Many people resist the urge to go half way (or all the way) around the planet to visit China out of worry that the trip might break their back, or they think to themselves “Why would I travel around the world just to be poor?” – and it doesn’t get any more naïve than that.
I’m not going to preach on the values of travel, or the philosophical definition of what rich really is — or should be. Instead I’m just going to lay down some of the best cheap China tours 2016 travel tips I know of for those who get it. After all, the more people who think traveling on a budget is a bad idea, the shorter the lines for my bone soup.
1. Eat street food. Why is it that so many people go to another country to experience the culture and then hide out in expensive Western palaces and eat Western foods? When you eat at McDonalds, it sure had better be about nostalgia!
2. Spend less time in crowded cities. Yes, you must go and see the main attractions. That means spending time in Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai. However, you’ll get more bang for your buck (and a more authentic Chinese travel experience) if you take your chance on rural areas. “Rural” is definitely something different in Asia from what it is back home.
3. Don’t fly. Flights are great if you’re in a hurry to get someplace but if you’re on a vacation or just backpacking around, may I suggest a train? Taking a railway through China can deliver some of the most rewarding scenery you’ve ever laid eyes on. Throw in a handful of epic sunsets and sunrises, and you’ll be glad you bought a train ticket over a flight, any day. To save additional money you can also travel overnight and you’ll just even more out of your travel expenses (and you save on lodging for the night).
4. Water bottle refilling stations. If you find a reverse-osmosis water bottle refilling station, stock up and save around a dollar per bottle of water.
5. Rent a motorbike. If you find you take a lot of taxis and you’re feeling brave or you’ve been around the block, so to speak, then rent a bike and save money by not taking taxi’s around town.
6. Wear colored clothing. It’s hot out and you’re probably terrible with chopsticks. Enough said. Wear darker clothing to hide your food faux pas and other misdeeds. You’ll feel less like a slob, and no one will be the wiser.
7. Air Asia ASEAN pass. Air Asia has a prepaid ticket option called the “ASEAN Pass.” Travelling with one of these can shave a few hundos off your travel budget.
8. Haggle. After nicely asking the price on an object, come back with a reasonable counter offer. You’d be surprised how many go for it after some eye contact and sizing one another up. Keep it playful, but not too playful. Turn the gaze serious at the right time and you’ll be surprized you ever paid full price for anything you’ve ever purchased before.
9. Live like a local. Staying a little longer? Trade the hotel for a guest house or a hostel, eat at places with no English on the menu, and take apartments that aren’t the Ritz. It’s liberating, and doesn’t suck. Trust me.
10. Geo-arbitrage. Make money in your home country online, travel forever. Pure and simple! A lot of travel bloggers will make it seem harder than it really is, but the truth is, it’s never been easier. All you need is an escape plan!
