Tipping in China
Tipping is not customary in China and can sometimes cause offense. In upscale hotels and tourist areas, small tips of 10-20 CNY for porters or guides are accepted.
China price guide
Prices in China in 2026: fair price vs tourist trap
Short answer: about average, if you pay what locals pay. Fair prices sit right around the 60-country median, while tourist prices are about 3.1× the fair price.
29 prices checked Apr – Aug 2026 12 verified and 17 estimates How I check
Fair prices at a glance
- Street food meal CN¥10 – CN¥35 ≈ $1.50 – $5.20
- City taxi 1 km CN¥2 – CN¥4 ≈ $0.30 – $0.60
- Local beer CN¥10 – CN¥30 ≈ $1.50 – $4.50
- Massage (1 hour) CN¥100 – CN¥400 ≈ $15 – $60
All 29 prices are also in the free app for iPhone and Android, and they work offline. Get it
One day in China: CN¥145 or CN¥474
About $22 or $71 a day.
The first number is what locals pay, the second what tourist spots charge for exactly the same day.
Same day, same things: the tourist version costs 3.3× as much.
Restaurant meal alone: CN¥250, or 53% of the tourist-trap day.
+CN¥329 (about $49) for the same day
| Item | Fair (CN¥) | Trap (CN¥) |
|---|---|---|
| Street food meal | 22.50 | 60 |
| Restaurant meal | 70 | 250 |
| Coffee (espresso) | 17.50 | 45 |
| Water 1.5 L | 5 | 11 |
| Local beer | 20 | 65 |
| Public transit ticket 2 rides | 7 | 23 |
| Short taxi ride about 1 km | 3 | 20 |
| Total | 145 | 474 |
- Sightseeing comes on top: a ticket to a top museum or attraction is up to CN¥120 (about $18).
- Accommodation is left out on purpose: it swings too much with the season and the night of the week for one honest number.
Where tourists overpay most in China
Tourist-trap price compared with the fair price, using the middle of each range.
- 1 Men's haircut Fair CN¥15 – CN¥60 Trap CN¥150 – CN¥500 Tourist prices are about 8.7× the fair price
- 2 City taxi 1 km Fair CN¥2 – CN¥4 Trap CN¥10 – CN¥30 Tourist prices are about 6.7× the fair price
- 3 Cooking class Fair CN¥300 – CN¥800 Trap CN¥900 – CN¥4,500 Tourist prices are about 4.9× the fair price
Check a price you were quoted
Pick what you are buying, type the price, and see where it lands.
about $3
Tourist-trap price
Fair CN¥2 – CN¥4 Trap CN¥10 – CN¥30
CN¥20 is 6.7× the middle of the fair range (CN¥2 – CN¥4).
Tourists often get charged CN¥10 – CN¥30. From CN¥10 you are paying the tourist-trap price.
In the app, every expense you log on a trip gets the same check, offline.
Fair vs tourist prices in China, item by item
What 29 everyday things should cost, and what tourists often pay instead. Typical for Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu, Guilin, Guangzhou, Chongqing, and Zhangjiajie.
Show prices in
- Fair price
- Tourist-trap price
- Verified
- Estimate
Bars run from zero to each item's top tourist-trap price.
Food & drinks
Restaurant meal: fair is CN¥40 – CN¥100. From CN¥150 you are on the tourist menu.
