Win at National Day by avoiding the crowds and exploring 5 hidden gems, a strategy to dodge 90% of the tourist flow

Hey guys! Don’t want to be stuck in traffic on the highway eating instant noodles during National Day? Don’t want to take “group photos” at crowded attractions? Lock in this nanny-level anti-routine off-peak guide now! From timing tricks to hidden spot details, even how to grab tickets and where to stay without pitfalls are all covered. Follow it and you’ll get amazing shots to flood your social media✨ 1. Three “counterintuitive” off-peak logics that even beginners can master instantly! 1. Time off-peak: Don’t just stick to the 7-day holiday! Departing on September 28 or October 7 is the jackpot! Tested flying to Guilin on September 28, tickets were over 40% cheaper than October 1, and a river view room dropped from 1200 to 500! Even better, on the Li River bamboo raft, you don’t have to dodge people in photos, and the raftman will paddle an extra 20 minutes for you📸 2. Time slot off-peak: Go opposite to the main crowd Rush to attractions before 7 AM (for example, the Forbidden City opens at 7:30, arrive 10 minutes early to enjoy the red wall shadows alone), visit popular viewing platforms after 4 PM (go to the Terracotta Warriors 2 hours before closing, the site is so empty you can savor the details); cross provincial borders on the highway between 12:30-14:00, tested to save 40 minutes waiting! 3. Route off-peak: “Circle around” popular cities In Xi’an, skip the Terracotta Warriors and head to the Archaeological Museum (see the gold cakes from Hejia Village’s cellar, super cool interactive experience); in Hangzhou, don’t just visit West Lake, check out Qingshan Lake Water Forest (afternoon sunlight through dawn redwoods makes photos look like the Emerald City)🌿 2. Four “few people, stunning views” hidden spots with detailed day-by-day itineraries! 🌿 Yunnan · Nanjilu (A hiker’s fairyland secret) - Why choose this: Hidden deep in Diqing mountains, primitive forest + alpine lakes, less than 200 visitors daily during National Day! The snow mountain reflection in Lake No. 3 looks like a computer wallpaper~ - Precise 3 days 2 nights itinerary: - Day 1: Take a 3-hour car from Shangri-La to Badi Township (choose SUV, mountain roads have gravel), stay in a homestay and first drink butter tea to adapt to altitude, dinner with Lisu stone slab grilled meat (with local spicy dip, super fragrant)🥩 - Day 2: Enter the mountain before 8 AM with packed food (best light), hike the “Nine Lakes in a Line,” focus on Lake No. 3 (wear non-slip shoes, moss on lakeside), exit before 5 PM (mountain roads are dangerous after dark) - Day 3: Sleep in, buy wild mushroom dried goods at the homestay (25 RMB per jin, half the price of scenic spots), return to Shangri-La to visit Dukezong Ancient Town - Key reminder: Altitude 3000+ meters, bring windproof jacket, no entrance fee but must hire local guide (150 RMB/day to avoid getting lost) 🌊 Fujian · Sijiao Archipelago (A Ghibli-like world at sea) - Why choose this: Red reef rocks + white windmills + blue sea, half the crowd of Pingtan, swimming crabs at 25 RMB per jin for free! - Efficient 2 days 1 night plan: - Day 1: Take the 9:30 boat from Jishi Pier, Xiapu (book one day in advance on “Xiapu Shipping,” 1.5 hours), first visit Dongjiao Island to see the “Potala Palace at Sea” fishing village (shoot red reef rocks at low tide, wear light clothes for great photos), dinner at homestay with steamed fresh fish - Day 2: Go to Beijiao Island at 5 AM for sunrise (bring jacket, windy by the sea), visit lighthouse viewing platform in the morning (shoot windmills + blue sea), take 12:30 boat back, eat seafood at pier stalls (50 RMB per person and very filling)🦞 - Key reminder: Bring seasickness medicine (some rough waters), stay at “Island Family” homestay, owner lends tide-catching tools 🏯 Sichuan · Langzhong Ancient City (The quiet version of the four great ancient cities) - Why choose this: Quieter than Lijiang, livelier than Pingyao, no queues for photos at Zhongtian Tower during National Day, and you can drink oil tea for 3 RMB a bowl! - Deep 3 days 2 nights tour: - Day 1: Take high-speed train to Langzhong Station (15-minute taxi to ancient city), stay at “Hu Family Courtyard” homestay (osmanthus