Home
Real trip budgets
Emma's Canada solo trip: 10 days in Beijing, Chengdu & Dali

Temple of Heaven under a clear sky, Beijing

Emma's Canada solo trip: 10 days in Beijing, Chengdu & Dali

A 10-day mid-range trip through Beijing, Chengdu, Dali, budgeted at $2,400 (≈ $240/day).

real-trip-budgets2026-10-27

Giant panda walking through bamboo, Chengdu

Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple, Dali

At a glance

Traveler: Emma
Nationality: Canada
Travel style: mid-range
Month of travel: April 2026
Total cost: $2,400
Per day: $240
Days: 10

Visa note

Canadian citizens are 30-day visa-free since February 2026. Emma entered Beijing without any visa prep; second entry was used for a Vietnam side trip.

Paying your way

Wealthsimple Visa linked to Alipay worked everywhere. WeChat Pay was a backup but the verification flow took 20 minutes.

Highlights

Female-only Didi rides after 9pm (request via the app's safety settings)
Beijing hutong boutique hotel (¥680/night, courtyard view)
3-day Slow Travel in Dali old town + Erhai Lake cycling
Panda base at Chengdu before 8am — alone with the pandas

Cost breakdown

Flights	$720
Accommodation	$760
Meals	$320
Transit	$240
Attractions	$280
Misc	$80

Day by day

Day 1 — Beijing
≈ $240
- Arrived in Beijing
- Female-only Didi rides after 9pm (request via the app's safety settings)
Day 2 — Beijing
≈ $240
- Beijing hutong boutique hotel (¥680/night, courtyard view)
Day 3 — Beijing
≈ $240
- Jingshan Park and hutong walk
Day 4 — Chengdu
≈ $240
- HSR/transit from Beijing to Chengdu
- Panda base at Chengdu before 8am — alone with the pandas
Day 5 — Chengdu
≈ $240
- Night Didi across Chengdu with the female-driver option selected
Day 6 — Chengdu
≈ $240
- People's Park tea house afternoon
Day 7 — Dali
≈ $240
- HSR/transit from Chengdu to Dali
- 3-day Slow Travel in Dali old town + Erhai Lake cycling
Day 8 — Dali
≈ $240
- Erhai lakeshore cycling
Day 9 — Dali
≈ $240
Day 10 — Dali
≈ $240
- One last female-only Didi, this time to the airport
- Departed Dali