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Despite Rising Costs, Some Things are Still Comparatively Cheaper in China

There is a long held belief that China is far cheaper to live in than the West. Whilst this can be true if you live frugally and in the same manner as Chinese people, then yes – China is cheap. But factor in home comforts and the neccessities to live a Western lifestyle and China becomes a pretty expensive place to live. In fact, many things from iPads to Starbucks, are more expensive here than elsewhere in the world. Even clothing is 70% more expensive for consumers in China than in the US, according to the Wall Street Journal. However,  despite rising costs of living in China, there are still plenty of affordable perks worth taking advantage of.


1) Manicures/pedicures
If you fancy treating yourself, why not pop out and get a manicure? With an abundance of nail salons, China is hot when it comes to beauty and maintenance regimes. Look at any girl’s hands and feet, and sure enough there will be an assortment of colours and patterns on display since manicures and pedicures are so cheap and convenient. Many Chinese girls will pay weekly visits to have their treatments maintained or changed to a fresh set. So how much does the average mani/pedi cost? Basic file and polish treatments can be as low as 20 RMB but the prices increase accordingly: choosing something like semi-permanent nails which don’t chip (known as Shellac nails in the west) will cost 60 RMB and upwards. Nail treatments usually include soaking, buffing and filing before the final polish. 

2) Massages
At home, standalone massage parlours aren’t a common sight. In China it’s usual to see maybe one on each block, sometimes more. Massages – in the UK especially – normally take place in a spa setting and are far from cheap. In China, massages at upmarket locations can range from 60 RMB if you have a discount code to 300 RMB an upwards for an hour. Prices obviously vary from city to city, but generally speaking they are an affordable luxury compared to the prices in the West. Often, they include a shower in the room to freshen up before the massage, and the types offered range from relaxing oil massages to traditional Chinese acupressure massages.

3) Haircuts
If your Mandarin is a little sketchy, then going for a haircut can be a traumatic event since you have no idea if you’re going to leave the salon with any hair still attached to your head. But compared to prices in the West, you can get a really nice style for an absolute steal. You can even go in for just a wash and blow dry for around 10-15 RMB.

Prices average between 35-70 RMB for a wash, cut and blow dry and vary depending on where you go and who cuts your hair, be it a junior or senior stylist. Prices in the big cities like Beijing and Shanghai are higher but still very affordable. A wash, cut and blow dry at  a global hairdressing brand like Toni & Guy, will set you back around 180 RMB (depending on location and level of stylist). This is a bargain compared to say, the UK, where prices for the same can actually be double.

4) Public transport
Starting at an average 11 RMB (cheaper on the outskirts but again more expensive in the likes of Beijing or Shanghai) taxis are a convenient if not infuriating (Chinese traffic, anyone?) way of getting across the city. For example a 10km journey costs approximately 30RMB. I challenge anybody to take a taxi that far in the West for the same price! If you venture out using the subway, the price decreases even further ranging from 3-9 RMB to get across the entire city. Doing this in say, London is impossible. According to www.tfl.gov.uk the base fare for a full-paying adult to travel inside one zone in the city is £4.70. That equates to 47 RMB. Almost a 1200% mark–up. Taking the bus in China is even cheaper still at 1-2 RMB. In England, a one-way journey on an inner-city bus is £2 or 20 RMB.

5) Eating out
Looking for somewhere to grab lunch or dinner on the run? You’re in luck: this is a very cheap affair with plenty of choice. There are literally hundreds of Chinese restaurants dotted around cities small and large, most of them sitting side by side in competition. Walking down just one block will normally ensure that you have a plethora to choose from. Restaurants with menus tend to provide a full meal for between 12–20 RMB whilst buffet style restaurants tend to be a little cheaper at 10-15 RMB.

What if it’s late and most places are closed? Never fear: street noodles are a plausible answer. These small carts or shacks roll up to the corner of a big junction after hours to peddle their wares, providing tables and chairs to customers who’d like to sit and watch the world go by. Here you can get noodles, vegetables, kebab or rice, depending on what the vendor has to offer for anything from 5-10 RMB. And of course, China is home to countless 24-hour restaurants serving affordable grub at all hours of the day and night.

6) Cinema
Fancy catching the latest movie? Generally speaking, cinema tickets in China are comparatively expensive, with many upmarket movie theatres charging upwards of 100 RMB per screening. But excellent deals are available for those in the know. The best time to go is on Tuesdays since it is half price in most venues with tickets starting at 35 RMB (may vary from city to city but most cinemas have at least one discount deal per week). Other venues offer membership cards that offer uo to 75% off cinema tickets – a deal worth taking advantage of if you’re a frequent cinema goer.

7) Gas and water bills
Gas and water in China are astonishingly cheap and are usually fixed price. If your apartment is fitted with gas, this will be metred and the metre reader will come to scan the barcode every couple of months and give you a bill, which is to be taken to a nominated bank (your landlord will know) or local community centre. The gas bill is around 12 RMB bi-monthly. Water is often paid annually as a one-off payment, although your landlord may request that you pay him/her each month. This can be as low as 200-300 RMB for the year, depending on the rates where you live.
The same can’t be said for electricity however. This is by far more expensive and at certain times of the year (using a/c in summer and winter) can be on a par with Western electricity prices. 

8) Getting clothes made
If you have a unique style or are looking for something a bit different that nobody else will have, then why not consider going to a tailor? For example, Shanghai has tailor markets which comprise rows and rows of booths across three or four floors representing individual tailors. You can choose from the fabric they have available and they will make anything you like from a magazine photo, a sketch of yours or from samples they have on display. They will take your measurements, you leave a deposit and it will be ready in a week or two. While prices vary greatly, suits can be tailor made for as little as 800 RMB and women’s dresses for as low as 300 RMB.