Travel budget in China

China: calculate your travel budget

China: sample budgets by traveller type

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in China for 2 people.

Low budget
(backpacker)

Daily budget:

  • $ 57 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 5.7 per person
  • $ 1.9 per person
  • Free activities

Total budget:

$ 1011* (7224 Ұ)

Average budget
(traveller)

Daily budget:

  • $ 109 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 14 per person
  • $ 3.9 per person
  • $ 6.8 per person

Total budget:

$ 2182* (15582 Ұ)

High budget
(tourist)

Daily budget:

  • $ 137 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 21 per person
  • $ 7 per person
  • $ 14 per person

Total budget:

$ 3051* (21784 Ұ)

* Estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks. This represents an average across the country (budget may vary depending on the city or region visited).



Cost of living in China in 2025

Cost of living: China VS Belgium

Compare with the average cost of living in:

On average, the cost of living in China in 2025 is 46% less than in Belgium.

The graphic below shows the percentage of variation between prices Belgium in in Belgium and Belgium by types of expenses:

Created with Highcharts 8.2.2%-63%-63%-22%-22%-40%-40%-65%-65%-39%-39%-48%-48%Price variation between China and Belgium in 2025RestaurantHotelFoodTransportLeisure activitiesShopping-80-60-40-200



Local prices in China by expense type

China: Restaurant budget

On average, budget for eating in a restaurant in China costs 63% less than in Belgium.
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Restaurant: sample prices in China compared to Belgium2424474712125.35.33.33.314145.35.31.11.1BelgiumChinaLunch3 course dinnerMcDonald's mealLocal beer02468101214161820222426283032343638404244464850
Lunch
Lunch
$ 3.3/person
($ 2.2 to $ 7.5)

85% less than in BelgiumBelgium Average price in Belgium: $ 24
3 course dinner
3 course dinner
$ 14/person
($ 9 to $ 28)

71% less than in BelgiumBelgium Average price in Belgium: $ 47
McDonald's meal
McDonald's meal
$ 5.3/person
($ 4.5 to $ 7.2)

55% less than in BelgiumBelgium Average price in Belgium: $ 12
Local beer
Local beer
$ 1.1 for 500ml
($ 0.7 to $ 4.5)

80% less than in BelgiumBelgium Average price in Belgium: $ 5.3
Imported beer
Imported beer
$ 1.8 for 330ml
($ 1.1 to $ 3.1)

23% less than in BelgiumBelgium Average price in Belgium: $ 2.4
Cappuccino
Cappuccino
$ 3.4/cup
($ 1.5 to $ 5.3)

17% less than in BelgiumBelgium Average price in Belgium: $ 4.1
Fizzy drink
Fizzy drink
$ 0.5/can
($ 0.5 to $ 1.6)

84% less than in BelgiumBelgium Average price in Belgium: $ 3.2
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 0.4/bottle
($ 0.2 to $ 0.8)

89% less than in BelgiumBelgium Average price in Belgium: $ 2.9

China: Hotel and accommodation budget

On average, hotel and accommodation budget in China costs 22% less than in Belgium.
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Hotel: sample prices in China compared to Belgium14514515615618718712312317017093931241241501508585102102BelgiumChina2-star hotel3-star hotel4-star hotelHostel/Youth HostelCottage or guest house0102030405060708090100110120130140150160170180190200
1-star hotel
1-star hotel
$ 77/night
($ 38 to $ 237)

27% less than in BelgiumBelgium Average price in Belgium: $ 106
2-star hotel
2-star hotel
$ 93/night
($ 26 to $ 470)

35% less than in BelgiumBelgium Average price in Belgium: $ 145
3-star hotel
3-star hotel
$ 124/night
($ 39 to $ 603)

20% less than in BelgiumBelgium Average price in Belgium: $ 156
4-star hotel
4-star hotel
$ 150/night
($ 58 to $ 568)

20% less than in BelgiumBelgium Average price in Belgium: $ 187
5-star hotel
5-star hotel
$ 224/night
($ 83 to $ 681)

8% less than in BelgiumBelgium Average price in Belgium: $ 245
Hostel/Youth Hostel
Hostel/Youth Hostel
$ 85/month
($ 45 to $ 234)

30% less than in BelgiumBelgium Average price in Belgium: $ 123
Room with kitchen
Room with kitchen
$ 158/month
($ 45 to $ 617)

20% less than in BelgiumBelgium Average price in Belgium: $ 198
Hotel with swimming pool
Hotel with swimming pool
$ 174/month
($ 57 to $ 637)

10% less than in BelgiumBelgium Average price in Belgium: $ 194
Cottage or guest house
Cottage or guest house
$ 102/month
($ 49 to $ 291)

40% less than in BelgiumBelgium Average price in Belgium: $ 170
Family room
Family room
$ 239/month
($ 63 to $ 988)

