Shenzhen–Guangzhou–Dongguan: 14-Day China Itinerary & Cost for a Family of 3 (September)

Budget$3,500·Duration14 days·TierStandard·InSeptember·Travelers2 adults · 1 child <6

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.

This 14-day Standard trip covers Shenzhen (4 nights), Guangzhou (3 nights), Dongguan (3 nights), Shenzhen (3 nights) — connected by high-speed rail.

Shenzhen: Window of the World, Splendid China Folk Village (Shenzhen), Ping An Finance Center Observation Deck (Shenzhen); high-speed rail to Guangzhou (1h 44m, $11). Guangzhou: Chimelong Safari Park, Chimelong Resort, Canton Tower; high-speed rail to Dongguan (1h 28m, $5). Dongguan: Guanyin Mountain Scenic Area, Yinxian Villa, Nanshe Ming-Qing Ancient Village; high-speed rail to Shenzhen (1h 28m, $6). Shenzhen: Window of the World, Splendid China Folk Village (Shenzhen), Ping An Finance Center Observation Deck (Shenzhen).

Estimated total: $2,802 for one traveler on a Standard budget — hotels average $39/night, with meals, inter-city transport, and attraction tickets included.

Cost breakdown (1 traveler, Standard)

CategoryCNY
Stay¥3,424
Food¥6,643
Transit¥296
City transit¥1,344
Attractions¥4,090
Total¥18,956

What to eat

Shenzhen
  • Chaoshan beef hotpot
    潮汕牛肉火锅 · Cháoshàn niúròu huǒguō
  • Hong Kong-style diner fare
    港式茶餐厅 · Gǎngshì chácāntīng
  • Hakka salt-baked chicken
    客家盐焗鸡 · Kèjiā yánjú jī
Guangzhou
  • Morning dim sum
    早茶点心 · Zǎochá diǎnxīn
  • Roast goose
    烧鹅 · Shāo'é
  • Poached sliced chicken
    白切鸡 · Báiqiē jī
Dongguan
  • Houjie rice noodles
    厚街濑粉 · Hòujiē làifěn
  • Dongguan roast goose
    东莞烧鹅 · Dōngguǎn shāo'é
  • Daojiao meatball congee
    道滘肉丸粥 · Dàojiào ròuwán zhōu
Shenzhen
  • Chaoshan beef hotpot
    潮汕牛肉火锅 · Cháoshàn niúròu huǒguō
  • Hong Kong-style diner fare
    港式茶餐厅 · Gǎngshì chácāntīng
  • Hakka salt-baked chicken
    客家盐焗鸡 · Kèjiā yánjú jī

Shenzhen itinerary

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

Full Shenzhen travel guide →

Next leg: Shenzhen to GuangzhouHigh-speed rail · 1h 44m · $11

Guangzhou itinerary

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

Full Guangzhou travel guide →

Next leg: Guangzhou to DongguanHigh-speed rail · 1h 28m · $5

Dongguan itinerary

3 nights in Dongguan on this route — the attractions below are priced into the estimate.

Full Dongguan travel guide →

Next leg: Dongguan to ShenzhenHigh-speed rail · 1h 28m · $6

Shenzhen itinerary

3 nights in Shenzhen on this route — the attractions below are priced into the estimate.

