Welcome back to our ultimate budget countdown! In Part I, we journeyed through the iconic karst trails of Yangshuo, tasted world-class street skewers in Chengdu, and explored the stunning ancient courtyards of Pingyao.
But China’s vast geography contains hidden pockets of incredible value. If you want to push off the beaten path, your backpacker budget can take you to hidden desert oases along the Silk Road, dramatic karst peaks modeled in sci-fi films, tropical minority borderlands, and forgotten coastal valleys.
Below is the complete Part II of our self-guided budget manual, revealing destinations 11 through 20 across the Middle Kingdom.
Quick Budget Overview of Part II Destinations
11. Dunhuang (Gansu) – The Silk Road Desert Oasis
How to Get There
Take a high-speed train along the Gansu corridor to Dunhuang Railway Station. Cheap local green city buses run directly from the train station to the famous Crescent Lake oasis and the downtown night markets for a mere 3 RMB.
Must-Try Street Food
Hit the bustling Dunhuang Night Market and order a plate of Dunhuang Donkey Yellow Noodles (Lvrou Huangmian). These thin, hand-stretched noodles are drenched in a rich, savory mushroom and garlic gravy, served alongside tender slices of spiced meat (15–25 RMB).
Best Backpacker Hostels
Dunhuang Zephyr Youth Hostel: Located right near the base of the singing sand dunes. It features an incredibly social outdoor rooftop desert lounge where backpackers gather to drink local beer, stargaze under clear desert skies, and coordinate budget group trips to the remote Yadan ghost city.
12. Wulong Karst (Chongqing) – The Three Natural Bridges
How to Get There
From the massive mega-city of Chongqing, take a budget-friendly regional train from Chongqing North Station to Wulong Station (2 hours, approx. 25 RMB). From the Wulong bus terminal, cheap public mini-buses drop you right at the visitor center in Xiannvshan Town for 10 RMB.
Must-Try Street Food
Keep your energy levels high with a steaming bowl of Chongqing Hot and Sour Glass Noodles (Suanlamian). These sweet potato noodles are served in a fiery, numbing broth heavy on dark vinegar, fried soybeans, and crushed Sichuan peppers (7–10 RMB).
Best Backpacker Hostels
Wulong Youth Hostel / Guesthouse: Situated perfectly near the main transport hubs in the valley, providing incredibly cheap dorm beds, hot showers, and detailed self-guided trail maps that allow you to explore the massive sinkholes without hiring expensive tour guides.
13. Xishuangbanna (Jinghong, Yunnan) – The Tropical Borderland
How to Get There
Thanks to the newly completed China-Laos Railway, you can fly into Kunming and take a direct, highly scenic high-speed train south to Jinghong Station in just 3 hours. Local public transit link the station to the city center for 2 RMB.
Must-Try Street Food
The Gaozhuang Night Market is a sensory wonderland. For an incredibly cheap tropical meal, buy Dai-style Lemongrass Grilled Fish or sticky rice cooked inside fresh bamboo logs, paired with fresh, ice-cold coconut water straight from local street vendors (10–20 RMB).
Best Backpacker Hostels
Xishuangbanna Cloud International Youth Hostel: Features a magnificent, tropical outdoor pool and lounge area, offering an incredibly relaxed, budget-friendly atmosphere with English-speaking staff who help arrange cheap shared excursions to the local tea mountains.
14. Zhangjiajie (Hunan) – The Hallelujah Avatar Mountains
How to Get There
Take a bullet train straight to Zhangjiajie West Station. To explore the park cheaply, avoid the tourist agencies in town; instead, walk to the central bus station and take the direct public minibus to the Wulingyuan or Zhangjiajie National Forest Park gate for 12–15 RMB.
Must-Try Street Food
Sit down at a rustic alleyway eatery and order Tujia Sanxiaguo. This local ethnic minority dish is a rich, fiery clay pot stew packed with potato slices, tofu, and your choice of braised meats, heavily spiced with wild mountain herbs. It is massive and easily splits between two budget backpackers.
Best Backpacker Hostels
Zhangjiajie Destination Youth Hostel (Wulingyuan Branch): Located just a short walk from the core park entrance gate. It boasts comfortable wooden capsule dorms, free laundry machines, and a legendary nightly briefing session where staff teach you exactly how to hike the national park trails to avoid expensive cable cars and tourist crowds.
15. Qingdao (Shandong) – Coastal Beaches and German Architecture
How to Get There
Qingdao is effortlessly linked via high-speed rail networks across eastern China. Arrive at Qingdao Railway Station, which sits directly facing the ocean. The entire coastal grid is highly accessible via the ultra-modern Qingdao Metro lines.
Must-Try Street Food
Embrace the local lifestyle known as "Ga Ge La." Head to a local neighborhood wet market, purchase fresh clams directly from the tanks for cheap, and hand them to a nearby street stall cook to whip up Spicy Stir-Fried Clams (La Gala) for a nominal processing fee. Pair it with fresh Tsingtao draft beer sold in clear plastic bags!
Best Backpacker Hostels
Qingdao Wheat Youth Hostel: Housed inside a beautifully preserved historic European-style brick building downtown, offering highly affordable dorm configurations, communal kitchens, and close walking proximity to the beaches.
