Travel
Beijing on a Budget: Ancient Wonders Without Breaking the Bank
Experience China's magnificent capital affordably. From the Great Wall to hidden hutongs, here's how to explore Beijing on a budget.
8 min read
By Mark
Beijing is one of the world's great capitals, home to ancient imperial treasures and modern marvels. Best of all, it's surprisingly affordable for budget travelers.
💰 Beijing Budget Overview
Daily Budget Estimates
| Style | Accommodation | Food | Transport | Activities | Total/Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | ¥80-150 | ¥60-100 | ¥20-40 | ¥50-100 | ¥210-390 (~$30-55) |
| Mid-range | ¥300-500 | ¥150-250 | ¥50-80 | ¥150-250 | ¥650-1,080 (~$90-150) |
| Comfortable | ¥600-1,000 | ¥300-500 | ¥100-200 | ¥300-500 | ¥1,300-2,200 (~$180-305) |
🏛️ Must-See Attractions & Costs
| Attraction | Entry Fee | Time Needed | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forbidden City | ¥60 | 3-4 hours | Book online, arrive early |
| Great Wall (Mutianyu) | ¥40 + ¥120 cable car | Full day | Take public bus to save |
| Temple of Heaven | ¥15-34 | 2-3 hours | Early morning for tai chi |
| Summer Palace | ¥30-60 | 3-4 hours | Boat ride extra |
| Tiananmen Square | Free | 1 hour | Security checks required |
| Hutong Walking | Free | 2-3 hours | Self-guided saves money |
| 798 Art District | Free | 2-3 hours | Galleries free, cafes pricey |
🚇 Getting Around Cheaply
Beijing Subway
| Fare Type | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Base fare | ¥3 | First 6km |
| Per km after | ¥1 per 10km | Very affordable |
| Day pass | Not available | Pay per ride |
Tip: Get a Yikatong transport card or use Alipay/WeChat for easy payment.
Money-Saving Transport Tips
| Option | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Subway | ¥3-8 per trip | Most destinations |
| Public bus | ¥2 | Short distances |
| Shared bikes | ¥1-2 per ride | Last mile, exploring |
| DiDi (ride-hailing) | ¥15-40 | Groups, late night |
Avoid: Unofficial taxis at tourist spots (major scams!)
🍜 Eating Cheap & Delicious
Street Food & Local Eats
| Food | Price | Where to Find |
|---|---|---|
| Jianbing (breakfast crepe) | ¥8-15 | Street vendors |
| Beijing Zhajiangmian | ¥15-25 | Local noodle shops |
| Lamb skewers (chuanr) | ¥3-5 each | Night markets |
| Steamed buns (baozi) | ¥2-5 each | Breakfast shops |
| Dumplings (jiaozi) | ¥15-30 per plate | Everywhere |
| Hot pot (budget) | ¥40-60 | Chain restaurants |
Budget Restaurant Tips
- Eat where locals eat - if the menu is only Chinese, prices are lower
- Lunch specials - many restaurants offer cheaper lunch sets
- Food courts in malls - clean, varied, ¥20-40 per meal
- Convenience stores - onigiri, steamed buns, drinks cheap
Must-Try Beijing Foods
| Dish | Budget Option | Splurge Option |
|---|---|---|
| Peking Duck | ¥68-98 (Jingzun) | ¥200+ (Da Dong) |
| Hot Pot | ¥40-60 (Haidilao lunch) | ¥150+ (premium) |
| Lamb Hotpot | ¥50-80 | ¥120+ |
🏨 Affordable Accommodation
Budget Options by Area
| Area | Hostel Dorm | Budget Hotel | Why Stay Here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dongcheng (Hutongs) | ¥60-100 | ¥200-350 | Central, historic, walkable |
| Qianmen | ¥50-80 | ¥180-300 | Near Tiananmen, good transit |
| Wangfujing | ¥80-120 | ¥250-400 | Shopping, central |
| Haidian (University) | ¥40-70 | ¥150-250 | Cheaper, near Summer Palace |
Accommodation Tips
- Book in advance - especially for hostels in hutong areas
- Hostels with breakfast - saves ¥20-30 per day
- University area - budget hotels near PKU/Tsinghua are cheap
- Avoid luxury zones - CBD and Sanlitun are pricier
🎫 Free & Cheap Activities
Completely Free
- 🚶 Walking the hutongs (Nanluoguxiang, Wudaoying)
- 🏃 Morning tai chi at Temple of Heaven (outside entry)
- 🎨 798 Art District galleries
- 🌅 Watching flag ceremony at Tiananmen (5am)
- 🛍️ Window shopping at Wangfujing
- 🌳 Ritan Park, Beihai Park (outside areas)
Under ¥50
| Activity | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jingshan Park | ¥2 | Best Forbidden City view |
| Lama Temple | ¥25 | Active Buddhist temple |
| National Museum | Free | ID required, book online |
| Beihai Park | ¥10 | Scenic lake, historic |
| Drum & Bell Towers | ¥30 | Hutong views from top |
🧳 Great Wall on a Budget
Budget Options Comparison
| Section | Entry | Transport | Crowds | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mutianyu | ¥40 | ¥15-30 bus | Medium | ~¥55-70 |
| Jinshanling | ¥65 | ¥50 bus | Low | ~¥115 |
| Badaling | ¥40 | ¥12 train | Very High | ~¥52 |
| Huanghuacheng | ¥45 | ¥30 bus | Low | ~¥75 |
Cheapest option: Badaling by S2 train from Beijing North Station
Best value: Mutianyu by 916 bus + local shuttle
💡 Money-Saving Tips
Payment Apps (Essential!)
- WeChat Pay and Alipay are used everywhere
- Many places don't accept cash or foreign cards
- Link a foreign card through Alipay Tour Pass
- Download before arriving
Timing Tips
- Avoid holidays - Golden Week, CNY = higher prices, massive crowds
- Shoulder season - April-May, Sept-Oct = best weather, moderate prices
- Winter - Nov-Feb = cheapest, but cold (-5 to 5°C)
Communication
- Get a local SIM - ¥50-100 for tourist SIM at airport
- VPN - Essential for Google, WhatsApp, Instagram
- Download offline maps - Amap or Baidu Maps work better than Google
- Learn basic Mandarin - "Duoshao qian?" (How much?) is essential
📅 Sample 4-Day Budget Itinerary
| Day | Activities | Est. Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tiananmen, Forbidden City, Jingshan Park, Wangfujing | ¥150 |
| 2 | Great Wall (Mutianyu via public transport) | ¥200 |
| 3 | Temple of Heaven, Hutong walk, Drum Tower, night market | ¥120 |
| 4 | Summer Palace, 798 Art District, Peking Duck dinner | ¥200 |
Total: ~¥670 ($95) + accommodation + transport card
⚠️ Common Tourist Mistakes
❌ Taking "tours" offered by strangers (tea house scam!)
❌ Not booking Forbidden City tickets online (sells out!)
❌ Paying in cash when Alipay/WeChat works
❌ Visiting Great Wall without checking weather
❌ Not bringing VPN for internet access
❌ Exchanging money at tourist areas (bad rates)
Beijing offers incredible value for budget travelers - ancient history, amazing food, and vibrant culture at a fraction of European capital costs!