How Much Does it Cost to Travel to Beijing Alone?

Beijing, as the capital of China, holds a very special status. It has always been the core of China since ancient times, with a long history of being the capital. The ancient cultural relics here are well preserved and there are also many unique elements of old Beijing. Below, we will share how much it costs to travel to Beijing alone.

How much does it cost to travel to Beijing alone?

You can have a great time with 3000-5000 yuan, as long as you are not too extravagant.

It was supposed to be a trip for two, but it turned into a solo journey. Thankfully, I insisted on changing the weak, timid, and dependent self, and thankfully, my North Drifter dream suppressed the fear in my heart, so much so that I did not shrink back in fear.

We had agreed to go to Beijing together, to see the world beyond Jiangsu. However, because I participated in the Dream Building activity and for some other reasons, I could only go alone. It’s impossible to say that I was not afraid because I had never traveled alone before. Just thinking about how to survive in the vast Beijing, I was at a loss. However, I wanted to prove that I didn’t need to rely on others, and I also wanted to exercise my abilities. I wanted to see the Houhai bar street where so many stories have taken place, and I wanted to wander the streets alone.

New experiences and fear ultimately forced me to make a decision: to go North Drifting alone.

First time taking the green train

In the more than twelve hours to Beijing, I lay on the upper bunk, unable to sleep. I watched TV dramas for a while, but then I didn’t want to watch anymore. I tossed and turned, unable to sleep. I was in a hurry to catch the train and temporarily forgot about the fear of being alone. It suddenly surged up in my heart, a feeling of uncertainty, worry, and various insecurities.

Fortunately, I met a girl on the train. I always thought she had just graduated from college or was a college student. She helped me along the way and chatted with me. When we got to Beijing, we met for breakfast at McDonald’s. She lent me a power bank to charge my phone, and I waited with her for her boyfriend. At that time, she told me that she had already gotten engaged to her boyfriend. I was so surprised!

She also shared her wedding photos with me. I always believe that interesting things and people can be encountered on the train. She is definitely one of them!

First Day

Beijing Railway Station

My first stop was to wander around Tiananmen Square, but I took the wrong subway exit. I happened to come across the China Railway Museum, so I went in to take a look.

Dragon Train

Next, I went to Tiananmen Square. When the scenes from TV appeared in front of me, I felt a sense of wonder. Finally, I saw Chairman Mao’s portrait.

Tiananmen Square

Soldiers everywhere

It was a weekend when I went, so the tickets to the Forbidden City were sold out. I couldn’t get in. I had also made an appointment with my classmates to hang out in Tiananmen Square, so I temporarily left it and went to Wangfujing Street.

Wangfujing Pedestrian Street

Wangfujing Street

Wangfujing Street is famous. I saw a lot of brand stores and couldn’t walk anymore, so I went back to the youth hostel. At the youth hostel, I was lucky enough to meet a girl who was also traveling alone. So, I became friendly with her and we arranged dinner and shopping together. We discussed why Wudaokou was the center of the universe.

Dry pot bullfrog is super delicious

Second Day

The first day of the event, seven people finally came together.

Dream Building Activity Micro Space

Team’s first meal

798 Art District, full of graffiti, youthful vitality, and a great place for artistic youth to take photos.

798 Alive 3D Museum

Barter trade. I took the three pots of flowers I received by scanning a QR code at noon and exchanged them for a handmade ring. I am very grateful to the kind elder brother.

Handmade jewelry

We ate dinner in a supermarket. They were having a special offer, so it was super cheap and delicious. Thumbs up.

Team’s second meal

The event venue provided accommodation, in a particularly eerie place. It was very scary at night, but quite beautiful during the day.

Very far and remote

Siheyuan

Ancient architecture

Third Day

Challenge task at Renmin University, where we got our first meal. The food at Renmin University is really delicious!

Renmin University Museum

Free curry omurice

In the afternoon, we went to the Olympic Green, Bird’s Nest, and Water Cube.

Water Cube

In the evening, we rushed to the McDonald’s next to Tiananmen Square. We had no money for accommodation due to the Zero Yuan Challenge, so we had to stay overnight at McDonald’s. The next day, we had to hurry to watch the flag-raising ceremony. We were a little hungry, so we went to the snack street to find something to eat.

Snack street on a rainy day

McDonald’s

Wangfujing Street at dawn

At around two in the morning, I walked in the heavy rain towards Tiananmen Square.

Walking in the heavy rain

The rain was too heavy, so I took shelter in a subway station. The lights were beautiful.

Lights outside the subway station

I took shelter from the rain outside the Beijing Hotel.

Beijing Hotel

Fourth Day

I stayed up all night and waited for the flag-raising ceremony.

Standing waiting for the flag-raising ceremony

Tianqiao

The event ended and I went back to the youth hostel.

Front desk

Big white cat

In the evening, there was a young man at the youth hostel holding a guitar and singing, which was very pleasant. A foreign girl and I were in the same room. I was too tired and fell asleep soon after.

Fifth Day

I waited for my friend at Shichahai and had breakfast nearby. I had never met this friend before. We wanted to stay and play after the event ended, so we made an appointment to meet up.

A hearty breakfast

We met up with my friend and went to the Prince Gong’s Mansion together.

Prince Gong’s Mansion

Prince Gong’s Mansion

My footsteps measure Beijing

We rushed to the Forbidden City, but the navigation led us to the back gate, and we couldn’t get in. We bought a cantaloupe, which was super sweet!

Forbidden City

Inside the Forbidden City

After visiting the Forbidden City, we went to Nanluogu Xiang. Dinner was pretty good.

Nanluogu Xiang is too commercialized, so we switched to Houhai.

Houhai Bar Street

Houhai is truly lively. Every bar has bands playing music. However, there are mostly more people outside, haha. If I didn’t live so far away, I would have ordered a bottle of wine, listened to the music, and enjoyed the atmosphere.

Night view of Houhai

Sixth Day

I wanted to see the garden that was burned down in the Burning of the Yuanmingyuan.

Yuanmingyuan

Imitation of the twelve animal heads

Maze

Food at the Yuanmingyuan is too expensive. We went out to eat and arrived at the Guozijian.

Donkey meat fire cake

Finally, we went to the Guozijian and the Temple of Confucius, to see where people studied and took exams in ancient times.

Chengxian Street

Taixue

Pailou

Beijing, my unforgettable North Drifter dream. I finally came to this city. When the crowds dispersed and I was left alone waiting for the subway, I missed home. I guess you can only feel the heartache of a North Drifter when you are alone.

They say Beijing is a big world, and you’ll meet many passersby. It’s true. I am grateful to the people who traveled with me. I was fearless with you. I am so calm on the train back home, because I finally overcame my fear!

Don’t be afraid to be alone. On the road, even if you encounter bad people, many others are on solo journeys like you. Get to know them, and your horizons will truly expand. I met friends from Hebei, Henan, Inner Mongolia, and so on. It’s great to share our stories and listen to theirs. I love this feeling and hope to keep on the road!