China, paid in NZD.
First-world trains, widening visa-free entry, and domestic prices that have been flat for years.
Pricier. Exchange rate alone: −8.0%. Local prices: +0.9%.
- Lean
- NZ$78
- Comfort
- NZ$412
The short answerIn NZD, as of November 12, 2026
China: as of November 12, 2026, 5.3% more expensive than a year ago for travelers paid in NZD (New Zealand dollar), after adjusting for inflation at home and there. The exchange rate on its own moved −8.0%, and prices in the country rose +0.9%. A mid-range day costs about NZ$177 per person, excluding international flights. Across the 18 currencies we track, AUD gained the most ground there (+0.9%) and SEK did worst (−11.1%).
What NZD buys there
30 monthsSame trip, different wallets
The real 12-month change for this one country, by the currency you earn. The spread is the part of the story that has nothing to do with the destination.
- Australian dollarA$144+0.9%
- Norwegian kronekr 938+0.7%
- South African randR 1,6300.0%
- British pound£74−3.1%
- UAE dirhamAED 360−3.4%
- Singapore dollarS$126−3.9%
- US dollar$98−3.9%
- Mexican pesoMX$1,827−5.2%
- New Zealand dollarNZ$177−5.3%
- Canadian dollarC$140−6.2%
- Hong Kong dollarHK$769−6.3%
- Indian rupee₹9,191−8.2%
- Brazilian realR$548−8.4%
- Japanese yen¥15,700−8.4%
- Euro€89−8.5%
- Danish kronekr 662−9.6%
- Swiss francCHF 82−10.2%
- Swedish kronakr 979−11.1%
Booking a trip: China
Partner links- FlightsKiwi.com ↗Compare fares across airlines, including the low-cost carriers that booking sites often leave out.
- Places to stayBooking.com ↗Hotels, guesthouses and apartments, most with free cancellation.
- Mobile dataAiralo ↗An eSIM you install before you land, usually far cheaper than roaming.
- Travel medical insuranceSafetyWing ↗Worth having here: serious care may mean evacuation to another country.
- Spending moneyWise ↗A multi-currency card that converts at the mid-market rate, the one this index uses.
- Tours and ticketsGetYourGuide ↗Day trips, guides and entry tickets, bookable ahead with free cancellation on most.
These go to outside companies we think are useful for this trip. Nothing here affects a score or a ranking. How we make money