By Marcus Wright, Contributing Editor | Updated October 2026
"How much does China cost?" is not one question — it is five. A backpacker eating street noodles in Chengdu and a business traveler staying on the Bund in Shanghai are both in the same country, but they could easily spend three to four times as much per day. More importantly, costs vary meaningfully between cities even at the same level of comfort, because of real differences in accommodation prices, restaurant competition, local transport subsidies and the kind of tourist infrastructure each city prioritizes.
This guide walks you through five of the most commonly visited cities for first-time China travelers: Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Xi'an and Guilin. For each one we give you three comfort tiers — budget, mid-range and premium — with typical daily costs broken down by food, transport, accommodation and incidentals. We also flag what is surprisingly cheap, what is surprisingly expensive, and where your payment setup can stretch your budget further.
All prices are approximate, converted from RMB at a reference rate of 7.2 RMB = 1 USD, and rounded to sensible ranges. Actual spending depends on season, exchange rates and personal style — use these as a planning benchmark, not a guarantee. For a broader overview of what drives travel costs in China, see our budget travel cost tips.
Quick Comparison Table
First, the big picture. These are average total daily budgets per person at three comfort levels, excluding major attraction tickets and long-distance train or air travel between cities:
| City | Budget (USD/day) | Mid-range (USD/day) | Premium (USD/day) | Compared to average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beijing | 55–70 | 80–120 | 160–250+ | +15% (pricier than Chengdu) |
| Shanghai | 60–75 | 90–135 | 180–300+ | +25% (most expensive of five) |
| Chengdu | 35–55 | 60–85 | 120–180+ | −25% (cheapest) |
| Xi'an | 45–60 | 70–100 | 130–200+ | −10% (good mid-ground) |
| Guilin | 35–55 | 65–90 | 120–180+ | −20% (rural, inexpensive) |
Two things jump out immediately. First, Shanghai is materially more expensive than the other four cities at every level of comfort. Second, Chengdu and Guilin are roughly tied for cheapest — a huge win for travelers who prioritize food (Chengdu) or scenery (Guilin) and want to make their USD go further.
Beijing: Capital Prices, Capital Experience
Beijing is where many first-time visitors land, and it sets expectations for what China costs. The city is large, with a mix of ultra-modern districts (CBD, Sanlitun), historic hutongs still being gentrified, and sprawling suburban development. Accommodation is the single biggest variable in your Beijing budget — and the single biggest difference between Beijing and the cheaper interior cities.
Accommodation
A budget hostel dorm bed runs USD 15–25 per night. A private double room in a no-frills but clean local hotel near a subway line costs USD 45–65. International mid-range brands (Holiday Inn Express, Best Western) are usually USD 85–120, while premium brands (Hilton, Marriott JW) easily run USD 180 and up — sometimes USD 300+ on peak dates like Golden Week or national holidays. Staying 10–15 minutes off the main tourist axis (for example, near Wudaokou instead of Wangfujing) can save 20–30% on similar quality.
Food
Beijing's local food scene is deep and cheap. A bowl of zhájiàngmiàn noodles costs USD 3–5; a plate of jianbing breakfast crepes, RMB 10–15 (USD 1.40–2.10). Small family restaurants serving home-style dishes run USD 6–10 per person for a full lunch. Upscale spots with international wine lists can easily top USD 40–60 per person. If you eat at local places most of the time, food is not the Beijing budget buster — accommodation is.
Transport
Beijing has an excellent subway system with rides starting at RMB 2–6 (USD 0.28–0.83). Bus rides are RMB 1 (USD 0.14). Didi Chuxing ride-hailing works well via Alipay or WeChat Pay — a 10-minute ride across central Beijing runs about USD 2–4, less than most major Western cities. Taxis are also plentiful, but drivers sometimes resist foreign credit cards, so plan to use mobile pay or carry small yuan bills.
Sightseeing Extras
Major ticket costs in Beijing add up fast. The Forbidden City is USD 10 per person, Tiananmen Square is free, but the Great Wall at Mutianyu runs USD 15–20 for transport and cable car, plus the usual USD 10–20 tip for the day trip driver. Budget USD 30–60 extra per major attraction day.
Shanghai: Bund Prices, International Flair
Shanghai is the most expensive of the five cities, but it also offers more variety in international food, boutique hotels and late-night activities than any of the other four. The premium here is mostly real estate — hotel prices and Western-style restaurants dominate the budget difference.
Accommodation
Hostel dorms are slightly pricier than Beijing, at USD 20–30. Mid-range local hotels run USD 55–80. International business hotels in Pudong or near the Bund regularly start at USD 120 and rise steeply; on premium ends the sky is the limit. Even Airbnb-style apartments are 20–30% more expensive than equivalent units in Beijing.
