How much does a trip to China cost?

A tailor-made China trip with travoHolidays starts from US$2,138.40 per person for 7 nights in Beijing and Xi'an, or US$3,426.40 for 12 nights adding the Li River, two sharing, land only. Many nationalities currently enter visa-free, which removes a major cost, and sight entry fees are modest: the Forbidden City is CNY 40 to 60 and the Terracotta Army CNY 120.

Our China package prices

These are travoHolidays package prices, November 2026. They are per person, two sharing, land only (international flights excluded), and vary by date and hotel choice.

Both can be extended or adjusted. Popular additions include Shanghai's Bund, the pandas at the Chengdu research base or the countryside around Yangshuo. Each change affects the price, which your specialist confirms in writing. See all options on our China destination page.

Official entry costs

Visa-free entry

China's unilateral visa-free policy lets ordinary passport holders from a growing list of countries visit for up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits, exchanges or transit, with no visa fee. The Beijing municipal government reported in November 2025 that the policy, covering more than 40 countries including France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Switzerland, was extended to 31 December 2026. China's Foreign Ministry added the UK and Canada from 17 February 2026, also until 31 December 2026.

240-hour visa-free transit

Separately, citizens of 57 countries can transit through China visa-free for up to 240 hours, provided they hold a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region, according to the Shanghai municipal government (updated August 2026). Entry is through designated ports, and stays are limited to permitted areas in 24 provincial-level regions.

Tourist visas

If your nationality is not covered, you will need a visa in advance. Fees depend on your nationality and the issuing consulate, so check with the Chinese embassy or visa application centre where you live.

Typical cost components

China's currency is the Chinese yuan (CNY), also called renminbi. The UK Foreign Office notes that mobile payments through apps such as WeChat and Alipay are almost universal, while credit cards may not be accepted outside major cities. Set up a payment app before you travel and carry some cash.

What drives the price

• Season: Spring Festival and the National Day Golden Week from 1 October push up domestic prices; see our month-by-month guide.
• Hotel class: luxury hotels in Beijing and Shanghai cost far more than comfortable four-star options.
• Distance: China is vast, and adding remote regions such as Tibet or Dunhuang means extra flights.
• Private guiding: adding a private guide and driver at sites like the Summer Palace makes days easier but adds to the cost.
• Pace: fewer bases and longer stays reduce transfers and save money.

Short city break or longer journey?

The 7-night Beijing and Xi'an trip suits travellers with limited leave who mainly want the headline sights: the Forbidden City, the Great Wall and the Terracotta Army, connected by a single high-speed train journey. The 12-night itinerary costs more in total but adds Guilin's river landscapes and a slower pace, which many first-time visitors find makes the trip feel less rushed. If you are already flying a long way, adding nights is often better value than a second trip later. Shanghai, the water towns or the Classical Gardens of Suzhou can be bolted on at the end before an onward flight home.

Ways to save

• Travel in March, early June, November or winter outside Spring Festival for lower demand.
• Use high-speed trains on the Beijing–Xi'an–Shanghai corridor instead of short flights where times are similar.
• Check whether you qualify for visa-free entry before paying for a visa.
• Choose well-located four-star hotels and spend on one special stay, for example by the Li River.
• Group nearby sights, such as the Temple of Heaven and Forbidden City, into efficient days.

For entry, payments and routes in more depth, read our China travel guide for first-time visitors. Ready for a price? Request your tailor-made China quote.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

1. Beijing Municipal Government — China extends unilateral visa-free policy
2. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC — Spokesperson's remarks on visa-free policy for Canada and the UK
3. Shanghai Municipal Government — 240-hour visa-free transit policy
4. Beijing Municipal Government — The Palace Museum
5. Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum — Ticketing
6. GOV.UK — China travel advice: safety and security