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

Despite Rising Costs, Some Things are Still Comparatively Cheaper in China
Jul 28, 2014 By Danielle Martin , eChinacities.com

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.

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

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.

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Keywords: Cheaper in China cost of living in China

10 Comments

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carlyboy28

cleaners are also very cheap!!!!

Aug 03, 2014 13:44 Report Abuse

Guest2042074

interesting

Aug 02, 2014 00:25 Report Abuse

bill8899

May I suggest Mongolian BBQ! Good food does not cost 10rmb. Not here, not anywhere.

Jul 31, 2014 21:25 Report Abuse

Guest2368048

How cheap is it to buy a fake gold ring that costs less than RMB 2 at RMB 60? Very if the people you want face from are fools who can't tell the differences. But isn't it sad that's the kind of people whose face, or respect you want to buy from? Yet this is a 'natural thing' to do with many local Chinese. 'Strong and powerful' country!

Jul 28, 2014 15:02 Report Abuse

royceH

The beer's cheap. But it's piss. Overall, China isn't cheap at all.

Jul 28, 2014 11:51 Report Abuse

jace829

Haircuts can be cheap, but a lot of the salons are product-pushers. I know since I was pressured (and gave in...my fault I know) into spending thousands on a hair treatment program that I have yet to see any real results. Never again.

Jul 28, 2014 11:09 Report Abuse

xunliang

I don't agree with the haircut thing, not unless you actually want it cutting properly. If it's just a short back and sides or a straight forward shave it all off, then yeah, you can go to the crappiest little shop there is. But otherwise it's pretty expensive for China. Food, I agree. Eating out is a lot cheaper, and not just at little restaurants. Even more "expensive" restaurants are considerably cheaper than back home. But 10 RMB buffets? I know what you mean. You mean the dirty little shops where they cook everything in bulk and you pick a meat and two veg or whatever. Those are cheap, but it's for a reason. And look at the people who eat there. That's not my definition of a buffet either, because you can't go back for more. But the cinema? Unless you go in the morning or wait until the movie has been out a while, there's no way it's cheap. As far as I recall, it's usually more expensive than back home.

Jul 28, 2014 09:08 Report Abuse

mike695ca

Ohhhh i get it now! Thats not a buffet! Thats called fast food! Thanks for clearing that up cuz i was super confused haha

Jul 28, 2014 12:05 Report Abuse

carlstar

If i get my hair cut it is 8rmb. I agree with the comments about eating out. i just don't do it. not worth the risk to do so in china

Jul 28, 2014 08:37 Report Abuse

mike695ca

A buffet for 10rmb? Where? Even if i found one, id pay ten times that not to be stuck on the toilet for the following two days. Yuck.

Jul 28, 2014 00:54 Report Abuse