Budget Tours to China
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10 best Budget China tour packages
Compiled by
NadineChina travel expert at TourRadar
- China Highlights
- 11-Day Impressive China
- Beijing to Shanghai Express - 10 days
- Hong Kong to Chengdu - 9 days
- 9-Day New Splendid China
- 6 Days Central Tibet Culture Small Group Tour: Explore Tibet's religion, cultural gems, and captivating landscapes
- Lhasa Everest base camp Overland tour
- 8 Days Lhasa Shigatse and Namtso Lake Small Group Tour
- Lhasa to Kathmandu Overland Tour
- China Unveiled: 17-Day Journey from Hong Kong to Beijing
China Highlights
3 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 16 to 85 year olds Price Per Day $345 Operator Explore! From $4,630
25% Off- NZ$3,450You save $1,180
11-Day Impressive China
7 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Such an excellent tour at such a great price! Highly recommend!”
Todd, traveled in June
The tour costs $100 daily with 4-5 star hotels like Grand Park Wuxi. UNESCO sites await, with optional West Lake cruises ($35) and Terracotta Warriors tours ($89). Package includes breakfasts, 4 lunches, and internal flights Beijing-Xi'an-Shanghai.
Duration 11 days Destinations Beijing, Xi'an, Suzhou, Wuxi, Hangzhou, Shanghai Age Range 2 to 80 year olds Price Per Day $166 Operator Intertrips From
25% Off- NZ$1,821+$199 local payments
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 18 to 55 year olds Price Per Day $225 Operator On The Go Tours From $2,495
10% Off- NZ$2,246You save $250
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 9 days Destinations Hong Kong, Yangshuo, Chengdu Age Range 18 to 55 year olds Price Per Day $208 Operator On The Go Tours From $2,085
10% Off- NZ$1,877You save $209
9-Day New Splendid China
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Fantastic. Loved the tour, wish we had more time to spend there.”
Sean, traveled in November
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, Suzhou, Wuxi, Hangzhou, Shanghai Age Range 18 to 70 year olds Price Per Day $147 Operator Intertrips From
10% Off- NZ$1,324+$166 local payments
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 7 to 80 year olds Price Per Day $221 Operator Tibet Vista From
10% Off- NZ$1,324
This Tibet tour costs $440 per day including BB plan hotels, English-speaking guides, and entry to Sera Monastery and Tashilhunpo Monastery. Ground transport and permits included.
Duration 9 days Destinations Kathmandu, Syabru, Tingri, Shigatse, Lhasa Age Range 7 to 75 year olds Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, Russian Price Per Day $736 Operator Nepal Trekking Routes Treks & Expedition Pvt. Ltd. From
10% Off- NZ$6,628
8 Days Lhasa Shigatse and Namtso Lake Small Group Tour
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“He also tried to offer a range of options to keep the majority of the group happy.”
Ellen, traveled in June
Duration 8 days Destinations Lhasa, Shannan, Gyantse, Shigatse, Namtso Lake Age Range 7 to 80 year olds Price Per Day $244 Operator Tibet Vista From
10% Off- NZ$1,954
7-day journey through China's Tibet at $454 per day includes 3-star hotels, daily breakfast, and entrance fees. Visit UNESCO sites, stay at Everest Base Camp, and explore local markets. Optional border transfer to Nepal available for $60 per person.
Duration 7 days Destinations Lhasa, Shigatse, Tingri, Gyirong, Kathmandu Age Range 5 to 75 year olds Price Per Day $312 Operator Peregrine Treks and Expedition Pvt Ltd From $4,375
50% Off- NZ$2,187You save $2,187
China Unveiled: 17-Day Journey from Hong Kong to Beijing
7 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 17 days Destinations Hong Kong, Yangshuo, Guilin, Chengdu, Xi'an, Dengfeng, Zhengzhou, Beijing Age Range 18 to 55 year olds Operated in English, Chinese Price Per Day $156 Operator The Dragon Trip From $2,948
10% Off- NZ$2,654You save $295
What people love about Budget Tours in China
- 11-Day Impressive China
The sightseeing and activities were way better than we even thought! I still can’t believe we did so much in such a short time. My husband and I really loved the tour and would do it all over again in a minute! Thanks and we will tell everyone!
- 9-Day New Splendid China
Fantastic. Loved the tour, wish we had more time to spend there.
- Hong Kong to Chengdu Express: 9-Day China Discovery
I will use tourrader again
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."