Skip to main content
Visa-free transit 240h ✓CNY 7.15 ≈ $1HSR network 45,000 km
Visa CheckerContact
DestinationsToolsVisa GuideContact
DestinationsToolsVisa GuideContact
  1. Home
  2. Real trip budgets
  3. Dmitry's Russia backpacker route: 14 days
Temple of Heaven under a clear sky, Beijing

Dmitry's Russia backpacker route: 14 days

A 14-day backpacker trip through Beijing, Harbin, Shanghai, Hong Kong, budgeted at $1,400 (≈ $100/day).

real-trip-budgets2026-10-27
Saint Sophia Cathedral lit at dusk, HarbinPudong skyline at night seen from the Bund, Shanghai

At a glance

Traveler
Dmitry
Nationality
Russia
Travel style
backpacker
Month of travel
January 2026
Total cost
$1,400
Per day
$100
Days
14

Visa note

Russian citizens are 30-day visa-free. Dmitry entered with no prior application.

Paying your way

Sberbank Visa linked to Alipay worked at most merchants. MIR card did not work in China.

Highlights

  • Direct flight Moscow → Beijing (8 hours, Aeroflot)
  • Harbin 2 nights: Ice and Snow Festival (best in January)
  • Shanghai 3 nights: Bund, French Concession, Yu Garden
  • Hong Kong 3 nights: Victoria Peak, Star Ferry, dim sum

Cost breakdown

Flights$480
Accommodation$380
Meals$280
Transit$130
Attractions$90
Misc$40

Day by day

  1. Day 1 — Beijing

    ≈ $100
    • Arrived in Beijing
    • Direct flight Moscow → Beijing (8 hours, Aeroflot)

  2. Day 2 — Beijing

    ≈ $100
    • Forbidden City complex visit

  3. Day 3 — Beijing

    ≈ $100
    • Temple of Heaven morning walk

  4. Day 4 — Beijing

    ≈ $100
    • Summer Palace afternoon walk

  5. Day 5 — Harbin

    ≈ $100
    • HSR/transit from Beijing to Harbin
    • Saint Sophia Cathedral evening

  6. Day 6 — Harbin

    ≈ $100
    • Harbin 2 nights: Ice and Snow Festival (best in January)

  7. Day 7 — Harbin

    ≈ $100
    • Central Street stroll

  8. Day 8 — Harbin

    ≈ $100
    • Songhua River ice activities (afternoon)

  9. Day 9 — Shanghai

    ≈ $100
    • HSR/transit from Harbin to Shanghai
    • The Bund evening walk

  10. Day 10 — Shanghai

    ≈ $100
    • Yu Garden morning visit

  11. Day 11 — Shanghai

    ≈ $100
    • Shanghai 3 nights: Bund, French Concession, Yu Garden

  12. Day 12 — Shanghai

    ≈ $100
    • French Concession stroll

  13. Day 13 — Hong Kong

    ≈ $100
    • HSR/transit from Shanghai to Hong Kong
    • Hong Kong 3 nights: Victoria Peak, Star Ferry, dim sum

  14. Day 14 — Hong Kong

    ≈ $100
    • Star Ferry and Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront
    • Departed Hong Kong