Cheap Travel in China
China is one of the largest and most populated countries, as well as being very popular with travellers for its rich and interesting culture. There are so many sights and attractions that costs can quickly escalate, but fear not: there are many options available to those who are more budget-conscious, meaning you can still see everything you want to without having to spend a fortune.
Transport
The train system in China is excellent, connecting towns as well as cities, and for a very reasonable price too. You can sometimes get a discount in larger cities if you book in advance, which you can do up to 11 days, so it’s definitely the best mode of transport for travellers on a budget.
Buses are great for shorter journeys: they are cheap and fairly quick. Perhaps not quite as comfortable as a train, but you’ll get to see much more of the local scenery and culture on a bus. If you have to fly, book well in advance to avoid paying any hefty fees at the airport on departure to book.
Accommodation
China is cheaper than Central Europe. However, the costs still rack up and some of the major cities are now beginning to align their prices more along the level of those in Europe. Most cities in China will have a range of backpacker hostels and smaller guesthouses for you to choose from, however once you reach smaller cities these may not be available.
Next up in price are zhaodaisuos, which are Chinese hotels which offer basic accommodation; usually a room with a public bathroom. Generally these are no frills, but sometimes you will find one with a private bathroom. These are a great option if you can’t find any backpack hostels, and mean you can avoid expensive hotels. It’s common to haggle in China too, so if you’re staying for a few nights it’s definitely worth trying to get a good deal.
Eating
Sampling some local cuisine and new foods is one of the best things about travelling, but if you’re not careful the costs can start to quickly escalate. If you frequent tourist restaurants then this is likely to happen; your best bet is to head down to the subways and find places where the locals eat. Eating out is fairly common in China, and by hunting out the more low-key restaurants you’ll be able to sample the local dishes without eating away too much at your savings.
It’s important to consider when you’ll be travelling to China – avoid peak times such as Chinese New Year and Labour Day, as at these times everything will be far more expensive. So be clever and do enough planning in advance and you can enjoy this beautiful country without having to spend a fortune!