China tour package from India: what to know first
By Ganesh ·
A 10-day China package from India costs about ₹1.5–2.6 lakh per person; planning Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai yourself costs about ₹1.1–1.9 lakh. Visa, payments, internet and food tips, with a 10-day plan.
The short answer: a 9–10 day China tour package from India (Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai) typically costs about ₹1,50,000–₹2,60,000 per person, including flights, the visa, hotels, a guide, high-speed trains and most meals. Planning the same route yourself usually costs ₹1,10,000–₹1,90,000 per person. Unlike most destinations in this series, a package (or at least a guided start) makes real sense for a first visit, because apps, payments, internet access and language work differently in China. Search interest in China tour packages from India has been rising, so it's worth knowing what you'd be paying for.
All prices are approximate, per person, for two people sharing. Visa rules and flight routes between India and China have changed recently; check the Chinese Visa Application Service Center and airline sites for the current situation before you plan.
What a typical China package includes
- Return flights (direct where available, otherwise via Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok or another hub).
- Tourist visa assistance.
- Hotels in Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai, with breakfast; many Indian group tours add Indian or vegetarian dinners.
- An English- or Hindi-speaking guide, coaches and high-speed trains between cities.
- Entries: the Great Wall (often Mutianyu or Badaling), the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, the Terracotta Warriors, the Bund and a river cruise in Shanghai.
What it costs to do it yourself
| Item | Approximate cost per person |
|---|---|
| Return flights | ₹35,000–₹75,000 |
| China tourist visa + service charges | Check the visa centre for the current fee |
| Hotels, 8–9 nights (shared) | ₹30,000–₹60,000 |
| High-speed trains: Beijing → Xi'an → Shanghai | ₹12,000–₹20,000 (second class) |
| Entry tickets (Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Army, etc.) | ₹6,000–₹12,000 |
| Local transport (metro, taxis via app) | ₹3,000–₹6,000 |
| Food | ₹15,000–₹25,000 |
| eSIM or roaming that works with your usual apps | ₹2,000–₹5,000 |
| Total | about ₹1,10,000–₹1,90,000 |
Package vs DIY side by side
| Package | DIY | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost, 9–10 days | ₹1,50,000–₹2,60,000 | ₹1,10,000–₹1,90,000 |
| Payments | Mostly prepaid | Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with your card before you go; carry some cash |
| Internet | Guide helps; group Wi-Fi | Many foreign apps and sites are blocked; plan with a roaming eSIM and offline maps |
| Language | Guide translates | Translation apps help; English is limited outside hotels |
| Food | Indian or vegetarian meals arranged | Vegetarian food needs effort; Indian restaurants exist in big cities |
| Best for | First visits, families, vegetarians | Experienced travellers comfortable with apps |
Who should pick which
- Pick a package on a first visit, with family, if you're strictly vegetarian, or if you'd rather not deal with payment apps and blocked websites.
- Go DIY if you've travelled widely in Asia, are comfortable setting up Alipay or WeChat Pay with an international card, and want to add places like Guilin, Chengdu or Zhangjiajie.
- Middle path: book flights, hotels and trains yourself, and hire a local guide for the Great Wall and Xi'an days.
A sample 10-day DIY plan
- Day 1: Arrive in Beijing; Tiananmen Square and Wangfujing in the evening.
- Day 2: The Forbidden City (book timed tickets ahead) and Jingshan Park; hutong lanes.
- Day 3: Great Wall at Mutianyu (cable car up, toboggan or walk down).
- Day 4: Temple of Heaven and the Summer Palace.
- Day 5: High-speed train to Xi'an (about 4.5–6 hours); city wall by bicycle at sunset.
- Day 6: The Terracotta Warriors; Muslim Quarter food street in the evening.
- Day 7: High-speed train or flight to Shanghai.
- Day 8: The Bund, Yu Garden, Nanjing Road; Pudong skyline at night.
- Day 9: Day trip to a water town (Zhujiajiao or Tongli) or Suzhou's gardens.
- Day 10: Fly home.
Tips
- April–May and September–October have the most comfortable weather; avoid the national Golden Week holiday in early October and Chinese New Year if you dislike crowds.
- Download offline maps and translation packs before arriving; local map and ride-hailing apps work better than foreign ones.
- Carry your passport everywhere. It's needed to buy train tickets and enter major sights.
- Book Forbidden City and other popular sights online in advance; daily tickets are capped.
FAQ
How much does a China trip from India cost?
About ₹1,10,000–₹2,60,000 per person for 9–10 days, depending on flights, hotels and whether you take a package.
Can Indians get a tourist visa for China?
Yes, Indians can apply for a tourist (L) visa through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center. Rules and fees have changed recently, so check the official site before you apply.
Is a China tour package worth it?
For a first visit, usually yes, the bundle of visa help, guides, prepaid tickets and arranged meals removes most of the friction.
You can plan this route on Sancharees and share it with your travel group.
Photo: Pudong Shanghai November 2017 panorama by King of Hearts, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
