Cost of Living in China

Eating Chinese food is relatively cheap. Three Chinese dishes, with rice (enough for two people) at an average restaurant will cost about 40-50 RMB. Of course you can eat food off the street that will cost about half of this for a meal, but it may be a bit difficult for a western stomach to handle at first.

Getting around in Beijing is fairly convenient. There is a small subway system that can be convenient when close to a station, which is not always the case. Tickets are 2 RMB. Taking a bus is only 1 RMB but can be confusing at first, especially if you can read Chinese characters. The easiest way to get around is by taxi. Fares range from 10 RMB for any ride within a few miles or about five minutes to 70 RMB for 45 minute rides across the city. The average taxi fare for getting around the city in a convenient way is about 15 RMB per ride.

Getting from city to city in China is also relatively convenient. Flights from Beijing to Shanghai start at about 500 RMB if bought in advance to 1200 RMB if bought at the last second. A train to Shanghai would cost about 350 RMB for an overnight sleeper train. A bus could be less than 200 RMB.

An average three-star hotel in most cities in China will cost about 300-500 RMB per night. A very nice 4-5 star hotel will cost 800-1200 RMB per night. Most big Chinese cities also have a number of hostels. These will cost about 40-60 RMB per night for a dorm-style room with shared bathroom and 250-300 RMB per night for a double room with private bathroom.

Beijing is slightly cheaper than Shanghai, and Guangzhou is slightly cheaper than Beijing. Hong Kong, on the other hand, is comparable to the U.S.

If you are thinking of relocating to China, taking up a job there, studying Chinese or teaching English in China, the Living in China E-book is what you must read.

Valuable insider tips and secrets that will make your life in China much easier. Must-know things you will learn from the North American author who has been living in China for over a decade! Topics covered include: cost of living in China; how to negotiate and rent an apartment; getting a driver's license and driving in China; learning Chinese; dating and romance; health care in China; Chinese cultural briefing and much more!

Traveling within China can sometimes be an adventure (for better or worse). The good news is that China's infrastructure is continuously improving, and there are several well-developed modes of transportation available in China. The bad news is that navigating the transportation system can be confusing, and most local travel and transportation companies do not rate well in customer service. Having a good travel provider in China will increase your chances of a smooth trip, and help to iron out problems.