What things cost in China
Typical prices in the big cities, in yuan and in your currency, so you know a fair price when you see one. The converter works offline.
Getting around
| What | Yuan | Your currency |
|---|---|---|
| Metro ride By distance; tap in with Alipay or WeChat Pay transit codes | ¥2–10 | |
| City bus ride | ¥1–2 | |
| Taxi, first few kilometers Flag fall varies by city and time of day; Didi is similar | ¥10–16 | |
| Taxi or Didi across a big city Airports far from the center cost more | ¥40–120 | |
| Shared bike, 30 minutes | ¥1.5–4 | |
| High-speed train, Shanghai to Hangzhou, second class | ¥70–90 | |
| High-speed train, Beijing to Shanghai, second class First and business class cost far more | ¥550–700 |
Food and drink
| What | Yuan | Your currency |
|---|---|---|
| Bottle of water from a convenience store | ¥2–5 | |
| Breakfast: steamed buns, soy milk, pancakes | ¥5–20 | |
| Bowl of noodles at a local restaurant | ¥15–35 | |
| Coffee at a chain | ¥10–40 | |
| Dinner at a mid-range restaurant, per person | ¥60–150 | |
| Hotpot, per person | ¥80–180 | |
| Bottle of beer in a restaurant | ¥8–30 |
Sights and stays
| What | Yuan | Your currency |
|---|---|---|
| Palace Museum (Forbidden City) ticket Lower price in the low season; book ahead with your passport | ¥40–60 | |
| Big museums such as the National Museum and the Shanghai Museum Free, but booking is often required | Free | |
| Mid-range hotel double room, per night Much higher around holidays and trade fairs | ¥300–800 | |
| Hostel dorm bed, per night | ¥60–150 |
Tipping
Tipping is not expected in mainland China, in restaurants, taxis or hotels. Some upmarket hotels and restaurants add a service charge to the bill; tour guides and drivers on private tours sometimes receive a tip.
Paying: Paying in China and the payment setup steps. Bargaining is normal at markets and souvenir stalls, not in shops with price tags.