{"id":13548,"date":"2023-07-11T08:32:00","date_gmt":"2023-07-11T00:32:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/?p=13548"},"modified":"2023-07-12T09:40:00","modified_gmt":"2023-07-12T01:40:00","slug":"how-to-enjoy-beijing-on-a-budget","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/beijing-travel\/how-to-enjoy-beijing-on-a-budget","title":{"rendered":"How to Enjoy Beijing on a Budget"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Plan your Beijing tour<\/a>, the capital city of People’s Republic of China with its long history, vernacular and modern architecture, and dynamic culture is often your first stop to start your exploration of the ancient and mysterious China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like other big capital cities, Beijing is one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in and visit. But Beijing is also a wallet friendly city with great choices of cheap accommodations, countless free things to do and affordable way of transportation to use. So don\u2019t let worries about the cost of things put you off travelling Beijing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Beijing local residents we’ve collected some tips about what to see and do without breaking the bank \u2013 and more importantly what not to do. Here are our top 10 budget-friendly tips for visitors to the capital of China – Beijing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Beijing Airport Transfer by public transport<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When you arrive either at Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) or Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX), instead of depending on expensive Beijing airport taxis, you may use Beijing airport shuttle buses, airport subway or Beijing airport express trains.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Locating affordable accommodations<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Though Beijing is teemed with swanky hotels, finding a cheap and cozy hotels or inns\u00a0 are not difficult due to the\u00a0big choices of hostels, inns and cheap hotels. Where to stay in Beijing<\/a> is one of the questions in your mind. The first thing you should do is to decide which area you should stay in Beijing and then try to locate an affordable hotel in that area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our hostel picks are based on a great deal of internet data from real Beijing travelers\u00a0– Top 10 Beijing Hostels<\/a>; If you don’t want to spend lots of money on luxury accommodation, but still hope for a decent and comfy stay in Beijing while visiting Beijing, you may choose any of our top 10 picks – Top 10 Budget Hotels in Beijing<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3.Free admission in Beijing.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are loads of free things to do in Beijing. If you want to know more about these ideas, please check below our version of the top 10 free things to do in Beijing<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1) Tiananmen Square<\/strong>: Tiananmen Square<\/a> is located in the center of Beijing, 880 from north to south, 500 meters from east to west, covering an area of 44,0000 square meters. It can accommodate one million people for a grand assembly. Now it is the world\u2019s largest city square.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2) Chairman Memorial Hall<\/strong>: Chairman Mao Memorial Hall is to the south of the People\u2019s Heroes Monument in Tiananmen Square. Its construction began in 1976 and was completed in May 1977. It is 280 meters from north to south, 220 meters from east to west, over 57,000 square meters, total construction area of 28,000 square meters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3.)Qianmen Street:<\/strong> Qianmen Street<\/a> in Beijing is a showcase of Beijing\u2019s condensed culture and custom,. It has also saw the old Beijing\u2019profound change in various historical periods. Qianmen Street<\/a> each year attracts a large numbers of tourists from home and abroad, and plays an important role in sino foreign economic and cultural exchanges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4) Wangfujing Street:<\/strong> Wangfujing is nicknamed \u201cChina\u2019s first Street\u201d.  Wangfujing Street<\/a> is just more than 1,000 meters starting from the northern Xisi Street to the southern Chang\u2019an Street, but it is the famous \u201cFirst Street of China\u201d, also a must see visit place for tourists coming to  Beijing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5) Shichahai:<\/strong> Shichahai<\/a> refers to the Shichahai Lake Area which is composed of three lakes \u2013 Qianhai, Houhai and Xihai. Sometime local people also use \u201cHouhai\u201d to refer to Shichahai. If you lose interest in modern Beijing; if you feel sad about the fact that Beijing is becoming less like Beijing; if you want to sea a traditional Beijing; if you try to find a quiet place in the busy Beijing, come to<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6) Sanlitun Bar Street:<\/strong> Sanlitun Bar Street is one of the most \u201cprosperous\u201d entertainment street in Beijing nightlife. Foreigners living in Beijing as well as local big shots often frequent the bar street. Every glowing night, the street is teemed with people bustling, bright colors against the background of city noise and luxury..