Xian? Shanghai? Chengdu? South China Karst? Etc. etc. China is so much more than Beijing.
Tokyo is not cheap - the yen has reached new highs against the Euro and Dollar, so moving right along... If you need to go out of China, maybe Bangkok? If you prefer smaller scenic areas, Luang Prabang in Laos? Cambodia and the amazing ruins at Angkor / Siem Reap?