How many of the top 10 most cost-effective domestic tourist destinations have you visited?
Recently, I was chatting with a friend and talking about the topic of domestic travel. Everyone sighed that it is really not cheap to travel now, and the air tickets, hotels, and tickets add up to thousands. But, I can't hold back the desire to go out and play. No, I wondered, what are the places that are both fun and not so expensive? After some search and comparison, I have sorted out ten cost-effective domestic tourist attractions for you, let's take a look!
A fairyland on earth in the midst of lakes and mountains
When it comes to cost-effective attractions, we have to mention Hangzhou West Lake. This is a 5A-level scenic spot in our country, but it is completely free and open, which is simply a conscience! The West Lake is surrounded by ten major landscapes such as Su Causeway and White Causeway, and strolling through it makes you feel like you are in a painting. West Lake in spring, hazy and rainy; In summer, the West Lake is in full bloom; West Lake in autumn, golden cinnamon is fragrant; West Lake in winter, the snow scene is picturesque. Each season has a different beauty, no wonder the ancients said, "There is heaven above, and there is Suzhou and Hangzhou below".
However, although West Lake is good, there are many people. Especially during Golden Week, it is simply packed. Some netizens complained: "I went to see the West Lake, but I only saw human heads." "It's true that the crowding during the peak tourist season is a bit suffocating. Therefore, it is recommended that you travel off-peak and choose weekdays or off-seasons to have a better experience.
Guilin's landscapes are the best in the world
When it comes to Guilin, many people's first reaction is "beautiful mountains and rivers". That's right, Guilin's landscape really lives up to its name. The karst landforms on both sides of the Li River have formed a unique landscape painting. Sitting on a bamboo raft and drifting on the Li River, the green mountains on both sides of the river are like daisies, and the reflection in the clear river water is so beautiful that it makes people breathtaking.
Tickets for attractions in Guilin are relatively reasonable, such as the Ten Mile Gallery in Yangshuo, where an adult ticket is only 60 yuan. And the prices in Guilin are not high, and food and accommodation are quite cheap. I have a friend who went to Guilin for a week last year, stayed in a small inn, ate local snacks, and spent more than 3,000 yuan. He was full of praise when he came back, saying that it was super cost-effective.
However, Guilin's tourism industry is relatively mature, and some places will inevitably be a bit commercial. Like Yangshuo West Street, it is lively at night, but the bars and foreign tourists on the street always feel that there is a little bit of local characteristics. So if you want to experience a more authentic Guilin style, it is recommended to go to some relatively unpopular places, such as Longji Rice Terraces or Xingping Ancient Town.
Zhangjiajie: Fairyland on earth is not a dream
Zhangjiajie, this name is believed to be familiar to everyone. It became famous because of the movie "Avatar", and those strange peaks and rocks seem to come from an alien planet. Although the ticket to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is not cheap, the adult ticket is 248 yuan, but it is valid for whole days, and there are too many attractions inside, which is completely worthy of this price.
In Zhangjiajie, you can take the world's highest outdoor elevator, the Bailong Sky Ladder, and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the core scenic spot of Wulingyuan in 360 degrees. You can also walk on the glass plank road and experience the unique feeling of excitement and beautiful scenery. Of course, if you are feeling timid, you can also choose to take the cable car and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the mountains and rivers.
Interestingly, there are also many wild macaques in the scenic area of Zhangjiajie. They are quite affectionate and often come to tourists to beg for food. However, you should be careful, these monkeys can sometimes be quite mischievous and will steal the things of tourists. So, don't feed the monkeys when you see them, and don't leave your valuables out there.
Mount Qingcheng: The tranquil beauty of a Taoist holy place
If you want to talk about cost-effective attractions, Qingcheng Mountain is definitely worth mentioning. As one of the birthplaces of Taoism, Mount Qingcheng not only has a profound cultural heritage, but also has beautiful natural scenery. On top of that, its ticket price is quite affordable, with an adult ticket costing only 90 yuan.
Walking on Qingcheng Mountain, you will find that the scenery here is different. Different from the majesty of other famous mountains, Qingcheng Mountain gives people a sense of tranquility and far-reaching. Lush trees, crystal clear streams, and Taoist temples dot the landscape.
The buildings on Qingcheng Mountain are also very distinctive. For example, the Shangqing Palace, built in the Tang Dynasty, has been rebuilt many times, but it still retains its simple and elegant style. Standing on the square in front of the palace, overlooking the mountains and looking at the ancient trees up close, it seems that you can feel the realm of Taoism's "quiet and inaction".
However, the popularity of Qingcheng Mountain is still a little worse than that of Mount Tai and Mount Hua. Some tourists reported that the infrastructure of the scenic spot needs to be improved, such as the number of rest areas and toilets is not enough. But then again, it is precisely because there are relatively few tourists that the tranquil atmosphere of Qingcheng Mountain is maintained. So, if you like quiet and tranquil spots, Qingcheng Mountain is definitely a good choice.
The thousand-year-old charm of the Forbidden City
Speaking of Beijing, we can't fail to mention the Forbidden City. As the world's largest and best-preserved complex of ancient wooden structures, the Palace Museum can be said to be the epitome of Chinese culture. Although the ticket price is 60 yuan, it is definitely a great value for money considering its historical value and the length of the visit.
Walking into the Forbidden City, it is like traveling back in time to the imperial palace hundreds of years ago. The red walls and yellow tiles, the golden and brilliant palaces, all show the majesty of the emperors of the past. In particular, the three major halls of Taihe Palace, Zhonghe Palace, and Baohe Hall are magnificent, and people can't help but sigh at the wisdom of ancient craftsmen.
Interestingly, there are many small details in the Forbidden City that are not well known. For example, do you know how many doors there are in the Forbidden City? The answer is 9999 and a half! Why half? Because the legend says that there are 10,000 doors in the sky, the emperor was afraid of committing the crime of "trespassing", so he deliberately repaired half of them. Such small stories abound in the Forbidden City, and every time you go, you can find something new and interesting.
However, there is a limit to the number of visitors to the Forbidden City, with a maximum of 80,000 visitors per day. Therefore, it is recommended that you make an appointment online in advance to avoid running in vain. In addition, the Forbidden City is really big, and my legs will be broken after a day of shopping. So remember to wear comfortable shoes, plenty of water and dry food!
Overall, each of these attractions has its own unique character, offering both natural beauty and a deep cultural heritage. Best of all, they're all inexpensive, making them perfect for visitors on a budget. However, whether the travel experience is good or not, in addition to the attractions themselves, also depends on personal preferences and luck. Therefore, when you choose a travel destination, you still have to decide according to your own interests and actual situation. After all, the most beautiful scenery is often in people's hearts.