Is China Expensive?

Is China expensive to visit?

While China is a popular destination, it is also fairly affordable and not very expensive to visit. Compared to other countries in Asia, travelers find it to be a moderately priced country. Ranked in the top 50% of countries in Asia for its travel costs, our cost analysis found it to be comparable to countries such as the Philippines and Malaysia.

As this is a very popular country for tourists, you'll find a number of great places in China to visit, all at a variety of price ranges. Some of the most expensive places to visit are Dalian, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. If you're looking for lower cost destinations, you can visit places like Tiger Leaping Gorge, Lijiang, and Shangri-La.

Longsheng, China

How expensive is China?

The average daily spending amount for tourists in China tends to be around $79 (U.S. Dollars). Keep in mind that your travel style, spending habits, and trip length will influence these costs. However, you can keep fairly close to this budget if you opt for moderately priced hotels, dine at economical restaurants, and make use of public transportation when available. See more travel costs for China here.

How expensive is a one week trip to China?

A one week trip to China costs about $556 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $1,112.

How expensive is a two week trip to China?

Based on the travel expenses of others, a two week trip to China costs around $1,112 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a two week trip costs $2,223.

How expensive is a month long trip to China?

Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a one month trip to China will cost around $2,382 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one month trip would cost $4,764.

Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)

Is it expensive to backpack in China?

China is a very popular destination for backpackers, offering an extensive network of over 120 hostels across the country. The average cost for a dorm room in these hostels is approximately $11 per night. (See detailed information on hostel prices in China here.) Notably, backpackers often flock to the popular hostels in Chengdu, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. If you're looking for budget-friendly options, Chongqing and Chengdu has some of the most affordable hostels, averaging $9 and $8 per night. Conversely, you'll find the most expensive hostels on average in Beijing and Shanghai with an average cost of $24 and $21 per night.

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in China.

• $9 for a dorm bed at POSHPACKER | Chengdu Flipflop Hostel in Chengdu
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• $62 for a dorm bed at Dayin International Youth Hostel in Shanghai
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Farms near Yangshuo, China

How expensive are sightseeing activities in China?

In China, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the country. On average, previous travelers have spent around $17 per day on sightseeing and entertainment.

• Flexible Hangzhou Private Tour from Shanghai by Bullet Train: $276
• Full-Day Private Guided Tour of Shanghai: $99
• Private Xi'an Day Tour: Terracotta Army&Optional City Attractions: $78
• Private Tour to Mutianyu Great Wall Cable Way Up & Toboggan Down: $108
• Shanghai Breakfast Walking Tour of Former French Concession: $77
• Great Wall & Forbidden City Layover Small Group Tour (7AM-3PM): $150
• All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Mutianyu Great Wall and Summer Palace: $177
• Mutianyu Great Wall Ticket: $32

Is food expensive in China?

In China, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $23 per day on food, per person.

• Online Cooking Class Beijing Dumplings and Cuisine by Sunflowerli Renowned Chef : $20
• Private Sichuan Cooking Class including Local Wet Market Visit: $59
• Half-Day Professional Mapo Tofu Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit: $69
• Private Guangzhou Food Tour Michelin Restaurant&Local Food Market: $180
• Mutianyu Great Wall With Dumpling Cooking Class Day Tour: $196
• Private Xi’an Night & Food Tour by Tuk Tuk and Public Transportation: $67

The villages near Wuyuan, China

Is transportation expensive in China?

Local transportation in China can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $16 on local transportation per person per day. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.

Expenses for intercity transportation within China can vary based on the type of transportation used and the distance traveled. On average, previous travelers have spent $47 per person per day for intercity transit. To save money, it's advisable to choose long-distance buses or trains over air travel. This is generally a more cost-effective choice despite the potential increase in travel time.

More for China

If you're planning a trip to China, check out these other informative travel guides.

We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.