My recommended budget hotels in China (what I actually book and why)

I often get asked the same question in The Helpful Panda community on Facebook: “What hotel do you recommend in [insert Chinese city]?”

This article is my attempt to answer that honestly, without pretending I’ve stayed in dozens of hotels in every city in China – because I haven’t.

What this guide is (and isn’t)

This guide is based on hotels in the major cities that I’ve personally stayed in and would book again.

Further down, I also include hotel chains that you’ll find across the country that are consistently good for budget travelers in China.

So, if you’re looking for reliable, foreigner-friendly budget hotels rather than 5-star luxury, this guide is for you.

Note that some links are affiliate links. I only recommend hotels I book myself and consistently recommend in the community.

Beijing – Budget hotel I recommend

Hotel name: Beijing Zhong’an Hotel

I love this hotel’s retro courtyard. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.

Why I recommend it:

What first drew my attention to this hotel is the kitsch, communist-era external facade. But there’s much more to this hidden gem than the retro-style design.

• 8-minute walk to the subway
• Central location – only a few subway stops to major attractions
• Naturally helpful, friendly, English-speaking staff (a rare combo in China)
• Caters almost entirely to foreigners
• Great buffet breakfast, courtyard and free laundry

Good fit if you:

• Want a clean and functional hotel near the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square
• Are looking for a hotel located in a Hutong (traditional back alley)
• Are on your first trip in China and you can’t speak Chinese
• Like the idea of getting to Capital Airport in 30 minutes via subway
• Enjoy free late-night snacks

Probably not ideal if you:

• Want a big room
• Need an elevator
• Expect your Great Wall tour coach to pick you up out the front (the alley is narrow)

What I’d do differently next time:

• Not wash and dry my clothes hours before my flight – the dryers are slow

I’ve stayed at the Beijing Zhong’an Hotel a couple of times.

I’ve even stayed in one of their windowless rooms! This will save you even more money, but the room does get stuffy in summer so I’d only recommend windowless for a short trip where you know you’ll be out sightseeing all day.

If I were booking a budget hotel in Beijing tomorrow, this is the one I’d choose.

Looking for something different? Search for another budget Beijing hotel here.

Shanghai – Budget hotel I recommend

Hotel name: Atour Hotel (Shanghai New International Expo Center Maglev Station)

Look how clean the common laundry is. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.

Why I recommend it:

I’ve stayed in the heart of Shanghai before many times and I don’t like it – big-box stores, average food and huge crowds just ain’t my thing.

This hotel is a bit further out, yet it’s still really accessible via subway and it’s where the Maglev goes direct to the international airport.

• Best buffet breakfast I’ve ever had in China
• Spotless, big rooms
• Free laundry facilities
• Out of the way yet easily accessible via subway
• Subway station attached to a local shopping center with great food options

Good fit if you:

• Like staying in an immaculate room
• Want a direct trip to the airport via Maglev (magnetic levitation train) – or go via subway without changing lines
• Are looking for an affordable hotel on the Pudong side of Shanghai where the biggest skyscrapers are located
• Like smaller, relaxed hotels

Probably not ideal if you:

• Want a hotel near the main strip, Nanjing Road
• Want a room with a view of the Shanghai skyline

What I’d do differently next time:

• Fill up on the amazing breakfast every day, then just have a snack for lunch

In summary, I love this hotel as it’s really quiet, in a part of Shanghai that’s equally as quiet.

When you’re ready for hustle and bustle, walk just a few minutes to Longyang Road Subway Station, and get one of the numerous connecting subway lines to practically anywhere.

If I were booking a budget hotel in Shanghai tomorrow, this is the one I’d choose.

Looking for something more central? I’ve stayed at Pacific Hotel a few times and loved it.

Even though the decor is a bit dated, it has that grand old hotel feeling and an amazing location overlooking People’s Square.

Alternatively, you can search for another budget Shanghai hotel here.

Xi’an – Budget hotel I recommend

Hotel name: Han Tang Inn

One of the areas you can chill out in at the Han Tang Inn. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.

Why I recommend it:

The location is insanely good and the staff are outstanding. I love the relaxed feel about the place.

Technically, this is a mixed accommodation – most rooms are private but there are a handful of dorm-style beds if you’re on a shoestring budget.

• Located in old Xi’an – walking distance to major attractions
• A few minutes’ walk to the subway station
• Friendliest and most helpful staff I’ve ever encountered in China
• Modern Asian-style room décor
• Immaculately clean

Good fit if you:

• Want to stay in a tucked away alley in the heart of town
• Want to stay somewhere that is rated extremely highly by travelers
• Need help with tours (in English) or anything else
• Enjoy free coffee and snacks

Probably not ideal if you:

• Want a massive room
• Require a hotel gym or fancy room service

What I’d do differently next time:

• Stay here longer – legit!

I love, love, love this place.

When China was shut off to the rest of the world for about three years (due to Covid travel restrictions), the Hantang Inn had to change from being a backpackers’ hostel aimed purely at foreigners to an ‘inn’ for local Chinese and then foreigners.

If you don’t like the sound of this place, I also recommend Xingzhengyuan International Hotel.

It’s cheap, the rooms are dated but big, and you can’t beat the central location right near the Bell Tower.

Otherwise, search for another budget Xi’an hotel here.

Shenzhen – Budget hotel I recommend

Hotel name: Cheermay Hotel (Shenzhen Bao’an Stadium Xixiang Subway Station)

This hotel is very close to the airport for a quick getaway. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.

Why I recommend it:

There are so many hotels in Shenzhen, and the Cheermay is just one I recommend. It’s cheap and cheerful (sorry, I had to do that) and it’s super-close to the airport. I love a quick getaway!

