Don’t take kids to popular spots during summer vacation! This place saves money and stays peaceful
Summer vacation with kids doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune at the beach or theme parks. These underrated, less crowded destinations are reachable within 2 hours by high-speed train or direct flights. You can spend one-third of the budget and get twice the experience. From Tibet’s snowy mountains to Guangxi’s waterfalls, from Jilin’s Korean culture to Qinghai’s salt lakes, these 8 places each offer unique wilderness and local charm. Best of all, they’re not crowded, kids can play freely, and you won’t have to watch the bill with worry.
01 Ali | Tibet
Is Mount Kailash worth visiting? For families with kids, my answer is clear: don’t attempt the full pilgrimage. The high altitude and dozens of kilometers of hiking are too much for kids and tough on adults. But Ali itself is a huge natural classroom—admire the sacred mountain from afar, stay a couple of days in a guesthouse in Taqin town, let kids explore the textures of snow and glaciers, and watch the sunset turn the mountain golden.
⚠️ Be sure to bring portable oxygen cans for kids before you go. They’re sold at the town pharmacy for 25 yuan each.
⏰ The best time is 5 PM to 7 PM when the light hits the mountain at an angle and the outline is clearest.
🚄 It takes about 12 hours by bus from Lhasa to Taqin. Take motion sickness medicine in advance.
02 Chongzuo | Guangxi
You must see Detian transnational waterfall from a bamboo raft, looking up as the mist sprays your face—kids will scream and dodge. Arrive before 10 AM when it’s less crowded and the sun is behind the waterfall, creating little rainbows in the mist. At noon, head to Mingshi Pastoral, rent a tandem bike to ride around the rice fields, and try the fried river shrimp from street vendors for 15 yuan a box—crispy and fragrant.
📍 Zujiang Huashan rock paintings are in Ningming County, about an hour by boat. The paintings are on cliff walls, and kids will ask, “How did ancient people paint up there?”
⚠️ Boat trips reduce after 2 PM, so aim for the 12 PM departure.
🍜 In the county, the “Old Brand roast duck noodles” serves duck leg noodles for 12 yuan. The broth is rich, and kids can eat two bowls.
03 Yanbian | Jilin
“What to eat, play, and stay when taking kids to Yanbian?”—here’s the answer. Eat: “Korean cold noodles” at the foot of Liuding Mountain, a big bowl of buckwheat noodles for 15 yuan, sweet and sour and refreshing, kids slurp it up. Play: Liuding Mountain cultural tourism area, the hike isn’t steep, there’s a big Buddha at the top, wide steps, and you can push strollers halfway up. Stay: “Jinding Hotel” in Dunhua city, standard rooms around 200 yuan, clean, 10 minutes by taxi from the scenic area.
⚠️ The scenic area rents audio guides for 20 yuan each. Kids can listen to stories and won’t get bored.
⏰ Morning visits are recommended; fog in the afternoon reduces visibility.
04 Haixi | Qinghai
The white crust of Chaka Salt Lake crunches underfoot like a giant cookie. Kids squat down to pick salt crystals with serious faces. The Jade Lake is even more stunning—pools of green in varying shades, like spilled paint palettes.
⚠️ Don’t wear sandals. The salt lake edges are sharp. Wear thick-soled sneakers.
📍 Take the small train into Chaka Salt Lake for 50 yuan one way. After 4 PM it gets crowded, so go at 8 AM when the lake is calm and reflections are perfect.
🍜 In Dachaidan town, “Halal beef noodles” cost 18 yuan a bowl, with large beef slices. Kids can finish it all.
⏰ Kunlun Mountain is just a drive-by; don’t go up. The altitude is high and kids risk altitude sickness.
05 Yulin | Shaanxi
The wave valley’s patterns look like wind-carved waves. Kids can run along the boardwalk. It’s a 40-minute drive from Jingbian county, tickets are 100 yuan, half price for students.
📍 Enter from the east gate. Turn back after the “One Line Sky” section. The “Kilometer Gallery” beyond has many steps, so be cautious with kids. At noon, go to Jia County by the Yellow River, find a farmhouse restaurant, order fresh Yellow River carp, 68 yuan per jin, caught and cooked on the spot.
⚠️ Hongshixia is in Yulin city. After 5 PM, the light is best. The cliff carvings glow red in the slanting sun.
🚄 High-speed train from Xi’an to Yulin takes about 4 hours. Taxi from the station to Wave Valley is at least 1.5 hours. Private car rental costs 300 yuan per day.
06 Zhenjiang | Jiangsu
If you’re with elders and kids, stroll and eat along the street by Jinshan Park entrance. If you’re alone or with friends, climb Beigu Mountain for a view of the Yangtze River.
📍 Next to Jinshan Temple’s “World’s first spring” is a shaded area where kids can feed pigeons.
⚠️ Jiaoshan requires a ferry, which stops after 4 PM. Don’t miss the last boat. Maoshan in Jurong is far, about 1 hour by car from the city, and the temple at the top has many steps, so not recommended with kids.
🍜 Among Zhenjiang’s “three oddities,” “pot lid noodles” are a must-try. “Dahua Noodle House” serves shredded pork noodles for 12 yuan, soft noodles and fresh broth.
⏰ Beigu Mountain tickets are half price after 5:30 PM. Watch the sunset and see the Yangtze sparkle.
07 Nanyang | Henan
Choose between Xixia Funiu Mountain Laojieling and the Dinosaur Park. The dinosaur park is a must for kids—big dinosaur models move and roar, kids can play all day.
⚠️ The park closes at 5:30 PM. Arrive by 9 AM, visit the indoor exhibits first (air-conditioned), then see the outdoor dinosaurs when the sun is hottest at noon. Laojieling suits families who like hiking. There’s a slide at the top for kids, 30 yuan per ride, thrilling and safe.
🚄 Taxi from Nanyang East Station to Dinosaur Park takes about 40 minutes. Shared rides cost 20 yuan per person.
🍜 The “Dinosaur Restaurant” at the park entrance serves stewed noodles for 18 yuan. The taste is average, so bring snacks.
08 Qinhuangdao | Hebei
Beidaihe Beach is free but crowded. Instead, go to the wild beach next to Pigeon Nest Park. The sand is fine and there are half as many people.
⚠️ Arrive at the beach by 2 PM. Tent rental is 50 yuan each. Kids dig in the sand while you relax in the sea breeze.
📍 Under the Shanhaiguan city wall is “Four Buns Shop.” Pork and green onion buns are 2 yuan each, thin skin and generous filling.
⏰ Visit Shanhaiguan in the morning, enter from the east gate and exit the south gate, then stop by Wang Family Courtyard. Return to Beidaihe at dusk for tide pooling. The reef area has small crabs, bring a small bucket.
🚄 High-speed train from Beijing to Qinhuangdao takes 2 hours. Take bus 34 from the station directly to Beidaihe for 2 yuan. No traffic jams.
These 8 places rank from lowest to highest budget: Chongzuo, Yanbian, and Nanyang are the most affordable, with about 1,300 yuan per person for 3 days. Ali and Haixi are far north and west, with expensive flights but cheap lodging. Summer flights are costly, but booking 2 weeks in advance can save 30%. Tell us in the comments which place excites you most. Next time, we’ll share a detailed expense list.