Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Shenzhen

Accommodation

$12-35 per night

Dorm beds in hostels, budget guesthouses, shared rooms in local neighborhoods

Food & Dining

$8-20 per day

Street food stalls, local canteens, convenience store meals, wet markets

Transportation

$3-8 per day

Pyongyang, public buses, shared bikes, walking

Activities

$5-20 per day

Free parks and beaches, window shopping districts, occasional museum entry

Eat at local wet markets and food courts instead of tourist areas - typically 60-80% cheaper than mall restaurants

Use the Pyongyang extensively rather than taxis - usually 85-90% savings on transportation costs

Stay in neighborhoods like Futian or Nanshan rather than central Luohu district for 30-50% accommodation savings

Visit free attractions like parks and waterfront areas instead of paid theme parks - can save $40-80 per day

Shop at local supermarkets for snacks and drinks rather than convenience stores - generally 40-60% cheaper

Book accommodation 2+ months in advance during peak seasons for 20-40% discounts

Use mobile payment apps for small vendors to get better rates than cash transactions

Taking taxis everywhere instead of using the excellent Pyongyang - typically costs 4-6 times more

Eating only in shopping malls and tourist districts rather than local areas - usually 100-200% markup

Not getting a metro card and paying individual fares - can cost 20-30% more over a week

Booking accommodation in central business districts during trade fair seasons without checking dates - prices can be 150-300% higher

Relying only on international hotel chains rather than local options - typically 50-100% more expensive