• Clean and simple room
• Opposite Walmart, Starbucks and fruit shops
• Short subway trip to mountains for hiking
• One subway stop to the airport

Good fit if you:

• Prefer a quieter neighborhood that still has everything
• Want to stay relatively close to Nanshan District for attractions like Shekou and Sea World (note: this is not the Sea World you’re thinking of)
• Like the idea of being walking distance to two different Subway lines

Probably not ideal if you:

• Want to stay in downtown Shenzhen (Futian District)
• Are arriving or departing by high-speed train

What I’d do differently next time:

• Spend more time here – there’s surprisingly a lot to do in Shenzhen considering it’s a new city

Shenzhen is so big and sprawling that there are multiple districts, each offering different things.

If I were to book a hotel that is a stone’s throw from Shenzhen International Airport – yet far enough from the airport that you’re very much within the city – this is the hotel I’d choose.

Looking for something different? Search for another budget Shenzhen hotel here.

Hong Kong – Budget hotel I recommend

Hotel name: Best Western Plus

The superior room has its own separate lounge room. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.

Why I recommend it:

Unless you’re happy sleeping in a coffin, Hong Kong hotels don’t come cheap. I recommend the Best Western because it’s one of the few hotels on Hong Kong Island that won’t send you broke.

• Spacious rooms – a rarity in HK
• Close to the subway
• Located on Hong Kong Island (better than Kowloon, in my opinion)
• Walking distance to the Macau Fast Ferry Pier
• Close to all the big stores in Central

Good fit if you:

• Want a great location
• Want to jump on a ferry or famous Hong Kong tram, known as Ding Dings
• Need subway access to anywhere

Probably not ideal if you:

• Want to meet foreigners (the hotel caters mostly to mainland Chinese)
• Prefer modern furnishings

What I’d do differently next time:

• Spend more time outside in natural areas – this is hard in central HK though

If I’m being honest, Hong Kong is one of my least favorite places to visit in China, even though I’ve been here many times.

I think I just prefer the craziness of mainland China – even the yelling and spitting in small doses! Hong Kong is so, well, orderly and ‘normal’.

But if I were to book a hotel in HK tomorrow, this is the one I’d go for.

Looking for something different? Search for another budget Hong Kong hotel here.

Nanjing – Budget hotel I recommend

Hotel name: Shangmao International Hotel

I love the awesome views while you’re eating the buffet breakfast. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.

Why I recommend it:

The Shangmao is probably the fanciest hotel on this list, but without being over the top.

It’s still in a budget price range and the location is super good – you’re literally staying above a labyrinth of underground shopping centers with great food options from cheap desserts to hot pot restaurants.

• Amazing buffet breakfast with views over Nanjing
• Direct subway access to Lines 1 and 2
• Surrounded by restaurants and shops
• Friendly housekeeping staff

Good fit if you:

• Like the idea of rolling out of bed straight into a shopping center
• Want quick access to the subway to see attractions like the City Wall
• Are looking for a nice but no-nonsense hotel

Probably not ideal if you:

• Are on a very tight budget
• Want a balcony or any kind of outdoor area
• Have lots of luggage and you’re arriving via train (there are stairs in the underground)

What I’d do differently next time:

• Explore more of the surrounding streets and alleys for food (but the underground shopping center food is so good and plentiful)

I really couldn’t fault this hotel. I had a fancy bath tub in my room when I stayed here last. I didn’t use it, but it was nice to look at!

If I were booking an affordable hotel in Nanjing tomorrow, this is the one I’d choose.

Looking for something different? Search for another cheap Nanjing hotel here.

Xiamen – Budget hotel I recommend

Hotel name: JI Hotel (Xiamen Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street Siming South Road)

View from the balcony (the muggy sky doesn’t do it justice). Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.

Why I recommend it:

The JI is in the middle of town but without that oppressive feeling of being in a hot, built-up city.

I think that’s because the sea and mountains are within walking distance, and there’s a village feel to the surrounding stores and buildings.

• Modern, simple and clean
• Great food and shops at your doorstep
• Rare opportunity to get a decent sized balcony in a Chinese hotel
• About 300 m (1,000 ft) from the nearest Metro station
• Efficient front-desk staff

Good fit if you:

• Want to stay on Zhongshan Road
• Want to stay near the cruise ships
• Enjoy staying in a relaxed yet nice place
• Are arriving or departing from Xiamen Railway Station as it’s just 5 km (3 miles) away

Probably not ideal if you:

• Need a totally soundproofed room
• Want to stay very close to the Fujian Tulou

What I’d do differently next time:

• Try the hotel breakfast

The entrance to this hotel is a bit hidden, so it might be easy to miss at first. Take the lift up to Reception on the fourth floor.

I recommend booking a room with a balcony. It’s quite large and it’s nice to sit out there with a drink in your hand after a day of touring.

If I were booking an affordable hotel in Xiamen tomorrow, this is the one I’d choose.

Looking for something different? Search for another cheap Xiamen hotel here.

Your city isn’t on this list?

If you’re staying in a city that I haven’t covered off, you could try one of these Chinese hotel chains:

• Atour
• JI
• Homeinn
• Jinjiang
• Cheermay

These are the brands I often default to and recommend in The Helpful Panda community.

They’re usually modern yet simple, clean, in good locations, and they won’t break the bank.

(You can search for them all on Trip, the site I recommend for China as it’s by far the most comprehensive.)

Of course, there are cheaper hotels, but they can be nasty and I wouldn’t recommend them.

So there you have it, folks – my top budget hotel picks for China in 2026. I hope I’ve been able to help!

Any questions or hotel suggestions of your own? Please leave a comment below, or jump onto my China Travel Planning Group on Facebook. I reply to every question.

FAQ about cheap hotels in China