Summer getaway cities perfect for escaping the heat on a budget!

Hey everyone! Are you suffering from the scorching heat and desperate to escape? Don't worry! These 4 budget-friendly cities are ideal for summer travel—scenic, cool, and wallet-friendly. Perfect for students and working folks—just pack and go! Here’s your ultimate "cool summer survival guide." 🏔️ **Lijiang Must-Do Guide** 📍 **Must-Visit Spots**: ✅ **Lijiang Old Town**—Stroll through Sifang Street, snap pics at the Umbrella Alley, and enjoy folk music at the bar street at night. ✅ **Jade Dragon Snow Mountain**—Summit at 4,680 meters, and be mesmerized by the Tiffany-blue waters of Blue Moon Valley. ✅ **Lugu Lake**—Ride a wooden canoe, and explore the Mosuo "Kingdom of Women." 🍜 **Food Recs**: 🔥 **Cured Pork Rib Hotpot** (Yujie’s at Xiangshan Market, ~¥60/person) 🔥 **Chickpea Jelly** (No. 88 Snack Shop, tangy and spicy) 🔥 **Naxi Grilled Fish** (Zhongyi Market Night Market, full of local vibes) 📸 **Hidden Gems**: ✨ **Baisha Ancient Town**—A Naxi village under the snow-capped mountains, try DIY tie-dye. ✨ **Tinghua Valley**—Hydrangea fields + Hobbit houses, a fairy-tale photo spot. 🚗 **Transport Tips**: Walk or rent an e-bike in the old town (¥50/day). Don’t miss the scenic train to Snow Mountain (¥50 one-way). 🌿 **Gannan Must-Do Guide** 📍 **Must-Visit Spots**: ✅ **Labrang Monastery**—Walk the world’s longest prayer wheel corridor, listen to debates under golden roofs, and snap movie-worthy shots. ✅ **Zagana**—Hike through misty "Stone City," stay in a Tibetan village for starry nights. ✅ **Sangke Grassland**—Horseback riding, archery, and yak milking, with butter tea in black tents. 🍜 **Food Recs**: 🔥 **Hand-Torn Lamb** (tender and non-gamey) 🔥 **Tsampa with Butter Tea** (Tibetan breakfast, great for altitude sickness) 🔥 **Yak Yogurt** (thick and tangy, best with honey) 📸 **Hidden Gems**: ✨ **Langmusi Sky Burial Site**—Sunrise at Red Rock Cliff (no photos, respect local customs). ✨ **Ganjia Secret Land**—Explore White Cliff and Octagonal Ancient City, drone shots of "Earth’s Fingerprints." 🚗 **Transport Tips**: Drive 3h from Lanzhou to Xiahe, or hire a car (~¥400/day). 🌄 **Xining Must-Do Guide** 📍 **Must-Visit Spots**: ✅ **Kumbum Monastery**—Sacred Tibetan Buddhist site, famed for butter sculptures and murals. ✅ **Qinghai Lake**—China’s largest saltwater lake, cycle around for stunning sunsets. ✅ **Dongguan Mosque**—One of NW China’s four great mosques, immerse in Islamic culture. 🍡 **Food Recs**: 🔥 **Hand-Torn Lamb** (Yixin Lamb Restaurant, tender and non-gamey) 🔥 **Yak Yogurt** (Xinqian Night Market, rich and tangy) 🔥 **"Dog Pee" Pancake** (Xinghai Road Market, crispy and unique) 📸 **Hidden Gems**: ✨ **Nanshan Park**—Panoramic city views, magical at sunset. ✨ **Dangar Ancient City**—600-year-old tea-horse trade hub, perfect for Hanfu photos. 🚗 **Transport Tips**: City buses cost ¥1/ride. Hire a car for Qinghai Lake (~¥200/day). 🌿 **Ili Must-Do Guide** 📍 **Must-Visit Spots**: ✅ **Nalati Grassland**—Snow mountains + forests + valleys. Book self-drive tickets 7 days early (48h access). ✅ **Karakul Grassland**—Hike the "Human Body Grassland," flower fields in June. ✅ **Sayram Lake**—"The Atlantic’s last tear," cycle around for mirror-like skies. 🍡 **Food Recs**: 🔥 **Hand-Torn Lamb** (tender grassland lamb) 🔥 **Baked Buns** (crispy, ¥3 each) 🔥 **Ili Handmade Ice Cream** (creamy, must-try in Six-Star Street). 📸 **Hidden Gems**: ✨ **Qiongkusitai Back Mountain**—Horseback rides to alpine lakes, stay in floor-to-ceiling window lodges. ✨ **Six-Star Street Night Walk**—Listen to bayan music, photograph colorful buildings. 🚗 **Transport Tips**: Fly to Yining from Urumqi, hire a car (~¥400/day).