Sharing on 5 tips that I found out while travelling in China, that gave me a massive discount on my accommodation.
#1 Go on a non-peak, low season period
The best time to travel to China is during November to March, but avoid the Lunar New Year period at all cost. During November to March, the weather is colder but there are also lesser people, so most of the tourist attraction would be pretty empty.
#2 Seeing is believing.
When travelling to Yun Shui Yao, some travellers had decided to stay at the scam bus driver house, when we met them in the attraction the next day, they had expressed that the room that they were given was located quite a far distance away from the main attraction, and they had paid RMB 100 per room.
#3 Unity is Strength
When I was in China, after I alighted the scam bus. I met up with travellers from the same bus, and they have not booked their accommodation yet for the night. I decided to tag along with them and to follow them to choose which accommodation to stay.
#4 Haggle!
Yes! Haggle! The Chinese are Master in haggling, and they do it at their fingertips. They had shared with me that, you can haggle even at the departmental store (which I would not dare to do it). Their philosophy is “Always Haggle, or Walk Away!” My philosophy is “Ask, and you shall receive!”
#5 Travel with Chinese.
When we had decided which accommodation we intended to stay for the night, they had asked me to keep quiet, as they have intentioned to haggle the price with the owner of the hotel. The owner of the hotel wanted to charge us RMB 100 per room, after some negotiation, we were given a massive discount. We paid RMB 55 per room. That is a 45% discount!
The master of haggling has done it once again! Hooray!
Nice tips. I think travelling with locals is a great way to avoid being ripped off!
Totally. Especially in China where scams are rampant.
Yes I think there are always discounts if you are prepared to haggle. I just feel too guilty to do it. I feel like I’m a rich person (obviously I’m not rich, but compared to them maybe I am) taking money away from their family. Many years ago I used to sell jewellery in a market and people would come and haggle for hours to save a couple of euros even though they could well afford my prices and I didn’t earn much. I guess that’s how I feel when I haggle to save money in a ‘developing country’.
But good on you for getting such a huge discount on a hotel.
I totally agree with you. I think haggling should not be done in an extensive way. It should be done sparingly but no doubt the Chinese are really good at haggling.
Good tips! I don’t remember being overly expensive though but maybe we did go in low season..
During peak season, price can be as high as 2 to 5 times more expensive
Great Tips! It’s always a good idea to travel with locals, especially when it is your first time in that country.
Yes! Totally and they would be introduced to off the beaten paths.
I would fit right in as l love to haggle 🙂 . That sucks about the scam. You always have to be careful when you travel because people can’t wait to take advantage of you, especially cab drivers because they know you’re not familiar with the place 🙂 . Glad you got a great deal.
Yes! I try to take public transport as much as I can, and the bus ride would cost me RMB 1-2 per trip which is very very cheap.
Wow, sounds like finding a friend out there would benefit huge on travel expenses! We usually like to benefit from the shoulder seasons as well since we don’t have children that need to be in school or anything. Good list!
Thanks! I didnt expect to get such a massive discount, and was willing to pay RMB 100 per night
Useful tips! Haggling is always a good way to save money!
Yes! Its crazy how the Chinese did it, and all was done within 5-10 mins.
Love the idea of going off-peak. I went off-peak to Iceland, and it was the best decision!
Yes! the best part about off-peak is that you could take pictures at peace without having too many people around.
Haggling is key in so many cultures. I’m lucky that my wife is great at it, because it took me a long time to learn and I was had many a time!
Awesome! The Chinese are the best at doing it! Fast and Furious!
I am not very good at haggling. I feel like they think I’m trying to cheat them. Great idea to travel with locals who know the ropes.
Haggling is a life skill!
Great subject matter, great topic, great blog. Loved it when I went to Beijing and Shanghai, so cant wait to use this info when I do China more next time. Great work.
http://www.voteltravels.com
China is a fascinating place!
Great tips! I hope to get to China soon! And I’ll hope to go during the off season, less crowds and less expensive!
My father was the expert haggler. He was so much fun to travel with as he could get a vendor down to as much as 90% of the asking price. He would haggle just for the fun of it then once he got his price would say no thanks and walk off. I would immediately have cash in hand to make the purchase feeling sorry for the vendor. My dad thought that was hilarious! But we got some incredible bargains!
Never do that in China. If you are not keen in purchasing, don’t haggle! The Chinese would scold you upside down for wasting their time.
Great tips! Making friends/traveling with or on the recommendation of locals is a great way to make sure you don’t get ripped off!
Yes! Thats the best way to see a country!
Great list of hacks for travel discounts.
Hope you enjoy it! Thanks for the encouragement!
Good tips 🙂 I believe it’s possible to use them in any country – especially Asia 🙂
Totally agree! Can try using it in Cambodia and Thailand also.
Great article! I’m actually pretty good at haggling myself- sounds like it could come in handy in China. I’m living in Thailand now and it’s common practice here as well.
Haggling is good in most countries in Asia except Singapore.
Traveling with Chinese, while in China is probably the best tip of them all! Locals always know the lay of the land and how not to get ripped off. They’re also much more respected and can show you the best places and vendors.
If you’re shopping, go to the “malls” and buy the Nikes and other brand names without the brand logo and have them put the logos on for you. Score!
Hahaha! That happens in certain area in China, just make sure that they post the logo and the name in the right way. LOL!
Great artwork design 🙂 and helpful article as always Bernard.
-Dani
Thanks for the encouragement!
Good to know. Being mindful of scams is always something we think of and probably makes me overly cynical.
Yes! No one likes to be overcharged!
I found the most awesome deal from the US to China a few years ago and it’s still available now. If you’re willing to go on a group tour, it’s definitely the way to go.
I don’t enjoy group tours, way too many scams and force-shopping.
Thanks for these tips! I’m heading to China in May and in August and I’m happy I can refer to your blog for information! Keep them coming!
Thanks for the encouragement! China is an awesome place, and you can’t finish exploring in one trip.
From the tips, it sounds a bit like India lol . Great tips though and China is on my list 🙂 Which were your absolute favorite spots there?
The rich history of China makes me constantly go back to China.
Good tips! I couldn’t imagine haggling in a department store! Oh, Asia….
Yes! This is totally crazy! I would never do that! you can try in Asia, but never in Singapore.
Haggling is always a great tool for scoring discounts, the whole world round!
Totally agree!
LOL, I grew up in Asia so I know how to haggle too. When my European friends travel with me, they always use my help to get some discounts. 😉 But I must say your hotel negotiation was very impressive. 😉
Haggling seems to be a skill that Asians master quickly. I practically did nothing and let the Chinese do the haggling!
I’m going to China in May (next month), because I had looked at the weather and I just didn’t want to go when the weather (especially in more northern parts like Beijing) can get quite cold. Also, I always book my accommodations in advance, and I’ve done so for this trip. But it’s nice to know that haggling is an option when shopping. I have some experience with that from my travels to Egypt and Morocco.
When I was in China during March the temperature in southern China can go as low as 10 degree. In Singapore, we are all year round summer, therefore I do enjoy going to cold countries. Haggling is the key to most countries especially in Asia, but not in Singapore.
Great, I also use this tips in other countries, it really helps if you travel with locals anywhere in the world and of course you save heaps of money if you travel in low season!
Hoping to visit China some day but have to find some friends who will go for that first. Great suggestions. I’m all for off-season.
You should visit China soon! It is an amazing place!
Chinese are the masters of haggling! Bernard, please teach me these skills! I can be your apprentice XD
Great tips! I will definitely need to work on my haggling skills before heading to China.
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Great tips! Thanks for sharing!
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