If you want to avoid crowds during National Day but still want to take your kids on a family trip, here are 5 off-the-beaten-path cities with fantastic parent-child experiences, along with detailed itineraries and budget allocation (based on four days and three nights, with a budget of 5000 yuan):
1. Songyang, Zhejiang (The Last Secret of Jiangnan)
Highlights: Ancient villages, terraced fields, parent-child farming experience
Itinerary highlights:
Day 1: Take the high-speed train to Lishui Station → rent a car for 1.5 hours to Songyang, stay at "Feiniaoji" rammed earth guesthouse (family room about 600 yuan/night)
Day 2: Feed native pigs at Yangjiatang Village + do crafts at Pioneer Bookstore in Chenjiapu Village → afternoon cycling at Damu Mountain Tea Garden (children’s bike rental 30 yuan)
Day 3: Ride the small train on Songyin Creek (20 yuan/person) → play in the water at Shimenwei Covered Bridge
Day 4: Before returning, experience the intangible cultural heritage "Songyang Gaoqiang" with parent-child costume photos
Budget: Transportation 1500 yuan + accommodation 1800 yuan + meals 800 yuan + experiences 400 yuan = 4500 yuan
2. Pingnan, Fujian (Intangible Cultural Heritage Fun Town)
Highlights: Traditional villages, children’s intangible cultural heritage crafts, mountain summer resort
Itinerary highlights:
Day 1: Rent a car from Fuzhou for 2 hours to Pingnan, stay at "Yanwo Space" guesthouse in Longtanli Village (loft room 400 yuan/night)
Day 2: Learn to weave bamboo baskets in Siping Village → afternoon mud loach catching in rice fields at Xiadi Village (villagers lead, 50 yuan/family)
Day 3: Play in the shallow water at Yuanyang Creek → Baishuiyang natural water slide (children’s area free)
Day 4: On the way back, visit Huo Tong Ancient Town in Ningde and try Guangbing flatbread
Budget: Transportation 1200 yuan + accommodation 1200 yuan + meals 600 yuan + experiences 500 yuan = 3500 yuan
3. Zhaoxing Dong Village, Guizhou (Mini Ethnic Classroom)
Highlights: Dong ethnic culture, rice field fishing, batik experience
Itinerary:
Day 1: Take the high-speed train from Jiang Station → stay in a stilt house guesthouse in Dong Village (balcony room 300 yuan/night)
Day 2: Hike the Tang’an terraced fields (3 km family-friendly route) → afternoon rice field fishing (villager guidance 30 yuan/person)
Day 3: Learn to make Dong sticky rice cakes + batik small scarves (material kit 50 yuan)
Day 4: Return by high-speed train (can transfer via Guilin for a half-day visit to Elephant Trunk Hill)
Budget: Transportation 2000 yuan + accommodation 900 yuan + meals 700 yuan + experiences 300 yuan = 3900 yuan
4. Zhengding, Hebei (Ancient Architecture Treasure Hunt)
Highlights: Song Dynasty ancient pagoda, anime mural walls, toddler-friendly
Itinerary highlights:
Day 1: 40-minute high-speed train from Beijing to Zhengding, stay near "Rongguofu" (family room 400 yuan/night)
Day 2: Feed pigeons and do New Year print rubbings at Longxing Temple → afternoon archaeological blind box at Kaiyuan Temple (children’s version 88 yuan)
Day 3: Children’s picnic by Hutuo River → evening glow-in-the-dark kite flying on ancient city wall
Day 4: Visit Hebei Museum to see Changxin Palace Lantern (return from Shijiazhuang)
Budget: Transportation 800 yuan + accommodation 1200 yuan + meals 600 yuan + experiences 400 yuan = 3000 yuan
5. Jianshui, Yunnan (Slow Life on a Small Train)
Highlights: Meter-gauge train, purple pottery DIY, ancient well tofu
Itinerary highlights:
Day 1: 2-hour high-speed train from Kunming to Jianshui, stay at Hanlin Street Inn (courtyard room 350 yuan/night)
Day 2: Ride the vintage small train (children half price 40 yuan) → paint lanterns at Tuanshan Residence
Day 3: Pottery making on Purple Pottery Street (firing and shipping included 150 yuan) → draw water and make tofu at Daban Well
Day 4: Before returning, eat steam pot chicken (about 40 yuan per person)
Budget: Transportation 1800 yuan + accommodation 1050 yuan + meals 900 yuan + experiences 600 yuan = 4350 yuan
Tips: Key to saving money
Transportation: Prefer high-speed train + rent electric scooters locally (about 50 yuan/day)
Tickets: Check children’s free admission policies in advance (e.g., all attractions in Zhengding are free for children under 1.2m)
Meals: Choose guesthouse shared meals (about 30 yuan/person/meal)
During National Day, these places have only about one-third the visitors of popular cities, and all offer immersive experiences suitable for children aged 3-12. The budget is manageable and you can avoid the crowds. Save this and get ready to go!
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