Full Shenzhen travel guide →
Use this route as my trip template →
BeijingShanghaiGuangzhouShenzhenChengduHangzhouChongqingWuhanXi'anSuzhouNanjingTianjinZhengzhouChangshaQingdaoDongguanNingboHefeiShenyangXiamenKunmingFuzhouDalianHarbinJinanChangchunTaiyuanNanchangNanningGuiyangLanzhouHaikouXiningYinchuanHohhotShijiazhuangWuxiUrumqiLhasaGuilinSanyaPingyaoLijiangDaliZhangjiajieHuangshanFenghuangShangri-LaDunhuangKashgarYangshuoWuyishanXitangWuzhenJiuzhaigouEmeishanWudangshanTai'anQufuChengdeDatongLuoyangQinhuangdaoYantaiQuanzhouYichangZhangyeBeihaiZhuhaiWeihaiYangzhouChangzhouXuzhouShaoxingWenzhouJingdezhenGanzhouZhongshanChaozhouZhanjiangKaifengYueyangBaotouLeshanDujiangyanXishuangbannaTengchongAnshunXingyiJiayuguanTianshuiTurpanYiningYanjiManzhouliHong KongMacauTaipeiKaohsiungTaichungBeijingShanghaiGuangzhouShenzhenChengduHangzhouChongqingWuhanXi'anSuzhouNanjingTianjinZhengzhouChangshaQingdaoDongguanNingboHefeiShenyangXiamenKunmingFuzhouDalianHarbinJinanChangchunTaiyuanNanchangNanningGuiyangLanzhouHaikouXiningYinchuanHohhotShijiazhuangWuxiUrumqiLhasaGuilinSanyaPingyaoLijiangDaliZhangjiajieHuangshanFenghuangShangri-LaDunhuangKashgarYangshuoWuyishanXitangWuzhenJiuzhaigouEmeishanWudangshanTai'anQufuChengdeDatongLuoyangQinhuangdaoYantaiQuanzhouYichangZhangyeBeihaiZhuhaiWeihaiYangzhouChangzhouXuzhouShaoxingWenzhouJingdezhenGanzhouZhongshanChaozhouZhanjiangKaifengYueyangBaotouLeshanDujiangyanXishuangbannaTengchongAnshunXingyiJiayuguanTianshuiTurpanYiningYanjiManzhouliHong KongMacauTaipeiKaohsiungTaichung
Scan to share
CHINA TRAVEL ITINERARY
中国之旅
September · Standard · 3 people · 13 nights
Shenzhen
Shenzhen
4 nights
Highlights
Shenzhen Safari Park¥119OCT East¥180Window of the World¥100Splendid China Folk Village (Shenzhen)¥99Ping An Finance Center Observation Deck (Shenzhen)¥180Shenzhen Happy Valley¥149OH BayFree
🏨 $44.04 (CN¥298)/night🍜 $11.38 (CN¥77)/meal🚇 $8.87 (CN¥60)/day🎫 $122.23 (CN¥827) admission
🚄 High-speed rail
1h 44m · $10.94 (CN¥74)
Guangzhou
Guangzhou
Guangzhou
3 nights
Highlights
Chimelong Resort¥300Mount Baiyun¥5Chimelong Safari Park¥300Canton Tower¥149Chen Clan Ancestral Hall¥10
🏨 $45.97 (CN¥311)/night🍜 $10.64 (CN¥72)/meal🚇 $8.87 (CN¥60)/day🎫 $112.92 (CN¥764) admission
🚄 High-speed rail
1h 28m · $5.03 (CN¥34)
Dongguan
Dongguan
Dongguan
3 nights
Highlights
Guanyin Mountain Scenic Area¥39Yinxian Villa¥59Nanshe Ming-Qing Ancient Village¥27Dongguan Xiangshi Zoo¥110Longfeng Villa Film Resort¥29
🏨 $20.10 (CN¥136)/night🍜 $10.35 (CN¥70)/meal🚇 $8.87 (CN¥60)/day🎫 $39.02 (CN¥264) admission
🚄 High-speed rail
1h 28m · $5.91 (CN¥40)
Shenzhen
Shenzhen
Shenzhen
3 nights
Highlights
Bay Glory Ferris Wheel¥140Shekou Cruise Homeport TourFreeDameisha Seaside ParkFreeDongmen Pedestrian StreetFreeXiaomeisha Resort¥50
🏨 $44.04 (CN¥298)/night🍜 $11.38 (CN¥77)/meal🚇 $8.87 (CN¥60)/day🎫 $28.08 (CN¥190) admission
I have
$3,500.00 (CN¥23,681)
Estimated Total
$2,801.70 (CN¥18,956)
Leftover
$698.30
Estimated Total
$2,801.70 (CN¥18,956)
Stay $506.07 (CN¥3,424) · Food $981.84 (CN¥6,643) · Transit $43.75 (CN¥296) · City transit $198.64 (CN¥1,344) · Attractions $604.50 (CN¥4,090) · Misc $466.90 (CN¥3,159)
Estimates only. Actual costs may vary. · 1000usdinchina.com
Use this route as my trip template →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is $2,802 enough for a 14-day Shenzhen-Guangzhou-Dongguan-Shenzhen trip?

