Four off-the-beaten-path cities perfect for a National Day reverse travel experience: low cost, slow pace
Don't want to deal with the crowds in popular cities during the National Day holiday? 😵💫
We've rounded up 4 niche cities perfect for "reverse travel." No overwhelming crowds, no outrageous hotel prices—just the perfect places to stroll, eat, and soak up the local lifestyle at your own pace.
A truly comfortable trip isn't about checking off as many attractions as possible; it's about sleeping in, finding a small shop for a drink in the afternoon, and watching the sunset in the evening 🌅.
Chizhou | A small city in southern Anhui, hiding the romance of a slow life 🌿
Why you'll love it ❤️
My first impression of Chizhou was "comfortable." It lacks the hustle and bustle of big cities, with green mountains, lakes, and ancient villages creating a serene picture.
The biggest advantage of visiting Chizhou during the National Day holiday is the relatively low tourist pressure, allowing you to truly relax. Enjoy a cup of local tea in the morning, stroll through ancient villages in the afternoon, and catch the breeze in the evening—this is what a vacation should be like.
Relaxed itinerary 📍
Day 1
Morning: Arrive in Chizhou > Check into a city hotel > Walk near the Qiupu River
Noon: Local lunch
Afternoon: Visit Xinghua Village, take photos of the ancient village 📸
Evening: Stroll through the old town, try local snacks
Day 2
Morning: Explore around Mount Jiuhua, enjoy the mountain scenery
Noon: Farm-style meal at the foot of the mountain
Afternoon: Walk in Pingtian Lake Scenic Area, take photos of the lake view 🌊
Evening: Return to the city to rest
Day 3
Morning: Visit Chizhou Old Street, buy local specialties
Afternoon: Depart
Must-see sights 📷
Xinghua Village: Simple and quiet, perfect for cultural photos
Pingtian Lake: Expansive lake surface, especially beautiful at sunset
Mount Jiuhua: Spectacular mountain scenery, fresh air
Qiupu River: Perfect for a slow walk
Chizhou Old Street: Full of local life
Lianfeng Yunhai: Stunning views when the weather is clear
Food highlights 🍜
Chizhou Xiaoba: Crispy skin with rich fillings.
Stinky Mandarin Fish: A classic Anhui dish; tasty, but be cautious if you're sensitive to strong odors.
Hairy Tofu: A local specialty; try it if you're feeling adventurous.
Potstickers: Very satisfying for breakfast.
Huangjing Tea: A local specialty drink with a delicate flavor.
Farm-style dishes: Simple ingredients, but with a home-cooked taste.
Travel tips ⚠️
Tourist crowds at Mount Jiuhua will increase during the National Day holiday; we don't recommend rushing to visit too many attractions in one day.
To experience a slow pace, we recommend staying in the city center and not changing hotels every day.
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Bengbu | A city full of local life, where the food is more attractive than the sights 🍜
Why you'll love it ❤️
Many people think of Huangshan or Hongcun when they hear "Anhui," but Bengbu is actually better for those looking to save money.
It's not overly commercialized, and the streets are full of local life. Stroll through parks during the day and eat barbecue at night—you can have a great time without spending much.
Relaxed itinerary 📍
Day 1
Morning: Arrive in Bengbu > Check into hotel
Afternoon: Walk and take photos at Longzihu Park
Evening: Watch the night view at Huaihe Culture Square
Day 2
Morning: Visit Zhanggongshan Park
Noon: Eat local Bengbu specialties
Afternoon: Citywalk near Zhuyuan
Evening: Experience local barbecue
Day 3
Morning: Visit the old streets in the city
Afternoon: Buy specialties and depart
Recommended activities ✨
Bengbu is best for a "food + walking" trip.
Recommended photo spots:
Longzihu sunset, Huaihe night view, park greenways, and old city streets.
The biggest highlight here is the budget-friendly consumption; you're likely to find surprises at any small shop you walk into.
Food highlights 😋
Bengbu Shaobing (flatbread): Crispy outside and soft inside, highly recommended for breakfast.
