China being such a vast country really depends on where you go. I have spend a lot of time in Fujan Province In that province the cost of a meal varies huhugelyn the two main cities it is obviously more expensive than in the villages. It also really depends on what you like. When people used to come to visit me they wanted to go to Pizza Hut which is more expensive. Off the top of my head I would say meals range from less than 10 RMB (£1) to 100 RMB (£9) in Pizza Hut.
China has a very good bus service that does both long range and short range. As most things in China it's very reasonable and they are coconvenientThe only problem is they don't speak English so you have to know Chinese! I often end up making flash cards for my English friends to show to the conductor! Getting to rural areas is easy by bus but I am not sure what you will do there. All the times I have been there I have gone to visit friends etc. but if you get the opopportunityo! It's a real culture difference.
The best thing about China is that there are often the two extremes in close difference. For example next door to pizza hut there is a really cheap rerestaurant
Have a good trip!!