Great Wall and Forbidden City in Beijing, The Bund and Yu Garden in Shanghai, Chimelong Resort and Canton Tower in Guangzhou — 15 days for $2,759.
Shanghai–Hangzhou–Nanjing: 14-Day China Itinerary & Cost for a Family of 3 (September)
Shanghai's Oriental Pearl Tower and The Bund, then Hangzhou's West Lake Scenic Area and Thousand Island Lake, then Nanjing's Zhongshan Scenic Area and Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum — 14 days for $5,690.
This 14-day Comfort trip covers Shanghai (4 nights), Hangzhou (3 nights), Nanjing (3 nights), Shanghai (3 nights) — connected by a mix of high-speed rail and flights.
Shanghai: The Bund, Shanghai Disney Resort, Oriental Pearl Tower; high-speed rail to Hangzhou (5h 6m, $13). Hangzhou: West Lake Scenic Area, Hangzhou Songcheng Park, Thousand Island Lake (Qiandao Lake); flight to Nanjing (52m, $55). Nanjing: Niushou Mountain Cultural Park, Zhongshan Scenic Area, Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum; high-speed rail to Shanghai (4h 39m, $25). Shanghai: The Bund, Shanghai Disney Resort, Oriental Pearl Tower.
Estimated total: $5,690 for one traveler on a Comfort budget — hotels average $94/night, with meals, inter-city transport, and attraction tickets included.
Cost breakdown (1 traveler, Comfort)
| Category | CNY |
|---|---|
| Stay | ¥8,255 |
| Food | ¥14,956 |
| Transit | ¥1,246 |
| City transit | ¥2,688 |
| Attractions | ¥4,850 |
| Total | ¥38,393 |
What to eat
- 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
- West Lake sweet-sour fish西湖醋鱼 · Xīhú cùyú
- Shrimp with Longjing tea龙井虾仁 · Lóngjǐng xiārén
- Dongpo braised pork belly东坡肉 · Dōngpō ròu
- Salted brine duck盐水鸭 · Yánshuǐ yā
- Duck blood and vermicelli soup鸭血粉丝汤 · Yāxuè fěnsī tāng
- Nanjing soup dumplings金陵小笼包 · Jīnlíng xiǎolóngbāo
- 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
Shanghai itinerary
4 nights in Shanghai on this route — the attractions below are priced into the estimate.
Full Shanghai travel guide →Next leg: Shanghai to Hangzhou — High-speed rail · 5h 6m · $13
Hangzhou itinerary
3 nights in Hangzhou on this route — the attractions below are priced into the estimate.
Full Hangzhou travel guide →Next leg: Hangzhou to Nanjing — Flight · 0h 52m · $55
Nanjing itinerary
3 nights in Nanjing on this route — the attractions below are priced into the estimate.
Full Nanjing travel guide →Next leg: Nanjing to Shanghai — High-speed rail · 4h 39m · $25
Shanghai itinerary
3 nights in Shanghai on this route — the attractions below are priced into the estimate.
Full Shanghai travel guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Is $5,690 enough for a 14-day Shanghai-Hangzhou-Nanjing-Shanghai trip?
Yes, $5,690 is a realistic budget for 14 days on a Comfort tier. This covers accommodation, food, inter-city transport, and major attractions.
What is the best time to visit Shanghai-Hangzhou-Nanjing-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 Shanghai-Hangzhou-Nanjing-Shanghai route?
This route is designed for 14 days: Shanghai (4 nights), Hangzhou (3 nights), Nanjing (3 nights), Shanghai (3 nights).
Is September a good time for this route?
September 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 $2,000–$3,000 for extra nights and one more high-speed rail leg.
More routes from Shanghai
Great Wall and Forbidden City in Beijing, Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, Chengdu Panda Base, Wulong Three Natural Bridges in Chongqing, The Bund and Shanghai Disney — 20 days for $3,184.
Forbidden City and Great Wall in Beijing, Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, and The Bund in Shanghai — 15 days backpacker for $1,688.
Similar duration routes
Forbidden City and Great Wall in Beijing, Terracotta Warriors Museum and City Wall in Xi'an, Chimelong Resort and Canton Tower in Guangzhou — 15 days for $6,421.
Great Wall and Forbidden City in Beijing, The Bund and Yu Garden in Shanghai, Chimelong Resort and Canton Tower in Guangzhou — 15 days for $2,759.
Forbidden City and Great Wall in Beijing, Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, and The Bund in Shanghai — 15 days backpacker for $1,688.