Budget Tours to China
Think about walking along the Great Wall's old stones or marveling at Xi'an's Terracotta Warriors. China brings everything from Beijing's Forbidden City to Shanghai's futuristic Bund, Suzhou's classical gardens to Hangzhou's West Lake. Cruise the Grand Canal and taste authentic Peking Duck. The Middle Kingdom is ready on a budget.
10 best Budget China tour packages
Compiled by
NadineChina travel expert at TourRadar
- China Highlights
- Great Wall to Great Cities: Epic China Adventure from Beijing to Shanghai
- 6 Days Central Tibet Culture Small Group Tour: Explore Tibet's religion, cultural gems, and captivating landscapes
- 9-Day New Splendid China - Beijing, Shanghai, and East Part
- Budget Tour: Urumqi, Tianchi, Turpan and Kashgar 7 Days in Xinjiang
- Hong Kong to Chengdu - 11 days
- Beijing to Shanghai Express - 10 days
- Kailash Mansarovar Yatra from Nepal
- Overland Tibet with EBC Tour 8 days
- China Unveiled: 18-Day Journey from Hong Kong to Beijing
China Highlights
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Really pleased that HK was added to the itinerary. It's an experience and an excellent introduction to China.”
Frances, traveled in April
The tour, priced at $280 per day, includes 7 nights in standard hotels, 2 overnight trains, and major site entries. A Li River cruise, guided Terracotta Warriors tours, and Mutianyu Great Wall visits come with complimentary airport transfers.
Duration 10 days Destinations Hong Kong, Guilin, Yangshuo, Xi'an, Beijing Age Range Ages 16+ Price Per Day $256 Operator Explore! From $2,760
7% Off- US$2,560You save $200
Great Wall to Great Cities: Epic China Adventure from Beijing to Shanghai
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“I still can't believe I saw so much of China in just 3 weeks! The experiences were incredible.”
Emily, traveled in May
The tour costs $100 per day with hostel stays, Great Wall camping, and public transport. Tiananmen Square visits included, with optional acrobatics shows available.
Duration 10 days Destinations Beijing, Hangzhou, Shanghai Age Range Ages 18-55 Price Per Day $101 Operator The Dragon Trip From $1,192
15% Off- US$1,013You save $179
6 Days Central Tibet Culture Small Group Tour: Explore Tibet's religion, cultural gems, and captivating landscapes
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The hotel has no air conditioning and I was arranged a room at the south side which was a boiler room.”
Ivy, traveled in June
At approx. $140 per day, this tour provides 3-star hotels with breakfast, a welcome dinner, and a local family lunch. The price includes all entrance fees, permits, and reliable transport between Lhasa, Gyantse, and Shigatse. Solo travelers can opt for room sharing to reduce costs.
Duration 6 days Destinations Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse Age Range Ages 7+ Price Per Day $133 Operator Tibet Vista From
15% Off- US$799
9-Day New Splendid China - Beijing, Shanghai, and East Part
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“China truly is a majestic wonderland, brimming with unparalleled beauty and cultural riches.”
Golshid, traveled in April
This $90 per day tour provides deluxe hotels like Holiday Inn properties and daily breakfasts. Grand Canal rides in Suzhou start at $35. Domestic flights Beijing-Shanghai, tea ceremonies, and silk factory visits included.
Duration 9 days Destinations Beijing, Juyongguan, Suzhou, Wuxi, Hangzhou, Shanghai Age Range Ages 18+ Price Per Day $89 Operator Intertrips From
15% Off- US$799+$100 upfront costs
The tour costs $130 per day with 3-star hotels and English-speaking guides. Highlights include Urumqi's Xinjiang Museum, Tianchi Lake, and Kashgar's bazaars, plus authentic overnight train travel.
Duration 7 days Destinations Urumqi, Heavenly Lake, Turpan, Kashgar Age Range Ages 18+ Price Per Day $134 Operator Silk Road Trips From
15% Off- US$939
A cost-effective tour at $120 per day covers hostel stays and essential transportation. Visit Hong Kong's Victoria Peak, Yangshuo's Yulong River, and Chengdu's Panda Centre. Chinese cooking classes and local village visits remain optional.
Duration 11 days Destinations Hong Kong, Yangshuo, Chengdu Age Range Ages 18-55 Price Per Day $98 Operator On The Go Tours From $1,265
15% Off- US$1,075You save $190
The tour costs around $130 daily, with hostel accommodation and public transport included. Add-ons like Peking duck dinners and Shanghai river cruises are optional. The Beijing 798 art district offers free exploration time.
Duration 10 days Destinations Beijing, Hangzhou, Shanghai Age Range Ages 18-55 Price Per Day $129 Operator On The Go Tours From $1,515
15% Off- US$1,288You save $227
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra from Nepal
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The team's support was exceptional and we all successfully completed this Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.”
