Travelling China in the low season, roughly November to early December and mid-February to March, drops hotel prices by 20 to 50 percent and empties the famous sights. The trade-off is colder weather in the north and some attractions on winter hours, but the savings and calm are real.
Hotels in China frequently discount stays of a week or more, but the discount is rarely shown on the public rate and almost always requires you to ask or negotiate. Expect 10 to 30 percent off for multi-week stays at independent and mid-range properties, less at international chains.
Hostels remain the cheapest legal accommodation in China and are a solid choice for backpackers and solo travellers, with dorms and private rooms, social common areas, and usually decent foreigner acceptance. They lack privacy and consistency, so know what you are signing up for.
A foreign passport holder backpacking China for two weeks should sleep in budget-licensed bases and move often: two nights each in Chengdu, Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Xi’an, Beijing, and Shanghai. The trick is picking cheap hotels and hostels that are actually licensed for foreigners — many are not — so confirm the foreigner policy before you pay, and keep your passport ready for the nightly registration.