Forbidden City and Great Wall in Beijing, Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, and The Bund in Shanghai — 15 days backpacker for $1,684.
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 $5,674.
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: $5,674 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 $5,674 enough for a 14-day Shanghai-Hangzhou-Nanjing-Shanghai trip?
Yes, $5,674 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
Shenzhen Safari Park and OCT East in Shenzhen, then Oriental Pearl Tower and The Bund in Shanghai — 10 days for $1,350.
Chimelong Resort and Mount Baiyun in Guangzhou, then Oriental Pearl Tower and The Bund in Shanghai — 10 days for $1,295.
Similar duration routes
Forbidden City and Great Wall in Beijing, Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, and The Bund in Shanghai — 15 days backpacker for $1,684.
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.