Jing Song
What's inside
I've been leading tours in Beijing for over eight years. First thing: forget the idea that Beijing is crazy expensive. Yes, you can drop $200 on a Peking duck dinner if you want to, but I've also helped travelers explore the city's core for under $40 a day — including entry to the Forbidden City. The trick is knowing where the markups hide.
Here is the hard truth: most online guides are written by people who've never actually bought a metro card or haggled at a street market. They'll tell you to take the Hop-On Hop-Off bus (waste of money) or eat at tourist mall food courts (overpriced and bland). I'm going to show you exactly how I stretch every yuan.
When to visit on a budget
Timing directly affects your wallet. Avoid the May Day holiday (May 1-5) and National Day (Oct 1-7) at all costs. Hotel prices triple, and tickets for major sites sell out days in advance. The sweet spot? Mid-October to late November — the autumn colors are stunning, crowds thin out, and room rates drop by 40%. Also try early March before the cherry blossom craziness begins.
Getting there and around cheaply
From the airport to the city
Don't take a taxi from Beijing Capital Airport (PEK). The Airport Express train costs ¥25 ($3.50) and takes about 30 minutes to Dongzhimen station. From there, hop on the subway to your hotel. If you're landing at Daxing Airport (PKX), take the Daxing Airport Express (¥35) to Caoqiao, then transfer. A taxi from either airport will easily hit ¥150-200, and you'll likely sit in traffic.
Getting around the city
The Beijing subway is your best friend. A single ride costs ¥3-9 depending on distance. Get a Yikatong card — you can buy one at any station kiosk for ¥20 deposit (refundable) and load it with cash. It works on buses too (buses are ¥1-2 per ride). I always tell my clients to load ¥100 initially; it lasts 4-5 days if you stick to subway. Taxis are cheap if you share: a typical 5km ride costs ¥15-20, but avoid rush hour (8-9am, 5-7pm) when traffic is a nightmare.
Budget accommodation picks
Here are three hotels I've personally inspected (and stayed at) that offer great value for money:
| Hotel | Location | Price per night (low season) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 365 Inn (Beijing Hutong) | Dongcheng District, near Nanluoguxiang | ¥120-180 ($17-25) | Clean dorm rooms, free Wi-Fi, English-speaking staff, luggage storage. A 5-minute walk to the subway. |
| Zhongan Inn (Wangfujing) | Wangfujing street, walking distance to Forbidden City | ¥200-280 ($28-39) | Private rooms with bathroom, basic but central. No elevator — be ready to carry bags up 3 floors. But the location saves you subway fare. |
| Downtown Backpackers (Gulou) | Near Drum Tower, close to Houhai Lake | ¥80-110 ($11-15) dorm / ¥250 private | Popular with backpackers, has a common area to meet travelers. They accept WeChat Pay only — bring cash or pay via international credit card on booking.com. |
Important warning: Many cheap hotels don't accept foreigners because they lack the proper license to register overseas guests. Always book through a platform like Booking.com or Hostelworld, which filters out non-compliant places. I've had clients show up at a ¥100/night hotel only to be turned away — avoid that hassle.
Free and cheap attractions
Yes, Beijing has plenty of free things to do. Let me break down the ones that are actually worth your time:
Must-see (but expensive): the Forbidden City
Entry costs ¥60 ($8.30) in low season, ¥80 ($11) in high season. You must book online on the official WeChat mini-program at least 7 days in advance during peak times. I've seen dozens of tourists turned away at the gate because they didn't know this. Students under 18 get half price. Seniors over 60 get free entry. Pro tip: arrive at 8:30am when it opens — that's the best time to get photos without the crowds. The ticket gives you access to the outer court only; the inner Treasures Gallery costs an additional ¥10, but skip it if you're on a tight budget — the main halls are more than enough.
Free urban parks (all free): Jingshan Park, Beihai Park, Temple of Heaven Park
Well, almost free — Jingshan Park costs ¥2 ($0.28) and offers the best panoramic view of the Forbidden City from the top of the hill. Beihai Park is ¥10 in summer, but I often tell my budget travelers to skip it and go to Jingshan instead. Temple of Heaven Park entry is ¥15 for the park, but you can sometimes get in for free before 6am — that's when locals practice tai chi and the gates are still open without ticket check. I've done this many times; just walk in like you belong.
