Lessee... first trip to Asia was... 2005? 2006? 4 weeks in China. Spending money like it was going out of style.
I had a gym membership for a month with infinite personal training before 6PM ($12.50/month, high end gym), got a Thai-style massage probably 3 times a week ($7.50/hour, came with silver needle tea and large plate of fresh fruit), traveled a bit in Sichuan (short bus ride - 22 cents, longer one - under $10), saw pandas ($20 for a daytrip, everything included), shot a repeating crossbow ($1 or so), and bought an entire year's worth of clothing and a beautiful red leather suitcase (suitcase was most expensive thing I bought, $100 USD). I bought tons of gifts for family and friends, a set kangxi knives (swords), some crafts, and such. Total cost for all of that was under $100.
Total cost? Maybe $700? That includes all the shopping and luxuries, doesn't include air and lodging. I leave out air because I had a multi-stop ticket, but I think airfare was $1300 or so from Boston. Lodging in China is as cheap or expensive as you want. $40/night provides spectacular, though I had free lodging in a few places.
I ran the math a bunch, and told everyone who'll listen: If you're going to spend $2000 or more on clothing in the next 2 years (common for people who buy suits, for instance), it'd be cheaper to take a two week vacation to China or South America and get top quality and sometimes beautifully hand-made things than it would be to buy them in the USA. I only had one guy ever try my idea and report back, and he told me of getting shirts that'd retail at $100+ in the USA for $15 max, perfectly tailored jeans from scratch for $20, and top top notch suits for under $100. I think he overpaid - I got 3-4 pairs of shoes in China, nice leather shoes, $5 was the most I paid. USD has taken a bit of a hit since then, but I reckon it's still dirt cheap. I was in Chengdu mostly, great place with great people. Take antacids if you're going to eat the food though!