Food
Local Shanghai food is still cheap — xiaolongbao soup dumplings at Jia Jia Tangbao cost about USD 8–10 for a full meal. But the city's international food scene is its biggest budget trap. A casual dinner at a Western-style cafe with imported coffee can easily be USD 20+ per person, and a mid-range steakhouse tops USD 60. Stick to local restaurants 60–70% of the time and your food budget stays reasonable.
Transport
Shanghai's metro is similarly well-priced to Beijing, starting at RMB 3 (USD 0.42) per ride, with a daily cap around RMB 18 (USD 2.50). Didi rides are 10–15% pricier than Beijing's average. Taxi drivers are more likely to use Didi and less likely to carry change, so keep mobile pay loaded with funds or carry larger yuan bills.
Sightseeing Extras
The Oriental Pearl Tower observation deck is USD 30–35, the Shanghai Tower "Top of Shanghai" experience is USD 35–40, and a Huangpu River cruise is USD 25–35. Budget USD 35–70 extra per major attraction day here, higher than Beijing on average.
Chengdu: Cheap Eats, Friendly Price Tags
Chengdu is consistently the most beloved city for budget travelers — and the numbers back it up. Sichuan hotpot, lazy tea houses, and day trips to the panda bases all cost less than equivalent experiences in the coastal megacities. The city also has an increasingly robust backpacker infrastructure, so solo travelers do not pay the usual premium.
Accommodation
Hostel dorms run only USD 10–18, with many excellent English-speaking options near Kuanzhai Alley and Chunxi Road. Clean private double rooms near the center start as low as USD 30–40. International mid-range brands are about USD 70–100, roughly 25% cheaper than Beijing and Shanghai.
Food
Food in Chengdu is famously cheap and famously good. A bowl of mapo tofu and rice at a local shop runs USD 2–4. A full group hotpot meal for four people is USD 40–60 total, or USD 10–15 per person. Street food skewers (chuanchuanxiang) can be USD 1–2 per skewer. You would have to try hard to spend more than USD 25–30 per person on food in Chengdu unless you actively seek Western fine dining.
Transport
Chengdu's metro is newer and expanding quickly, with fares starting at RMB 2 (USD 0.28) and capping around RMB 10 per day. Didi rides are the cheapest of the five cities — a 20-minute cross-city trip might cost USD 3–5. Bike-sharing (Mobike, Qingju) is ubiquitous and costs about RMB 1 per 30 minutes (USD 0.14), perfect for short trips in the flat city center.
Sightseeing Extras
Panda Base tickets are about USD 12; Dujiangyan irrigation site is USD 15–20; Leshan Giant Buddha day trip is USD 25–35 including transport. Budget USD 15–40 extra per major day — far less than the coastal cities.
Xi'an: History on a Budget
Xi'an occupies a comfortable middle ground — cheaper than Beijing and Shanghai, slightly more expensive than Chengdu and Guilin. It is also a city where the attractions themselves are moderately priced, which makes the day-budget feel predictable once you have paid for the Terracotta Warriors ticket.
Accommodation
Hostel dorms: USD 12–20. Private doubles around the historic city wall: USD 40–60. Mid-range international brands: USD 75–105. Premium: USD 140–220. Like Chengdu, Xi'an has not seen the coastal property boom, so real estate costs stay reasonable.
Food
Roujiamo meat sandwiches, yangrou paomo lamb soup and cold biangbiang noodles are the Xi'an staples, all USD 3–5 per meal. Muslim Quarter street food is exceptionally cheap — USD 1–3 for single items. A sit-down family dinner for two will run USD 25–35. Western food is less common than in Chengdu and correspondingly more expensive, so stick to local food to maximize value.
Transport
Xi'an's metro is still expanding but covers the main tourist areas well — RMB 2–7 (USD 0.28–0.97) per ride. Didi rides are comparable to Chengdu, around USD 2–6 for city trips. The city wall is circleable by bike (about USD 3–5 for bike rental), which is a must.
Sightseeing Extras
Terracotta Warriors ticket is USD 15–20. Big Wild Goose Pagoda is free to enter the square, USD 15 for the tower. Drum and Bell Towers: USD 15 each. Budget USD 20–50 per major day.
Guilin & Yangshuo: Rural Retreat, Rural Prices
Guilin and its sister river town Yangshuo are cheaper than all but Chengdu — and for good reason. Much of the experience is about scenery rather than urban infrastructure, which keeps the cost structure low. Food is excellent, accommodation is friendly and transport is basic but cheap.
Accommodation
Hostel dorms in Yangshuo: USD 8–15. Private doubles in boutique guesthouses with river views: USD 35–55. Mid-range resorts: USD 80–120. Premium river-view suites near the Li River: USD 150–220. Yangshuo guesthouses often include breakfast free.
Food
Local Guilin rice noodles are USD 2–4 per bowl. Yangshuo West Street has both backpacker cafes and upscale riverside restaurants — a cafe lunch runs USD 8–15, a local family dinner USD 20–30 per couple. Street food BBQ skewers: USD 1–2 each.
