1. Search by transport, not just by “downtown”
Chinese cities can be huge. A room near the correct metro line or railway station can be a better bargain than a cheaper property requiring repeated taxis.
2. Compare domestic hotel chains
China has large domestic economy and midscale brands in addition to international chains. Hanting, Home Inn, Jinjiang Inn, 7Days Inn, GreenTree Inn and City Comfort Inn are examples worth checking where available.
3. Check the room size and window status
Very inexpensive urban rooms can be small, internal or windowless. Read the room-type description rather than assuming every “double room” has the same layout.
4. Add breakfast and deposits to the comparison
A slightly higher rate with breakfast can be good value on early sightseeing days. Also check whether the hotel takes a deposit and how it will be refunded.
5. Avoid being surprised by holiday demand
Major Chinese public holidays can create very heavy domestic travel demand. If your dates are fixed, book important destinations earlier and keep cancellation flexibility where possible.
6. Use station-area hotels strategically
For one-night connections, an inexpensive hotel beside the right station can save a full cross-city transfer. For longer stays, a metro-connected neighborhood may be more pleasant.
7. Do not publish or trust stale “from $29” lists
Hotel rates change too quickly to make fixed-price lists reliable. Search current rates for your exact dates, then compare total cost and cancellation terms.