tree in courtyard, window views of ancient city), afternoon visit Zhang Fei Temple (Three Kingdoms culture exhibition), sunset at Huaguang Tower to watch Jialing River (best light around 6 PM)🌇 - Day 2: Climb Zhongtian Tower at 6 AM (no crowd, panoramic city shots), morning experience imperial examination at Gongyuan (wear Hanfu for fun), afternoon learn to make Baoning vinegar (take home your own small bottle), evening watch “Langyuan Wonderland” show (beautiful lighting) - Day 3: Breakfast with 3 RMB steamed buns (perfect with pickles), try 20 RMB vinegar foot soak (relaxing), buy handmade vinegar (30 RMB/bottle, great gift), then return - Key reminder: Ancient city free, internal attraction combo ticket 80 RMB (includes Zhang Fei Temple, Gongyuan), recommended to eat Langzhong beef noodles at “Li’s Kitchen” 🌄 Shaanxi · Yulin (Geological wonder of the Loess Plateau) - Why choose this: Danxia at Wave Valley looks like frozen flames, cave homestays cost about 100 RMB per person, lamb offal soup 15 RMB a bowl and very filling! - 3 days 2 nights itinerary: - Day 1: High-speed train to Yulin Station (rent car, 1.5 hours to Jingbian, choose new energy car for cheaper), stay in cave near Wave Valley (“Danxia Inn” with sunset views), shoot Danxia after 5 PM (soft light makes it look like orange flames) - Day 2: Morning visit Wave Valley Area 1 (core Danxia, walk wooden plank road for details), afternoon hike Mahuangliang Loess Geological Park (see “Loess Plateau gullies,” bring water), dinner with lamb offal soup and baked flatbread at local old brand “Lao Wang Lamb Offal” - Day 3: Morning climb Zhenbeitai to see Great Wall ruins (arrive before 9 AM, fewer people), afternoon drive along Yellow River to Shaanxi’s First Bend (shoot “U-shaped Yellow River”), return to Yulin to visit ancient city (buy Shaanbei paper-cut as souvenirs) - Key reminder: Enter Wave Valley before 9 AM (avoid tour groups), bring strong sun protection (UV is strong) 3. Popular city “reverse check-in” tips, a must-see to avoid traffic jams! 📍 Xi’an - Terracotta Warriors off-peak: First visit Lishan Garden to see bronze chariots and horses (fewer people, close-up details), enter Terracotta Warriors pit 2 hours before closing, guides available on call (no need to squeeze with big groups) - Hidden play: If tickets to Provincial Museum are sold out, rush to “Archaeological Museum” (free, book 3 days in advance), see gold artifacts from Hejia Village cellar, plus simulated archaeology experience 📍 Sanya - Beach choice: Skip Yalong Bay, go to Houhai Village for sunrise snorkeling (arrive before 6 AM, fewer people and better underwater visibility, see small fish), take photos at Coconut Dream Corridor at noon (tourists are eating, no one blocks shots of palm trees + sea) - Accommodation tip: Choose hotels with “exclusive Wuzhizhou Island access” (e.g., “Pullman Oceanview Sanya Bay”), reduce park entry wait to 15 minutes 📍 Guangzhou - Chimelong strategy: Enter from west gate to see Asian elephants and giraffes (before 10 AM animals active, fewer people), ride roller coaster after 3 PM (most visitors leave, no long lines), dine at restaurants outside south area (20% cheaper than inside park) 4. National Day off-peak “pit avoidance and safety” checklist, full of details! - Transportation: September 30 from 3 PM to 11 PM and October 1 from 8 AM to 2 PM are the worst highway traffic times, try to depart at 5 AM or 1 PM; book train tickets 15 days in advance for popular routes (check 12306 release times, use “waiting + speed-up package” double insurance) - Accommodation: Choose homestays near scenic spots in less popular areas (communicate with host 3 days ahead for pick-up, some offer free rides), in popular cities stay along subway lines (e.g., Shanghai on Line 11, convenient for Disney/city) - Tools: Use scenic spot electronic guides to check real-time crowd heat maps (Wuhan East Lake, Nanjing Niushou Mountain available), check “scenic comfort index” on travel platforms (don’t go if below 60, too crowded) The true essence of National Day travel is never rushing to check off spots, but to leisurely enjoy the scenery~ Follow this guide to avoid crowds and shoot envy-inducing social media posts!👇 Save it now, tag your travel buddy, and let’s off-peak rush for National Day!💨