16. Jiuzhaigou (Sichuan) – Multi-Tiered Turquoise Pools
How to Get There
Thanks to the newly opened high-speed rail line stretching into northern Sichuan, you can now take a train from Chengdu straight to Zhenjiangguan or Songpan Station, then hop on a direct public connecting bus to the Jiuzhaigou park entrance, cutting out long, grueling bus rides.
Must-Try Street Food
Because of the high elevation and local Tibetan population, warm comforts are essential. Try authentic Tibetan Yak Meat Dumplings (Momo) served with a side of rich, steaming barley broth, or pick up roasted potato skewers dipped in local wild pepper seasonings (10–15 RMB).
Best Backpacker Hostels
Jiuzhaigou Friend International Youth Hostel: Located right in the valley settlement near the main park gates. It provides exceptional budget dorm beds, massive communal heating blankets, and a lively evening bar area where travelers swap hiking stories.
17. Shangri-La (Yunnan) – High-Altitude Tibetan Plateaus
How to Get There
Take the high-speed train north from Lijiang up the mountains to Shangri-La Railway Station (1.5 hours). A local public city bus connects the high-altitude station straight to the historic Dukezong Old Town for 2 RMB.
Must-Try Street Food
Wander through the central square of Dukezong Old Town at night and try Highland Barley Cakes (Qingke Bing)—a hearty, dense, and slightly sweet flatbread baked on iron griddles. It pairs beautifully with rich yak cheese or local honey (5–8 RMB).
Best Backpacker Hostels
Shangri-La Tavern International Youth Hostel: A wonderfully cozy, Tibetan-style wooden lodge featuring thick wool blankets, a central wood-burning stove in the common room, and a highly communal atmosphere where backpackers gather to acclimatize to the altitude over cheap beers.
18. Tunxi (Huangshan City, Anhui) – Basecamp for Ancient Trails
How to Get There
Take a high-speed train to Huangshan North Station. To reach the old streets of Tunxi cheaply, skip the station taxis and board public bus No. 21 right outside the exit for 2 RMB.
Must-Try Street Food
Explore the historic Tunxi Old Street and sample authentic Huizhou Hairy Tofu (Mao Doufu). This local delicacy features fermented tofu that grows a downy white coat of mycelium, which is pan-fried on flat griddles until golden, brushed with local chili paste, and served piping hot (8–12 RMB).
Best Backpacker Hostels
Tunxi Ancient Street Youth Hostel: A highly charming, traditional wood-frame guesthouse situated right along the historic riverbanks. It serves as the ultimate, low-cost basecamp for backpackers prepping to climb Yellow Mountain or exploring the nearby ancient villages.
19. Dengfeng / Shaolin Temple (Henan) – The Kung Fu Cradle
How to Get There
Take a bullet train to Luoyang Longmen Station or Zhengzhou Station. From the Luoyang Longmen bus hub, jump on a direct, long-distance public coach running straight to Dengfeng Bus Station for around 25 RMB.
Must-Try Street Food
Fuel your mountain hikes with a giant bowl of Henan Braised Pull Noodles (Huimian). These wide, flat, and chewy hand-pulled wheat noodles are served in a rich, comforting mutton broth packed with wood-ear mushrooms, tofu skin shreds, and fresh coriander (10–15 RMB).
Best Backpacker Hostels
Dengfeng Shaolin Youth Hostel: Situated beautifully near the base of the sacred Mount Song, offering remarkably cheap dorm beds, gear storage, and a highly helpful tour desk that maps out the best walking tracks to bypass expensive internal scenic buses.
20. Turpan (Xinjiang) – Grapes and Flaming Ancient Ruins
How to Get There
Take a high-speed train along the northwestern Silk Road corridor to Turpan North Station. From there, cheap public city minibuses run continuously down into the green oasis city center and the local bazaar zones for 3 RMB.
Must-Try Street Food
The open-air night markets in Turpan are legendary. Indulge in authentic Xinjiang Charcoal Lamb Skewers (Chuan'r), heavily seasoned with aromatic cumin and bright red chili flakes, roasted over open troughs of coals right on the sidewalk (3–6 RMB per skewer). Pair it with freshly baked naan bread straight out of clay ovens.
Best Backpacker Hostels
Turpan Silk Road Youth Hostel: Features a stunning, sprawling outdoor communal courtyard shaded completely by a thick canopy of living grapevines. It offers cool, relaxing relief from the desert heat, cheap beds, and a lively social vibe for solo backpackers exploring the ancient ruins of Jiaohe.
Master Checklist for Budget Backpacking in China
To keep your wallet completely happy while navigating the Middle Kingdom, memorize these golden rules:
- Download Alipay & WeChat Before Arrival: China is a cashless society. Bind your international Visa/Mastercard to Alipay and WeChat Pay immediately so you can seamlessly buy 6 RMB street noodles or scan 2 RMB bus turnstiles.
- Utilize 12306 or Trip.com for Train Bookings: The app is fully in English, allows you to book high-speed rail or hard-sleeper trains in advance, and directly issues digital tickets bound to your passport number.
- Carry Your Physical Passport Everywhere: You will need it to check into hostels, board every single train, and enter major national parks.
Are you planning your first budget backpacking trip across China soon? Which of these 20 destinations are you pinning to your map first? Drop your questions down in the comments below!
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