It is depends on what kind of tour you want to experience. As a international student study in China for my degree program, I can get discount travelling everywhere in China with my student's identity card. My friend always accompany me in travelling so that we can share accommodation fee, what is more, we always book hotel on internet , which is cheaper than checking in directly. For food, we always eat local snacks which charge reasonable price and delicious. So for me, I think travelling in China is not so expensive.

 

The transportation and local snacks are cheap enough. The hotels are of different prices according to the service. Homestay is preferred.