7% less than in BelgiumBelgium Average price in Belgium: $ 259

China: Supermarket food budget

On average, the price of supermarket food in China costs 40% less than in Belgium.
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Food: sample prices in China compared to Belgium441313332.12.11.81.83.53.51.31.30.80.8BelgiumChinaEggsChickenTomatoesPotatoes01234567891011121314
Milk
Milk
$ 2/litre
($ 1.5 to $ 3.1)

47% more than in BelgiumBelgium Average price in Belgium: $ 1.3
Bread
Bread
$ 3.5/500g
($ 1.8 to $ 7.5)

27% less than in BelgiumBelgium Average price in Belgium: $ 4.9
Rice
Rice
$ 1.1/kg
($ 0.6 to $ 1.6)

59% less than in BelgiumBelgium Average price in Belgium: $ 2.5
Eggs
Eggs
$ 1.8/12 eggs
($ 0.9 to $ 2.7)

56% less than in BelgiumBelgium Average price in Belgium: $ 4
Chicken
Chicken
$ 3.5/kg
($ 1.8 to $ 6)

70% less than in BelgiumBelgium Average price in Belgium: $ 13
Apples
Apples
$ 2/kg
($ 0.7 to $ 3.1)

32% less than in BelgiumBelgium Average price in Belgium: $ 2.9
Tomatoes
Tomatoes
$ 1.3/kg
($ 0.6 to $ 2.2)

57% less than in BelgiumBelgium Average price in Belgium: $ 3
Potatoes
Potatoes
$ 0.8/kg
($ 0.4 to $ 1.5)

61% less than in BelgiumBelgium Average price in Belgium: $ 2.1
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 0.6
($ 0.4 to $ 0.9)

42% less than in BelgiumBelgium Average price in Belgium: $ 1

China: Public and private transport budget

On average, the price of transport in China costs 65% less than in Belgium.
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Transport: sample prices in China compared to Belgium2.92.92.92.92260600.50.50.40.41.31.33535BelgiumChinaBus ticketTaxi (per km)PetrolCar hire05101520253035404550556065
Bus ticket
Bus ticket
$ 0.5/ticket
($ 0.4 to $ 0.7)

84% less than in BelgiumBelgium Average price in Belgium: $ 2.9
Taxi (per km)
Taxi (per km)
$ 0.4/km
($ 0.4 to $ 0.5)

87% less than in BelgiumBelgium Average price in Belgium: $ 2.9
Petrol
Petrol
$ 1.3/litre
($ 1.2 to $ 1.3)

37% less than in BelgiumBelgium Average price in Belgium: $ 2
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
$ 1.5
($ 1.2 to $ 2.3)

74% less than in BelgiumBelgium Average price in Belgium: $ 5.9
Car hire
Car hire
$ 35/24hrs
($ 18 to $ 140)

43% less than in BelgiumBelgium Average price in Belgium: $ 60

China: Leisure activity budget

On average, budget for leisure activities in China costs 39% less than in Belgium.
Cinema
Cinema
$ 6.8/ticket
($ 5.3 to $ 10.5)

54% less than in BelgiumBelgium Average price in Belgium: $ 15
Tennis
Tennis
$ 17/hr
($ 7.5 to $ 31)

25% less than in BelgiumBelgium Average price in Belgium: $ 22

China: Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes

On average, shopping budget in China costs 48% less than in Belgium.
Cigarettes
Cigarettes
$ 3.8/pack
($ 3.1 to $ 5.3)

68% less than in BelgiumBelgium Average price in Belgium: $ 12
Levi's jeans
Levi's jeans
$ 52
($ 22 to $ 106)

52% less than in BelgiumBelgium Average price in Belgium: $ 107
Summer dress
Summer dress
$ 37
($ 16 to $ 62)

24% less than in BelgiumBelgium Average price in Belgium: $ 47

Plane ticket budget

Sydney → Hong Kong
Sydney → Hong Kong
Sydney → Hong Kong
$ 839
(fair price: $ 730)
Melbourne → Hong Kong
Melbourne → Hong Kong
Melbourne → Hong Kong
$ 849
(fair price: $ 731)
London → Hong Kong
London → Hong Kong
London → Hong Kong
$ 1057
(fair price: $ 858)
Manchester → Hong Kong
Manchester → Hong Kong
Manchester → Hong Kong
$ 1192
(fair price: $ 921)
London → Shanghai
London → Shanghai
London → Shanghai
$ 901
(fair price: $ 742)
London → Beijing
London → Beijing
London → Beijing
$ 971
(fair price: $ 776)
London → Lhasa
London → Lhasa
London → Lhasa
$ 1307
(fair price: $ 987)
Sydney → Lhasa
Sydney → Lhasa
Sydney → Lhasa
$ 1087
(fair price: $ 792)
Melbourne → Lhasa
Melbourne → Lhasa
Melbourne → Lhasa
$ 1073
(fair price: $ 798)
New York City → Lhasa
New York City → Lhasa
New York City → Lhasa
$ 2137
(fair price: $ 1676)

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About the information on the cost of living in China

The information about the cost of living in China shown on this page comes from multiple sources, including : Numbeo, Skyscanner and Hotels.com.

Information about cost of living in China updated on 28-03-2025.

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