Quick Answer

China's cities are full of free experiences: national and city museums, parks, temple grounds, riverside promenades and old-street districts. Scenic-area tickets are the main paid item — plan around free days and off-season rates.

• Museums: many national and city museums are free with passport registration.
• Parks, lakes and riverside walks: free and very local.
• Old streets and markets: free to wander, cheap to snack.