Forbidden City and Great Wall in Beijing, Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, and The Bund in Shanghai — 15 days backpacker for $1,684.
This 15-day Budget trip covers Beijing (5 nights), Xi'an (5 nights), Shanghai (4 nights) — connected by domestic flights.
Beijing: Forbidden City, Great Wall (Badaling), Prince Gong's Mansion; flight to Xi'an (1h 54m, $133). Xi'an: Terracotta Warriors Museum, Huaqing Hot Springs, Song of Everlasting Regret (Show); flight to Shanghai (2h 23m, $158). Shanghai: The Bund, Shanghai Disney Resort, Oriental Pearl Tower.
Estimated total: $1,684 for one traveler on a Budget budget — hotels average $41/night, with meals, inter-city transport, and attraction tickets included.
| Category | CNY |
|---|---|
| Stay | ¥3,912 |
| Food | ¥1,140 |
| Transit | ¥1,970 |
| City transit | ¥450 |
| Attractions | ¥2,022 |
| Total | ¥11,393 |
5 nights in Beijing on this route — the attractions below are priced into the estimate.
Full Beijing travel guide →Next leg: Beijing to Xi'an — Flight · 1h 54m · $133
5 nights in Xi'an on this route — the attractions below are priced into the estimate.
Full Xi'an travel guide →Next leg: Xi'an to Shanghai — Flight · 2h 23m · $158
4 nights in Shanghai on this route — the attractions below are priced into the estimate.
Full Shanghai travel guide →Yes, $1,684 is a realistic budget for 15 days on a Budget tier. This covers accommodation, food, inter-city transport, and major attractions.
Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) are the best times to visit. Avoid Chinese national holidays (Golden Week in October and May) as crowds and prices surge.
This route is designed for 15 days: Beijing (5 nights), Xi'an (5 nights), Shanghai (4 nights).
October is a recommended time for this route. Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) generally offer the best conditions across China.
Most visitors need a Chinese tourist (L) visa. Many nationalities qualify for 72/144-hour visa-free transit through major hubs — check your passport's eligibility.
Adding 3 more days typically adds about $600–$900 for extra nights and one more high-speed rail leg.
Shenzhen Safari Park and Window of the World in Shenzhen, Forbidden City and Great Wall in Beijing — 10 days for $1,302.
Chimelong Resort and Mount Baiyun in Guangzhou, then Forbidden City and Great Wall in Beijing — 10 days for $1,261.
The Bund and Shanghai Tower in Shanghai, then Forbidden City and Great Wall in Beijing — 10 days for $2,512.
Shenzhen Safari Park and OCT East in Shenzhen, then Chimelong Resort and Canton Tower in Guangzhou, followed by Guanyin Mountain in Dongguan — 14 days for $2,802.
West Lake Scenic Area and Xixi National Wetland Park in Hangzhou — 14 days for $2,911.
Hong Kong Disneyland and Victoria Peak in Hong Kong, Shenzhen Safari Park and Window of the World in Shenzhen, then Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in Zhuhai — 14 days for $4,625.