China on a budget

Cheapest months to go

Peak is April, May, September, October. The weeks either side of that window usually carry most of the weather with much less of the price.

Getting around for less

Realistic options in China:

• High-speed rail is the default for intercity travel — the world's largest such network, and usually faster than flying between eastern cities
• Domestic flights make sense for the far west, Tibet, Yunnan and Hainan
• Major cities have extensive, cheap and signposted metro systems
• Ride-hailing and mobile payment apps replace cash almost everywhere — set them up before arrival
• Passports are required to buy rail tickets and enter stations, and for hotel check-in

Where to base yourself

Fewer bases means fewer paid transfers. Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an cover a lot between them.