-
Water 0.5 L
Bottled, convenience store
Estimate, reviewedTourist prices are about 3.0× the fair priceFair CN¥2 – CN¥4 ≈ $0.30 – $0.60Trap CN¥6 – CN¥12 ≈ $0.89 – $1.80 -
Coffee (espresso)
Cafe or street vendor
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 2.6× the fair priceFair CN¥10 – CN¥25 ≈ $1.50 – $3.70Trap CN¥30 – CN¥60 ≈ $4.50 – $8.90 -
Local beer
Draft, at bar or restaurant
Estimate, reviewedTourist prices are about 3.3× the fair priceFair CN¥10 – CN¥30 ≈ $1.50 – $4.50Trap CN¥30 – CN¥100 ≈ $4.50 – $15 -
Restaurant meal
Tourist area, main course
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 3.6× the fair priceFair CN¥40 – CN¥100 ≈ $6 – $15Trap CN¥150 – CN¥350 ≈ $22 – $52 -
Street food meal
Local market or stand
Estimate, reviewedTourist prices are about 2.7× the fair priceFair CN¥10 – CN¥35 ≈ $1.50 – $5.20Trap CN¥40 – CN¥80 ≈ $6 – $12 -
Cocktail at bar
Mixed drink, bar
Estimate, reviewedTourist prices are about 2.5× the fair priceFair CN¥60 – CN¥120 ≈ $9 – $18Trap CN¥150 – CN¥300 ≈ $22 – $45 -
Bottle of wine (restaurant)
House wine, restaurant
Estimate, reviewedTourist prices are about 3.9× the fair priceFair CN¥80 – CN¥250 ≈ $12 – $37Trap CN¥300 – CN¥1,000 ≈ $45 – $150 -
Fresh juice
Cafe or street stall
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 2.9× the fair priceFair CN¥8 – CN¥18 ≈ $1.20 – $2.70Trap CN¥25 – CN¥50 ≈ $3.70 – $7.40
Transport
Airport taxi to the center: fair is CN¥80 – CN¥150. At CN¥250 or more, walk away.
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Airport taxi to center
Standard route
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 3.3× the fair priceFair CN¥80 – CN¥150 ≈ $12 – $22Trap CN¥250 – CN¥500 ≈ $37 – $74 -
City taxi 1 km
Metered or typical fare
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 6.7× the fair priceFair CN¥2 – CN¥4 ≈ $0.30 – $0.60Trap CN¥10 – CN¥30 ≈ $1.50 – $4.50 -
Public transit ticket
Single ride
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 3.3× the fair priceFair CN¥2 – CN¥5 ≈ $0.30 – $0.74Trap CN¥8 – CN¥15 ≈ $1.20 – $2.20 -
Private transfer (app)
Grab / Bolt / Uber
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 3.3× the fair priceFair CN¥20 – CN¥50 ≈ $3 – $7.40Trap CN¥80 – CN¥150 ≈ $12 – $22
Souvenirs
Fridge magnet: fair is CN¥20 – CN¥50. From CN¥60 you are paying the souvenir-stall markup.
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Fridge magnet
Tourist shop
Estimate, reviewedTourist prices are about 2.6× the fair priceFair CN¥20 – CN¥50 ≈ $3 – $7.40Trap CN¥60 – CN¥120 ≈ $9 – $18 -
Printed T-shirt
Tourist shop
Estimate, reviewedTourist prices are about 2.7× the fair priceFair CN¥30 – CN¥80 ≈ $4.50 – $12Trap CN¥100 – CN¥200 ≈ $15 – $30 -
Local handcraft
Ceramics, textiles, etc.
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 4.4× the fair priceFair CN¥50 – CN¥200 ≈ $7 – $30Trap CN¥300 – CN¥800 ≈ $45 – $120
Daily essentials
Tourist SIM: fair is CN¥80 – CN¥180. From CN¥200 it is the tourist-kiosk price.