<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7) Hutong (narrow lane)<\/a>:<\/strong> Tourists in Beijing often ask a question \u201cwhere are Beijing\u2019s hutongs? Statistics shows that when the New China was founded, there were over 2,550 hutongs. Later due to the hutong name change as well as the economic and urban development, there has been much demolition and renovation of the existing hutongs, now Beijing has more than 4,000 hutongs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8) 798 Space<\/a>\uff1a <\/strong>or Factory 798<\/a>, is the Beijing \u201cGreenwich Village\u201d or \u201cSoHo\u201d, a part of Dashanzi in the Chaoyang District of Beijing that house a rich artist community. It is nestled in a 50-year old out of service military factory complex with a functional Bauhaus-influenced design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9.) Silk Street Market<\/strong>: The only world-renowned market, clearly marked on the world\u2019s top tourist map;  in the eyes of foreign tourists, on a par with the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Beijing roast duck \u2013 she is the Silk Street!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10) Panjiayuan Market<\/a>:<\/strong> Panjiayuan Flea Market, or Panjiayuan Market<\/a>, or Panjiayuan Antique Market, or whatever names you use, is a must for those who like something really Chinese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Travel Beijing by subway <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The metro network of Beijing is the fastest, punctual, reliable, economic means of transportation traveling in and around Beijing.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the major attractions in Beijing\u00a0are linked by subways. Before getting to Beijing, it is advisable to study the subway map of Beijing for a clear picture of Beijing and have a basic knowledge of how to take subway in Beijing<\/a> and see Tour Beijing by subway<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Join the local group tour<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Taking parting in a daily departure group tour can be money-saving and more sociable. Each morning, you will be picked up from your midtown hotel, then you will go visit the major attractions together with other tourists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Groups are kept to about 10 passengers in an air-conditioned coach or van with a professional Beijing chauffeur and a licensed Beijing English speaking tour guide on board who will pass on their knowledge of the sites that you visit on your bus tour, including facts, stories and local information. See Beijing group tour<\/a> for more details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Visiting the Great Wall of China by public transportation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Renting a car van to visit the Great Wall of China could be very costly.  Taking a public bus,  especially taking S Trains can be the ideal choice of getting to the Great Wall around Beijing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Badaling Great Wall is both accessible by S Trains departing from Beijing North Railway Station and Bus 877 from Deshengmen Bus Terminal. Mutianyu Great Wall can be reached by the public bus 867 and 916.\u00a0 See\u00a0 Tips for visiting the Great Wall of China <\/a>for more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Eating out and cheap eats<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Breakfast is usually included in your hotel room.\u00a0 But hotel lunches and dinners can be very expensive.\u00a0 There are loads of affordable restaurants and snack outlets in Beijing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoiding eating in a touristy area and try to locate a restaurant in a nearby community where local residents dine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Bargain shopping<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you are not interested in shopping at high-end\u00a0Beijing\u00a0shopping<\/a> malls<\/a>,\u00a0where everything seems to be overpriced at fixed prices, then why not\u00a0dig into\u00a0the plentiful free or flea markets where you can enjoy bargaining with the local vendors. See Top 10 Beijing markets<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Travel out of season<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Avoid traveling Beijing on China public holidays.  If possible, come to Beijing during off season when everything is cheaper – discounted hotels, entrance fees, flights and many more. In addition, the tourist crowds are gone so you can get into many sites hassle free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. Tourist Scams<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you are looking for something cheap or free sights in Beijing,\u00a0 you must be vigilent on possible tourist scams which are often disguised as “free lunch”.\u00a0\u00a0 These “free lunches” turn out to be “pits” that make you fall down.\u00a0 See Beijing top 10 tourist scams<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip: Hassle-free Beijing Guided Tours<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours,  here are some options for Beijing guided tours:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beijing Day Tour<\/a>
Beijing Tour Packages<\/a>
Beijing Winter Tour<\/a>
Beijing Autumn Tour<\/a>
Great Wall Tour<\/a>
Car Rental in Beijing<\/a>
Beijing Tours<\/a>
China City Tours<\/a>
China Tour<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Further Readings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Best Time to Visit Beijing<\/a>
How to plan a trip to Beijing<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top 10 Attractions in Beijing<\/a>
How to Visit Forbidden City<\/a>
How to Visit Temple of Heaven<\/a>
How to Visit Summer Palace<\/a>
How to Visit Ming Tombs<\/a>
How to Visit the Great Wall of China<\/a>
How to Visit Tiananmen Square<\/a>
How to Visit Hutongs<\/a>
How to Visit Olympic Sites<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top 10 Markets in Beijing<\/a>
Top 10 Shopping Malls in Beijing<\/a>
Beijing Shopping<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wangfujing Walking Street<\/a>
Qianmen Commercial Street<\/a>
Gui Jie ( Ghost Street) Food Street<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Any questions, just drop a line.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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