Write the fixed costs first
International flights, intercity transport, insurance and any required entry-document costs belong in a separate list. Add the complete airport and station transfers. If comparing a package with an independent trip, compare what is included rather than putting a full package total against a hotel-and-food estimate.
Then build the daily worksheet
Record accommodation as a full room total, then divide only by the people sharing. Keep food, local transport and attraction allowance separate. A solo room, a premium hotel, a special exhibition or peak travel dates can change the result. Use current quotes for your dates; this article does not give one universal daily price for China.
Price a whole excursion
For a Great Wall or river outing, ask whether the quote includes the outward journey, return, entrance, local shuttle and any guide service. Save the actual inclusions. A cheap headline price can be poor value if the part you need is separate. Put a contingency beside the total, not inside an already optimistic meal allowance.
Choose where planning help is worth paying for
The website’s PDFs are US$9 each; the original ten-guide collection is US$39 and excludes the separately listed food guides. Those are planning-product fees, not travel costs. A custom itinerary has a separate planning scope and quote. If you want to save money, first reduce a hotel change or an optional paid extra. Removing every buffer can make a nominally cheaper trip less workable. Use a ready-made guide for an ordinary short route and a planning brief when unusual interests or gateways make the route harder.
Keep a practical guide with you.
Our concise English PDFs include usable routes, planning decisions and reference details. For a route shaped around your dates and interests, explore the custom planning service.
China: 14 days PDF · $9 ↗China arrival toolkit PDF · $9 ↗Explore custom planning ↗Source desk
Checked 12 October 2026. Route choices and pacing advice are China Sideways editorial recommendations. Recheck current booking, venue, transport and entry information for your dates.