🇰🇷 South Korea · mid-range · June 2026
Ji-hoon's 5-day China trip — $1,100 total
Beijing → Shanghai
Last updated:
These budgets are editorial estimates built from cited public prices (as of 2026), not actual user-submitted trip reports. Real traveler submissions will replace estimates as they accumulate via our lead form.
Quick Answer
How much does a 5-day China trip from South Korea cost?
Ji-hoon (South Korea) spent 5 days across Beijing, Shanghai on a mid-range budget, totaling $1,100 ($220/day) in June 2026. "5 days, two cities, one Maglev ride — the most efficient China trip possible."
Source: NihaoVisit editorial estimates (cited 2026 public prices)
Cost breakdown
| Category | USD | % of total |
|---|---|---|
| flights | $220 | 20% |
| accommodation | $380 | 35% |
| meals | $240 | 22% |
| transit | $180 | 16% |
| attractions | $60 | 5% |
| misc | $20 | 2% |
| Total | $1,100 | 100% |
Day-by-day itinerary
Illustrative day-by-day itinerary derived from this editorial estimate.
Day 1 · Beijing
~$220
- Arrived in Beijing· 1 link
- Beijing arrival on the morning flight, Great Wall at Mutianyu the same afternoon· 1 link
Day 2 · Beijing
~$220
Day 3 · Beijing
~$220
Day 4 · Shanghai
~$220
Day 5 · Shanghai
~$220
- Beijing arrival on the morning flight, Great Wall at Mutianyu the same afternoon· 1 link
- Departed Shanghai· 1 link
Payment evidence
3 illustrative asset placeholders (Alipay top-ups, HSR tickets, hotel check-ins, metro QR scans) — to be replaced with real screenshots once lead-form submissions accumulate.
- Alipay Tour Pass ¥500 (Samsung Card Visa)Day 1 · ¥500 CNYKorean Visa/Mastercard cards consistently work.
- Beijing → Shanghai HSR second classDay 3 · ¥553 CNY4.5 hours, ¥80 equivalent.
- Shanghai Maglev (Pudong airport)Day 5 · ¥50 CNY¥50 round trip. 431 km/h.
Trip highlights
- Beijing arrival on the morning flight, Great Wall at Mutianyu the same afternoon
- Beijing-Shanghai HSR ($80 second class, 4.5 hr)
- Shanghai Maglev from Pudong ($8 round trip)
- Bund cruise at sunset — ¥120, book on the day
Visa for South Korea
South Korean citizens are 30-day visa-free. Ji-hoon used the visa-free entry; passport scanned at PEK immigration took under 30 seconds.
Payment in China
Samsung Card Visa linked to Alipay worked everywhere. KakaoPay does not work in China — needed the Alipay setup.
In Ji-hoon's words
"5 days, two cities, one Maglev ride — the most efficient China trip possible."
Frequently asked questions
How much does a 5-day China trip from South Korea actually cost?
Do South Korea citizens need a visa for China?
What's the best way to pay in China as a South Korea visitor?
What cities did Ji-hoon visit on this trip?
See also: China trip cost, All real trip budgets, Experience hub, By country.