• Think creatively. Try traveling in the offseason when hotel and flight prices are much lower.
• Choose less popular destinations (目的地) as cheaper alternatives (备选). They may surprise you!
• Some airlines offer discounts (折扣) on their “membership days”. Many travel apps also sell “mystery box (盲盒)” tickets for under 100 yuan.
• Booking flights and hotels early often means better prices.
• If direct flights are too expensive, look for cheaper routes (线路). For example, a flight from Shenzhen to Sydney costs over 3,000 yuan. But, if you fly to Chongqing first and then go to Sydney, the total cost is only about 1,300 yuan.
• Eat where the locals eat to find authentic (正宗的) food. It’s often cheaper and more delicious than the popular restaurants you may see on social media. 
• Camera rental (租赁) apps let you try many good cameras at low prices so you can take great pictures without buying one. 

SOURCES: TAOBAO.COM; SOHU; XIAOHONGSHU, PHOTOS BY TUCHONG