Traveling through China does not require a fortune, but it does reward a clear-eyed strategy. This guide is built around a common first-timer route—Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai—and explains how to keep costs low while still experiencing the country well. The advice works for other cities too, but the numbers and habits here are calibrated for that corridor.
Accommodation: From Dorm to Decent Private Room
Budget hotels in China are generally safe and clean. The cheapest dorm bed in a hostel runs about 80–120 CNY per night in Beijing or Shanghai, and 60–90 CNY in Xi’an. A private room in a mid-range business hotel (like a Jinjiang or Ibis) costs 250–400 CNY. For solo travellers on a tight budget, hostels are the obvious choice; for two people, a budget hotel often costs only a little more than two dorms.
Trade-off: Hostels often lack private bathrooms and can be noisy. Paying 50–100 CNY more for a basic hotel room buys a quiet night and a shower with hot water that works. In Xi’an, look for small hotels near the city wall—they are often cheaper than those just inside the tourist zone.
Caution: During Chinese public holidays (especially National Day in early October and Spring Festival in January/February), even budget hotels triple prices. Book at least three weeks ahead.
Food: Street Eats and Canteens
Eating well on a budget is easy. A jianbing (savoury crepe) from a street cart costs 8–15 CNY. A bowl of noodle soup or a rice dish at a local canteen runs 15–25 CNY. For a sit-down meal with two dishes and rice, expect 40–60 CNY per person in a simple restaurant. Splurging on a nicer meal—like Peking duck in Beijing or xiaolongbao in Shanghai—costs 80–150 CNY per person.
Useful caution: Avoid eating at restaurants near major tourist attractions (Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors, Bund). They charge 50–100% more for worse food. Walk one or two side streets away for better prices and quality.
Tip: Download an offline translation app with a camera feature—menus rarely have English pictures in budget places.
Local Transport: Cheap and Fast
China’s metro systems are excellent and cheap. A single ride costs 3–6 CNY in Beijing and Shanghai, 2–4 CNY in Xi’an. Buses are even cheaper (1–2 CNY) but slower and harder to navigate without Chinese. For short distances, ride-hailing apps (like Didi) cost 15–30 CNY within city centres.
Trade-off: The metro is the best value, but it requires walking and stairs. If you have heavy luggage or are tired, a ride-hail is worth the 20 CNY to save an hour of confusion.
For intercity travel: High-speed trains between Beijing and Xi’an (about 5 hours) cost 520 CNY second class. Xi’an to Shanghai (about 6 hours) costs 540 CNY. Overnight sleeper trains are cheaper (around 300 CNY) but slower and less comfortable. Booking tickets via the official app or website is essential—queues at stations are long and often require Chinese ID.
Attractions: Free and Fee-Based
Many top attractions charge entry: Forbidden City 120 CNY (peak season), Great Wall at Badaling 60 CNY, Xi’an City Wall 80 CNY, Shanghai Bund (free, but views from the observation deck of the Huangpu River are free). The Terracotta Warriors cost 120 CNY. Budget travellers should plan for at least 300–400 CNY in entry fees for a week-long trip.
Free alternatives: Walk the hutongs in Beijing, visit the Muslim Quarter in Xi’an, stroll along the Bund in Shanghai. Many parks and temples are free or cost under 20 CNY. Check opening hours online—some free sites close early or on Mondays.
Payment Habits: Cash and Apps
China is overwhelmingly cashless. Most street vendors, small restaurants, and even some taxis accept only Alipay or WeChat Pay. For foreign visitors, the workaround is to load money onto a prepaid travel card (like those from Wise or Revolut) that works with Alipay after a simple setup. Alternatively, keep 500–1000 CNY in small notes (10 and 20 yuan) for emergencies. Many budget hostels and small shops do not accept foreign credit cards. ATMs that accept foreign cards are common in city centres but charge a fee (usually 10–20 CNY per withdrawal).
Tipping: Do Not
Tipping is not customary in China and can cause confusion or even embarrassment. Do not tip taxi drivers, waiters, hotel staff, or guides. The only exception is a high-end tour guide (rarely used by budget travellers), where a small gift might be appreciated but never expected. Save your money.
Daily Budget Bands (per person)
Ultra-budget (250–350 CNY): Dorm bed, street food and canteen meals, metro only, one paid attraction every other day. This works for disciplined travellers who don’t mind skipping drinks and souvenirs.
Mid-range (400–600 CNY): Budget hotel room, mix of street food and casual restaurants, metro plus occasional ride-hail, one paid attraction daily. This is the sweet spot for most travellers—comfortable without waste.
Comfort (700–1000 CNY): Better hotel, nicer restaurants, taxis for convenience, and entry to all planned attractions. You are not worrying about small costs but still not splurging on luxury.
Where Spending More Actually Helps
- Accommodation: Paying 100–150 CNY more per night for a hotel with good soundproofing and a private bathroom significantly improves rest and mood. Hostel dorms can be loud and cramped.
- Train class: Second class on high-speed trains is fine, but if you are over 180 cm tall, upgrading to first class (about 50% more) buys legroom and a quieter carriage.
- eSIM/data: Arranging mobile data before arrival is essential. A China eSIM from a reputable provider costs about 10–15 USD for a week and avoids the hassle of buying a local SIM card with Chinese-only instructions. It also bypasses the Great Firewall, so you can use Google Maps, WhatsApp, and other apps.
- Guides: For the Forbidden City or Terracotta Warriors, a 2-hour guided tour (around 200–300 CNY) can save hours of confusion and provide context that makes the experience far richer. It is worth the splurge.
Final Cautions
Do not assume that all budget hotels have working Wi-Fi or that tap water is safe to drink. Buy bottled water (2–5 CNY for 1.5L) or use a filter bottle. Learn the Chinese characters for your destination addresses—showing them on your phone screen works better than trying to pronounce them. And always carry toilet paper: public restrooms rarely supply it.
With a daily budget of 400–600 CNY, a week in Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai is entirely feasible. The key is to plan the route, book accommodation early, and embrace street food. The rest is just logistics.