Rajeev, traveled in July
Your $530 daily rate includes hotels in Kerung and Saga, plus guesthouses near Mount Kailash. Daily breakfast, English-speaking guides, monastery entry, and all permits included.
Duration 10 days Destinations Kathmandu, Gyirong, Saga County, Lake Manasarovar, Mount Kailash, Trishuli Age Range Ages 7+ Price Per Day $294 Operator Peregrine Treks and Expedition Pvt Ltd From
15% Off- US$2,940
Overland Tibet with EBC Tour 8 days
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“I particularly enjoyed the Mount Everest Tibet basecamp visit and our tour of a Bhudist nunnery.”
Dennis, traveled in July
The package costs $180 per day covering hotels, breakfast, and monastery fees. Optional EBC permits ($150) and Tibet visa ($125) available. Local hotels in Lhasa, Shigatse, and Gyantse included.
Duration 8 days Destinations Kathmandu, Xegar, Shigatse, Gyantse, Lhasa Age Range Ages 16+ Price Per Day $184 Operator Adventure Himalayan Travels From
15% Off- US$1,475
China Unveiled: 18-Day Journey from Hong Kong to Beijing
12 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The Dragon Trip is a great tour. Such value for money.”
Jessica, traveled in July
The adventure costs $100 per day, covering hostel stays and camping gear for Great Wall overnight stay. Highlights include bamboo rafting in Yangshuo, bike rentals in Xi'an, and authentic Muslim Quarter market food.
Duration 18 days Destinations Hong Kong, Yangshuo, Chongqing, Chengdu, Leshan, Xi'an, Dengfeng, Luoyang, Beijing Age Range Ages 18-55 Price Per Day $90 Operator The Dragon Trip From $1,916
15% Off- US$1,629You save $287
What people love about Budget Tours in China
- Kailash Mansarovar Yatra from Nepal
The Kailash Mansarovar Tour from Nepal with Peregrine was well-organized and hassle-free. The team took care of permits, lodging, and transportation, which made the trip smooth even in such a remote area. The knowledgeable guide made the spiritual journey unforgettable.
- China Unveiled: 18-Day Journey from Hong Kong to Beijing
It was great, lots of stuff to see and do with great adventure leaders and a nice group
- China Golden Triangle Explorer – 9 Days
Fabulous value for the dollar. Knowledgeable guides and two of the three hotels were 5 star with third a very nice 3. Star
What our customers ask about Budget Tours to China
How much additional money should I bring for optional activities?
Budget travelers should set aside $200-300 USD for a 10-14 day tour in China to cover extra activities. The Great Wall toboggan ride costs $15 USD while evening entertainment like Beijing's kung fu shows run about $35 USD. In Yangshuo river cruises cost around $20 USD. Recent travelers report these add-ons are worth the cost with one noting: "The optional activities like the bike ride in Yangshuo and the evening shows in Xi'an were reasonably priced and definitely worth the extra cost."
What are the most budget-friendly cities to visit in China?
Head west for better value. Cities like Chengdu Xi'an and Lanzhou offer more bang for your buck compared to Beijing or Shanghai. Chengdu's Panda Research Base and traditional tea houses keep costs low while Xi'an's Muslim Quarter serves up affordable street food. Budget hotels cluster near Xi'an's city walls. One traveler reports: "Chengdu was surprisingly affordable - we could enjoy local specialties and attractions without spending too much plus the hostels were clean and well-located."
When is the most affordable time to visit China?
Book during March-May or September-November for the best value. Winter brings the lowest prices especially in Beijing where hotels cut rates up to 40% but prepare for cold weather. Skip major holidays like October's Golden Week when costs spike nationwide. Places like Yangshuo offer better rates in early spring before peak season. As one visitor found: "We traveled in March and found great value plus smaller crowds at major attractions like the Terracotta Warriors."
What type of accommodation is provided on budget tours in China?
Expect shared rooms in hostels and guesthouses with 4-6 beds per room. Some tours include camping experiences. Popular budget accommodations include spots like the Jinggu Hotel in Urumqi and Hantang Hotel in Dunhuang. Guest feedback remains positive with one traveler noting: "The hostels were actually really nice and the experiences were incredible."
Are entrance fees to major attractions included in budget tours?
Standard packages cover main attractions: Great Wall at Mutianyu ($25 USD) Terracotta Warriors ($25 USD) and Forbidden City ($15 USD). Extra activities like Chengdu's Sichuan Opera ($30 USD) or scenic cable car rides cost extra. Previous guests found value in the included entries with one noting: "Having entrance fees included in our tour of the Mogao Caves and Jiayuguan Fort saved us quite a bit compared to arranging everything independently."
What's included in meals on budget China tours?
Most tours cover daily breakfast and select group dinners. Budget for other meals on your own. The Silk Road tour offers 6 breakfasts and 1 lunch during its week-long journey. Local restaurants recommended by guides typically cost $3-8 per meal. Travelers often arrange informal group dinners with one sharing: "we'd get a group dinner together which was super fun."