Street food for under $2. A Beijing–Shanghai high-speed train for $91. eSIM data for the whole trip at $16. This guide breaks down real costs in ¥ RMB and USD across three honest budget levels — no rounding up, no padding.
Ask anyone who has been: China consistently surprises travellers with how far money goes. World-class street food for under ¥25 ($3.50). High-speed trains that cover the distance from London to Edinburgh in the time it takes to fly. Clean 3-star hotels steps from subway stations for ¥250–400 a night. Japan this is not — costs are meaningfully lower across every category.
The traps are predictable once you know them: hidden ticket extras at the Great Wall (cable car not included), Golden Week price spikes in October (hotels double overnight), and the internet problem — Google Maps, WhatsApp and Instagram are all blocked, so you need either a VPN (set up before arrival) or a foreign eSIM (simpler, just works). Budget for these and you will not be caught out.
Pick your level, then scroll down for a full per-category breakdown.
Specific figures from verified sources, updated May 2026. Prices in Beijing and Shanghai run 20–30% higher than smaller cities.
⚠️ Golden Week (1–7 Oct) and Lunar New Year push hotel rates up 50–150%.
💡 Eating street food and local restaurants all day: full daily food budget under ¥80 ($11).
📱 Didi requires Alipay or WeChat Pay — set these up before departure.
📲 Book via Trip.com — accepts foreign credit cards, no Chinese bank account needed.
⚠️ Great Wall visits require advance online booking — daily visitor numbers are capped.
🔑 A foreign eSIM routes through servers outside China — Google Maps, WhatsApp and social media work immediately. No VPN setup required. Full internet guide →
Example route: 2 days in Beijing + high-speed rail + 3 days in Shanghai. Use as a planning reference, not a guarantee.
| Category | 🎒 Budget | 🧳 Mid-Range | 👑 Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (5 nights) | ¥400–600 ~$55–83 |
¥1,250–2,000 ~$173–276 |
¥4,000–9,000 ~$552–1,242 |
| Food (5 days) | ¥250–400 ~$35–55 |
¥500–750 ~$69–103 |
¥1,500–2,500 ~$207–345 |
| City transport (5 days) | ¥75–125 ~$10–17 |
¥150–250 ~$21–34 |
¥500–1,000 ~$69–138 |
| Beijing → Shanghai rail (2nd class) | ¥553–662 ~$76–91 |
¥553–662 ~$76–91 |
¥933+ ~$129+ |
| Attraction tickets (5 days) | ¥60–120 ~$8–17 |
¥300–600 ~$41–83 |
¥1,000–2,000 ~$138–276 |
| eSIM (whole trip) | $11–16 ~¥80–116 |
$16–26 ~¥116–188 |
$26+ ~¥188+ |
| Total, 5 days (no flights) | ¥1,418–1,923 ~$196–265 |
¥2,769–4,268 ~$382–589 |
¥7,933–14,700+ ~$1,095–2,030+ |
Essential guides for first-time China travellers.
Everything in one place — visa, internet, payments, transport, budget and city picks for first visits.
Read the guide →Thai passport holders enter China visa-free for up to 30 days. Full conditions and what to carry at immigration.
Visa details →Google, WhatsApp, Instagram and LINE are all blocked. Here's exactly how to stay connected without the headache.
Internet guide →Step-by-step: link your foreign card to Alipay before departure. Most shops only accept QR codes — this is not optional.
Payment guide →How to book, which class to choose, prices on major routes, and why the train beats flying for most city pairs.
Rail guide →Spring vs autumn, avoiding Golden Week, regional weather differences — and which month gives the best value.
Seasons guide →A foreign eSIM is the simplest way to stay connected in China. No VPN to configure, no SIM card to swap at the airport. Buy and install via Airalo before you board — land in Beijing or Shanghai with Google Maps and WhatsApp already running.