China can be surprisingly affordable or shockingly expensive — it all depends on how you travel. A backpacker can get by on $30-40 per day, while a luxury traveler might spend $300+. This guide breaks down real costs for every travel style, based on actual 2025 prices in major Chinese cities.
Budget Traveler: $30-50/day
Accommodation ($8-15/night): Hostel dorm beds in major cities. Chains like Hi Hostel and Mingtown are clean and foreigner-friendly. Private rooms in hostels cost $20-30.
Food ($8-15/day): Street food and local noodle shops. Breakfast: ¥5-10 for jianbing or baozi. Lunch: ¥15-25 for a bowl of noodles or rice dish. Dinner: ¥20-40 for a casual restaurant meal. Total: ¥40-80/day.
Transport ($3-8/day): Metro and buses. Most metro rides cost ¥2-6. Buses are ¥1-2. Avoid taxis — they add up fast.
Attractions ($5-15/day): Many temples and parks are free or under ¥30. Major attractions (Forbidden City ¥60, Great Wall ¥40-65) cost more but are worth it.
Total: $30-50/day. A 2-week trip: $420-700 plus flights.
Mid-Range Traveler: $80-150/day
Accommodation ($40-80/night): 3-4 star hotels or nice Airbnb apartments. International chains like Holiday Inn Express cost $50-80 in most cities. Boutique hotels in renovated hutong or shikumen buildings: $60-100.
Food ($20-40/day): Mix of local restaurants and occasional nicer meals. A good restaurant meal costs ¥60-120 per person. Hot pot dinner: ¥100-150. Western breakfast if you miss it: ¥40-60.
Transport ($10-20/day): Mix of metro and DiDi (ride-hailing). A 10km DiDi ride costs ¥25-40. High-speed train between cities: ¥200-600 for second class.
Attractions ($15-30/day): Major attractions with audio guides or guided tours. Private guided tours: ¥300-600 for a half day.
Total: $80-150/day. A 2-week trip: $1,120-2,100 plus flights.
Luxury Traveler: $250-500+/day
Accommodation ($150-400/night): 5-star international hotels. The Peninsula Beijing: $400+. Waldorf Astoria Shanghai: $350+. Aman resorts (Amanfayun Hangzhou, Amandayan Lijiang): $800-1,500+.
Food ($50-150/day): Fine dining and Michelin-starred restaurants. Da Dong roast duck: ¥300-500/person. High-end hot pot: ¥200-400/person. Michelin-starred Chinese restaurants: ¥500-1,500/person.
Transport ($30-80/day): Private car with driver: ¥600-1,000/day. Business class on high-speed trains: ¥400-1,200. Domestic flights in business: ¥1,500-4,000.
Attractions ($30-100/day): Private guided tours, VIP access, helicopter tours. Private Great Wall tour with driver: ¥800-1,500. Helicopter tour of Shanghai: ¥1,500+.
Total: $250-500+/day. A 2-week trip: $3,500-7,000+ plus flights.
Hidden Costs Most Travelers Forget
Visa fees: $100-200 depending on nationality. US citizens pay $185 for a tourist visa.
VPN subscription: $5-15/month. Essential for accessing Google, Instagram, WhatsApp, etc.
Travel insurance: $30-80 for a 2-week trip. Make sure it covers medical evacuation — international hospitals in China are expensive without insurance.
Mobile data/SIM card: ¥50-100 for a local SIM with data. International eSIM: $10-30.
Laundry: Most budget hotels don't have laundry facilities. Hotel laundry service: ¥30-80 per load. Laundromats are rare outside of hostels.
Tipping: Not expected or practiced in China. Don't tip at restaurants, in taxis, or at hotels. The only exception: high-end international hotels where tipping is sometimes practiced by foreign guests.
City-by-City Cost Comparison (Per Day, Mid-Range)
Money-Saving Tips
1. Travel in shoulder season (April-May, September-October): Good weather, fewer crowds, lower hotel prices than summer peak or Golden Week holidays.
2. Use high-speed trains instead of flights: Trains are cheaper, more reliable, and city-center to city-center (no airport transfers).
3. Eat like a local: The best food in China is often the cheapest. Street food and small local restaurants beat expensive hotel restaurants every time.
4. Get a transportation card: City metro cards give small discounts and save time queuing for tickets.
5. Book attractions online: Many attractions offer discounts for online booking through official WeChat mini-programs.
6. Avoid Golden Week (October 1-7) and Chinese New Year: Prices double or triple, and everywhere is packed.
The Bottom Line
China offers incredible value for travelers. A comfortable mid-range trip costs $80-150/day — comparable to Southeast Asia but with world-class infrastructure, high-speed trains, and incredible food. Budget travelers can get by on $30-50/day. The biggest variable is accommodation — splurge on a nice hotel in Shanghai, save with hostels in smaller cities.