What Things Cost in China — Visiting China

🧾 Typical Prices Reference Guide

2025 estimates›

Currency: 1 USD ≈ 7.2 CNY (¥). Prices vary by city — Beijing/Shanghai run ~30% higher than smaller cities. All figures are per person — per room per night for hotels.

🍜 Street food meal (noodles / dumplings)¥25–35 ~$3.5–5
🍱 Local restaurant lunch (sit-down)¥30–80 ~$4–11
🍽️ Western-style restaurant dinner¥120–300 ~$17–42
☕ Coffee (local chain: Luckin)¥9–18 ~$1.3–2.5
🚇 Metro ride (city transit)¥3–6 ~$0.4–0.8
🚕 DiDi taxi (5km city ride)¥15–30 ~$2–4
🏨 Budget hotel / hostel per night¥100–250 ~$14–35
🏨 Mid-range hotel per night¥350–700 ~$49–97
🏯 Average attraction entry fee¥60–300 ~$8–42
🧱 Great Wall (Badaling), cable car incl.¥140 ~$19
🚄 Beijing → Shanghai high-speed train¥553–933 ~$77–130

🛍️ Tax Refund for Foreign Visitors

Save up to 13%›

Foreign tourists can claim a VAT refund (usually 9–13%) on purchases over ¥500 at participating stores. Look for the "Tax Free" logo. China now offers "Instant Tax Refund" at hundreds of stores in Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen — you get the refund on the spot, not at the airport.

1
Ask for a tax refund form at checkout
Show your passport. The store issues a refund document.
2
For instant refund: get cash or card credit on the spot
At participating "Instant Refund" stores only. Otherwise keep the documents for the airport.
3
At the airport: go to the Tax Refund counter before check-in
Present your goods, receipt and refund form. Bring your passport and boarding pass.

🤝 Tipping Culture in China

Good to know›

ℹ️

Tipping is not customary in China. Restaurants, taxis and hotels do not expect tips. Leaving one may cause confusion. The one exception: private tour guides sometimes appreciate a tip for excellent service, but it's entirely optional.

📊 What a day actually costs

Daily budgets›

Rough per-person, per-day estimates excluding flights and intercity trains. Big cities sit at the higher end.

Backpacker ¥200–350 ~$28–49 Hostel dorm · street food & local diners · metro & walking · 1–2 paid sights

Comfortable ¥500–900 ~$70–125 3-star hotel · sit-down restaurants · DiDi when tired · most attractions · the occasional treat

Indulgent ¥1,500+ ~$210+ 4–5 star hotel · fine dining · private taxis & guides · premium experiences

ℹ️

Exchange rate around 1 USD ≈ 7.2 CNY. Many sights are cheaper than the Western equivalent, and intercity high-speed rail is excellent value.