Barbecue: Sets the mood for the evening.
Xueyuan snacks: Traditional flavors.
Tuohu Lake crab: A seasonal autumn specialty.
Mung bean cake: Sweet and not greasy.
Iced fermented rice wine: Refreshing and cooling, perfect for drinking while walking around.
Travel tips ⚠️
Don't pack your itinerary too full; Bengbu is meant to be experienced slowly.
Popular restaurants may have lines in the evening, so try to avoid peak hours.
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Songyuan | Catch the breeze by the river and watch a city slow down 🌊
Why you'll love it ❤️
Songyuan feels incredibly relaxed.
Watch the lake view during the day, eat barbecue at night, and sit by the river catching the breeze—there's no pressure to rush between attractions. It's very comfortable for those looking to escape the crowded holiday.
Relaxed itinerary 📍
Day 1
Morning: Arrive in Songyuan > Check into hotel
Afternoon: Walk and take photos at Jiangbin Park
Evening: Eat Northeast specialties at the night market
Day 2
Morning: Visit Chagan Lake, enjoy the lake view 🌿
Noon: Taste Northeast cuisine
Afternoon: Take photos at Hadashan Ecological Scenic Area
Evening: Return to the city to rest
Day 3
Morning: Explore city blocks
Afternoon: Buy Northeast specialties and depart
Must-see sights 📸
Chagan Lake: Vast lake surface, perfect for landscape photos
Hadashan: Overlook the river view
Jiangbin Park: Great atmosphere in the evening
Longhua Temple: Grand architecture
City night view blocks: Full of local life
Riverside walkway: Perfect for a relaxing walk
Food highlights 🍖
Northeast barbecue: Full of meaty flavor, great atmosphere.
Guobaorou (sweet and sour pork): Tangy and appetizing.
Iron pot stew: Perfect for sharing.
Sticky bean bun: Soft, glutinous, and sweet.
Frozen pear: A Northeast specialty fruit.
Dacha porridge: Simple but with a hometown taste.
Travel tips ⚠️
Chagan Lake is some distance from the city center, so we recommend planning your transportation in advance.
Don't just eat at the restaurants in the scenic area; small shops in the city offer better value.
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Linhai | An ancient Jiangnan city, niche but full of character 🏮
Why you'll love it ❤️
Linhai is truly a hidden gem you only discover once you visit.
The ancient city wall, old streets, and snacks are all concentrated in one area, making it easy to explore on foot—perfect for those who don't want to deal with the hassle during the National Day holiday.
Relaxed itinerary 📍
Day 1
Morning: Arrive in Linhai > Check in near the ancient city
Afternoon: Visit the Taizhou Prefecture City Wall
Evening: Stroll and eat on Ziyang Street
Day 2
Morning: Walk in Donghu Scenic Area
Noon: Eat local snacks
Afternoon: Take photos at the Jiangnan Great Wall 📸
Evening: Ancient city night view
Day 3
Morning: Slowly stroll through the old street and buy souvenirs
Afternoon: Depart
Food highlights 🍜
Maixia (wheat shrimp): A local noodle specialty with fresh, delicious soup.
Egg white sheep tail: A unique dessert with a special texture.
Ginger juice egg: Sweet and nourishing.
Seaweed cake: Crispy and perfect as a souvenir.
Zaogeng: A traditional local snack.
Black rice mochi: Soft, glutinous, and sweet.
Relaxed travel guide 💰
Linhai's biggest advantage is the low cost.
Accommodation: Plenty of options for regular hotels and homestays.
Transportation: High-speed rail is convenient, and taxi costs in the city are low.
Dining: You can eat very well for just a few dozen yuan.
Overall impression:
No need to wake up early to queue, no need to spend a lot of money for experiences—just one ancient city is enough to slow down your holiday.
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For your National Day "reverse travel," you should really try these low-cost niche cities ✨
They lack the crowds of popular cities but have their own unique scenery and local life.
Find a place with a slower pace, sleep in, have a good meal, and watch the sunset—this is the true joy of a vacation 🌅.