China is a country steeped in ancient culture and religion. Its numerous monuments stand in testimony to the country’s rich past.

2. China is a country steeped in ancient culture and religion. Its
numerous monuments stand in testimony to the country’s rich
past. Museums are stocked full of artifacts that leave visitors
spellbound and hungry for more. Traces of bygone civilizations
lie scattered across the country. A travel through this wealth of
history can take a while and make a dent in one’s finances.
Though China is not a ‘cheap’ holiday by any stretch of
imagination, it is definitely cheaper than traveling to most
European countries. But there are ways to make any holiday
inexpensive, and in China all you have to do is follow a few
golden rules.

3. It is best to spend more time in off the path
provinces like Hunan rather than expensive
money guzzlers like Shanghai and Beijing. A
visitor can actually pay local prices in smaller
cities and not be the victim of the classic
tourist rip off syndrome. Larger cities have
their own allure, but for budgeted travelers it
is wise to stick to the provinces which also
offer you an up close and personal experience
of life in the country. If you decide to spend a
considerable amount of time, then a great
idea is to get yourself a job teaching English as
a language.
There is a huge demand for instructors in English now that the country and its economy
have opened up to the West. This is a great way to finance your trip and get one on one
experience of the people.

4. Next to traveling by bus, hopping on to a train
is possibly the cheapest mode of transport in
China. Check with the China tour & travel
guide and get acquainted with what all is on
offer. Buy your train berth accordingly.
There’s the standing ticket, hard seat, soft
seat and the hard sleeper ticket to choose
from and as you go a class down, tickets get
cheaper. Hot tip – book long distance train
tickets in advance. Buses are more affordable
and longer routes now offer modern sleeper
buses.

5. Local delicacies in China are the way to go for
a traveler on a budget. Though dining in
Chinese restaurants doesn’t burn a hole in the
pocket, street food is obviously more
affordable. Plus point – Fuel up as you walk
along, you will manage to experience a whole
array of authentic Chinese cuisine. Everything
from a bowl of fried noodles with vegetables
to roasted insects can be had off the street.
Vendors are omnipresent.

6. The biggest chunk of one’s travel budget is
usually earmarked for accommodation. In
China, trimming this expense should not be
very difficult. Visitors have the option of
staying in backpacker accommodation,
dormitories, hostels and cheap guesthouses.
Very often in smaller provinces, making
friends with the locals usually results in an
invitation to dinner and to spend the night.

7. Learning the local language has its benefits.
Not only does it make your travels
streamlined, it also earns a visitor respect.
Chinese is not a walk in the park but it is not
impossible to get a hang of either. Once you
pick up a few basics, notice how people treat
you differently – smiles appear, lunches and
dinners will be taken care of and houses will
open for overnight stay offers. It works like
magic!
Like any country, a trip to China can be as expensive or as affordable as you want it to be.
Just keep these simple points in mind and you’ll breeze through China without too much
trouble.