Travel Costs in China
 

Generally, it doesn't cost much to travel in China. If you travel with a tour group, virtually all your costs will be covered as part of the tour packages, with the exception of gifts and personal expenses. Although world travel prices have risen recently, China still offers good values in hotel accommodations, meals, and entertainment when compared to other world-class destinations. Air and train transportation within the country are particularly good values. In all, you will get great values in China.

Consider this: A couple in Beijing or Shanghai can stay in a 5-star hotel, take a full day tour, enjoy three great meals, including a Peking duck banquet; and attend an evening cultural performance for about the cost of one deluxe room alone at a comparable hotel in LA, Chicago, or New York.

For example, if you take a private tour in Beijing, Tour cost USD 50 P/P. If you travel alone, pay extra USD 15 for the same tour and the prices include entrance fees and lunch as listed, private car or van with English speaking guide. And another example, a 6-day round- trip private tour of Beijing and Guilin with daily departure tour cost USD 830 per person.

Most foreign visitors return home raving about the bargain shopping in China - jewelry, silk, carpets, cloisonné, jade, and other popular items can be purchased at much lower prices than in the US. It is exactly true, so plan to travel light and carry an extra bag for all the great gifts and souvenirs you will undoubtedly want to buy.

How much traveling China costs depends on where and how you have your trip. In general, by doing everything cheaply and sticking mostly to the less expensive interior provinces you can survive on US$40 a day;
travel a bit more widely and in better comfort from time to time and you're looking at US$70 a day;
while traveling in style and visiting only key places along the east coast, you are looking at daily expenses of US$120 and above.

The most expensive destinations are Hong Kong, Macau, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, the eastern coastal provinces and Special Economic Zone. Food costs remain reasonable throughout China, and transport costs can be kept to a minimum by traveling by bus wherever possible or by traveling hard-seat on the train. It is the accommodation that will take the largest chunk.

The cost of China is not the same in all parts of the country. However, the taxis charge about 3 RMB to 12 RMB for the first two kilometers in China. It will cost around 70 RMB for a forty five minutes ride. In the big cities like Beijing and Shanghai there are many ways to travel. There is a subway system where tickets can be bought for 2 RMB. A bus ticket costs 1 RMB but it is very hard to read the Chinese words. There are regular flight services in the main cities. The cost of the flight, from Beijing to Shanghai is between 500 RMB to 1200 RMB. The sleeper trains are common in China for traveling within the country and a journey of 1000 kilometer will cost about 400 RMB.

The cost of Chinese food is less than the western food in China. A meal in the local noodle bar might cost approximately two dollars. For 40 to 50 RMB it is possible for two people to get a complete meal in a local restaurant. In the western restaurants the cost of meals can shoot up to 100 RMB to 200 RMB. Beers are cheaper when bought from a corner shop but a drink in a club or a bar will be around 5 USD.

Souvenirs will be very cheap, especially if you can haggle skillfully. Taxis are also very cheap and convenient for getting around a city like Beijing.