Guilin

Guilin is the entryway to the landscape that appears on the 20 Yuan note. For backpackers, it’s remarkably affordable. While the city itself is a typical Chinese town, the surrounding scenery is breathtaking. You can stay in very cheap hostels like the Wada Hostel and eat the local specialty—Guilin Rice Noodles—for about $1.50 per bowl. Most travelers spend a day here before heading to Yangshuo. Budget activities include walking around the Sun and Moon Pagodas or hiking up Diecai Hill for a view of the karst peaks. In June, the river is high and lush, though you should expect afternoon rains. It's a key social hub where you'll find plenty of other travelers to split the cost of a private bamboo raft or car.