tourism guide
China Travel Guide 2026: Routes, Costs and First-Timer Advice
Short answer: for a first trip, fly into Beijing, take the high-speed rail west to Xi’an, then south to Shanghai — 10–12 days, roughly US$90–150/day mid-range, with the visa handled 4–6 weeks out.
The classic first-timer route
Days 1–4 · Beijing — Forbidden City, Great Wall at Mutianyu, Temple of Heaven, hutong walks, Peking duck. Days 5–6 · Xi’an — Terracotta Army, intact Ming city wall by bicycle, Muslim Quarter food streets. Days 7–9 · Shanghai — The Bund and Pudong skyline, Yu Garden, water-town day trip (Zhujiajiao), French Concession cafés. Optional Days 10–12 · Guilin/Yangshuo — Li River karst scenery, bamboo rafts, cycling villages.
Money: payments make or break the trip
China runs on QR codes — Alipay and WeChat Pay. Both now accept foreign cards (Visa/Mastercard) linked to the app; set this up before you fly. Cash works but change is a friction; foreign cards rarely tap directly. Budget apps also hail taxis and buy train tickets.
Trains vs flights
High-speed rail (300+ km/h) beats flying under ~1,200 km: Beijing→Xi’an ≈ 4.5–6 h, Xi’an→Shanghai ≈ 6–7 h, Beijing→Shanghai ≈ 4.5–5.5 h. Book via Trip.com or the 12306 app with passport ID. Tickets for golden weeks sell out fast — book the moment sales open.
Budget reality check (per person, mid-range)
| Item | Daily (USD) |
|---|---|
| 4★ hotel / good guesthouse | 45 – 90 |
| Food (restaurant + street) | 15 – 35 |
| Local transport + rides | 5 – 15 |
| Entries & guides | 10 – 25 |
When to go
- Best: April–May and September–October (mild, blossom/foliage)
- Avoid: Golden Weeks (1–7 Oct, CNY) — crowds and peak prices
- Cheapest: November–March (cold, but clear and quiet)
- Japan pairing: April for sakura in Kyoto after northern China warms
Visa and paperwork
Indians need an L visa in advance: itinerary, bookings, onward proof — our concierge files it end to end (see the visa types guide). Transit visa-free schemes change often; verify current rules for your passport before planning around one.
Why travellers use us
We design private and group itineraries with bilingual guides, pre-vetted restaurants (vegetarian/halal handled), rail and internal flights booked, and 24/7 WhatsApp support while you travel. Send the enquiry form with your dates — we’ll draft a day plan free.
Quick answers
How many days are enough for a first China trip?
Ten to twelve days covers Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai comfortably. Add Guilin/Yangshuo for scenery or Chengdu for pandas and food at +3–4 days.
How much does a China trip cost from India?
Budget roughly US$90–150 per person per day mid-range (hotel, food, transport, entries) excluding international flights. Group tours bring that down; private tours go up.