices are lower than you’d expect. Good for families with kids — the roads are flat and kids can run free. October mornings and evenings are cool, so bring a light jacket.
06 Altay | Xinjiang
Kanas and Koktokay peak in color from late September to early October, and National Day hits the tail end perfectly — the yellow leaves remain and there are fewer people than in summer.
Snow in northern Xinjiang is a matter of luck; you might see the first flakes in early October, and birch forests dusted with fresh snow are worth the trip.
⚠️ The Kanas scenic area is large and shuttle lines can be long; I recommend staying inside the park for one night instead of making it a day trip. Temperature swings can reach 15°C, so don’t dismiss a down jacket.
Koktokay suits those who like quiet — the stone beach along the Irtysh River can be empty all afternoon.
📍 The cultural spots on the Altay grasslands move with the herders’ migration rhythm; following that pace is more interesting than just checking boxes.
🚄 Fly to Altay or take a train to Beitun and transfer by car. National Day flights are expensive, so book early. This region is for travelers who can handle hardship and long journeys — if you’re on a very tight budget, don’t force it; transportation is the main cost.
07 Quanzhou | Fujian
Quanzhou is a hidden gem to me. National Day will be busy but not unbearably so, and many attractions are free, which is great for a small budget.
📍 Kaiyuan Temple opens at 7:30 AM; the East and West Pagodas area is almost empty and pigeons walk on the stone slabs. After visiting, walk out through West Street and try the misua (thin noodles) with youtiao for CNY 8 like the locals do.
Climb Qingyuan Mountain in the afternoon. The Laojun Rock section is the easiest and suitable for those traveling with elders.
⚠️ Ask prices before sitting at mountain tea houses — some charge per person. Quanzhou’s cliff carvings are scattered around; the prayer wind carving at Jiurishan is worth a separate trip for the quiet.
Chongwu Ancient City is far from downtown — 🚄 a taxi takes about an hour, and the sea breeze is strong. The city wall offers a nice sea view. Good for slow explorers; two to three days is just right. Stay near West Street and you can eat your way through half the town on foot.
08 Hainan | Qinghai
Riyue Mountain and the Guide National Geopark are two often-skipped stops on Qinghai’s small loop, but I think they shouldn’t be missed.
⏰ Visit Riyue Mountain in the morning; the wind can cut right through you and the prayer flags clatter in unison.
📍 The stone stele at the pass is the check-in spot, but the best views are a few steps onto the grass slopes to either side — there’s nobody there and the clouds hang low enough to feel touchable.
⚠️ Altitude is about 3,500m, so don’t run or jump — walk slowly.
Guide National Geopark looks best in the afternoon when the Danxia reds glow. Tickets are affordable; the sightseeing bus is extra.
🍜 Try the Yellow River carp in Guide county, but ask the price first so you don’t feel awkward.
🚄 Driving from Xining is the most convenient way to hit both spots in a day. Good for people already acclimated to altitude who want different scenery. In October Qinghai is cold in the morning and evening but sunny at midday, so bring sunscreen and a warm jacket.
If I really had to pick only three of these for National Day, I’d choose Kunming, Quanzhou, and Qianxinan — fewer people, lower costs, and comfortable pace. Want to head more south or more west? Tell me in the comments and I’ll plan a route for you.