Budget Tours to China
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10 best Budget China tour packages
Compiled by
NadineChina travel expert at TourRadar
- China Golden Triangle
- China Unveiled: 18-Day Journey from Hong Kong to Beijing
- 6 Days Central Tibet Culture Small Group Tour: Explore Tibet's religion, cultural gems, and captivating landscapes
- Great Wall to Great Cities: Epic China Adventure from Beijing to Shanghai
- 9-Day New Splendid China
- Economy Tour: Lanzhou, Zhangye, Jiayuguan, Dunhuang, Jade Gate Pass 7 Days
- Hong Kong to Chengdu - 11 days
- Beijing to Shanghai Express - 10 days
- 【China】11-Day Essential Highlights Tour
- Overland Tibet with EBC Tour 8 days
Duration 9 days Destinations Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai Age Range Ages 18+ Price Per Day $141 Operator Tomato Travel From
- NZ$1,269
China Unveiled: 18-Day Journey from Hong Kong to Beijing
8 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, Guilin, Chongqing, Chengdu, Leshan, Xi'an, Beijing Age Range Ages 18-55 Price Per Day $139 Operator The Dragon Trip From $3,330
25% Off- NZ$2,497You save $832
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 $236 Operator Tibet Vista From
25% Off- NZ$1,416
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 $155 Operator The Dragon Trip From $2,072
25% Off- NZ$1,554You save $518
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 Ages 18+ Price Per Day $106 Operator Intertrips From $1,593
40% Off- NZ$956+$177 upfront costsYou save $637
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 $405 Operator Silk Road Trips From
40% Off- NZ$2,833
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 $152 Operator On The Go Tours From $2,575
35% Off- NZ$1,674You save $901
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 $195 Operator On The Go Tours From $2,605
25% Off- NZ$1,954You save $651
Duration 11 days Destinations Beijing, Wuxi, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Shanghai Age Range All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $91 Operator Delightful Travel From
25% Off- NZ$998
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 $327 Operator Adventure Himalayan Travels From
25% Off- NZ$2,614
What people love about Budget Tours in China
- 27-Day China Loop: Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu and Beyond
The trip was well organised, as a solo traveller I felt safe and involved in the activities. Guides were fantastic in each location and the activities added to the overall experience. Only negative was I booked for the bungee jump in Macaw and they apparently had us booked in for 2.30pm and we weren't able to jump till after 5pm which then would affect us missing the ferry over to HK and I had a flight in the early hours, was looking forward to the bungee jump since I booked the tour it was one of the reasons why I choose it and would of been the icing on the cake it was very disappointing.
- 9-Day New Splendid China
Fantastic. Loved the tour, wish we had more time to spend there.
- China Unveiled: 18-Day Journey from Hong Kong to Beijing
I had an amazing time on the trip, the food, people , culture and the country in general was just breath taking. The tour was set at a good pace and i liked the fact that we had a lot of excursions to choose from. The tour guides were friendly, helpful and very supportive, even when i ended up in hospital. i was so glad they were there. Accommodations in some locations exceeded my expectations whilst others could of been a bit better. Overall its been one of the best trips i have had and have recommended it to so many people.
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."