4 Lesser-Known Coastal Cities Perfect for Budget Travel!

Hey guys, check this out👀! Want to travel on a budget to see the sea but afraid of crowds? Here are 4 lesser-known coastal cities, accessible by high-speed train or bus, with affordable costs where you can enjoy the blue sea and sky all to yourself. Save this guide now👇 🌊 Zhejiang · Wenling Recommendation rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 🚗 Transportation: Take the high-speed train to Wenling Station, then a 20-minute taxi ride to Shitang Town. Rent an electric scooter in town for 30 RMB/day to explore the fishing village. 🌅 Must-visit spots: • Xiaoruocun Village: A colorful fishing village like a spilled palette, perfect for free photo shoots with high success rate. Watch fishing boats return at dawn for a lively local vibe. • Dongxia Beach: Entrance fee 30 RMB, fine soft sand, great for collecting shells and catching small crabs at low tide. Bring a mat and you can lie down all afternoon. • Jinsha Beach: Quiet and less crowded, watch the sunset shimmer on the sea in the evening—breathtakingly beautiful. 🦪 Food: Buy fresh seafood at the market and have it cooked at a restaurant for about 50 RMB per person to enjoy seafood freedom; Qiangao (steamed rice cake) 10 RMB each, stuffed with seafood and vegetables for a filling meal; also try seaweed cakes, fish ball soup, and other snacks, all under 10 RMB at street stalls. 💡 Money-saving tips: Stay in a Shitang Town guesthouse, off-season rates around 60 RMB per night per person, with sea views right outside your window; avoid weekends to find the beach almost empty and easy to find a spot. 🌊 Guangdong · Shanwei Recommendation rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 🚄 Transportation: High-speed train directly to Shanwei Station, 1 RMB bus ride to downtown, rent shared bikes for 5 RMB/hour to explore Seaside Road. 🌊 Must-visit spots: • Honghai Bay: A free-access natural beach with big waves perfect for surfing watching; black rocks on the sand make for textured photos. • Windmill Island: A lesser-known island surrounded by sea on three sides, white windmills against the blue sea are super soothing. Reachable by self-driving or taxi for 30 RMB. • Ermalu Old Street: Arcade buildings hiding the authentic Shanwei flavor, free to stroll, eat, and take vintage-style photos. 🍢 Food: Thin pancakes 5 RMB each, stuffed with egg and preserved vegetables for a delicious taste; licorice fruit 10 RMB per box, drizzled with plum sauce for a sweet and sour refresh; seafood porridge 20 RMB a big bowl, so loaded you can’t see the bottom. 💡 Accommodation recommendation: Choose guesthouses near Ermalu, 10 minutes walk to the sea, rooms with balconies for about 50 RMB per person; don’t buy seafood in tourist areas, go to Dongfeng Market for fresh and better deals. 🌊 Shandong · Weihai Rongcheng Recommendation rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 🚄 Transportation: High-speed train to Rongcheng Station, 2 RMB bus to downtown, coastal bus line 1 RMB connects multiple beaches. 🐚 Must-visit spots: • Naxianghai: Free beach with sand like milk powder, wooden boardwalk perfect for walks, rent a tent for 30 RMB/day to stay all day. • Hailv Island: Take a boat to the island (ticket + boat 80 RMB), seagulls fly around the boat, you can feed them small fish by hand. • Yandunjiao: Free swan watching in winter, quiet fishing village in summer, picturesque fishing boats going out to sea. 🦐 Food: Mackerel dumplings 15 RMB per serving, incredibly fresh; buy live steamed swimming crabs at the market, 10 RMB processing fee, about 60 RMB per person to eat until full; also try fig cakes, dried fish, and other local specialties at reasonable prices. 💡 Avoid pitfalls: Don’t buy overpriced seafood in tourist spots; stay in guesthouses in Lidao Town close to the beach, and join fishermen to experience sea harvesting for free small seafood. 🌊 Guangxi · Beihai Weizhou Island (Off-season version) Recommendation rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 🚢 Transportation: Taxi from Beihai Station to International Passenger Port, one-way ferry ticket 150 RMB (cheaper in off-season), island entrance fee 98 RMB (half price for students). 🏝️ Must-visit spots: • Shell Beach: Free pristine beach, full of shells at low tide, great for kids to dig sand and collect sea snails. • Dishui Danping: Volcanic rock formations plus waterfall flowing into the sea, free attraction, perfect lighting for photos at dusk. • Catholic Church: Century-old building, free to visit, great for French-style photo shoots. 🍧 Food: Banana chicken and banana pork are island specialties; a homestay meal with one meat and one vegetable costs 50 RMB; seafood noodles 15 RMB per bowl, incredibly fresh; mango smoothie at dessert shops 8 RMB per serving, refreshing and light. 💡 Money-saving tips: Stay in islanders’ self-run guesthouses, off-season about 80 RMB per night per person, owners will tell you where to buy seafood without being overcharged; rent an electric scooter for 50 RMB/day, circle the island freely. 📌 Budget Beach Travel Essentials ✅ Beach shoes (protect your feet, half the price of those sold in tourist spots) ✅ Foldable bucket + small shovel (sea harvesting tools, sold for 20 RMB in tourist spots, bringing your own is more cost-effective) ✅ Sun protection clothing + wide-brimmed hat (strong UV rays by the sea, saves money on sunburn medicine) ✅ Ziplock bags (for wet clothes and shells, practical and free) ✨ Key point: These lesser-known coastal cities are less commercialized, with daily expenses for food, accommodation, and transport around 100 RMB per person for a comfortable trip. Avoid peak seasons to save money and enjoy the entire beach to yourself! Grab your travel buddy and head to these hidden gems to feel the sea breeze and eat fresh seafood~