This page is the Costs for Freelance for your China Travel Tips.The cost of traveling in China on your own, as anywhere else, can vary greatly depending on the distances traveled, the class of travel, and the level of accommodations. In China, however, other variables may apply: prices often depend on your status in China, your racial features (that is, Asian or non-Asian), and your nationality. For the purposes of this book, we will only discuss costs for non-Asian tourists from the West. This is the most expensive category; those who do not fit into it may expect to get by for somewhat less.

It is possible to travel in China for as little as $20 per day (see “Budget Travel in China” below), all costs included. But this level of travel is not for everyone.

A more realistic average for freelance China travel would be $60 per day and up, including room, board, and transportation. On the other end of the scale, it is possible-and indeed very easy-to spend $150 per day (not including gifts and other incidentals). These costs are calculated on the basis of an individual traveler on a two-week stay and visiting three major and relatively far-flung cities, such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi’an. A longer stay becomes cheaper on a per-diem basis, as would, of course, a trip by two people sharing the same hotel room. Most hotels in China are now priced between $20-50 per room per night, although some have now gone as high as $130 or more and for those willing to sacrifice on amenities, there are budget hotels. Three meals per day taken in hotel dining rooms should total about $9, which is the standard rate charged to foreigners.

Travel between most major cities by train (soft-berth sleeper class) will average between $50 and $100 for a single journey and less if one travels by hard sleeper class. Within a city, the cost of getting around somewhat depends on how the city is laid out. For example, in Changsha or Shanghai it is relatively easy to get around by public bus or by foot. But in Xi’an, most of the major tourist sites are outside the city, and in different directions from each other, almost obliging the short-term visitor to hire taxis. A similar situation prevails in Beijing, although at least there are inexpensive buses that connect to outlying areas.