Not exactly. You may have been exposed to information about China’s great modernization, such as massive skyscrapers, pioneering high-speed rail, and ubiquitous digital integration.
However, China is not just about the metropolises, but also the numerous small towns and the vast countryside, where you can’t really realize that China is still a developing country until you visit. There are 900 million people in China, approximately 70% of the total population, whose monthly income is less than CNY 2,000 (USD 290).
Low income and cheap labor force also contribute to the relatively low basic living costs, and thus travel costs in China are lower than those in most countries worldwide, similar to those in Southeast Asian countries like Thailand and Vietnam, and significantly lower than those in Japan and South Korea. For instance, the average nightly cost for a 3-to-4-star hotel is about USD 50 to 80, 60 % lower than comparable hotels in Japan; a regular light meal costs USD 4 to 5 per person, and no tips are required; and a 20-ounce Coke sold at a convenience store or supermarket costs as little as 50 cents. The taxi and ride-hailing services are also much lower than those in Japan, Europe, and America.
All in all, you can enjoy extremely cost-effective services in China. What’s more, China’s natural landscapes, whether it be Guilin, Zhangjiajie, or Jiuzhaigou, outshine all those in Japan, deserving the title of ‘the ceiling of Asia’.