-
Tourist SIM card
Data package
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 1.9× the fair priceFair CN¥80 – CN¥180 ≈ $12 – $27Trap CN¥200 – CN¥300 ≈ $30 – $45 -
Sunscreen SPF50
Pharmacy or shop
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 2.8× the fair priceFair CN¥35 – CN¥180 ≈ $5 – $27Trap CN¥200 – CN¥400 ≈ $30 – $60 -
Water 1.5 L
Supermarket
Estimate, reviewedTourist prices are about 2.2× the fair priceFair CN¥4 – CN¥6 ≈ $0.60 – $0.89Trap CN¥7 – CN¥15 ≈ $1 – $2.20 -
Cigarettes
Pack of 20
Estimate, reviewedTourist prices are about 2.7× the fair priceFair CN¥15 – CN¥30 ≈ $2.20 – $4.50Trap CN¥40 – CN¥80 ≈ $6 – $12 -
Painkillers (paracetamol)
Pack of 20 tablets
Estimate, reviewedTourist prices are about 2.3× the fair priceFair CN¥5 – CN¥15 ≈ $0.74 – $2.20Trap CN¥16 – CN¥30 ≈ $2.40 – $4.50 -
Mosquito repellent
Spray or lotion
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 2.6× the fair priceFair CN¥10 – CN¥25 ≈ $1.50 – $3.70Trap CN¥30 – CN¥60 ≈ $4.50 – $8.90
Services
One-hour massage: fair is CN¥100 – CN¥400. From CN¥500 you are paying for the address.
-
Men's haircut
Local barbershop
Estimate, reviewedTourist prices are about 8.7× the fair priceFair CN¥15 – CN¥60 ≈ $2.20 – $8.90Trap CN¥150 – CN¥500 ≈ $22 – $74 -
Laundry (per kg)
Laundry service
Estimate, reviewedTourist prices are about 2.1× the fair priceFair CN¥20 – CN¥50 ≈ $3 – $7.40Trap CN¥50 – CN¥100 ≈ $7 – $15 -
Massage (1 hour)
Standard full-body massage
Estimate, reviewedTourist prices are about 3.0× the fair priceFair CN¥100 – CN¥400 ≈ $15 – $60Trap CN¥500 – CN¥1,000 ≈ $74 – $150 -
Women's haircut
Basic cut, salon
Estimate, reviewedTourist prices are about 3.4× the fair priceFair CN¥50 – CN¥120 ≈ $7 – $18Trap CN¥180 – CN¥400 ≈ $27 – $60
Attractions
Top museum or attraction: fair is up to CN¥120. From CN¥150, check that you are not buying through a reseller.
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Top museum / attraction
Entrance ticket
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 3.8× the fair priceFair Up to CN¥120 ≈ $18Trap CN¥150 – CN¥300 ≈ $22 – $45 -
Half-day group tour
Organized excursion
Estimate, reviewedTourist prices are about 2.8× the fair priceFair CN¥120 – CN¥350 ≈ $18 – $52Trap CN¥400 – CN¥900 ≈ $60 – $135 -
Full-day group tour
Organized excursion 6-8h
Estimate, reviewedTourist prices are about 3.0× the fair priceFair CN¥200 – CN¥400 ≈ $30 – $60Trap CN¥600 – CN¥1,200 ≈ $89 – $180 -
Cooking class
Local cuisine cooking class
Estimate, reviewedTourist prices are about 4.9× the fair priceFair CN¥300 – CN¥800 ≈ $45 – $120Trap CN¥900 – CN¥4,500 ≈ $135 – $670
Converted at 1 USD = 6.714 CNY, the rate on October 3, 2026. Approximate.
Money and tipping in China
Currency
Chinese yuan (CNY)
- 1 USD = 6.714 CNY
Quick converter, CNY to USD
When a card terminal or ATM offers to charge you in your home currency, choose CNY. The rate it offers is almost always worse.
Bargaining in China
Bargaining is expected at street markets and small shops, start at 30-50% of the asking price and meet in the middle. Fixed-price stores and malls do not negotiate.
Fuel prices per liter
- Gasoline CN¥8.90 / liter ≈ $1.30
- Diesel CN¥7.97 / liter ≈ $1.20
Scams and safety in China
What tourists actually run into, from overcharging tricks to local laws. Open any item for the details.
