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
- China Golden Triangle
- Hong Kong to Chengdu - 11 days
- Economy Tour: Lanzhou, Zhangye, Jiayuguan, Dunhuang, Jade Gate Pass 7 Days
- Budget Tour: Lanzhou, Zhangye, Jiayuguan, Dunhuang, Jade Gate Pass 7 Days
- Beijing to Shanghai Express - 10 days
- 【China】11-Day Essential Highlights Tour
- Overland Tibet with EBC Tour 8 days
China Highlights
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Best holiday of our lives - we created a family memory that will stay with us forever.”
Ian, traveled in August
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 $216 Operator Explore! From $2,690
20% Off- US$2,160You save $530
Great Wall to Great Cities: Epic China Adventure from Beijing to Shanghai
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“I was very impressed with the accounting for optional activities.”
ColleenGellein, traveled in March
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 $84 Operator The Dragon Trip From $1,200
30% Off- US$840You save $360
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
30% Off- US$799
At around $240 per day, this 9-day China tour includes 8 nights in premium twin-share hotels across Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai. Walk along the UNESCO-listed Great Wall at Juyong Pass, see the Terracotta Warriors near Xi'an, and stroll The Bund in Shanghai—all entrance fees and airport transfers included. Daily breakfasts, 3 lunches, and a special Peking Duck dinner are part of the package, keeping meal costs low while you visit China's most famous landmarks on a budget-friendly trip.
Duration 9 days Destinations Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai Age Range Ages 18+ Price Per Day $82 Operator Tomato Travel From
30% Off- US$737
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 $87 Operator On The Go Tours From $1,375
30% Off- US$963You save $413
Your $260 daily rate covers 6 nights in 3-star hotels across Lanzhou, Zhangye, and Dunhuang. Package includes bullet train travel, Mogao Caves and Jiayuguan Fortress entry, plus daily breakfasts. Add camel rides at Mingsha Shan for extra excitement.
Duration 7 days Destinations Lanzhou, Zhangye, Jiayuguan, Dunhuang Age Range Ages 18+ Price Per Day $228 Operator Silk Road Trips From
30% Off- US$1,599
The $200 daily package features 3-star hotels, English guides, and entry to Mogao Caves and Jiayuguan Fort. Four historic cities unfold with included breakfasts and bullet train travel from Lanzhou to Zhangye.
Duration 7 days Destinations Lanzhou, Zhangye, Jiayuguan, Dunhuang Age Range Ages 18+ Price Per Day $200 Operator Silk Road Trips From
30% Off- US$1,399
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 $97 Operator On The Go Tours From $1,390
30% Off- US$973You save $417
At around $130 per day, this 11-day journey through China gives you great value with 4-star hotels like Beijing Chunhuiyuan Hot Spring Resort and Kaiyuan Mingting Hotel in Shanghai included. Daily bottled water, entrance fees to landmarks like the UNESCO-listed Lingering Garden in Suzhou and Temple of Heaven in Beijing, plus a high-speed bullet train from Beijing to Wuxi are all part of the package. Wander through a hutong neighborhood and visit a traditional Siheyuan courtyard home, see a jade exhibition near the Great Wall's Juyongguan section, and check out a freshwater pearl farm in Wuxi.
Duration 11 days Destinations Beijing, Wuxi, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Shanghai Age Range All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $53 Operator Delightful Travel From
30% Off- US$580
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
30% Off- US$1,475
What people love about Budget Tours in China
- Great Wall to Great Cities: Epic China Adventure from Beijing to Shanghai
I was very impressed with the accounting for optional activities, and with the knowledge of the guides.
- 11-Day Impressive China
Such an excellent tour at such a great price! Highly recommend!
- 27-Day China Loop: Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu and Beyond
This is a great tour where you see all the highlights of China
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."