Travel Cost

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.

[ Sample Price Guide ]

food court meal	¥ 16
American hamburger	¥ 12
sending postcard overseas	¥ 4
internet cafe per hour	¥ 2
pack of 20 cigarettes	¥ 10
small bottle of beer from corner shop	¥ 3.5
draught pint of local beer from a bar	¥ 10
city bus ticket	¥ 1
pirated dvd	¥ 8
small bottle of water	¥ 2
souvenir t-shirt	¥ 30
Street snack - large lamb kebab	¥ 2

Average Room Prices
Low	Mid	High	Deluxe
US$25-35	US$35-100	US$100-300	US$300+
Average Meal Prices
Low	Mid	High	Deluxe
US$1-5	US$5-10	US$10-25	US$25+

[ Tipping ]

Tipping is not really expected in mainland China.