Beijing Prices

« I read a lot about shopping in Beijing and decided to check out one of the most popular places, Silk Street. The selection is truly quality, and you can confidently negotiate down to half the price. PS: Beijing isn’t cheap at all, and neither is Urumqi, a small city on the border with Kazakhstan, so there's no such thing as a bargain in China. »

« This is what $100 looks like in China, which is 651 Yuan. I can say that the travel show doesn't mislead; $100 for 2 days is quite enough (you might even have some left over), especially if you're on a tight budget. And that's considering I visited a few paid attractions, bought a battery, a lens hood, and a filter for my camera, and I wasn't hungry at all! 😊 - it's affordable! »

« ABOUT BAGS

China is the largest market for fake, low-quality, and branded goods. In short, it’s a massive marketplace. It seems like everyone can find something for themselves or as a gift. However, to avoid leaving “empty-handed," don't hesitate to haggle with the seller. Prices at the market can easily be slashed significantly; I realized this when I tried to buy something to remember this wonderful country, but even an "iPhone 5s" for $25 didn’t impress me. On the other hand, Lacoste sneakers turned out to be much more expensive than in regular stores, and no one was willing to negotiate. Perhaps I missed the sweet spot in the product range due to a packed sightseeing schedule.

Aside from the terrible quality of some products, you'll also encounter awkward advertising signs like "Bags by Andrey" that, in my opinion, only detract from the buying experience. »

« Here comes a bit of Chinese spam! My impressions after 3 days in Beijing: the city feels gray and a bit dated, shrouded in toxic smog (it's not mist in the photos, it's smog for sure). No access to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Telegram. But the food is absolutely delicious and prices are quite affordable. In summary: it's worth visiting China to take a break from social media and enjoy the food!))) »

« I couldn't resist visiting the Apple Store in Beijing. I'll say right away, the prices are just like back home. »

« I took a ride on local Chinese transport for the first time. I must say, they drive quite recklessly, without following rules, casually pulling out into oncoming traffic and running red lights. The interesting part is that despite the apparent chaos, I haven't witnessed a single accident during my entire stay in Beijing. A ride costs 5 yuan, which is less than a dollar.

They call me 'Laowai,' a term used for foreigners, particularly those who are European-looking and may not understand Mandarin well or struggle with the local customs and daily life in China. For locals, I seem like a bag of money since they know foreigners tend to earn quite well, although they often have no idea how much that really is. They try to overcharge at every turn, multiplying prices by ten, but they can't fool me—I always hang out with my Chinese girlfriends. 😊 »

« Beijing Zoo gets a "three." I didn't see the tiger or any other big cats. Maybe they were moved due to the heat? Or perhaps when you pay a ticket price of 2.10 dollars, you shouldn't expect too much? The pandas are just being pandas—eating bamboo while everyone around coos. The aquarium is way too pricey (separate entry is 21 dollars). At first, it's exciting—sharks and rays—but then the howling belugas get annoying. 🐼🐠 »

« I got a Chinese SIM card with a frustrating 2G internet for about $6. There weren't any other options available. At least now I should be online all the time. Hopefully. Mega speed! »

« Myth Three: Everything is cheap in China.

Only someone who has never been to China could say that. The Chinese people are quite clever in this regard: want to visit the Great Wall? Pay up. Want to make your route more complicated? Pay up. Want to make it easier? You guessed it—pay up. There are different paths everywhere, and tickets offices are always around. If you want to climb a mountain, you first pay for the entrance and then pay separately for each sight along the way. In the metro, prices vary depending on your destination; it can even rival or exceed prices in some cities. Food isn’t exactly cheap either, but portion sizes are enormous. What I enjoyed most was how the Chinese adapt to changing weather conditions. When it rains, a thousand vendors are fiercely selling ponchos, and when the sun blazes, they are ready with umbrellas. Umbrellas are a whole different topic; it seems like every Chinese household has a stockpile for every occasion. Quite an amusing people. »

« Arriving in Beijing started with a taxi driver trying to charge me $100 to take me to the hotel, but he quickly agreed to $30. The hotel room came with a tea ceremony set and albums on calligraphy - where else would you find such a thing, only in China! »

« China, Beijing. September 2014
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I couldn't resist stopping by Zara Home in Beijing. I picked up some plates and cutlery for my collection. The selection here is amazing; you can easily deck out your home with cozy items. The prices are slightly lower than those on the U.S. online store. Plus, I saved a decent amount on shipping and had the chance to see everything in person. In Beijing, I discovered two Zara Home locations, one in The Place (with the giant screen instead of a ceiling) and another in Solana Lifestyle Shopping Park. »

« China, Beijing. September 2014
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Speaking of modern Beijing, one cannot overlook the 798 District (798 Art Place). It's a vast area filled with galleries, quirky shops, street art, and numerous bars for art enthusiasts. In the photo is one of the major galleries, UCCA (Ullens Center for Contemporary Art). The entrance fee is about $7. »

« Beijing's metro is probably the cheapest in the world. No matter how far you travel, a ride on any line costs 2 yuan (approximately $0.30). You can buy tickets from machines or at the ticket counter. There are both enclosed stations (where glass barriers with doors separate the train from the platform) and open ones. During rush hour, trains get quite crowded, but everyone remains respectful, and the ride is quite comfortable.

For tourists, there are a couple of challenges – the entrances to the stations are not very noticeable, and there are almost no signs nearby, so it's easy to miss them. Additionally, paper maps of the city don’t mark the metro stations (or their names). So even if you know your intended destination according to the map, you'll face the dilemma of figuring out which station you actually need to reach. »

« Near Kerry Hotel, there is a large shopping center, China World Mall, primarily featuring luxury brands. There are global boutiques for custom-tailored suits. After taking measurements on the first day and selecting fabrics, you can have a perfectly fitting suit by the end of your trip. The prices are fairly reasonable. »

« Hair dye for $0.40) dye your hair and wake up bald xD »

« The high-speed train travels across the country at speeds exceeding 300 km/h... Beijing - Shanghai, 1300 km - first class, 4.5 hours, price 110 dollars... Sometimes it's better to copy well than to just sit idly... Even the stuffy Europe is lagging behind... what can we say about ourselves... And about the fabrics, I've heard you need to know the secret password. »

« In Beijing. After a couple of impulsive purchases, I realized that at the Silk Market – that's what it's called, this shopping center – you really need to negotiate. :) Prices are marked up 2-3 times higher. I'm shocked! Not knowing this can really make you overspend. :) Overall, I still haven't fully grasped that I'm in Beijing; I'm just sitting here, eating. Wish everyone a great day! »

« Taxis in China are cheap – you can easily travel a few blocks for about $1.50 to $3. »

« China, oh China. The first part of the journey. Just a checklist of places you absolutely have to see. We stayed in a small hostel for the first few days in Beijing, but it had such a cozy vibe and great prices—around $15 a night. Plus, it was within walking distance to all the cultural spots. The Temple of Heaven stuck with me, not for its architecture, but for the amusing old man playing and the overall leisure activities of the locals. The Forbidden City was packed with tourists, both inside and out, and it felt like every square meter was buzzing with visitors! 😊 »