Yes, $2,802 is a realistic budget for 14 days on a Standard tier. This covers accommodation, food, inter-city transport, and major attractions.

What is the best time to visit Shenzhen-Guangzhou-Dongguan-Shenzhen?

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 Shenzhen-Guangzhou-Dongguan-Shenzhen route?

This route is designed for 14 days: Shenzhen (4 nights), Guangzhou (3 nights), Dongguan (3 nights), Shenzhen (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 $1,400–$2,100 for extra nights and one more high-speed rail leg.

CompareThis 14-day trip ($3,500) versus a 17-day extension (~$5,250) — the longer version adds another city and one more HSR leg.
Beijing → Xi'an → Shanghai · 15 DaysHangzhou · 14 Days

More routes from Shenzhen

HONGKONGHONGKONG · 14 Days
Hong Kong → Shenzhen → Zhuhai · 14 Days

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.

Ride the Peak Tram above Hong Kong's skylineExplore Shenzhen Safari Park's wildlife enclosuresVisit Chimelong Ocean Kingdom's marine exhibits
$6,000est. $4,625STANDARDSEPTEMBER2 ADULTS · 1 CHILD
GUANGZHOUGUANGZHOU · 14 Days
Guangzhou → Zhongshan → Shenzhen · 14 Days

Chimelong Resort and Canton Tower in Guangzhou, then Zhongshan Film and Television City and Sun Yat-sen's Hometown Tourist Area in Zhongshan, then Shenzhen Safari Park and Window of the World in Shenzhen — 14 days for $5,160.

Ride the high-speed rail from Guangzhou to ZhongshanExplore Zhongshan Film and Television City's setsWatch the light show at Shenzhen's Window of the World
$5,000est. $5,160COMFORTSEPTEMBER2 ADULTS · 1 CHILD
SHENZHENHONGKONG · 10 Days
Shenzhen → Hong Kong · 10 Days

Shenzhen Safari Park and Window of the World in Shenzhen, then Hong Kong Disneyland and Victoria Peak in Hong Kong — 10 days for $2,020.

Ride the Peak Tram to Victoria PeakExplore Shenzhen Safari Park's enclosuresSip Hong Kong milk tea at a street stall
$2,000est. $2,020STANDARDJUNE1 ADULT

Similar duration routes

BEIJINGSHANGHAI · 15 Days
Beijing → Xi'an → Shanghai · 15 Days

Forbidden City and Great Wall in Beijing, Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, and The Bund in Shanghai — 15 days backpacker for $1,684.

Stand on Badaling Wall as Beijing fades into the haze belowWatch the Terracotta Warriors mid-march, 2,200 years and still goingSample Shanghai's soup dumplings at a local eatery
$1,500est. $1,684BUDGETOCTOBER1 ADULT
HANGZHOUHANGZHOU · 14 Days
Hangzhou · 14 Days

West Lake Scenic Area and Xixi National Wetland Park in Hangzhou — 14 days for $2,911.

Visit West Lake Scenic AreaExplore Xixi National Wetland ParkTake a boat tour on West Lake
$4,000est. $2,911STANDARDSEPTEMBER2 ADULTS · 1 CHILD
HONGKONGHONGKONG · 14 Days
Hong Kong → Shenzhen → Zhuhai · 14 Days

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.

Ride the Peak Tram above Hong Kong's skylineExplore Shenzhen Safari Park's wildlife enclosuresVisit Chimelong Ocean Kingdom's marine exhibits
$6,000est. $4,625STANDARDSEPTEMBER2 ADULTS · 1 CHILD