Updated June 2026
China can be surprisingly affordable or surprisingly expensive depending on your choices. A street breakfast costs $1. A hotel coffee costs $6. A high-speed rail ticket can be cheaper than a taxi to the station.
This page gives you city-specific daily budgets, hidden costs to watch for, and practical ways to save without compromising your experience.
$40-70/day
Hostels, street food, public transport
$100-170/day
3-4 star hotels, local restaurants, mix of transport
$250-500/day
5-star hotels, fine dining, private transport
Prices vary significantly between cities. Plan your budget per destination.
| City | Budget | Mid-range | Premium | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beijing | $60 | $150 | $400 | Most expensive tier 1 city. Book attractions tickets in advance. |
| Shanghai | $70 | $170 | $500 | Higher food costs, especially in international restaurants. |
| Xi'an | $40 | $100 | $280 | Great value for history. Street food is excellent and cheap. |
| Chengdu | $45 | $110 | $300 | Food paradise. Hot pot meals are social and affordable. |
| Guilin/Yangshuo | $40 | $100 | $280 | Tours and activities add up. Budget extra for Li River cruises. |
| Hangzhou | $50 | $120 | $350 | Weekend prices spike. Visit mid-week if possible. |
| Lhasa (Tibet) | $55 | $140 | $450 | Tibet Travel Permit required. Tours are mandatory for foreigners. |
| Kashgar (Xinjiang) | $35 | $90 | $250 | Remote location increases flight costs. Local food is cheap and excellent. |
Daily totals include accommodation, food, local transport, and one major attraction. Inter-city transport is separate.
Where your money goes, and where you can adjust.
Hostels, budget hotels, guesthouses
3-4 star hotels, boutique guesthouses
International 5-star, luxury boutiques
Street food, local restaurants, convenience stores
Mid-range restaurants, occasional Western food
Fine dining, international cuisine, hotel restaurants
Subway, buses, shared bikes
Taxis, Didi, occasional private car
Private car with driver, premium car services
Hard sleeper trains, budget flights
High-speed rail (2nd class), domestic flights
High-speed rail (1st/business), flights
Free or low-cost attractions, parks
Major attractions, guided tours
Private guides, VIP access, special experiences
SIM card, toiletries, small purchases
Shopping, snacks, tips
Souvenirs, spa, premium services
These surprise expenses can add $200-500 to your trip if unplanned.
$2-5 per attraction
Many major sites (Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors) require advance online booking with passport. Some charge booking fees.
How to avoid: Book official channels only. Avoid third-party resellers.
50-200% more than base fare
2nd class is comfortable but sells out. 1st class costs 50-80% more. Business class is 3x.
How to avoid: Book 15-30 days ahead for 2nd class. Use Trip.com for English interface.
$15-40 per airport transfer
Many airports are 30-60km from city center. Airport express + taxi often costs more than direct taxi.
How to avoid: Pre-book airport pickup through hotel. Use Didi app after setup.
100-200% markup
Some tour operators charge foreigners 2-3x local rates. This is common in Tibet and remote areas.
How to avoid: Book through reputable platforms. Ask for price breakdown.
$3-8 per withdrawal
International cards often charge $3-5 per withdrawal plus foreign exchange fees.
How to avoid: Withdraw larger amounts less frequently. Use Wise or Revolut cards.
$5-15 per month
Essential for accessing Google, WhatsApp, and Western services in China.
How to avoid: Set up before arrival. Free VPNs are unreliable and potentially unsafe.
Street food and local restaurants cost 1/3 of tourist-area restaurants. Look for places full of locals.
Savings: $10-20 per day
Subway and buses cost $0.30-1 per ride. Taxis are cheap too, but subways avoid traffic.
Savings: $5-15 per day
High-speed rail tickets go on sale 15-30 days ahead. Popular routes sell out quickly.
Savings: Avoid last-minute flight upgrades
Hotels in tourist cities often charge 30-50% more on weekends and holidays.
Savings: $15-40 per night
Cashless payments often get discounts. Many small vendors only accept mobile payment.
Savings: Small discounts + convenience
Prices at tourist markets are inflated 3-5x. Start at 30% of asking price.
Savings: 50-70% on souvenirs
China is largely cashless. WeChat Pay and Alipay dominate. Carry some cash for small vendors and emergencies.
Exchange at airport (poor rates) or bank branches (better). ATMs accept foreign cards but charge fees.
Visa/Mastercard accepted at major hotels and malls. Most local places only take Chinese mobile payments.
Not expected in China. Service charge sometimes added at high-end restaurants (10-15%).
Local Review
Generic daily estimates are a starting point. But your actual costs depend on your specific city order, travel style, and timing. If you want a realistic budget for your trip, use the planner first or request a review.
Tier 1 cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou) cost 40-60% more than tier 2 or 3 cities for the same standard of accommodation and dining.
Private guides, business-class trains, and international hotels multiply costs quickly. Backpacker-style travel with local transport and street food keeps costs low without sacrificing experience.
Last-minute bookings during Chinese holidays (Spring Festival, National Day, Labor Day) can cost 2-3x normal prices. Book 30-60 days ahead for major holidays.
Best if you still need to sequence visa, phone setup, and payments before locking the budget.
Best if you have a budget range and need a realistic city order and pace to match it.
Best if your budget is tight and you need to know where to splurge and where to save.
If your budget is tight or you want to know exactly where to splurge and where to save, a direct review will give you specific numbers for your trip.