Moganshan (莫干山)

In April, the Huzhou region typically has pleasant spring weather, making it an ideal time to visit Moganshan. It’s proximity to Shanghai and affordable travel costs make it even more of an attractive destination. Take a break from city life and unwind with Mother Nature as your backdrop. Get there: Bus, 4 hours, 30-50RMB one-way. Lodging: Whether you’re interested in roughing it for a couple days in local bed and breakfasts or a charmingly rustic resort, Moganshan lodging can accommodate any budget. Check out the popular Moganshan Lodge, Moganshan House 23, or Le Passage Mohkhan Shan.Activities: The option to enjoy the great outdoors seems pretty evident if you’re going on a trip to the mountains. Make sure you don’t miss the biggest tourist attraction, The Sword Pond(Jianchi), which boats a beautiful four overlapping waterfall. Pagodas are plentiful around China, but Qingling Ting possesses a breathtaking viewpoint from high up. For a bit of history, visit the Mao Museum, a napping place of Mao Zedong, or the White Cloud Castle, where Chiang Kai Shek and Zhou Enlai plotted against the Japanese.

Qingdao (青岛)

As cheap college students, we’re all a bit too familiar with Qingdao beer, so why not visit the place it was named after? Get there: Train, 6-7 hours, 518RMB one-way. Lodging: Chain hotels like the Jinjiang Inn are all over the city, starting at around 150RMB a night, while other Western chains like Holiday Inn begin at 325RMB a night. Activities: Breathe in some fresh air at Laoshan Scenic Area. And go ahead and snap that #nofilter picture to brag about those blue skies and lush greenery. A trip to Qingdao is not complete without a visit to the Qingdao Beer Museum. Learn about the history and view the brewery. Enjoy more of the outdoors at Huang Dao (Golden Beach) or Beijiushui for scenic waterfalls.

Manila

Get to the Philippines before the wet typhoon season hits! The country is famous for its beautiful white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, but it’s lively capital, Manila, is something not to be overlooked. Get there: Plane, 3-4 hours (direct), 1800-2400RMB Lodging: To be in the middle of everything, be sure to stay the most developed neighborhoods, Makati or The Fort. On Airbnb, you can really get the most bang for your buck if you want to live in the lap of luxury for under 600RMB a night in penthouses or high rise apartments. See if Gramercy Residences has any availability for a beautiful rooftop pool. (Plus: There’s a club at the top of the building!) Activities: Mall culture is very prevalent in Manila, and you’re bound to seek out some AC in the sweltering weather anyway. Shop ‘til you drop at Megamall, Powerplant, and Greenbelt. The hipster-foodie scene is alive and well in Manila. Check out Hole in the Wall, a gourmet food hall featuring DIY cookies, fried chicken, shwarma, reuben sandwiches, and more in an industrious-chic space. To get your caffeine fix, sip your coffee in style at EDSA for coffee cocktails or Yardstick for red velvet waffles to accompany your latte. For a unique adventure, learn how to fly like an acrobat at Flying Trapeze Philippines. And lastly, a trip to Manila is nothing without a night out. Pregame at Finders Keepers and go next door to Black Market for clubbing, or get your party on at 71 Gramercy or Valkyrie. This article was written by Tatiana Bautista. Send an email to [email protected] to get in touch. Photo Credit: Tatiana Bautista