Beijing is one of the more expensive cities in China, but it’s still a great bargain for most Western tourists. Hotels are generally of high quality, and the prices can be very appealing, especially for those on package tours. Beijing is not an easy city for tourists who don’t speak any Chinese because almost nothing is built for us. Shanghai is much easier and more enjoyable in that regard.
The attractions in the city are also very reasonably priced, though scammers and hucksters are common, so it’s wise to do some research and keep your wits about you. Transportation is also very cheap, with the buses and subways being especially good bargains.
Food and drinks are also extremely cheap by most Western standards, though you’ll have to pay a fair bit more for menus with English translations in tourist neighborhoods. Street food is hard to find in Beijing, but you can get amazing food bargains if you go to local restaurants with photos and prices rather than English translations.
