Budget Tours to China
4.5 stars on(7,644 reviews)- Choose from 46 China tours
- 50+ verified reviews from TourRadar travelers
- 24/7 customer support
10 best Budget China tour packages
Compiled by
NadineChina travel expert at TourRadar
- China Highlights
- Beijing to Shanghai Express - 10 days
- Hong Kong to Chengdu - 9 days
- 9-Day New Splendid China
- 11-Day Impressive China
- China Unveiled: 17-Day Journey from Hong Kong to Beijing
- 14-Day Panda Volunteering trip from Chengdu to Beijing
- Budget Tour: Lanzhou, Zhangye, Jiayuguan and Dunhuang 6 Days
- Economy Tour: Lanzhou, Zhangye, Jiayuguan and Dunhuang 6 Days
- Budget Silk Road Tour by Train: Beijing, Xian, Lanzhou, Labrang, Dunhuang, Turpan, Kashgar
China Highlights
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The alternative activity - to watch the sunset in a scenic spot - will remain an outstanding memory of the trip.”
Anna, traveled in March
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 $208 Operator Explore! From $2,770
25% Off- US$2,080You save $690
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 $118 Operator On The Go Tours From
25% Off- US$1,175
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 $109 Operator On The Go Tours From
25% Off- US$985
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 $89 Operator Intertrips From
25% Off- US$799+$100 local payments
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, Shenzhen Age Range 2 to 80 year olds Price Per Day $100 Operator Intertrips From
25% Off- US$1,099+$120 local payments
China Unveiled: 17-Day Journey from Hong Kong to Beijing
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The cost effective tour included experienced tour guides and fun activities. Would recommend and go with Dragon Trip again!”
Natalie, traveled in May
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 $79 Operator The Dragon Trip From $1,570
15% Off- US$1,335You save $235
Priced at $220 per day, this tour covers China's highlights with transportation and hostel stays. Activities include panda volunteering, Great Wall camping, and Mandarin lessons, plus free time in Chengdu and Beijing.
Duration 14 days Destinations Chengdu, Dujiangyan, Xi'an, Dengfeng, Beijing Age Range 18 to 55 year olds Operated in English, Chinese Price Per Day $178 Operator The Dragon Trip From $2,928
15% Off- US$2,489You save $439
For approx. $220 daily, rest in 3-star hotels across Lanzhou, Zhangye, and Dunhuang. Daily breakfasts, tours of Mogao Caves and Jiayuguan Fortress included, with optional camel rides at Minsha Shan available.
Duration 6 days Destinations Lanzhou, Zhangye, Jiayuguan, Dunhuang Age Range up to 80 year olds Price Per Day $217 Operator Silk Road Trips From
15% Off- US$1,299
Your $280 daily investment includes 5 breakfasts and 3-star hotels. Four major Silk Road cities await, with entry to Mogao Caves and Jiayuguan Fortress. Bullet train through Qilian Mountains included.
Duration 6 days Destinations Lanzhou, Zhangye, Jiayuguan, Dunhuang Age Range up to 80 year olds Price Per Day $243 Operator Silk Road Trips From
15% Off- US$1,459
The $220 daily rate covers hotel stays and entry to the Forbidden City and Terra Cotta Warriors. Overnight trains provide transport, with free time to browse Dunhuang's night markets.
Duration 12 days Destinations Beijing, Xi'an, Lanzhou, Dunhuang, Turpan, Kashgar Age Range up to 80 year olds Price Per Day $200 Operator Silk Road Trips From
15% Off- US$2,399
What people love about Budget Tours in China
- Real China
We were so fortunate to have Qin as our guide on this tour. She took us to so many places, that we would likely not have found on our own. I was particularly impressed by the fact she was able to order us the local delicacies of every place we visited - I have never eaten so much delicious food. Qin's hometown of Yangshuo was the highlight for me, as not only was it absolutely beautiful, but her personal connections with the city and it's people, made it an extra special experience. As a group, we concluded that the bike ride Qin took us on along the river, should be included in the cost, rather than as an additional activity, as it was truly one of the most breathtaking rides we'd ever been on. Qin was very accomodating, even organising a private bus on our day trip to the Terracotta Warriors, to ensure we would have the best experience by maximising our time there. Plus if we ever had any free time, she always had suggestions or recommendations of things we could do (in addition to what was listed). It is worth pointing out that the trip does include extensive travelling, both at night and during the day, and it would be worth including the approximate travel times for each trip for the purposes of transparency. While the trip says 12 days, the first and the last are not counted, and it would be fair to say we lost an additional two days with travelling. Given the amount of ground we covered, this is to be expected, but the details of this travel could be included more clearly in the trip summary (prior to attending the trip). Although it is covered in the notes received once you have booked the trip, it is certainly worth making note (perhaps like the fitness rating) that the trip, given China's air quality, may provided difficult for certain people, such as asthmatics, including myself. While I had medication with me which I was taking regularly, I still found the air pollution caused significant challenges and it was something I could not quite comprehend until having to breathe through it. Overall, a great trip, and one that I am glad I got to experience with the absolutely wonderful Qin as my guide.
- 8 Days Lhasa Tour from Kathmandu
Our Lhasa tour from Kathmandu with Peregrine Treks and Tours was an unforgettable experience. Pradip's quick and helpful communication made booking a breeze. Our group of seven made for a fun and supportive trip. The tour was well-organized, highlighting the best of Lhasa’s cultural and historical sites. I highly recommend Peregrine Treks and Tours to anyone thinking about this incredible adventure.
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."