Transport
Guilin does not have a metro. Buses run RMB 2 (USD 0.28). Tuktuks (bajiaoshi) and electric bikes are common; a ride around Yangshuo costs USD 1–3. Long-distance bus from Guilin to Yangshuo: USD 4–6. Private car with driver for a day: USD 50–75 total.
Sightseeing Extras
The classic Li River cruise Guilin → Yangshuo is the big ticket item: USD 60–120 depending on boat class and cabin. Xiping Xingping hike (the area painted on the 20-yuan note) is free. Reed Flute Cave: USD 20. Elephant Trunk Hill: USD 15. Budget USD 40–90 extra on the cruise day, far less on other days.
What Drives the Differences?
Why is Chengdu 25% cheaper than Shanghai for the same level of comfort? Three factors explain almost all of the spread:
- Land prices. Shanghai has some of the highest commercial real estate in the world. Hotel and restaurant landlords pass those costs directly to guests. Chengdu, Xi'an and Guilin have much lower land costs, so businesses can operate profitably at lower price points.
- Imported goods and services. Shanghai imports more food, wine and Western services than the other four cities, and import duties in China are significant. Even a coffee from an imported bean costs 30–50% more in Shanghai than Chengdu for this reason.
- Tourist infrastructure intensity. Beijing has more heavy-weight attractions (Forbidden City, Great Wall) whose ticket fees are set by higher authorities. Chengdu's top attraction is pandas, which are cheaper to manage and price lower.
How to Save Even More
- Eat where locals eat. In all five cities, look for restaurants crowded with office workers or families at lunchtime. Avoid places with English menus outside — they are not necessarily bad, but they almost always charge 20–40% more.
- Use mobile pay for everything. Alipay and WeChat Pay are broadly accepted in all five cities and often give you a small instant rebate (1–5%) on local restaurants and transport. Our mobile payment guide for visitors walks through setup.
- Skip private taxis; use Didi or the metro. Taxi drivers in every city sometimes charge a small premium to foreigners who do not speak Chinese — Didi apps show the price up front and you pay through your phone.
- Stay 10 minutes from the tourist core. Every city has a "tourist center" premium of 20–30% on accommodation. Use the metro or bus and save.
- Buy attraction tickets online. Many major attractions offer a 10–20% discount if you book 1–3 days in advance through their official WeChat Mini Program or a partner platform. Note that some require a Chinese phone number, so ask your hotel concierge if they can help.
Sample 7-Day Trip Budget Across All Five Cities
If you hit all five cities in one week — a busy route, but doable with high-speed rail — here is what a realistic total budget looks like per person for a mid-range traveler:
| City (nights) | Daily mid-range | Days | Subtotal | Major attractions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beijing (2) | USD 100 | 3 | USD 300 | Forbidden City + Great Wall day trip: USD 55 |
| Xi'an (1) | USD 85 | 1.5 | USD 127 | Terracotta Warriors: USD 18 |
| Chengdu (1) | USD 72 | 1.5 | USD 108 | Panda Base: USD 12 |
| Guilin/Yangshuo (1) | USD 78 | 1.5 | USD 117 | Li River cruise: USD 75 |
| Shanghai (1) | USD 112 | 1.5 | USD 168 | Bund + Shanghai Tower: USD 35 |
| Subtotal daily living | USD 820 | |||
| High-speed rail between cities (Beijing→Xi'an→Chengdu→Guilin→Shanghai) | USD 240 | |||
| Attraction tickets (total) | USD 195 | |||
| GRAND TOTAL per person | USD 1,255 | |||
That works out to roughly USD 180 per day total, including intercity transport — a reasonable budget for a memorable mid-range trip covering five cities in seven days. For comparison, a premium traveler hitting the same route would easily spend USD 2,500+. On a backpacker budget, you could bring it down to USD 700–800 by taking slower trains, staying in dorms, and eating 100% local.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Chinese city is the cheapest for budget travelers?
Chengdu and Guilin are consistently the least expensive of the five major tourist cities. Expect to spend USD 50–75 per day for a comfortable budget trip, roughly 30–40% less than Shanghai or Beijing at the same level of comfort.
How much should I budget per day in Beijing vs Shanghai?
At mid-range comfort, budget about USD 80–120 per day in Beijing and USD 90–135 in Shanghai. Accommodation and Western food are pricier in Shanghai, while major sightseeing tickets can push Beijing slightly higher for history-focused travelers.
Can I use these budgets when traveling as a couple?
Yes, but split accommodation costs. A couple can usually travel for 1.5–1.7x the solo budget rather than double, since hotels, taxis and sometimes tours scale better for two than for one.
Are attraction ticket costs included in the daily estimates?
No — the base budgets cover accommodation, meals, local transport and modest incidentals. Major attractions like the Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors or Li River cruise are usually extra, budget USD 20–60 per person per attraction.