Paperwhite is not a cheap product. Unfortunately there are no cheap alternatives either, I always wonder why Chinese don't clone and manufacture something similar in mass.

Is it so hard or e-ink is something that is not manufactured there?

In Europe there are lots of cheap e-ink device clones.

I really prefer the old Kindles that had the physical paddle buttons to change pages instead of a touchscreen. It's a much better UX, and those things are virtually indestructible.

The top end Kindle Oasis model has physical buttons again. It's even more indestructible with supposedly good water-proofing added in the most recent refresh. Just below that top end you can still find the Kindle Voyage sometimes on sale (it's a generation behind now, so don't buy it if it isn't on sale) with haptic, capacitive touch that are a decent close second to physical buttons.