China is a massive country with thousands of years of history and incredibly diverse landscapes. As a student here for 2-4 years, you have a rare opportunity to explore it on weekends and during holidays. And you can do it cheaply. China’s transportation infrastructure is world-class, and student pricing makes it even more affordable.
Best time to travel
National holidays to avoid:
- Chinese New Year (January/February): 7-day holiday. Trains and flights are extremely crowded and expensive. Everyone travels home.
- National Day “Golden Week” (October 1-7): Tourist sites are overwhelmed. Prices spike.
- Labor Day (May 1-3): Similar surge but shorter.
Best times:
- Mid-September to mid-October (before National Day)
- November (autumn colors, fewer crowds)
- March to April (spring, pleasant weather)
- During your university’s winter or summer breaks (avoid the holiday peak days)
Getting around China
High-speed trains (recommended)
China’s high-speed rail network is the largest in the world and the best way to travel between cities.
- Beijing to Shanghai: 4.5 hours, ~550 CNY (second class)
- Chengdu to Xi’an: 3.5 hours, ~260 CNY
- Shanghai to Hangzhou: 1 hour, ~75 CNY
Student discount: Chinese university students get 50% discounts on train tickets for trips between their university and home address (as registered on their student card). International students qualify for this discount too, though implementation varies by university. Ask your international student office.
Booking: Use the 12306 app (China Railway’s official app) or Trip.com (English interface). Book 3-15 days in advance for best availability.
Tips:
- Second class seats are comfortable and significantly cheaper than first class
- Standing tickets exist for sold-out trains (avoid on long routes)
- Sleeper trains (hard sleeper or soft sleeper) are great for overnight journeys and save a hotel night
Flights (for long distances)
For routes over 6-7 hours by train, flying is sometimes cheaper and faster:
- Budget airlines like Spring Airlines and 9 Air offer domestic flights from 200-500 CNY
- Book through Trip.com, Qunar, or Fliggy
- Check-in luggage limits on budget airlines are strict (7-10 kg carry-on only for some)
Long-distance buses
Cheaper than trains but slower and less comfortable. Useful for reaching smaller towns not connected to the rail network.
Budget accommodation
Hostels
- Youth hostels cost 40-80 CNY/night for a dorm bed, 100-200 CNY for a private room
- Booking apps: Hostelworld, Trip.com, or Meituan
- Most hostels have common areas, kitchens, and laundry
- Quality varies widely. Check recent reviews
Budget hotels
- Chain hotels like Home Inn, Hanting, and 7 Days Inn cost 120-250 CNY/night
- Clean, consistent, and available in nearly every Chinese city
- Book through Meituan, Trip.com, or the hotel chain’s app
Staying with friends
International students often crash on each other’s dorm floors during visits. This is technically not allowed by dormitory rules, but it is common practice for short stays.
Top budget destinations
Close to most university cities
| Destination | Why Go | Getting There |
|---|---|---|
| Nearby ancient towns | Free or cheap entry, traditional architecture, local food | Bus or short train |
| National parks | Stunning nature, student ticket discounts (50% off) | Train + local bus |
| Historical cities (Xi’an, Nanjing, Luoyang) | Cultural sites, affordable food | High-speed rail |
Must-see destinations across China
The Great Wall (Beijing area): Multiple sections open to visitors. Mutianyu and Jinshanling are less crowded than Badaling. Access: 1-2 hours from Beijing city by bus.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (Hunan): The floating mountains that inspired Avatar. Student ticket discount available. 2-3 days recommended.
Guilin and Yangshuo (Guangxi): Karst mountains and the Li River. One of China’s most photographed landscapes. Budget traveler friendly.
Xi’an: Terracotta Warriors, ancient city wall, Muslim Quarter food street. One of the best food cities in China.
Chengdu: Giant pandas, hotpot, laid-back atmosphere. Mix of city life and nature nearby.
Yunnan Province (Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La): Incredible diversity of landscapes and ethnic cultures. Mild climate year-round. Popular with budget travelers.
Tibet (Lhasa): Requires a special travel permit for foreigners. Arrange through a licensed travel agency. Altitude sickness is real; acclimatize properly.
Budget tips from current scholars
- Travel with friends. Split accommodation and taxi costs. Group meals at restaurants are cheaper per person than eating alone.
- Eat where locals eat. Tourist-area restaurants charge 2-5x more than side-street noodle shops three blocks away.
- Use student ID everywhere. Museum, park, and scenic area tickets often have 50% student discounts. Carry your student card.
- Book trains in advance. Last-minute train tickets are often sold out, and resellers charge more.
- Pack snacks. Train station food is overpriced. Bring instant noodles, fruit, and water.
- Download offline maps. Baidu Maps works without internet and is more accurate for China than Google Maps.
Your university’s city and its surrounding region offer the cheapest and easiest travel options. Start locally before planning cross-country trips.
Travel budget estimate
For a 3-day weekend trip to a city within 2-4 hours by train:
| Expense | Budget (CNY) |
|---|---|
| Train (round trip, second class) | 200-500 |
| Hostel (2 nights) | 80-200 |
| Food (3 days) | 100-200 |
| Attractions | 50-150 |
| Local transport | 30-60 |
| Total | 460-1,110 |
This is roughly 1-2 weeks of stipend savings. Traveling every 2-3 months is realistic on a CSC budget if you plan ahead.
For daily transportation between campus, city center, and nearby areas, see our transportation guide covering metro systems, high-speed rail, and the apps that make it all work. Many of the same essential apps you use daily will save you money on travel too.
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