Hotels in China

Hotels in China: your guide to where to stay

How much does a hotel in China cost?

The price depends on the standard, the city and the dates. The table shows indicative nightly rates for a double room. The cheapest month is usually September, while December is the priciest. Booking ahead usually brings better rates.

Indicative rates, updated periodically. For exact prices and availability, select your dates in the search above.

Where to stay in China: most popular cities

China splits into coastal metropolises, imperial cities and southern hubs. These are the destinations travellers choose most often:

• Shanghai. The most searched city and also the most expensive. A modern metropolis on the Huangpu River with the widest choice of hotels.
• Beijing. The capital and the heart of old China, a base for the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. A wide choice in every class.
• Guangzhou. A major trade hub in the south, with good connections and hotels in every standard.
• Xi'an. The city of the Terracotta Army and a former capital, a popular stop on the history route.
• Fuzhou. A city in the south-east, the cheapest stays among the popular destinations.

Nightly rates vary between cities. Here are indicative prices per night for a double room:

What to see in China

China combines imperial monuments, nature and modern cities, so it is easy to match a trip to the region.

• The Great Wall. Over two thousand years of history, with Badaling near Beijing the most visited section.
• The Forbidden City. The palace of the emperors in the heart of Beijing, from the Ming to the Qing dynasty. Entry needs to be booked ahead.
• The Terracotta Army. Thousands of clay soldiers near Xi'an, guarding the tomb of the first emperor.
• A Yangtze cruise. The Three Gorges is one of the most scenic stretches of the river.
• Nature. Tiger Leaping Gorge in Yunnan and rural trails in the south for those after peace and quiet.

How much does a trip to China cost

Beyond the room, daily costs are moderate. A meal at a local restaurant is about CNY 25 (approx. USD 3.50) and a meal for two at a mid-range place about CNY 125 (approx. USD 18). A public transport ticket starts at a few yuan. Foreign cards are mainly taken by big hotels and better shops, while cash and local apps are the norm elsewhere.

When is the best time to visit China

Spring (April, May) and autumn (September, October) have the most pleasant weather and are good for sightseeing. September tends to be the cheapest month for stays and December the most expensive. It is worth avoiding the national holiday in early October and the Lunar New Year, when the whole country travels and prices rise.

Getting to and around China

International flights use the large airports: Beijing (Capital and Daxing), Guangzhou Baiyun, Shanghai and Chengdu. Within the country, the extensive and punctual rail network is the most convenient option, including high-speed trains linking the main cities, for example Shanghai with Beijing. Big cities have a metro, buses and suburban trains, with cheap tickets. Entry requires a visa, and a passport valid for at least six months.

Example hotels in China

A few recognisable properties from different cities for reference:

• Mandarin Oriental Pudong and The Portman Ritz-Carlton in Shanghai (from approx. CNY 1,300).
• Sunworld Dynasty Hotel and Regent Beijing in Beijing (from approx. CNY 800).
• The Westin Guangzhou and White Swan Hotel in Guangzhou (from approx. CNY 650).