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Carlos' Mexico trip: 5 days in Shanghai & Hangzhou
A 5-day mid-range trip through Shanghai, Hangzhou, budgeted at $1,200 (≈ $240/day).
real-trip-budgets2026-10-18
At a glance
- Traveler
- Carlos
- Nationality
- Mexico
- Travel style
- mid-range
- Month of travel
- September 2025
- Total cost
- $1,200
- Per day
- $240
- Days
- 5
Visa note
Mexican citizens need a L visa. Applied at Chinese consulate in Mexico City, 10 business days, $150.
Paying your way
BBVA Mexico Visa accepted at WeChat Pay partner merchants. Cash withdrawn from ICBC ATM using BBVA. Alipay acceptance limited.
Highlights
- Mexico City → Shanghai (via Tokyo, 18 hours total)
- The Bund at night — famous skyline
- West Lake boat ride and tea on Hu He Ting island
- HSR Shanghai Hongqiao → Hangzhou (45 minutes)
Cost breakdown
| Flights | $550 |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | $280 |
| Meals | $180 |
| Transit | $80 |
| Attractions | $70 |
| Misc | $40 |
Day by day
Day 1 — Shanghai
≈ $240- Arrived Shanghai Pudong T1
- The Bund evening walk
Day 2 — Shanghai
≈ $240- Yu Garden morning
- French Concession afternoon walk
- Nanjing Road evening
Day 3 — Shanghai
≈ $240- Shanghai Tower (morning, 2 hours)
- HSR to Hangzhou
Day 4 — Hangzhou
≈ $240- West Lake morning (boat ride at dawn)
- Lingyin Temple afternoon
Day 5 — Hangzhou
≈ $240- Tea plantation (Longjing) morning
- Departed Hangzhou East HSR to Shanghai