Teaching In China: How Much Will You Cost When Travelling In China

Cost is an important factor that must be considered for travel. Many bloggers on the Internet will tell you that travel is a big bonus for teaching in China. Of course there is nothing wrong with this. But what about the cost of traveling in China? Can your salary cover your travel expenses?

If  you don't have engouh budget for travel, you migh teaching English online while travelling to earn some money as travel costs. 

During the Spring Festival, I chose to travel to Luohe (located in Henan Province), Shanghai and Xi'an (located in Shaanxi Province). This is my travel bill. 

Travel prices and transportation

• Nanyang (located in Henan Province) --- Shanghai

Train ticket: 175 RMB

Duration: 15 hours

• Shanghai

Hotel: 368 RMB/night * 2 =736 RMB

• Shanghai --- Luohe

Train ticket: 78 RMB

Duration: 4 hours

• Luohe

Hotel: 150 RMB/night *2 = 300 RMB

• Luohe --- Xi'an

Train ticket: 156 RMB

Duration: 8.5 hours

• Xi'an

Hotel: 198 RMB/night *3 = 594 RMB

Total: 175 + 736 + 78 +300 + 156 + 594 = 2039 RMB (approximately USD 295)

Food and sightseeing cost

• When traveling in Shanghai, most of the expenses are spent on tourist attractions, and I stayed there for 2 days.

Disneyland: 470 RMB (ticket) + 245 RMB (souvenir)=715 RMB

Food cost: 15 RMB (breakfast) + 120 RMB (lunch) + 158 RMB (dinner) = 293 RMB *2 = 586 RMB

Transportation cost: 6 RMB (Metro) * 3 + 50 RMB (Taxi) + 10 RMB (Tram) = 78 RMB

Total: 715 + 286 + 78 = 1379 RMB

• The price level in Luohe is much lower than in Shanghai, and I stayed there for two days.

Tourist attractions: 50 RMB (ticket) + 20 RMB (souvenir) = 70 RMB

Food cost: 8 RMB (breakfast) + 32 RMB (lunch) + 45 RMB (dinner) = 85 RMB *2 = 170 RMB (approximately)

(Specially recommend the snack street in Luohe, the food is very cheap (about 10 RMB) and delicious!)

Transportation cost: 2 RMB (bus)*4 +20 RMB (taxi)=28 RMB

Total: 70 + 170 + 28 = 268 RMB

• As a famous tourist city in China, Xi'an is cheaper than Shanghai, but more expensive than Luohe. I stayed in Xi'an for 3 days.

Tourist attractions: 120 RMB (Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum) + 40 RMB (Dayan Pagoda) + 95 RMB (Daming Palace) = 255 RMB

(There are some tourist attractions that do not need to buy tickets, such as Xingjiao Temple Pagoda)

Food cost: 10 RMB (breakfast) + 75 RMB (lunch) + 135 RMB (dinner) = 220 RMB * 3 =660 RMB

Transportation cost: 2 RMB (bus)*4 + 45 RMB (taxi) + 8 RMB (metro)*2 =69 RMB

Total: 255 + 660 + 69 =984 RMB

All: 1379 + 268 + 984 = 2631 RMB (about USD 380)

USD 295 + 380 = USD 675

Compared to traveling in Europe, traveling in China costs much less. For only about US$675, I spent seven days traveling in three famous tourist cities in China! Looking for a teaching job in China, you will get 15000 RMB-25000 RMB (US$2170-3616) for a month, so your salary is definitely enough to cover your travel expenses! Just come and have some fun!