Scam or crime Beijing tea ceremony and art gallery scam
On Beijing's Wangfujing Street, around Tiananmen Square and on Shanghai's Nanjing Road, friendly English-speaking 'students' invite tourists to a nearby tea house or art gallery, then present a bill of 2,000–5,000 yuan for a few cups of tea or prints. Staff block the exit until you pay by card. Never follow strangers who approach you to 'practice English', walk away and contact the tourist police on 110.
Scam or crime Unregistered taxi counterfeit note swap
At Beijing Capital, Shanghai Pudong and Guangzhou Baiyun airports, unregistered 'black taxi' drivers charge 3–5× the meter rate and swap your 100-yuan notes for counterfeits during the payment handover. Refuse any car without a meter and a taxi sticker on the windscreen, use Didi Chuxing, the official airport rank, or the Airport Express train. Inspect every bill of change against the watermark before closing the door.
Law Exit ban for commercial dispute
Chinese courts can impose an 'exit ban' on any foreigner named in a business, civil or inheritance dispute, you cannot leave China until it is resolved, even as a tourist visiting a relative. British and EU nationals have been detained at Beijing and Shanghai airports and pressured to pay settlements in yuan. Keep copies of any contracts, never sign Chinese-language papers you can't read, and register your trip with your consulate.
Law Random ID check and six-month detention law
Chinese police can stop any foreigner on Beijing's subway, at Shanghai tourist hubs or around Hong Kong crossings to demand a passport and visa, failure to produce them results in a 500–2,000 yuan fine or detention. National-security laws allow up to 6 months of detention before a formal arrest; 99% of trials end in conviction. Carry your passport, don't photograph military sites, and avoid discussing politics on WeChat.
Nature Southern China typhoon and earthquake zone
The typhoon season runs May–November along the coasts of Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Hainan, airports close and 150-km/h winds cause deadly flooding. Sichuan, Yunnan and the Lhasa Plateau sit on an active fault line; the 2025 Dingri quake killed over 120 people. Register with your consulate, keep cash in yuan for evacuation, and follow the China Earthquake Networks app (CENC) for real-time alerts.
Emergency numbers in China
Not sure who you need? Call this one. 110 Police
China has no single universal emergency number. Dial 110 for police, 120 for ambulance, 119 for fire. Operators usually speak only Chinese.
Medical costs
- Doctor visit Private clinic, general consultation without insurance $85 – $450 ≈ CN¥570 – CN¥3,020
- Hospital night One night in a general ward without insurance $7 – $70 ≈ CN¥47 – CN¥470
- Ambulance Emergency transport to hospital $20 – $500 ≈ CN¥135 – CN¥3,360
- Dentist Check-up or basic treatment at a private practice $20 – $250 ≈ CN¥135 – CN¥1,680
Good to know before you go
Gestures and etiquette
Chopsticks & gift taboos
Never stick chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice, it resembles funeral incense and is associated with death. Don't give clocks as gifts, because the phrase "giving a clock" (送钟) sounds like "attending a funeral" in Chinese. The number 4 is also unlucky as it sounds like "death."
Buying souvenirs
Tea, silk & porcelain
China's tea culture is unmatched, visit a tea market for Longjing (Dragon Well), Pu'er, or Tieguanyin, and ask for a tasting before buying. Silk products (scarves, pillowcases) are significantly cheaper than abroad. Jingdezhen porcelain is world-renowned. Calligraphy sets, paper fans, and cloisonné enamelware make elegant, lightweight souvenirs.
Driving and tolls
Foreigners cannot drive easily
China has the world's largest toll network (~180,000 km) at ¥0.40–0.60/km ($0.05–0.08/km). However, international driving permits are NOT valid in China, you need a Chinese temporary license, which is a complex process. Most tourists use high-speed trains or hire local drivers instead. If you do drive, tolls are paid with ETC transponder or cash.
Did you know?
- The Great Wall of China stretches over 21,000 km. Contrary to popular myth, it cannot be seen from space with the naked eye.
