Family trip for just 300 yuan a day? Check out these hidden gem cities for an easy getaway
All accessible by high-speed rail | 3-day short stay | Total daily expenses for a family of 3 (excluding round-trip transportation) kept under 300 yuan | Minimal hiking, suitable for seniors and children, plenty of free attractions, affordable dining and accommodation
Updated city list: Gaoyou, Jiangsu; Quzhou, Zhejiang; Chizhou, Anhui; Xiaogan, Hubei
City 1: Gaoyou, Jiangsu | 3-day family slow travel
🚄Transportation (High-speed rail)
Take the high-speed rail directly to Gaoyou Station, then a 12-minute taxi ride to the old town. The old town is compact and walkable, and short taxi rides are inexpensive.
🏨Accommodation
1. Homestay near Yucheng Post Station in Gaoyou, family room 180 yuan, close to old scenic spots, quiet and clean.
2. Family suite by the canal, 210 yuan, canal view from the window, convenient parking.
📅3-day itinerary
Day 1 Arrival and strolling through the ancient canal town: Check in and rest, spend the afternoon exploring the old streets around Yucheng Post Station and the old canal path, take a walk along the river to enjoy the breeze; stroll down Nanmen Street in the evening and have home-style cooking for dinner.
Day 2 Relaxing water town fun with kids: Visit the free Gaoyou Museum in the morning; head to the free wetland park on the shore of Gaoyou Lake in the afternoon for a walk and lake views, then return to the homestay to rest—no packed schedule.
Day 3 Dining, shopping, and departure: Have Yangchun noodles and Pubao meat for breakfast, browse the local market to buy salted duck eggs and other souvenirs, then take the high-speed rail home in the afternoon.
🍜Food
Gaoyou Yangchun noodles, Pubao meat, Wang tofu, salted duck eggs.
💰Daily expenses (family of 3)
Accommodation 190 + 3 meals 85 + transportation 25 = 300 yuan
City 2: Quzhou, Zhejiang | 3-day family slow travel
🚄Transportation (High-speed rail)
Take the high-speed rail directly to Quzhou Station, then a 15-minute taxi ride to the old town. The old town is primarily walkable, with short taxi rides for getting around.
🏨Accommodation
1. Homestay at Shuitingmen, Quzhou, family room 200 yuan, quiet location near the ancient city.
2. Family suite in the old town, 220 yuan, surrounded by many restaurants.
📅3-day itinerary
Day 1 Arrival and exploring Shuitingmen: Check in and rest, spend the afternoon visiting the free Shuitingmen Historical and Cultural District, stroll along the ancient streets by the river, enjoy the sunset over the Qu River in the evening, and try local snacks.
Day 2 Relaxing and leisure: Visit the free Quzhou Museum in the morning, wander through the alleys of the old town in the afternoon, and return to the homestay to relax.
Day 3 Dining, shopping, and departure: Have Quzhou baked flatbread and rice noodles for breakfast, browse the wet market to buy vacuum-packed "three heads and one palm" (duck heads and duck web), then take the high-speed rail home in the afternoon.
🍜Food
Quzhou baked flatbread, Quzhou rice noodles, "three heads and one palm," crystal cake.
💰Daily expenses (family of 3)
Accommodation 200 + 3 meals 85 + transportation 15 = 300 yuan
City 3: Chizhou, Anhui | 3-day family slow travel
🚄Transportation (High-speed rail)
Take the high-speed rail to Chizhou Station, then a 10-minute taxi ride to the old town. Use ride-hailing apps or shared bikes for short trips within the city.
🏨Accommodation
1. Homestay along the Qingxi River, family room 175 yuan, quiet riverside location, free parking.
2. Family-friendly homestay in the ancient city area, 190 yuan, surrounded by many restaurants.
📅3-day itinerary
Day 1 Arrival and rest, strolling along the Qingxi River landscape belt: Check in and rest, take a walk along the Qingxi River in the evening to see the night view, and have dinner at a small street-side shop.
Day 2 Cultural leisure: Visit the free Chizhou Museum in the morning; head to the free lakeside area of Pingtian Lake in the afternoon for a walk and lake views, then return to the homestay to relax. (Does not include the paid core scenic area of Mount Jiuhua.)
Day 3 Local market shopping and departure: Have Chizhou Xiaoba for breakfast, browse the local farmers' market to buy specialties like Shitai dried tofu, then take the high-speed rail home in the afternoon.
🍜Food
Chizhou Xiaoba, Dongzhi rice dumplings, Shitai dried tofu, farm-style wild vegetables.
💰Daily expenses (family of 3)
Accommodation 180 + 3 meals 95 + transportation 25 = 300 yuan
City 4: Xiaogan, Hubei | 3-day family slow travel
🚄Transportation (High-speed rail)
Take the high-speed rail to Xiaogan North Station/Xiaogan East Station (prefer Xiaogan East Station as it is closer to the city center), then a 12-minute taxi ride to the old town. Use shared bikes or short taxi rides within the city.
🏨Accommodation
1. Homestay near Huaiyin Park, family room 165 yuan, close to urban green space, quiet environment.
2. Family room near the old town food street, 195 yuan, convenient for dining.
📅3-day itinerary
Day 1 Arrival and strolling through old town streets: Check in and rest, spend the afternoon wandering around the old town, take a relaxing walk in the free area of Huaiyin Park in the evening, and have local snacks for dinner.
Day 2 Relaxing fun: Visit the free Xiaogan Museum in the morning; head to Huanhe Riverside Park in the afternoon to enjoy the breeze, then return to the homestay to rest.
Day 3 Dining, shopping, and departure: Have Xiaogan rice wine and Doupi for breakfast, pick out sesame candy and rice wine as souvenirs, then take the high-speed rail home in the afternoon.
🍜Food
Xiaogan rice wine, sesame candy, Doupi, Yunmeng fish noodles.
💰Daily expenses (family of 3)
Accommodation 170 + 3 meals 100 + transportation 30 = 300 yuan
Summary
✅4 updated cities accessible by high-speed rail: Gaoyou, Quzhou, Chizhou, Xiaogan
✅Total daily expenses for a family of 3 (excluding round-trip transportation) kept under 300 yuan
✅Plenty of free parks and museums, with a relaxed itinerary suitable for seniors and children