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Amira's South Africa trip: 10 days, Beijing to Urumqi
A 10-day mid-range trip through Beijing, Xi'an, Dunhuang, Urumqi, budgeted at $3,400 (≈ $340/day).
real-trip-budgets2026-10-18
At a glance
- Traveler
- Amira
- Nationality
- South Africa
- Travel style
- mid-range
- Month of travel
- October 2025
- Total cost
- $3,400
- Per day
- $340
- Days
- 10
Visa note
South African citizens need a L visa. Applied at Chinese embassy in Pretoria, 10 business days, $140.
Paying your way
FNB Visa Debit linked to Alipay. Cash at ICBC ATMs. WeChat Pay accepted at large merchants in cities.
Highlights
- Johannesburg → Beijing (Ethiopian Airlines via Addis, 14 hours)
- Mingsha Sand Dunes and Crescent Moon Spring (Dunhuang)
Cost breakdown
| Flights | $900 |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | $800 |
| Meals | $600 |
| Transit | $700 |
| Attractions | $300 |
| Misc | $100 |
Day by day
Day 1 — Beijing
≈ $340- Arrived Beijing Capital T3
Day 2 — Beijing
≈ $340- Forbidden City (morning)
- Jingshan Park sunset
Day 3 — Beijing
≈ $340- Great Wall Mutianyu (full day)
Day 4 — Beijing
≈ $340- HSR to Xi'an (4.5 hours)
Day 5 — Xi'an
≈ $340- Terra Cotta Warriors (morning)
- City Wall cycling afternoon
Day 6 — Xi'an
≈ $340- Flight to Dunhuang (2 hours)
- Mingsha Sand Dunes sunset
Day 7 — Dunhuang
≈ $340- Crescent Moon Spring morning
- Mogao Caves afternoon
Day 8 — Dunhuang
≈ $340- Train to Urumqi (overnight, 12 hours)
Day 9 — Urumqi
≈ $340- Heavenly Lake (Tianchi) day trip
Day 10 — Urumqi
≈ $340- Departed Urumqi Diwopu Airport