The 798 Art District
No entry fee for the main area. Free galleries, street art, and plenty of photo ops. Some special exhibitions charge ¥20-50, but you don't need them to enjoy the vibe. I recommend going on a weekday — it's less crowded, and you can explore without feeling rushed.
Hutongs (old alleyways)
Free to wander. Start at Nanluoguxiang (it's touristy but gives you a taste), then turn into the narrower side lanes — I love the hutong near Guozijian Street. There's a small Confucius Temple nearby (entry ¥30) that's worth it if you're interested, but the hutongs themselves are free. I always tell my groups to bring a bottle of water because finding a cheap shop inside the maze is tricky.
Eating on a budget
Street food and local eateries are your best bet. Here's what I eat regularly:
| Dish | Where to get it (address) | Price | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jianbing (savory crepe) | Any street stall — I like the one at the corner of Dongsi Shitiao and Chaoyangmen Nei | ¥8-12 ($1.10-1.70) | Made fresh in front of you. Very filling for breakfast, will hold you until lunch. |
| Peking duck (budget version) | Liqun Roast Duck (No.11 Beixiangfeng, Qianmen) — a tiny hole-in-the-wall famous for authentic duck | ¥99 per duck ($14), serves two people | I always take my budget groups here. It's not the fancy Quanjude, but the duck is just as good and costs half. Be prepared to queue for 30 minutes at lunch. |
| Zhajiangmian (noodles with bean sauce) | Fangzhuanchang 69 Noodle Bar, Dongcheng District | ¥18 ($2.50) | I recommend the classic version. The sauce is salty and savory — add fresh cucumber shreds for crunch. They have an English menu with pictures. |
| Yangrou chuan (lamb skewers) | Ghost Street (Guijie) near Dongzhimen — try the stall opposite the Jishan complex | ¥10 each ($1.40) | Best eaten at night. Spicy cumin flavor. Cash only — bring small bills. |
Heads up about payment: Most small eateries only accept WeChat Pay or Alipay. If you haven't set up a Chinese mobile payment account, keep ¥100-200 in cash for street food. Also download the app "Dianping" — it's like a Chinese Yelp, and you can find cheap restaurants nearby with real reviews. The interface is in Chinese, but just search for the dish name in English and copy it into the app using Google Translate.
Sample 3-day budget itinerary
Let me walk you through a realistic plan that I've used with dozens of travelers:
Day 1: Central Beijing (Forbidden City + Jingshan)
- 8:30am: Enter the Forbidden City from the south gate (Wumen). Spend 2.5-3 hours exploring the main halls. Bring your own water.
- 12:00pm: Walk out from the north gate, cross the street, and climb Jingshan Park (¥2). Spend 30 minutes at the top for the iconic view.
- 1:00pm: Grab a cheap lunch at a noodle shop near Jingshan West Gate — I recommend the homemade biangbiang noodles for ¥15.
- 2:30pm: Walk south through the hutongs to Nanluoguxiang. Explore free art galleries and boutique shops.
- Evening: Dinner at Ghost Street — try the lamb skewers and a cold beer at a street stall. Budget around ¥40.
Day 2: The Great Wall (budget version)
Don't take a private tour — it'll cost $50-100. Instead, take public bus 877 from Deshengmen (north of Jishuitan subway station). The bus leaves at 6:30-7am and goes directly to Badaling Great Wall. Cost: ¥12 ($1.70) one way. Entrance fee: ¥40 ($5.60). Total cost for the day: around ¥100 ($14) including a packed lunch. Return bus leaves every 30 minutes, last bus at 4pm. I've done this trip dozens of times — it's straightforward. But arrive at Deshengmen before 7am because the queue gets long.
Day 3: Temple of Heaven + 798 Art District
- 7:00am: Walk into Temple of Heaven Park for free before ticket check starts at 8am. Watch locals practice calligraphy on the ground and play Chinese chess.
- 9:00am: If you want to enter the main temple, buy a ticket at the gate (¥15). It's a quick 10-minute walk from the park entrance.
- 11:00am: Take subway Line 5 to Pingguoyuan, then transfer to line 14 to Wangjing South, and then to 798. (Be prepared for a 45-minute ride.)
- 12:30pm: Explore 798 Art District for free. Lunch at a noodle shop inside the area costs around ¥25.
- 3:00pm: Head back to your hotel to pick up luggage.
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