Guangzhou–Shanghai: 10-Day China Itinerary & Cost (June)

Budget$1,500·Duration10 days·TierStandard·InJune·Travelers1 adult

Chimelong Resort and Mount Baiyun in Guangzhou, then Oriental Pearl Tower and The Bund in Shanghai — 10 days for $1,295.

This 10-day Standard trip covers Guangzhou (5 nights), Shanghai (4 nights) — connected by domestic flights.

Guangzhou: Chimelong Safari Park, Chimelong Resort, Canton Tower; flight to Shanghai (2h 25m, $62). Shanghai: The Bund, Shanghai Disney Resort, Oriental Pearl Tower.

Estimated total: $1,295 for one traveler on a Standard budget — hotels average $35/night, with meals, inter-city transport, and attraction tickets included.

Cost breakdown (1 traveler, Standard)

CategoryCNY
Stay¥2,150
Food¥2,325
Transit¥420
City transit¥600
Attractions¥1,806
Total¥8,761

What to eat

Guangzhou
  • Morning dim sum
    早茶点心 · Zǎochá diǎnxīn
  • Roast goose
    烧鹅 · Shāo'é
  • Poached sliced chicken
    白切鸡 · Báiqiē jī
Shanghai
  • Soup dumplings
    小笼包 · Xiǎolóngbāo
  • Pan-fried pork buns
    生煎包 · Shēngjiānbāo
  • Shanghai-style braised pork belly
    本帮红烧肉 · Běnbāng hóngshāoròu

Guangzhou itinerary

5 nights in Guangzhou on this route — the attractions below are priced into the estimate.

Full Guangzhou travel guide →

Next leg: Guangzhou to ShanghaiFlight · 2h 25m · $62

Shanghai itinerary

4 nights in Shanghai on this route — the attractions below are priced into the estimate.

Full Shanghai travel guide →
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BeijingShanghaiGuangzhouShenzhenChengduHangzhouChongqingWuhanXi'anSuzhouNanjingTianjinZhengzhouChangshaQingdaoDongguanNingboHefeiShenyangXiamenKunmingFuzhouDalianHarbinJinanChangchunTaiyuanNanchangNanningGuiyangLanzhouHaikouXiningYinchuanHohhotShijiazhuangWuxiUrumqiLhasaGuilinSanyaPingyaoLijiangDaliZhangjiajieHuangshanFenghuangShangri-LaDunhuangKashgarYangshuoWuyishanXitangWuzhenJiuzhaigouEmeishanWudangshanTai'anQufuChengdeDatongLuoyangQinhuangdaoYantaiQuanzhouYichangZhangyeBeihaiZhuhaiWeihaiYangzhouChangzhouXuzhouShaoxingWenzhouJingdezhenGanzhouZhongshanChaozhouZhanjiangKaifengYueyangBaotouLeshanDujiangyanXishuangbannaTengchongAnshunXingyiJiayuguanTianshuiTurpanYiningYanjiManzhouliHong KongMacauTaipeiKaohsiungTaichungBeijingShanghaiGuangzhouShenzhenChengduHangzhouChongqingWuhanXi'anSuzhouNanjingTianjinZhengzhouChangshaQingdaoDongguanNingboHefeiShenyangXiamenKunmingFuzhouDalianHarbinJinanChangchunTaiyuanNanchangNanningGuiyangLanzhouHaikouXiningYinchuanHohhotShijiazhuangWuxiUrumqiLhasaGuilinSanyaPingyaoLijiangDaliZhangjiajieHuangshanFenghuangShangri-LaDunhuangKashgarYangshuoWuyishanXitangWuzhenJiuzhaigouEmeishanWudangshanTai'anQufuChengdeDatongLuoyangQinhuangdaoYantaiQuanzhouYichangZhangyeBeihaiZhuhaiWeihaiYangzhouChangzhouXuzhouShaoxingWenzhouJingdezhenGanzhouZhongshanChaozhouZhanjiangKaifengYueyangBaotouLeshanDujiangyanXishuangbannaTengchongAnshunXingyiJiayuguanTianshuiTurpanYiningYanjiManzhouliHong KongMacauTaipeiKaohsiungTaichung
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CHINA TRAVEL ITINERARY
中国之旅
June · Standard · 1 person · 9 nights
Guangzhou
Guangzhou
5 nights
Highlights
Chimelong Resort¥300Mount Baiyun¥5Chimelong Safari Park¥300Canton Tower¥149Chen Clan Ancestral Hall¥10Guangdong Science Center¥60Grandview Mall Tourist Area (Guangzhou)FreeYuexiu Park (Guangzhou)FreeGuangzhou Zoo¥20
🏨 $32.81 (CN¥222)/night🍜 $10.64 (CN¥72)/meal🚇 $8.87 (CN¥60)/day🎫 $124.74 (CN¥844) admission
✈ Flight
2h 25m · $62.08 (CN¥420)
Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai
4 nights
Highlights
Oriental Pearl Tower¥199Shanghai Wild Animal Park¥165The BundFreeShanghai Disney Resort¥399Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park¥159Shanghai MuseumFreeYu Garden¥40
🏨 $38.43 (CN¥260)/night🍜 $12.27 (CN¥83)/meal🚇 $8.87 (CN¥60)/day🎫 $142.18 (CN¥962) admission
I have
$1,500.00 (CN¥10,149)
Estimated Total
$1,294.88 (CN¥8,761)
Leftover
$205.12
Estimated Total
$1,294.88 (CN¥8,761)
Stay $317.77 (CN¥2,150) · Food $343.64 (CN¥2,325) · Transit $62.08 (CN¥420) · City transit $88.68 (CN¥600) · Attractions $266.93 (CN¥1,806) · Misc $215.79 (CN¥1,460)
Estimates only. Actual costs may vary. · 1000usdinchina.com
Use this route as my trip template →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is $1,295 enough for a 10-day Guangzhou-Shanghai trip?

Yes, $1,295 is a realistic budget for 10 days on a Standard tier. This covers accommodation, food, inter-city transport, and major attractions.

What is the best time to visit Guangzhou-Shanghai?

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.

How many days do I need for this Guangzhou-Shanghai route?

This route is designed for 10 days: Guangzhou (5 nights), Shanghai (4 nights).

Is June a good time for this route?

June is a recommended time for this route. Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) generally offer the best conditions across China.

What visa do I need for this trip?

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.

How does this route compare to a longer version?

Adding 3 more days typically adds about $600–$900 for extra nights and one more high-speed rail leg.

CompareThis 10-day trip ($1,500) versus a 13-day extension (~$2,250) — the longer version adds another city and one more HSR leg.
Guangzhou → Beijing · 10 DaysGuangzhou → Shenzhen · 10 Days

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