- China is nearly cashless. WeChat Pay and Alipay are used for almost everything. Tourists should set up a mobile payment app before arriving.
- Tea was discovered in China around 2737 BC. The Chinese tea ceremony (gongfu cha) is an art form still practiced daily, especially in Fujian and Guangdong.
Cities these prices cover
The prices on this page are typical for these cities and the tourist areas around them.
- Beijing 北京
- Shanghai 上海
- Xi'an 西安
- Chengdu 成都
- Guilin 桂林
- Guangzhou 广州
- Chongqing 重庆
- Zhangjiajie 张家界
How China compares
The TruePrice Index for China, next to the countries people weigh it against and its nearest neighbors, all on one scale. 100 is the median of the 60 countries I track.
-
Laos 36 Prices about 62% lower than in China -
Nepal 42 Prices about 56% lower than in China -
Vietnam 47 Prices about 51% lower than in China -
Philippines 47 Prices about 51% lower than in China - China 95 This page
-
South Korea 131 Prices about 38% higher than in China -
Japan 135 Prices about 42% higher than in China
Common questions about prices in China
Is China expensive to visit?
Short answer: about average, if you pay what locals pay. Fair prices sit right around the 60-country median, while tourist prices are about 3.1× the fair price. On the TruePrice Index, China scores 95, the 26th cheapest of the 60 countries I track.
How much does a day in China cost, without flights and hotel?
Roughly CN¥145 (about $22) a day at fair prices, or CN¥474 (about $71) at tourist prices. That covers two meals, a coffee, a bottle of water, a beer, two transit rides and a short taxi ride. Sightseeing comes on top (up to CN¥120 for a top museum or attraction), and accommodation is not included.
Do you tip in China, and how much?
Tipping is not customary in China and can sometimes cause offense. In upscale hotels and tourist areas, small tips of 10-20 CNY for porters or guides are accepted.
What currency does China use?
The Chinese yuan (CNY). On October 3, 2026, 1 USD was worth 6.714 CNY. Card terminals and ATMs that offer to charge you in your home currency usually give a worse rate, so pay in CNY.
How much is a meal and a beer in China?
A restaurant main course is CN¥40 – CN¥100 (about $6 – $15) at fair prices, while tourist menus charge CN¥150 – CN¥350. A street food meal runs CN¥10 – CN¥35. A local beer is CN¥10 – CN¥30 (about $1.50 – $4.50), or CN¥30 – CN¥100 in tourist bars.
How much money should I bring to China?
Budget roughly CN¥145 (about $22) a day for food, drinks and getting around at local prices, or about CN¥474 (about $71) at tourist prices. Add up to CN¥120 for each major sight, plus your accommodation.
What is the emergency number in China?
If you are not sure who you need, call 110, the police line. Direct lines: ambulance 120, fire brigade 119.
Sources and method
Where these numbers come from, and how sure I am about each one.
- Prices
- 29 items: 12 verified and 17 estimates
- Checked
- to
- Exchange rate
- 1 USD = 6.714 CNY,
- Fuel prices
- Cities
- Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu, Guilin, Guangzhou, Chongqing, and Zhangjiajie
- Page updated
What the labels mean
- Verified
- Checked against recent local sources.
- Estimate
- Based on related prices and not yet confirmed.
- Rough estimate
- Thin data. Treat it as a ballpark.
- Fair price
- What locals typically pay.
- Tourist-trap price
- What tourists are commonly charged in tourist areas.
- Markup
- The middle of the tourist-trap range divided by the middle of the fair range. 3.0× means three times the fair price.
- TruePrice Index
- Fair prices for all 29 items compared with the median of the 60 countries I track. 100 is the median, 50 means half the median price and 200 twice it.
How to cite
TruePrice Index, October 2026, truepriceapp.com/en/trueprice-index/
Spotted a price that looks off? Email me at contact@truepriceapp.com and I will check it.
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