Depending on what you want to see, it is totally possible to visit the capital city of China with less than $100 including accommodation. But based on the length of your stay, it could be up to $200-$300. It's all about improvising and planning ahead. Usually, when traveling, the majority of the money goes towards accommodations, sightseeing fees, and food. Sometimes tours depending on your personal preferences. In this short blog, I will share with you how you can reduce your costs and experience the best of Beijing with the cheapest options possible.
Accommodation and Transportation
Don't book a hotel in the center of Beijing, instead chose cities that are a little out of the center with heavy access to the metro. I booked a hotel in Haidian, Beijing right near the subway, so transportation wasn't an issue. Most attractions in Beijing or Beijing areas can be accessed easily with the metro, so get comfortable with the idea of using the metro as your main transportation method. If you must use a taxi, make sure it is from the Airport/train stations to your hotel or vice versa only. If you don't have any luggage, use the metro from the airport or train station to get you to your hotel. I know this sounds like a lot of hustle, but those are sacrifices you have to make when you are on a budget. On the bride sight, it is an experience of its own. Plus, it will come in handy in the future, trust me.
Use Agoda to book budget-friendly hotels or hostels and more in Beijing. You don't have to stay in a hostel if that isn't for you at all. Agoda offers cheap hotels in Beijing as low as $10 a night depending on which season you are traveling.
Booking.com if you are looking to book a hostel. I advise you not to book hostels through Booking.com in Beijing, as some tend to switch locations and not update it on the western websites.
I am not sponsored by Agoda. The above information is based on my personal experience.
Sightseeing Fees
Plan what you want to do and what you want to see. Chances are most of the things you want to see won't be in the same area unless you are going to the Temple of Heaven and Tienanmen Square. Depending on the length of your stay, you may not be able to hit all the major attractions so pick and choose. Although the major attractions cost about $10, it is possible to spend more money if you are not tracking your spending. So make sure your choice the ones you truly want to see. If you don't want to go inside the temples and you just want to admire the architecture or temples behind the entrance gates,it's free. Other than that, sightseeing does cost money. It's okay not to see all the must-sees, there are many free things you can do in Beijing. You just have to do your research based on your interests and duration.
Food
Avoid famous raved about restaurants! Honestly you better off eating from vendors. Best way to experience Beijing's food is to eat from street vendors and small local areas. Beijing has the tastiest and amazing street foods you can possibly think of with a lot of healthy, vegan and vegetarian options as well. If you truly want to experience a taste of Beijing, go for the street foods.
If you go to western restaurants or restaurants that offer western dishes, it will be pricey based on the location. Also, you don't have to try Beijing musts. For instance, people say you have to try Beijing pecking Duck, but it can be found all over China. That dish isn't a big deal, but because the city is known for it, it costs way too much. Pecking duck usually costs about $30 sometimes $40. However, depending on the restaurant it can cost you up to $50. I have come to learn that Pecking Duck tastes much better in different cities than Beijing for a quarter of the price and most people actually agree with me on that. So if you are on a budget, and you are also visiting other cities in China, skip Pecking Duck.